Since the birth of their daughter Hope things went smoothly. Viola couldn't be happier. In fact Doffy took his new role as a father so serious that Viola would've been envious of her own daughter if she was one of the simple-minded women. Hope had Doffy wrapped around her little finger the day she was born.
On the other side Hope was a daddy's girl from the moment of her birth. Viola had a hard time calming Hope down whenever Doffy wasn't near. And only Doffy could get Hope to sleep when their daughter somehow got past her usual naptime.
For Viola those times weren't so easy. But she wasn't one of those simple minded women. Therefore, Viola simply took joy in the precious father- daughter-moments whenever she could witness one of them.
Like the times Doffy would hum or sing softly to his young daughter while he cradles her in his arms to get Hope to sleep. Other times he would sing loudly and dance with Hope around Hope's bedroom, making Hope giggle. On those times, Viola loved to join her little family. Whether it was in their silly happy dances or listening to Doffy's nightly serenades.
Today though was different. Today Viola had to take care of Hope by herself. Doffy had said he had things planned without them. Which in itself wasn't unusual. On those kind of days Doffy would leave for a few hours only to return with arms full of presents for Hope and her. It was Doffys way of showing he cared. That's what Viola believed at least. She was sure Doffy wasn't the kind of man to shower people with presents on a weekly basis without a good reason.
Viola sat on a wooden chair as she absentmindedly rocked Hope's cradle while her little daughter slept on, sounds of cooing coming occasionally out of the tiny human as the little girl dreamed.
And so the blackhaired woman didn't hear the door to the room open and close.
Only when there was a soft thud of something heavy landing on the floor of the room followed by a familiar voice saying "I'm back.", did Viola look up from watching her daughter sleep.
That's when she saw Doffy standing before her and Hope's cradle, with a soft smile on his face as he too looked at their daughter.
"Welcome back Doffy."
"Thanks. I'm glad to be back."
The two adults were silent for a moment and Viola basked in the love that lingered in the room since Doffys return. Now her little family was complete. She sighed in happiness. But the comfortable silence was soon interrupted by Doffys next words as he turned his gaze from their daughter to Viola.
"I have something for you Viola. I hope you'll wear it for me."
"What is it?" Viola was confused. Usually Doffy would simply though whatever he got her into her arms. Since Hope's birth, he never kept things from her, whether it was a gift or a secret.
"It's a surprise. Close your eyes until I say you can open them, aright?"
"What is it?" Viola was confused. Usually Doffy would simply though whatever he got her into her arms. Since Hope's birth, he never kept things from her, whether it was a gift or a secret.
"It's a surprise. Close your eyes until I say you can open them, aright?"
Doffy turned around, his back towards her and only then did Viola see the treasure chest standing proudly behind him on the floor.
"Yeah okay." She was curious but did as Doffy asked of her. Her eyes closed, she heard the top of the treasure chest open by Doffys hands, some rustling and then footsteps towards her.
"You can open your eyes now Viola."
And as Viola opened her eyes again, she found Doffy before her with him holding a small dress compared to his height in front of her. A dress as pure white as innocence and with everything a girl dreamed of when she imagined her wedding dress. It was a wedding dress.
Viola gasped at how pretty it was. But soon a feeling of sadness and confusion filled her heart and she kept herself from touching the beautiful wedding dress before her.
"Oh my, it's beautiful but I can't wear something like that."
"Why not? I choose it for you in mind." Doffy looked at her like she didn't get why he wanted her to wear the dress and frankly Viola really didn't know if she was the one who didn't get it or if it was Doffy who didn't understand the meaning of his present.
"Because it's a wedding dress. I'm sure we're not getting married any time soon Doffy. And I would never marry anyone other than you. I only love you Doffy, you know that."
"Well guess I have no other choice than to say it out loud.", Viola heard Doffy grumble, before the blonde put the wedding dress carefully back into the treasure chest.
Doffy took off his sunglasses, threw them in the treasure chest to the dress and then walked back to her. Viola could only watch, her mind racing and her heart beating with anticipation both from Doffys words and the dress he got for her.
Doffy knelt before her on one knee and looked her directly in the eyes as he took her hands in his.
"I love you as much as stars shine in the sky and as fierce as the beat of a flamenco song. From the moment of your proposal months ago, I've started to accept that it is alright to love again. And that is why I want to ask you: Will you be forever mine Viola? Will you marry me?"
Viola felt hot tears blur her vision at those words. From pure happiness. All her dreams and hopes became true now.
And she smiled as she shouted from the bottom of her heart while she jumped into Doffys arms:
"Yes…Yes!"