Stifling hertears long enough to answer, she nodded and spoke loud and clear,“Oh, Crispin, yes!”
Standing up,Crispin, slid the little ring on her finger. He gathered her up inhis arms, lifting her in the air. He then sealed the deal with akiss before placing her gently back down on the ground. He couldtell from the look on her face, beyond the tears of joy, her mindwas already racing. Indulgently, he held her hands and waited forher to gather her wits.
“Go on, ask me,” he said with a wink.
“It’s just… when?” she asked. “I mean when should we getmarried? We’ve got the tour, then classes in the fall.”
“There she is, the one I’ve come to know and love.” Smiling earto ear, he leaned up against the counter.
“There’s just so much to think about.” She said with liquideyes, gazing from him to her ring finger.
“There is, but there’s plenty of time,” he said. “Let’s aim fornext year. I think we deserve to enjoy our engagement.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea!” she agreed.
“Plus, you’ve already got so much to plan,” he said with acrafty smile.
“I do?” she asked, curious.
“Gwen, there’s something else I want to ask you.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“After the tour ends in August, we’ll have about three weeksbefore classes start up,” he said with a thoughtful expression onhis face.
“Yes, that’s true,” she said.
“Come away with me,” he said.
“Where?” She held her breath in anticipation.
“I miss travelling with you,” he said with a wistful smile. “Itwas such an amazing experience, but I feel it was too short. Thistime, I was thinking Rome, Florence, and Venice. What do youthink?”
“Oh, my God!”
“I’d also like to go to Ireland for a few days on the wayback,” he added.
“Ireland… to find your father?”
“Yeah, I believe I should at least try,” Crispin said. “If hedoesn’t know I exist, I think he should.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Crispin!”
“So, you’ll come with me?” he asked.
“Are you kidding!” Gwen said. “Of course, I will!”
“Perfect, now where are your bags? I’ll place them in the car.As soon as your uncle shows up, we’ll head on back to the house.Becky and the guys are waiting. Everyone’s excited to get going.Tonight, though, we’ll have ourselves a littlesend-off.”
“Okay… my stuff’s in the back.” She handed him the keys to thebackroom. “And if you don’t mind watching the shop for a moment,there’s something I need to do!”
“Yes, sure, anything for you, my cheeky monkey.”
With a smileon her face, Gwen left Crispin in the shop and marched across thestreet and ran into Stacy’s travel agency.
“Gwen?” Stacy startled, looking up from her desk. “Everythingokay?”
“Everything’s perfect!” Gwen locked the shop door behindher.
“Oh, what’s going on?”
“Drop everything, Stacy! I need your undividedattention!”
Chapter 43
On the quickdrive over to the House of Goths, Gwen couldn’t stop smiling orgazing at the engagement ring on her finger. She couldn’t wait toshare the news with Becky and the guys. Shortly after their returnto Canada, weeks ago, Crispin had eagerly introduced her to hisfriends, who now, she considered her friends, too. She fondlyrecalled her first impression of the guys. While they were alldefinitely Goths, they were also quite different in appearance andpersonalities.
Kell, she hadfound intimidating at first, with his pseudo-military style ofdress and red-streaked black hair. But she soon realized that hewas quite charming in a reserved manner. Dorian, despite his floppymohawk, piercings, and tattoos, had set her at ease with hisflashing blue eyes and unassuming personality within seconds ofbeing introduced. Keegan, she still hadn’t fully figured out, butaside from his scruffy appearance, and rough-around-the-edgespersonality, she could tell he was goodhearted if only from theplayful way he interacted with Becky.
Now, Becky,who she had been worried about meeting the most, surprised Gwenwith her endearing personality. In fact, she had never met asweeter person. Within seconds of being introduced, Becky hadwelcomed Gwen with a warm hug and a huge smile. She had veryhappily taken Gwen aside, away from the boys, to thank herpersonally for looking after Crispin. She had been so worried whenhe had left. When Gwen had told her how much Crispin meant to her,Becky had even started to cry tears of joy. Clearly, she was happyto learn that the prickly Goth was in good hands.
“He’s prickly, but he’s also very sweet,” Becky had said. “I’mso glad you found each other.”
“What’s with that smile?” Crispin asked, parking in thedriveway, stirring Gwen out of her thoughts.
“Oh, just thinking about telling everyone of our news!” shesaid excitedly, unbuckling her seatbelt. “I can’t wait to seeBecky’s face when I tell her she was right.”
“Really? I don’t recall telling her I was planning onproposing.” Crispin quirked an eyebrow. “Hmm… have you beenscheming behind my back with that sneaky littledormouse?”
Gwen shot hima rueful smile. “Let’s just say, I think she knows you better thanyou realize. Apparently, you’ve had an extra skip in your step thislast little while.”
“Well, is that right?” Crispin said with mock indignation. Bothhe and Gwen got out of the car and made their way in. The moment,they entered the house, Becky greeted them at the door.
“Hey, lovebirds,” she said, acting casual. “What’snew?”
“I said yes!” Gwen exclaimed before Crispin got a wordin.
“Oh my God!” shouted Becky. “I knew it!” She came at them andhugged Gwen first, then Crispin. “I’m so happy for youboth!”
“Can’t a guy have any secrets around here?” Crispinbemoaned.
“Oh… I’m sorry,” Becky said with a frown. “Did I ruinit?”
“Aww… Becky, you crack me up,” Crispin said, unable to feignindigence. He tugged her in for another hug and kept her thereuntil she giggled, reassured.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Kell asked, coming in from the otherroom.
“Kelley, look!” Becky held up Gwen’s hand to take a closer lookat the shiny diamond ring. “Crispin asked Gwen to marryhim!”
“Congratulations, man!” Kell said with a smile, coming forwardand shaking his hand. “Wow, full of surprises, you are.”
“Apparently not,” Crispin said, winking at Becky.
“What?” she asked guiltily. “I only guessed you were planningon proposing, I didn’t know it would happen so soon. We were justtoying with the possibilities.”
“Yeah, you know how us girls love to talk weddings!” Gwen said,coming in quick
