The fireworks had just started when Erin's phone rang, and Dave watched as she pulled it out of her pocket, a sweet smile spreading across her lips as she answered. "Harriet! How are Greg's parents?" He smiled at her in return as he pulled her closer to his chest, the picnic blanket beneath them seeming like an all too thin barrier against the grass of the Lawn. "What?! Oh, that is the most amazing news we've received all year! Thank you, my darling girl, and give Helena all the kisses in the world from us tonight! We'll see you soon, I promise."
After she hung up, Erin turned to him and threw her arm's around his neck, tackling him to the ground as she kissed him soundly. "I take it that we have good news?"
"Yes! Helena was given as clean a bill of health as she can get at this point. Our wedding is on, as soon as you want to marry me."
"Well, I suppose that that all depends on you, Erin. If you want a large wedding, then it might take us a few months to get everything together and ready. However, if you want to just go to the justice of the peace, we'd need two witnesses and a day off."
She nodded as she cuddled up close to him, letting her head come to rest on his chest as she started to hum along to the music that was playing as the fireworks went off above them. "I kind of want to be married sooner rather than later. I'll have a little chat with Matteo about getting you, Aaron, and Lexie a day off in two weeks. That is, if you want Aaron to be your witness. I know that I want Lexie to stand beside me on that day. I would ask Penelope, but I really want to keep this a little more lowkey, and knowing her as I do, it would be difficult to not just let her run wild with planning something over the top."
He chuckled as he nodded. "I completely understand. Penelope is a whirlwind of color and exuberance and extra, and I love her for it. But I will follow your lead on this, Erin, since I know that this day will be all about you, as it should be. Oh, I cannot wait for you to be my wife. Even though nothing will change between us, there will still be this sense of completion."
"Yes, exactly," she murmured as the first strains of the 1812 Overture began. The firework explosions picked up in time to the music, and they both watched with rapt attention at the colorful show on display. "I think that I could stay forever here in your arms, and be content, David." Turning her head, Erin kissed his cheek tenderly before looking back up at the sky. The rest of the evening seemed to pass them by much too quickly for his liking, and then they were packing up the blanket and remnants of their meal before heading slowly to their car.
"Everyone is in such a hurry to get in their car and wait in traffic," he remarked and she nodded.
"We could always try and find an open restaurant and have a celebratory dessert?" A quick smile spread across his face as he nodded and then kissed her softly. "We'll just have to drop the basket off before we do that."
"Sounds like a plan, bella." He tightened his arm around her waist as they continued to slowly make their way towards his car. When they finally reached his vehicle, the traffic was already quite heavy, and they gave each other knowing looks as they stowed the basket in the trunk and then started walking in the direction of her favorite restaurant. Thankfully, it was still open, though the host recognizing him may have led to their ability to get a secluded table almost as soon as they entered.
"What can I get for you tonight?"
Erin looked up at the server and then at him. "I think we're just in the mood for dessert. We're celebrating our engagement this evening, and just want something sweet and delicious to give the night a perfect ending."
"I think I have the perfect thing for you, then," she replied. "And would you like anything to drink?"
"Just water for me," Erin replied quickly, and Dave nodded as he gave the server a brief smile. As soon as she was gone, Dave reached across the table and took hold of Erin's hand, threading their fingers together as he gazed deeply into her eyes. "What?"
"I just want to keep looking at you for the rest of my life. I know that we'll have so many moments like this in the future, but I really want to just freeze this moment in time right now. You look so impossibly beautiful to me, like there's this light that in your eyes that is only meant for me."
"Because I am meant only for you." She squeezed his hand a few times before letting out a delicate breath. "We have a wonderful like to look forward to, and I want to just love being in love. I know that we could have had a longer life together, but now, in this moment, I feel like we'll cherish every single second we're together until we're forced to leave this earth. And then, I know that we'll meet again, in whatever the next life holds."
Her eyes sparkled brightly with tears, the candle on their table seeming to make her eyes come so much more alive. A sweet silence fell between them, as the need for words slipped away, and it wasn't until the server returned with their water that Dave seemed to breath once more. "Thank you," he murmured softly as he picked up his water glass, taking a long drink as he watched Erin follow suit. "So, what would you like me to wear to our wedding?"
"A smart suit, in dark blue, with a scarlet tie against a crisp white shirt. There will be a white lily on your lapel, and while it seems like I'm making you out to be patriotic, I just love how you look in dark blue."
"Here we are," the server said as she set down a large plate that contained numerous small desserts. "Our head chef was actually working on making up samples for a wedding he's catering in a few months, so you get to indulge in some of the finest pastries I have ever had the chance to taste. I hope that you enjoy and that your own wedding day is something to remember for the rest of your lives. And don't worry, this is our gift to you this evening."
Dave frowned a little as he reached into his pocket for his wallet, pulling out two hundred dollar bills and slipping them into the young woman's hand. "You're still serving us this evening, and your chef deserves to be compensated for his time and effort as well. You have made our evening that much better."
The girl stammered out her thanks before she scurried from their table, and Erin shook her head a little, a soft smile on her face. "She'll always remember you fondly after that tip. And that's why I love you, you are so very generous, to everyone." He returned her smile as he picked up her hand and pressed his lips to the palm of her hand, feeling excitement fill his heart as he looked ahead to their wedding day.