She wiped the tears away and nodded.
"Yes, I will".
He slipped the ring on her finger and then kissed her.
Everyone was clapping.
She was staring at her ring. It was a 4-carat cushion cut diamond in a Cathedral setting with an under halo on a diamond band. It was gorgeous.
Everyone was hugging them and congratulating them.
She turned to Lindsey.
"Want to be my Maid of Honor?"
"I would love to".
"I promise to make it easy on you with the planning from here with you in Sedona".
"I appreciate that, but it's not necessary".
"What do you mean?"
"Jonathan, shall we tell her?"
"Darling, I hired Lindsey two days ago to be a legal advisor for Hart Industries. She'll be working for the company in about 20 days, give or take".
"Wonderful!" She hugged Lindsey for a long time.
Susan spoke up.
"Jennifer, are you thinking about a wedding?"
"Yes, I am. I know that I don't need a piece of paper to tell me I'm married or that he and I will stay together forever. Jonathan is more than enough for me and more than I deserve. But it wasn't till he slipped this ring on my finger that I realized how much I want a wedding and how much I want to be married to him".
He leaned over and kissed her.
"We can do whatever you want, darling".
Max passed around champagne for everyone.
"A toast to the happy couple. May you have a long and happy marriage. Miss Edwards, welcome to the family".
"Thank you, Max".
"Thanks Max".
They all clinked glasses and took a sip.
"I can't believe this happened. I just thought we were just going to dinner and that was it".
Everyone laughed.
"We didn't know why he wanted us to film the video either. I figured it was a birthday or Christmas present".
Jennifer suddenly gasped.
"Darling! Did you talk to my dad?"
"Yes, I did. It's ok".
"He's going to be so excited we are actually getting married".
"Yeah, I think so too. Might make up for the fact that we are living together".
"Maybe".
The men went outside to smoke a cigar with Jonathan and Max, while the ladies stayed inside talking to Jennifer.
"So, what was that thing that he mentioned that almost broke you?"
"Well, it's kind of a long story. But during the months that we weren't speaking, Susan set him up with someone and it didn't work out. In fact, he says it helped him realize that he wanted to be with me more than ever. But that person, she became infatuated with Jonathan. And over time, her tactics became more and more threatening and more intense. So, the final straw came when she sent a photo of us with the glass shattered, a copy of an insurance policy that she had fraudulently obtained on herself in his name, and a wedding dress covered in blood and knife slits. And I was terrified. All of those things came in stages. So, I called him about the insurance papers, and he said he would look into it. And then the other stuff came a little bit later, and I called the cops. I was freaking out. He gets home, and he wasn't as gung-ho as I was to press charges, so we fought about it and I packed up my things and I was moving back to San Diego. I decided to head to the overlook where he and I stop sometimes and watch the waves. And I ran out of gas. So, he called me and I agreed to wait for him there and he came and got me and rescued me and calmed me down. And then we went to Susan's because I was afraid she would be mad at me for having her friend arrested. And I really and truly think Jonathan really thought he was losing me, and ever since, he's been more attentive and more romantic and it's like he appreciates me more".
"He loves you so much, sweetie. He's never looked at anyone the way he looks at you".
"Jennifer, please tell me that you pressed charges against the person you were talking about. From what you told me, I counted fraud, harassment, stalking and a veiled threat of assault and/or murder".
"We were going to. She overdosed before we could, and didn't survive".
"I see. Well, that's a shame, but at least you can sleep at night".
"I agree. I didn't want her to take her life, but I couldn't handle the situation with her any longer".
"So, off the top of your head what kind of wedding do you see?"
"Something unique and special, that reflects who we are as a couple. I would love to get married on my father's estate, but I doubt that would be feasible for everyone in Jonathan's life to travel there and all that. So, I'm sure we'll get married here in California".
"What kind of dress do you see yourself wearing?"
"I'm not sure. But I want to take my time and make sure it's the right dress. I only plan on doing this once".
"Good point".
"And it's all going to depend on when my father will be in the States, since he lives most of the time in London and Germany. I won't walk down the aisle without him".
"That's so sweet".
"I told him the other night, we needed a fresh start, meaning let's get a new house. This was before we knew the person had taken her life. I was simply thinking if we moved and only those we trusted knew our address, it would stop. And now that he and I packed my townhouse, it's clear to me that we really and truly do need a bigger house. There's no way that all of my stuff will fit in here with his".
"So, what did you think tonight was?"
