Liv,
I hope you had a wonderful time at the spa, you should be feeling pampered and relaxed. I know I’ve been very distracted lately and I want to make it up to you.
Please put on this dress and meet me in the garden at 7pm.
Danny x
I read it again. Did Danny ask Mum and Connie to take me out today? Have I been played? Oh well, I had a great time and now Danny has bought me a dress and wants me to meet him. I wonder what he’s got in store? I carefully slide the zip down, revealing a flash of deep-purple silk. I gasp. The colour is beautiful.
I slide the cover off the dress and step back to admire it. It’s a fifties-style dress. Knee length, big skirt and nipped in at the waist with a belt made from the same fabric. It’s beautiful. The neckline at the front and back are deep V’s and I just know it’s going to suit me before I even try it. Danny is a genius!
I take the hanger off the door and go into the bedroom, checking my watch. I have half an hour and butterflies are forming in my stomach. I try to concentrate on what I have to do, instead of thinking about what is in store for me.
My hair is loose and falling in shiny waves thanks to the expensive blow dry, but this dress demands an up- do. I twist and pin and artfully arrange it so that the glossy tendrils are piled loosely on top of my head. Next I apply my usual smoky eye makeup and a hint of deep pink lip gloss, then I seek out my sexiest underwear, grateful that I showered at the spa as I slip it on. I pull out my glittery, beaded black ballet pumps. I sigh that I can’t wear the heels this dress probably deserves, but I hated them anyway and I’m not taking the chance now. Danny will understand.
With only a couple of minutes to go, I slide the zip up the side of the dress and fasten the belt. I turn to the mirror and freeze. This dress is perfect, just perfect. I bite back a tear thinking how lucky I am that he loves me so much. Then without another thought, I go to him.
The diner is pretty deserted when I open my door, but I’m too anxious to care. Opening the staff door to the garden I see Danny. I feel a thrill. He is beautiful. I take him in quickly as I walk towards him, he’s wearing dark grey trousers and a matching waistcoat, shirt sleeves are rolled up and his tie is perfect. His hair is kind of slicked over in a style he doesn’t normally wear, he looks like a casual movie star. I swell with fondness when I notice his black Converse. It’s these touches that make us perfect together, the fact that even dressing up doesn’t have to mean selling out.
He doesn’t take his eyes from mine, but I’m momentarily distracted by movement beside him as I round the corner into the garden. Max is there, so is my mum. It’s then that I notice that know every single face in the crowd filling the garden. I gasp and step back behind the protective wall of the diner, my hand goes to my mouth and my eyes return to Danny.
He beams at me. Chuckling to himself, he steps forward and takes my hands. “It’s okay,” he whispers. Pulling me gently out into the open again. The crowd erupts into a cheer as he pulls me tight to his chest. I can’t believe this, a surprise party!
“You look beautiful,” Danny says tenderly against my ear.
I blush. “Thank you for the dress,” I reply. “What’s going on?” I look to his face. He looks shy and happy at the same time. He is hoping I like this surprise, but he secretly already knows I will.
“Surprise!” He laughs as he releases me and turns me to see everyone that’s here.
My mum rushes forward and squeezes me. “Surprise darling,” she says with a knowing smile. Dave joins her, hugging both of us as I start to feel overwhelmed. Over her shoulder I see Grace, holding Mia and Andy clinging onto Matty’s little hand. I gasp and look back at Danny in disbelief.
The next few minutes are a blur as I hug my sister, kiss my way through the rest of my family and friends and then find that Danny’s parents, and Jen and Scott are also here. I didn’t realise I was crying until Max slips a tissue into my hand. This is completely overwhelming, what are they all doing here? I think I say that out loud to a few people, but no one really offers me an explanation. Then I’m passed back to Danny.
“What is everyone doing here?” I ask again, while Danny catches a stray tear with a fresh tissue.
“They came to see you.” He soothes. “Do you need a minute?” A glass of champagne is put in my hand by someone.
