A few weeks later, Allie and Bobby sat on the plane heading to Canada. Allie was excited to meet his parents and family. She hoped they liked her. Bobby had made them reservations at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto. He had booked the owner's suite for them. Once they arrived in Toronto, they headed to the hotel.
"Oh my gosh," Allie said when they walked into the suite. "This suite is amazing."
"I hoped you would like it." He said with a smile. "I want you to enjoy this trip."
She smiled. "The only thing I need to enjoy any trip or date is to be with you."
"I think this is going to be a very special trip." She smiled. "I thought we would go visit my parents tomorrow. Tonight, I want us to have a romantic evening."
She nodded and changed into a wispy, three-dimensional blossoms and pastel embroidery embellish the lace of an elegant tea-length dress. The dress said romance to her plus it was pink. She walked out of the bedroom after changing.
"Wow, you look amazing." He said when he saw her.
"Thank you." She smiled. "You look very handsome."
"Shall we go?" She nodded and took his arm and they headed out. He had made reservations at Jacobs &CO Steakhouse. It was the best restaurant in Toronto.
"This menu is amazing but it's expensive," Allie said as they were seated.
"I told you. This is a romantic evening and I want the best." He replied. He ordered them a bottle of Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut 2002, AOC Champagne. Allie couldn't believe because it cost $668 a bottle. He ordered them Imperial Osetra Caviar as an appetizer. Allie ordered the tenderloin steak with a lobster wedge salad and stuffed baked potato. Bobby ordered the ribeye with a lobster wedge salad and stuffed baked potato. They had Crème Brulee for dessert. By the end of the evening, the bill came to $1363 plus tip of 275 which came to $1638.
"That dinner was amazing." She said as they drove back to the hotel. "You didn't have to spend that much."
"I know but this is a special occasion." He smiled. She wondered what he meant. He helped her out of the car when they got to the hotel and they headed in. He opened the door and she was shocked when she walked in and saw rose petals and candles in the room.
"Oh my gosh, this is beautiful." She said as she walked in. She looked at him. "You planned all of this?"
"I did." He replied. "I told you this was a special occasion." He smiled and took out the black box. He got down on one knee and opened the box. "Allison Brooks, will you marry me?"
She smiled. "Yes." She replied. She smiled as he slid the 5.02-carat pear-shaped engagement ring on her finger. "I love you." She said as he did.
"I love you too." He said and kissed her. She deepened the kiss and they headed into the bedroom. They spent the rest of the night there.
The next day they got dressed and headed to his parents' house. She was very nervous. She was nervous before they were engaged but now she was very nervous.
"Relax, my parents are going to love you." He said as he took her hand and kissed it. They soon pulled up to the house and got out. He took her hand as they walked up the walkway. He knocked on the door and waited for them to answer.
"Bobby." His mom said as she opened the door. "Glad you came." She said as she hugged him. She looked at Allie. "And this must be Allie." She smiled and hugged her. "She is very beautiful."
"Thank you," Allie replied. "It's nice to meet you."
"You as well." She smiled. "Come in." They followed her in and into the living room. "Well, Allie, Bobby has told us all about you." Sandy Roode said to her. "And we are happy to welcome you into our family."
"What?" Allie asked wondering how she knew Bobby had proposed to her.
Sandy smiled. "Bobby told us he was proposing on this trip. He said he had talked to your parents and gotten their permission." She replied. "I told him he was doing things right and very old-fashioned."
Allie couldn't help but smile. She turned to Bobby. "You asked my parents?"
"I did." He replied. "I told your parents I was planning to propose on this trip and I asked them for permission." He looked at her. "Are you okay that I told them and my parents?"
"Of course." She replied. "I think it's very romantic."
"Good. I hoped I wasn't overstepping or anything."
"No, I love it." She smiled.
"Well, now that you two are engaged, we need to plan the wedding."
"I always wanted to have a wedding in Texas in October."