"Well, the night before we went to pack my things, I reminded him that he and I had been together 3 months. So, when we got to the restaurant, there were two dozen roses on the table for me, from him, and he said "Happy belated anniversary". So, I figured he just wanted to take me to dinner to celebrate that and to put the craziness of the past two weeks behind us".
"You never saw the engagement coming?"
"Nope. He and my father and I had a pretty frank conversation about it when we went there for a visit and I was pretty clear that I didn't need a piece of paper to tell me I was going to be with him the rest of my life. And then he asked me about it again, and I told him the same. And then the last time we talked about it, I told him I would marry him if it was important to him, but living together and sharing our lives was enough for me. And he started talking about him dying and leaving me the company and I got upset and was like nope, not having this conversation. We ended the conversation with him promising me that he would find out from his lawyer if marriage was our best option. I guess he's been planning this for about a week. The first clip in the film was from the day we left to go pack up my stuff, last weekend".
"He's such a romantic soul".
She turned to Lindsey.
"Where are you staying?"
"He got me a room at the W".
"Swanky!"
"Yes, it's wonderful. I laid by the pool all day".
The men came inside then, and made themselves another plate of the hissy fit dip.
"What do you call this dip again, little lady? Tantrum city?"
She laughed.
"Hissy Fit dip".
"What in the world is a hissy fit?"
"When a woman screams and pitches a hissy fit. Legend has it, that a family took that dip to tailgates for the longest time, and then didn't one weekend, and a lady who was expecting it pitched a hissy fit because they didn't bring it".
"They should call it Bill's dip, because it's my new favorite".
"How do you make these bacon parmesan things?"
"Club crackers, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top, wrap in bacon, and bake till they are crispy. My mom made those every holiday. My dad can eat his weight in them with ease".
Jonathan put his arm around Jennifer.
"Did you plan the wedding yet?"
"No, don't be silly. Only thing I know for sure is that I need some time to drop some pounds first".
"What? You look wonderful!"
"Thank you, but we've been eating a lot of carbs lately. So, I need to set a routine for running and stick to it".
She turned to Jonathan.
"Darling, what made you want to make me a movie?"
"I wanted it to be memorable, and I figured we could watch this whenever we want".
"Great choice".
Everyone got ready to leave, and Max volunteered to take Lindsey to her hotel.
"How long are you in town for?"
"Flying home tomorrow. But I'll be moving up here in less than a month".
"I can't wait".
"And I can't wait to help you plan the wedding. You will be a beautiful bride!"
"And you will be an amazing maid of honor".
They shared a long hug and then it was just her and Jonathan.
They cleaned up together and then headed to bed.
"Darling, when you headed out this morning, were you getting my ring?"
"Yes, I was. I had picked out the stone earlier and the jeweler and I were finalizing the setting today".
"I see. I better call my dad and tell him".
She picked up the phone and called her dad.
"Hi Walter, it's Jennifer. Is my dad around?"
"Sure, one second".
"Jennifer, sweetheart, is that you?"
"Hi Pa. It's me".
"How are you, sweetheart?"
"I'm fine, Pa. I'm all moved in, to Jonathan's house. And we are going to look for a new house together. When we get settled, you'll have to come for a visit".
"I would love to sweetheart. Is everything ok?"
"Everything's fine, Pa. In fact, Jonathan asked me to marry him, and I said yes".
"He did? He talked you into it? Well, what a wonderful day! Tell him I said Welcome to the Family".
"Darling, he says Welcome to the family".
"Thanks".
"He's excited, Pa".
"You need to call your aunts, sweetheart."
"I will, but I'll do it in the morning".
"Was the proposal everything you wanted it to be?"
"It was perfect, Pa. He made a movie about me and about us, and then he took me to dinner, and when we got home our friends were here and he showed the movie, and the lights were out, and when the lights came on, he was on one knee. It was absolutely perfect".
"You found yourself a good man, sweetheart. He loves you, and he will protect you. He's everything your mother and I could have hoped for. She would be so excited".
"Yes, I think so too. I made him some of her recipes. He loved them. Everyone did".
"Which ones did you make?"
"Hissy fit dip and bacon parmesan bites".
Jennifer chuckled as she listened to her dad tell Walter to make some bacon parmesan bites.
"Alright sweetheart, I better let you go, before Jonathan has to sell the company to pay the phone bill. I'll be back in the States in a few weeks. I love you".
"I love you too. We'll talk to you soon".
They hung up and she changed into her pajamas and came back to bed.
As soon as she climbed into bed, the phone rang.
She picked it up and passed it to him.