I need a week, I think to myself. But I shake my head. I breathe in deeply and let it out in a long, juddery whoosh.
“Okay,” he says, taking my hand. “Come with me.”
What I didn’t notice in the chaos and confusion, is that our modular stage that we have in the bar for live music, has been set up in the garden. Danny leads me onto it and I follow in a daze. I turn and gasp again when I see just how many people there are.
Danny casually takes a microphone from its stand and flicks it on.
“Good evening everyone,” he says, causing a hush to fall over the crowd. “Thank you all for coming and for helping me keep this secret.” He laughs. “Liv is not an easy person to hide something like this from, so well done for all the lies, but remember it’s not over yet!” Laughter ripples through the garden. I frown at that, but Danny carries on. Turning to me, he smiles. “Liv,” he says raising my hand to his lips. “You take my breath away.” He almost whispers. He says it just for me, but shares the thought with everyone via the microphone. Lots of people cheer and I hear a few whoops and words of agreement. I’m not shy, but this is beyond doubt the most embarrassed I’ve ever felt and yet standing here with Danny, I don’t want this moment to end.
“Happy birthday, baby.” Once again the crowd erupts as Danny picks me up and turns me around, kissing me briefly as he returns me to the floor waiting for everyone to settle down. He continues. “This has been the best and worst year of my life. I started the year thinking it would be just like every other…Without you.” He sighs as fresh tears spring from my eyes. “Then a surprise message from a good friend,” he smiles down at Connie, “changed everything.” He swallows back his own emotion. “From the very first time I talked to you again, I knew my life was never going to be the same. I’ve always loved you.”
“I love you too,” I sob. Some ‘ah’s’ come from around us.
Danny steps over to Jen at the side of the small stage and Jen hands him something. When he turns back to me I see it’s the crumpled jewellery bag from his kitchen in LA. I watch him hold up the bag. “Remember this?”
I nod. Unsure of its significance now and wary of its connection to that horrible day.
He looks into my eyes. “I asked everyone to come here today, to shock you into silence so that I could finally get these words out.” He laughs. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment, I hope it’s third time lucky!” He pulls something small from the bag. I watch it fall and then look back to him in time to see him sink to one knee. I gasp and my hands fly up to my mouth.
Steadying himself with a long breath, he finally speaks. “Liv,” he says sincerely. “You are the most beautiful, vibrant person I’ve ever known. I’ve loved you since I was six years old and I know I’m never going to stop, so please…will you marry me?” Then he opens the tiny box in his hand and shows me the most amazing ring I’ve ever seen.
“Yes!” I whisper. His eyes fill with tears and he jumps up to hold me. His lips press against mine and then several other places in the chaotic, emotional embrace. He picks me up again and holds me so tight. “Yes?” he whispers in my ear. Checking he heard me correctly.
“Yes,” I repeat, louder. I’m dizzy now and no longer aware of my surroundings. “Yes!”
Once again the place erupts, but this time the sound continues, whistles can be heard and I’m aware of some crying too. I know I am and Danny is having real trouble keeping it together. He sets me down once more and takes half a step back to get the ring, which he slides onto my finger. Oh my God, it’s perfect, it’s grey, or at least it looks it in this light, its beautiful and unusual, and huge! We both stare at it on my finger. I don’t know what to say, my hold on my senses left the building a while ago. I throw my arms around Danny’s neck.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
We descend the steps and into the waiting arms of first Jen who is sobbing, followed by Max, who is also very emotional. Then just as overwhelmingly as the first time, almost everyone here comes to greet us, offering their congratulations. I’ve no idea how long this takes but at some point a strong rum and Coke finds its way into my hand, the other hand never leaves Danny’s. He holds onto me like I’m oxygen. I’ve felt his love for me before and it was nothing like this, it’s as if he is finally free to show how he really feels, no holding back.
After some time talking to everyone, Danny turns to me and pulls me close. “Are you ok?” he asks.