"I think that's great," Sandy replied. "I can see a beautiful wedding in Texas."
"Good." Allie smiled. She looked at Bobby. She was glad he was open to having the wedding in Texas. She always saw herself getting married in Texas.
They had a nice dinner with his parents and then headed back to the hotel. She was still in shock about everything. How amazing the trip had been and that he had proposed to her. And she had to be honest, she couldn't wait to be married to him.
They left Canada two days later after spending some more time with his parents and each other. She couldn't wait to get home and start planning the wedding.
Once they were home, she called Brianne and asked her to help her plan the wedding. She knew she would need help since October was just five months away. Bobby told her to not to worry about the cost and plan the type of wedding she dreamed of. Her parents told her the same thing. She always thought she wasn't the type to have a big, fancy expensive wedding. But now that she was engaged, she wanted her dream wedding complete with the cake, dress, sit down dinner and everything else.
"This dress would be perfect on you," Brianne said as they were looking at a bridal shop. Allie had already decided on a wedding at Hotel Granduca in Houston. The ceremony and reception were both going to take place there. The flowers were ordered and the décor was decided upon with the fall colors. The wedding cake she picked out was five tiers. A layer of chocolate, a layer of vanilla, a layer of strawberry, a layer of marble, and a layer of chocolate chip. Each with a different filling as well. The chocolate had a mocha buttercream filling, the vanilla had a hazelnut buttercream, the strawberry had a vanilla buttercream, the marble had an expresso buttercream and finally, the chocolate chip had a Chocolate Ganache filling. The cake was frosted with white buttercream frosting and decorate with white and dark chocolate covered strawberries.
The menu was set up of different displays which included an antipasto display of Balsamic Grilled Vegetables, Roasted Peppers, Marinated Artichoke Hearts,Imported Olives, Mozzarella & Tear Drop Tomatoes with Basil, Baguette Toasts. A pasta display of Cheese Purse with Summer Tomatoes, fresh Basil and Lemon and penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Cream Sauce. The guests were to enjoy a selection of hors-d'oeuvres which included southern style lobster rolls, jumbo Maryland crab cakes, beef brisket grilled cheese, and herb crusted baby lamp chops. These were going to be served while the guests mingled. There was also an open bar for the guests as well.
The first course of the dinner was Winter Greens with Dried Cranberries, Stilton and Toasted Pistachios, Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Artisan Bread and Butter served to each table. The second course of the dinner was Breast of Chicken stuffed with Brie and Herbs, Tarragon Buerre Blanc And Petite Filet Mignon, Roasted Shallot Demiglace & Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Red Pepper Cream *plus Vegetarian Option.
They also chose to have Deluxe Dessert Display with Assorted Miniatures such as Seasonal Tarts, Brownie Domes, Cannoli, Éclair, Chocolate Mousse in Praline Cups, Pecan Diamonds, Mini Cheesecakes, Whole Tortes, Artisan Chocolate Display with Handmade Candies, Truffles and Chocolate Dipped Fruits, Sliced Fresh Fruit, Chocolate Sauce and Assorted Fancy Cookies.
"That dress is perfect," Brianne said to her sister.
"Thanks." Allie smiled as she modeled the cap sleeve ball gown embellished with beading and lace appliques, the gown's soft volume and fluid movement was created by over 35 yards of tulle, as a champagne lining lends warmth and dimension. It featured a chapel train and veil of illusion attached to a jewel-encrusted comb and paired with metallic crystal t-straps wedges.
"Get it," Brianne replied. Allie smiled and nodded to the sales person. She knew it was the perfect dress. "So, you have the entire wedding planned?"
"We do," Allie replied as they left the bridal shop after paying for the dress. "And Bobby is taking care of the honeymoon. So, everything is set."
Brianne smiled. "I can't believe you're getting married."
"Me either." Allie smiled back as they got into her SUV. "But I'm so happy and I can't wait to be Bobby's wife."