Even in my racing career my excitement and race day nerves were nothing compared to this week.
I shouldn't be so nervous, we enjoy each other's company, in fact I have spend most of the week at her place wrapping every ones presents, finalizing hospital santa event, we keep the tradition alive of Santa at lunch time, this year I will hopefully be a engaged elf, watching a Christmas Carol after supper with my fiance, thinking of which I look up from wrapping and realized she had watched me carefully.
"Does wrapping presents really make you that happy or have you been thinking about something else? your almost bright red from smiling so much."
Oops, feel a bit like a deer in the headlights, but I just reply "Just thinking of everyone smiling pleased with there gifts including the kids in hospital."
"Oh, I am embarrassed now, was hoping you were thinking of unwrapping me" if possible I blush more, "as delightful as that would be, and make no mistake I do desire you that way and find it hard to behave but you know I am a rare find these days, waiting for marriage".
"I think that is just one of the things I love about you" she grabs me and pulls me in for a kiss, she does make this hard, but maybe the engagement can be short, maybe aim gor a valentines day wedding?, with her pulling me in like this, I don't know how strong my resolve will stay.
"Do you love to tease me?",
"Maybe, but you love it!" so confident in her statement.
"Maybe, maybe not, but I do love you." again she brings herself close to me, enjoying this, I want it to last.
"Do you want to stay over tonight, I know I'm staying over tomorrow for Christmas eve, I have lots of popcorn and lots of holiday movies on DVD, it's what Mom and I would have done tonight, that and hot chocolate and some ice cream." that sounds good "I'm in".
I text dad so he doesn't worry, I help make the popcorn she asks about what movie I'd like to watch "I will watch what ever movies are your traditions", she puts down the bowl of popcorn on her coffee table and brings over a blanket and a DVD, "We always started with this one" she holds up the classics all one disc of frosty the snow man, Rudolph the red nose reindeer and 8 more.
"Looks like a good place to start" I smile, we cuddle underneath the blanket, eating popcorn and talking about Christmas traditions, when it got to one of the hallmark movies, she cried at the propusel, "Mom and I had hoped I would get one like this" I watch closely, the lead guy is in a Santa suit and said will you be my Mrs Clause, cute, I can do that.
She ended up crying herself to sleep after the hot chocolate stage of the night, so no ice cream, she is pretty much on my left side so even if I wanted up off the couch I wouldn't be able to, I text dad what I just learned, he reassures me it will be set to go Christmas morning.
My sleep was peaceful, but sleeping on the couch like that was hard on me as I found my left side sore and stiff, it doesn't feel like it completely healed.
It's around 5:30 am and with this pain I need her to wake up so I can move, when I told her why I had to wake her she was extremely appalagic, thankfully she is a top notch phyiso therapist and she was able to help reduce some of the pain.
The rest of the days plans went well, loaded the car with the gifts, hid them, joined every one for a swim, had lunch and did the big Christmas eve dinner followed by movies.
It's here, Christmas morning a buffet bunch style breakfast, family swim and present time.
I came down from my room in a santa suit but no bead or hair just the hat and suit, one by one I delivered every one their presents, started with the girls, then Tony's wife, Tony, Dad and finally Amber, I reach up near the Angel, the first small box, she looks excited then frowns at the necklace, next small box in the middle of the tree, again excited then frowns at the earrings, I get down on one knee and dig out the last small box with Dad's mom's ring set inside, as I bring it out from its hiding spot she is kneeling with me, I look her in the eyes, hand her the box and she slides a small box into my hand, "ok, we will do it together on three, one, two, three"
Same time we not only open our boxes, but proposed to each other at the same time, the same way, my say Mrs Clause her saying Mr Clause, and of course my dad was recording it, who would believe us if we told them.
"It was my Dad's ring, and Mom had it on a necklace around her neck until she passed, she said I should give it to you on Christmas, not be afraid of being modern and do the asking"
" This ring set was designed by my Dad's dad and he suggested the same thing that I should just officially make you a part of the family"
Tony pointed out that we were laughing but didn't answer each other's question of marriage so we look at each other, Amber and I, placing the rings on each other and say "Yes" we seal it with a kiss there kneeling in front of a Christmas tree, with blue lights mom's decorations plus extra angels though out the tree.
We are officially engaged and I smile that our hospital visit with the kids, I will introduce Amber as my fiance.