It was around five-thirty when Ron went on the stage and took the microphone into his hand.
"Can I have your attention, please?" Ron asked and waited for everyone to settle down. "It's almost ti for dinner, but before that, I would like to say a few words. Today is my twenty-first birthday and I am officially an adult. For a long ti, I was in a bad place and I sank deeper, convinced that no one likes , no one believes , that I'm not worthy and that there is no future for . I channeled that negativity into reckless behavior which endangered and everyone who ca close enough. I woke up every morning hoping that it's my last, and about three and a half years ago, I t Sarah and Aiden." Ron gestured to the table where Sarah and Aiden are sitting. "I t them when I was at my lowest, but they didn't see a failure, they saw potential and they allowed to grow while being myself. Sarah and Aiden accepted as part of their family and showered with support and encouragent which showed that I am worthy and that my future depends on ." Ron turned slightly and spoke to Sarah and Aiden: "Sarah, Aiden, what the two of you did for … I can't describe it with words and if I start listing every ti you acted as my pillars, I would take the whole night. Thank you."
Sarah and Aiden exchanged glances and smiled. They felt like proud parents.
"Due to Sarah and Aiden taking in, a number of other people entered my life and impacted my path, but one stands above all… Zula, can you, please co here?"
Ron looked at Zula anxiously while she climbed the stage.
Her stiff smile told him that she has no idea what is going on.
"For the ones who don't know, Zula is much more than my assistant and my partner at Heinelurgy. She is my partner privately and I am lucky that she is willing to be my girlfriend." Ron turned to Zula and spoke into the microphone: "Zula, your unyielding support kept from falling apart because every ti I cracked, you helped collect the pieces. You showed that life can be fun and full of colors and without you I would not have a reason to keep on moving forward. Sarah and Aiden helped find my way out of the abyss, and your love prevented from plunging back into it. If it's up to , we would never be apart and that is why…" Ron got down on his knee and extended a box with a sparkling diamond ring toward Zula. "Zula, I know that we are young and that there is no need to rush things, but our ti is limited, and we don't know what tomorrow brings. I don't want to delay asking this… Would you consider spending the rest of your life with ?"
Zula stared at Ron, and then at the ring. It took her a few seconds to process the fact that he is down on his knee, holding onto a ring, and that he asked her to spend her life with him… a proposal… a marriage… a lifeti together. She didn't think about getting married, but whenever she thought about the future, it was with Ron.
Zula's face lit up with a smile. "Yes."
Ron put the ring on her left ring finger and stood up. They hugged and kissed, and everyone clapped.
Sarah leaned on Aiden and watched Ron and Zula who broke their kiss, looked at each other with big matching smiles, and then they kissed again.
Aiden glanced at Sarah. "Are you crying?"
"Our kids are all grown up…" Sarah said through sniffles.
Aiden stifled a laugh and hugged her. "Yes, they are grown up."
People (again) lined up, this ti to congratulate the engagent.
Aiden wiped Sarah's tears and smiled. He does not like it when Sarah cries, but he knows that these are happy-tears.
Aiden rembered that Sarah used to have a wall around her that didn't allow people close enough to hurt her, and that sa wall kept the bad and the good things away. The fact that she is so emotional about Ron's and Zula's engagent is definite proof that she is letting people in. Their family. And he hopes that he had a part in creating the opening in that wall which allowed all of them to be touched by Sarah. Especially him. She is amazing.
"Save so of your tears for others…" Aiden murmured.
Sarah blinked. "Others?"
"Mhm… I have a feeling that this started an engagent flood and soon other couples among our kids will start flashing their rings."
Sarah paused, and her sight landed on Michael and Oni who were holding each other and smiling. And right next to them were Haru and Nala.
"I think you are right… Do you think that we should add more apartnts?"
Aiden chuckled. Sarah always thinks about accommodating everyone. What if the kids decide to move out? Aiden reminded himself not to ntion that possibility. Sarah likes to collect people and animals but letting go is not sothing she is willing to do. It's not that she will force anyone to stay, but she will be sad when they are gone.
A few tables away…
Samara and Mathew are sitting at the table and observing the commotion. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise when he felt Samara's hand on his thigh, hidden under the tablecloth.
Samara smiled, amused by his expression. "I heard the boy say how the ti is limited and should not be wasted so…"
Mathew's lips curved into a sly smile. He knew that Samara is interested in starting sothing with him, but he wanted to be certain before making a move. After all, she is young and a White and he does not want to overreach, not in public at least. Mathew's plan was to make his move once they find privacy or at least so of the people disperse. But since Samara took the initiative, things are different.
Mathew reached under the table and took Samara's hand in his. He lifted it up and kissed the back of her palm.
"I see you as a lady, and in public, I will treat you as such. And in private… It will be different."
Samara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She was undeniably attracted to his confidence and she could not stop herself from asking: "Where are you going after this party?"
Mathew understood that she is asking about where he will spend the night. And her seductive smile tells him that she wants to join him. Samara is bold and not afraid to make the first move. He likes that. "Unfortunately, I got a ride with my daughter and my son-in-law, so my options are limited. If I don't return with them to Chicago… Ron said that there are rooms available for anyone who wants to stay the night. In the morning I can arrange sothing. You?"
"I'm in a similar situation." Samara responded.
"We can always go to Springfield and get a room in a hotel." Mathew suggested, and he was delighted to see Samara nodding in agreent.
Samara noticed that Mathew is on his own. "Don't you have bodyguards?" She was curious because almost everyone here ca with so security.
"I don't need them." Mathew responded. He wanted to say how no one will dare to cause a ruckus at the event secured by the Army of Chaos, but he knew that he should not ntion that. However, he explained another point: "The ones who don't know will not bother with , and the ones who know will not dare to approach ."
Samara was interested. "Really? What is your identity?"
"Stick around, and you might find out." Mathew said mysteriously.
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