He talked for a few minutes and then hung up.
"That was Max. He got Lindsey to her hotel and he's going to an all-night poker game".
"Wonderful".
"Darling, you know you can answer the phone. I mean, you live here too".
"I know, I keep forgetting".
She snuggled down on his chest in her usual spot.
"Are you happy?"
"I'm so happy. You have made me the happiest woman alive. How did you know I would love my ring?"
"I didn't, really. I just hoped like hell you would".
She rolled towards him and kissed him a few times.
"I can't wait to be Mrs. Hart".
***A few days later***
It was Halloween. Jonathan and Jennifer were in costume and heading to Laura and James for a party.
She loved their costumes and thought they were perfect, but he wasn't so sure.
"Darling, I promise you nobody else will have these costumes".
"I hope not".
They pulled up and parked and walked inside.
Everyone cracked up at their costumes and applauded their creativity.
Jennifer was Lucy, and Jonathan was Desi from "I Love Lucy".
Jennifer had on a polka dot dress, black heels, and red lipstick, and had a bottle that said "Vitameatavegimin" on it. Jonathan looked very polished in his suit, and had slicked his hair so that he would look just like Desi.
Susan and Drew were a football player and homecoming queen. Bill and Vanessa were a pilot and flight attendant. Laura and James were dressed as Gomez and Morticia Adams. There were other people there that Jennifer didn't recognize, but they had some cute costumes.
After a fun party, they headed home.
They were lying in bed, chatting about various things, when she brought it up.
"Darling, what do you think about an early fall wedding? It would mean a long-ish engagement, but we would be positive that my dad would be there, since he's in the states around that time every year. And it wouldn't be too terribly hot nor terribly cold if we had any part of the wedding outside. And your busy time at work is usually the summer, so it would be just after that, but before the rush of the holidays".
"I love that idea".
"Wonderful! Now, I promise, I will try my hardest not to become a bridezilla".
"And I promise to call you on it if you do".
"It's a deal".
They sealed the deal with a kiss.
"What kind of honeymoon do you want?"
"The kind where we spend all our time in bed".
"Oh, I see".
"Why, did you want to do something else? Were you planning on us sleeping in separate bedrooms or something?"
"No, don't be silly". She playfully swatted him. "I was thinking we could go somewhere neither of us have ever been before".
"Well, we already are".
"I don't understand".
"We will be going to bed as a married couple. And before the honeymoon, we will have never done that".
"Jonathan! You know what I mean".
"And now, we are going to bed as an engaged couple. Never done that before either".
"I like the way you think, Mr. Hart".
***Two days later***
Jennifer and Jonathan were in bed, sleeping. He had set his alarm an hour early. As soon as it went off, he turned it off and then quietly slipped out of bed.
An hour later, she woke up as he brought her breakfast in bed.
"Morning".
"Happy birthday, baby".
He leaned over and kissed her, and then put the tray on her lap.
He had put some red roses in a vase on her tray, and had made her some sliced fruit, a cheddar cheese and veggie omelet, and fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee.
"This is amazing! Did you do all this?"
"Yes, I did".
He went and got his tray and came back and ate with her.
"Darling, I'm going to call the realtor today. What do you think about us buying a new house, and then selling this one, instead of us trying to sell this one and buy another one at the same time?"
"Option 1, please".
"Good. So, what are your must-haves?"
He leaned over and got a notepad and pencil so they could make a list.
"I want us to have an updated kitchen-newer appliances, ample counter and cabinet space. It's only fair to Max."
"I agree".
"And I want our room to be cozy, darling. Either upstairs or tucked away on the other end of the house from everything else. And I want our bathroom to be spacious, because I love getting ready with you. Shower stall, soaking tub for two, double vanity, walk-in closets, the whole works."
"I love that".
"What do you want?"
"I want privacy, with a gate, and where the house is set back from the road some. I would love a big patio, with a porch swing, and a carport or garage. And maybe a pool in the backyard".
"I love that idea".
"Max needs his own bedroom and bathroom downstairs as well. And we'll need guest rooms for when your dad comes".
"And for when we have a baby".
"What baby?"
"You and me. When we have a baby, the kid has to go somewhere".
"You want to have kids right away?"
"Not right away. But I don't want to wait too long, either. When it happens, I think the nursery should be right across the hall from our room, for convenience sake".
"I agree with that".
She could tell he was working up the courage to tell her something.
"What is it, darling?"
"Well, I don't want to upset you. But the thing is, I don't think I can have children".