Evan
We pulled up at my parents' house.
We got out of the car.
Gentle Piano music was playing.
"I don't think she's gotten one of these."
Violet chuckled.
"Hey."
"Champagne, Mr. Hawkins?"
"Thanks, Gretchen."
I took both of them off the tray.
"And can I just say happy Birthday?"
"Sure. Thank you."
She smiled at me.
Gretchen looked over at Violet.
She walked off.
"Evan."
"Mom."
We hugged.
"Oh. Happy Birthday."
"Thank you."
"Mm."
I broke the hug.
"And Violet."
"Hi."
They hugged.
"It's so good to see you again."
"You saw us last night." I pointed out.
"Yes. And because of that, I am never taking anything for granted. Ever again."
"Hey." It was Elena.
"I heard about the crash. Are you okay?" She questioned.
"I'm fine, Elena. Thank you."
"Oh!"
She grunted softly as we hugged.
"Violet, let me introduce to you my good friend, Elena Long."
"Uh... We met at the Masquerade."
"Yes. Nice to see you again."
"Excuse us."
"Surely."
We walked away from them.
"She's fantastic."
I tapped my fork against my Champagne flute.
I cleared my throat.
Everybody looked up from their own conversations.
All of the chatter ceased.
"Ladies, gentlemen, Mia."
There was laughter.
"I want to thank you all for coming here this evening. I was expecting a small family gathering. Thanks, Mia."
People laughed again.
"Uh... But I'm happy that you're all here, because I have an announcement to make. As most of you know, yesterday Ros and I had a narrow escape."
Ros's friend wrapped her arm around her.
"And something like that reminds us of what really matters and how important it is to seize the day."
"Violet, come up here a second, please."
She chuckled nervously.
Violet stood next to me.
"So, a while ago, I was lucky enough to meet this amazing young woman, Violet Mikami. And very quickly, I realized that she was the one I wanted to share my life with. So, I asked her to marry me. And she said yes."
The crowd of people exclaimed and applauded.
"Oh, that is so..."
Mom and Dad kissed.
Stella was shocked.
We kissed.
"I'm thrilled, Violet." Dad told her.
"Come here, bro."
Elliot and me hugged.
Dad and Violet hugged.
"Welcome to the family." He told her.
"Thank you."
"And if I cry anymore, I'm just going to dehydrate." Mom said.
Mom and Violet hugged.
"Welcome."
"Oh, my God. Don't do that."
"Congratulations."
Dad and me hugged.
Mom and me hugged.
"Stop crying, Mom."
"Can't help it."
I chuckled.
"I love you so much."
"I love you."
Mia chuckled.
"Well done, big brother."
We hugged.
"Ring. Show me the ring."
"Oh, we're gonna choose it together."
"No rock. Evan Hawkins."
I smiled.
"Oh, my God, I have a Sister!"
They both laughed as they hugged.
"Violet!"
"Thanks, Jim."
Elena walked away.
"Grace and I are so proud."
Violet
Stella chuckled, walking down the hallway with two Martinis.
"I leave you alone for a couple weeks and this is what happens?"
"I know. I'm..."
She chuckled.
Stella handed me one of the Martini glasses.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Oh, please. Come here."
"Oh."
We hugged.
"Mm."
We both chuckled.
"So, how does it feel to bag Chicago's most eligible bachelor?"
"It's a little scary, but..."
"Well, if anyone cna make it work, it's you."
Elliot walked down the hallway.
"Hey, Sis-in-law." He greeted.
Elliot kissed me on the cheek.
"Congratulations. Evan's a very lucky guy."
Stella and me chuckled.
"You, however, are certifiably insane."
We laughed.
"Hey. I'm sorry to interrupt. Uh... Mia wants to taste one of your killer cocktails."
"Oh. Well, coming right up."
Stella giggled as they walked off together.
"I see you heeded our little talk."
I turned around to face Elena.
I sighed.
"What makes you think I would ever listen to you?"
"You don't care about Evan. He'll see that. I'll make sure of it."
"He'll see right through you. It's over for you, Elena."
"You're just a mousy little thing after his money. He's not capable of Marriage."
Elena gasped when I threw my drink in her face.
Evan joined us.
She smacked her lips.
"Thank you, Evan." Elena thanked him when he handed her his handkerchief.
"Why are you even here, Elena?" Evan questioned.
"She's not right for you."
"You don't know what's right for me." He pointed out.
"You taught me how to fuck, Elena. Violet taught me how to love."
"She's just the next one in line."
She wiped the drink off her lips.
"Get out of my house." It was Grace.
We were surprised to see her.
Grace slapped Elena across the face.
"Leave my children alone and get the hell out of my house."
She walked out.
"Violet, darling... Would you give us a moment alone, please?"
I headed upstairs to Evan's room.
I picked up a picture.
The door opened.
Evan sighed, sitting next to me on the bed.
"I'm sorry about that."
I exhaled.
"Is your Mom okay?"
"Furious."
"Hmm."
"Elena's gone."
"Like gone, gone?"
"I'm done. The business. Everything. I'll have my people sort out the details tomorrow."
"I know she was important to you. I'm sorry."
"Are you?"
"No."
"No."
We both chuckled.
"What's that you got there?"
He examined the picture.
Evan sighed softly.
"Come with me. There's something I need to show you."
Evan
We were walking down the path to the pool house, holding hands.
"Last time we came down here, I was over your shoulder."
I chuckled.
"Oh, yeah."
Violet gasped as I slung her over my shoulder.
She shrieked as I playfully hit her ass.
We both laughed.
Violet laughed as I opened the pool house door.
She sighed, holding onto my arm.
"After you."
Violet walked in.
I was behind her.
We walked down the stairs.
"Oh, my God!"
I had decorated the whole pool area with flowers.
I flicked on the lights.
"You wanted hearts and flowers."
"Oh, my God!"
"It's okay."
I chuckled.
"It's okay."
She walked on the glass covering.
"Evan."
I went down on one knee behind Violet.
"This is amazing."
She turned around.
I had opened the ring box.
"Be mine.
Share my life with me."
"Yes."
"Marry me."
"I'll marry you."
"Give me your hand."
Violet giggled, giving me her left hand.
I slid the Engagement ring on her left ring finger.
We both chuckled as I got up off one knee.
We kissed.
Fireworks were exploding.
"Did you do that?"
I chuckled.
We kissed again.
All of them were cheering as the fireworks continued exploding.
The very end was the finale.
It spelled out "Violet and Evan" in the sky.
