I VISITED SHANE EVERY time I could, even making random weekend trips when my schoolwork would allow it. As my final semester came calling, my last winter break was threatened by another storm. I wanted to visit Shane, but my parents were insistent I return home before the storm began.
I agreed out of respect, but my heart ached when I drove in the opposite direction of my beloved. I arrived at their house as a few flakes of snow fell, and quickly walked inside. The living room was decorated for the holidays like I remembered from my childhood and that brought a smile to my face.
“Welcome home, honey.” I heard my father’s voice.
“Daddy!” I ran over and gave him a hug.
“I know you’re not a big fan of Christmas with the family, but I’m happy you decided to come home this year.” He leaned back and smiled at me. “Your mother and I didn’t like the idea of you being away during a storm.”
“Yeah...” I still hadn’t told them the truth, but the time was approaching. There was no reason to ruin the holidays though, so I just nodded.
“We did get you an early present though.” He stepped to the side and I flushed red with surprise.
“Shane!?” I stared in disbelief. He was literally standing in my living room.
“Hello, Heather.” His face stretched to a grin beneath his beard.
“Daddy? Shane?” I looked between them. “What is going on here?”
“Do you think we didn’t know where you were spending all of your time?” My father asked. “You have been a ghost for the last couple of years and it took me some time to put it together, but I’m no fool.”
“You told them?” I asked Shane.
“I wasn’t going to lie to your parents.” Shane shrugged. “They deserve to know I love their daughter.”
“Daddy... I...” I stumbled over my words.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Heather.” My father’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a grown woman. Shane and I had a long talk today. I’d be proud to call him my son-in-law.”
“Son-in-law?” I looked over at Shane. He approached and knelt.
“Heather Westbrook.” His hand reached into his pocket.
Is this happening? Is this for real?
“Oh my God!” I practically jumped out of my shoes as he took my hand
.
“Will you marry me?” He pulled out a wooden box and opened it—a gorgeous diamond sparkled on top of a gold band.
“Of course, I will!” I nodded furiously as he removed the ring and slipped it on my finger.
“Yay!” I heard my mother’s voice. She ran into the room and hugged me.
I burst into tears as I hugged my mother and my father, but I cried even harder when Shane took me into his arms. He had made everything right without me even asking. I no longer had to figure out how to tell them. They knew everything and they had given their blessing.
I looked at my father over Shane’s shoulder and he was beaming with pride. Knowing they approved made it even better. I was ready to spend my life with Shane and all the guilt I expected to feel over abandoning what I thought was my future to live in the mountains with him was instantly evaporated.
I was going to be his wife. I was going to be his wife! The words tumbled around in my head several times before I finally managed to settle down. He took me by the hand led me out to the screened in porch. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Once we were out of view of my parents, he planted much a longer, much more passionate kiss on my lips and I melted in his arms.
I had so many questions, but they could wait for a moment. The kiss lasted for so long my head spun and when it ended, I had to sit down from the rush of emotions flowing through me.
“How did this happen?” I finally regained my computer enough to speak.
“I wanted to make you my wife and I’m an old-fashioned guy. I needed your father’s blessing.” He sat down beside me.
“Well that had to be quite a shock for him...” I muttered.