Though, when the Sydney Harbor Bridge came into view, I knew for a fact that Noah had something up his sleeve. We hadn’t traveled that far before during our monthly family night.
What was he up to?
Gina openly gaped out the window at the brilliant lights around the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. She distracted me enough that I didn’t realize it when we reached our distraction.
Noah pulled the car up to the curb of a restaurant. He lifted my hand and kissed it before getting out of the car to greet the valet. Two other valets came around to open the doors for Gina and me.
“Thank you,” I said to the valet.
Noah rounded the car and took Gina and my hand in his.
“Where did you find out about this place?” I asked him.
“I wanted to do something new for tonight,” he said. “I did my research.”
We entered the restaurant, and it was definitely one of the more expensive places. I knew my outfit was fine for the occasion, but my mind was unprepared for the elegant venue.
Noah strode over to the hostess and announced our arrival. The young girl beamed up at Noah and then signaled for us to follow her. I had no issue with the way women responded to Noah. It was almost like second nature for them to be attracted to his charm and good looks.
The hostess’ ponytail swished around as she walked through the restaurant toward our table.
Noah held tight onto my hand, and with my free hand, I held Gina’s. The place was packed, though I know Noah liked to have a window seat for these dinners. Gina’s manners weren’t of concern, but he really liked nice views. And I couldn’t imagine him making a reservation at this place without having a view.
As we neared the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the water, the Opera House appeared to float right in front of us.
The hostess pushed through the glass doors leading to the outside deck.
The edges of the deck were adorned with twinkle lights strung across the entire perimeter. There were hundreds of flowers in various clusters around the deck. A table set for three was the focal point of the space. And other than a bucket with champagne chilling inside, the table and chairs were the only other pieces of furniture.
“Noah,” I breathed. “Is this for us?”
“Yes,” he said.
The hostess retreated back inside the restaurant, and we went toward the table. A single red rose adorned two of the plates. Noah went over to Gina and helped her into the chair with the booster, and then he came over to me. I was still a little stunned and he had to prompt me to sit down.
I glanced around our general vicinity. It had been a warm day, and the heat still lingered under the cool breeze rippling off the water.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I said.
“Well, tonight is special for us,” he said. “For all of us. Jess, before you came into our lives, we were a strong family unit. But we were missing something. I was missing a partner to fill my heart while Gina missed a mother to fill hers. I thank whoever is up there looking down on us for sending you into our lives. I don’t know where we would be today without you. And I know you’ve been a member of our family since the moment you stepped into our lives, but tonight, I wanted to make it official.”
I opened my mouth to say something when Noah got up from his chair and knelt next to mine. He took my hand in his and lifted a black velvet box from his jacket pocket.
“Jessica Holland, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Noah asked.
My head spun, and my jaw slackened. I wanted to scream out a big fat YES, but there was one thing I had to do first.
I glanced over at Gina. “Gina, I want to make sure this is what you want too.”
“I want you to be my mom,” Gina said with a big smile on
her face.
My eyes teared up, and I turned back to Noah, nodding my head. “Yes, of course, I will marry you.”
Noah opened the box, revealing a massive diamond ring. He slipped in on my finger, and I jumped up out of my chair and kissed him. One of the thousands of kisses that we’d share as an engaged and married couple.
Gina came around the table to hug my leg. I broke the kiss and Noah reached down, lifting his daughter to his hip. The three of us embraced each other. And I’d never felt more whole or happier in my entire life.