Daniel is full of sweet surprises.

First, he surprised me by planning a family get together and second the most precious surprise he gave... by arranging the get-together in his family home.

"Why is the house bathing with lights, Daniel?" I asked as we stepped out of the car in front of his family house. It was a dinner party but I had no idea why the house was lit up with twinkle lights for a small event.

"Because I don't want it to be dark and dull anymore. It took me long enough to learn that the memories intact in this house should illuminate me and not depress me. Yes, it was painful. I was miserable after the tragic accident but I don't think my parents want this for me. So, yeah, it's a new start."

Pain. I felt it in his voice but I was glad to see him keep aside the unpleasant memories and rejoice the happy moments he had spent in this house. It must have been hard for him but he was doing it, for himself, for his family.

"I'm proud of you, Daniel," I said, looking at him with the admiration.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss me but before he could, a loud horn of the car made him drop his head on my shoulder.

"Wrong damn time." He breathed out. I laughed and patted his back.

"If your lovey-dovey session is over would you let us in?" Sean spoke, walking towards us.

"We don't need his permission to go inside, Sean," Xavier commented, walking towards us with Ariana and Amara.

"I shouldn't have invited you two," Daniel grumbled.

"But you're incomplete without us, Daniel babe."

Daniel ignored Sean's teasing comment and kissed Ariana's forehead and took Amara in his arms. "Welcome my queen." She giggled when he tickled her stomach. Amara squealed when she saw me.

Daniel gasped. "No way, Amara, when did this happen? You and Eloise? I thought you were possessive about me. I thought you were mine."

Daniel's fake hurt voice made Amara's face to drop. Her lower lip started to tremble.

"Stop it, Daniel. Aww, sweetheart, come here." I took her in my arms and showered kisses on her face. "Don't cry. I remember the day when I first met you. You didn't want to come to me but see now, we're best friends." I said in a baby voice, rocking her in my arms.

I looked at Ariana. "Can I please keep her in my arms for longer? I missed her so much." I requested.

"Of courses, you can." She replied, smiling.

Mom. Dad, Evan, Trish. Mr. and Mrs. Knight arrived a few minutes later then we all went inside. I received another surprise when I saw a large table for dinner placed in the middle of the garden and the place was decorated with flowers and lights.

"Daniel, don't you think you have done too much?" I asked him.

"Nope, Eloi. It's a special night and so the special arrangements."

I said nothing thinking it really was special. We all first went inside the house and talked for a while. Daniel introduced my parents to his parents. I saw a gleam in his eyes when he was talking to the portraits. I wish I had met his parents in real, I wanted to know them too. I wished they were here to see their son's success, to see how their son had grown in a loving and caring person. I wanted to praise Daniel before their eyes, I wanted to see their proud face when I talk about how well they raised their son. But I knew, we don't get everything we wish for.

Mom and Dad were glad to Mr. and Mrs. Knight. To be honest, Xavier's parents filled the empty space of Daniel's parents, they were a lovely and understanding couple and I couldn't be more thankful for them for being an important part of Daniel's life.

After that, we went out to have dinner. I totally enjoyed the dinner. Laughs, talks, best friends bickering, leg-pulling, and Amara's babbling brightened up the atmosphere more than it already was.

We were still sitting on the dinner table when Daniel suddenly stood up from beside me and went to a small and low stage decorated with curtain backdrops which I had no idea why it was even there.

"Do you have any idea what's your uncle up to, sweetheart?" I whispered in Amara's ear who was still sitting on my lap. Amara gazed at Daniel then looked at me with her big doe eyes, communicating with them. With her eyes, she told me she didn't know anything.

"Everyone is together. Just the way I wanted it to be." He starts. "Thank you for coming."

"Aww... Isn't your uncle sweet, Amara? He's thanking everyone for joining us here." I whispered to Amara which made her jump in my lap. She was happy.

"Well, I won't make it long or kill you of boredom. Let me get straight to... Eloise."

All my attention went on Daniel who was now looking at me, smiling.

"Would you please come over here, beside me?" He said to me.

"What's happening?" I asked, looking at everyone but instead of replying they all signaled me to go to the stage. Frowning, I stood up and handed Amara to Ariana.

"What is it, Daniel?" I asked as I stood beside him. Instead of answering me, he took my hands in his and kissed them.

"Thank you, Eloise."

"Why are you thanking me? The dinner party is organized for our families to meet, so thank them, not me."

"It's not about that. I'm thanking you for coming in my life." His eyes that were looking at me held emotions in them.

"Before you, I was a loner. I never felt the urge to call any woman mine until you. One look at you and I was lost. I used to always joke around, tease people, make fun... just to forget the pain but now I do it for genuine happiness, for me, for you, for the people I love. This happened because of you. That's why I want to thank you."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. My eyes were glistening and my heart was pounding hard.

"Thank you for accepting me the way I am. Thank you for bringing light to my dull life. Thank you for bearing my teasing and stupid remarks. Thank you for loving me, Eloise."

"No, don't." I put my fingers on his lips. "Don't thank me, it's my job to do."

"Eloi—"

"Do you know you're the first man who ever made me cry? Yes, it's you. Remember when I was asking you for your forgiveness but you were ignoring me? That's when I cried for a man. And that was the day I realized you are different. You made me realize how dull and boring life was. You taught me how to live happily, you taught me how to be positive, you taught me how to love, how to trust. You taught me the importance of family. And you did all of it in your ways." I smiled.

"In your playful ways. Your unique, funny, and cheerful personality made me fall for you. You charmed me with your smile." I laughed and he too did the same.

"So, thank you for making me what I'm today. Thank you for filling me with positivity, for showing me not all men are wrong. Thank you for not leaving me when I needed you to the most, thank you for saving me, thank you for showing me the right path bearing my anger issues. Thank you for giving me happiness."

"Enough of this thank you speech, you are making me emotional, Eloise. And this is not the night for me to be emotional because I have something important to ask you." Daniel rubbed the back of his head.

"Finally, on the point." I heard Sean and Xavier comment in unison.

"Be quiet, boys. Let them have their moment." Mrs. Knight scolded them.

"Thank you, Aunt Myla." Daniel smiled at her and glared at his friends. "And you two. You're here because you complained the last time. So be quiet and don't ruin the moment."

We all laughed at them. Daniel then faced me.

"So, umm... Eloise...uh, I wanted to ask...Ugh, why is it so hard?" He grumbled to himself.

"What's so hard?" I asked, frowning. He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. Suddenly, all the lights turned dim and the stage was lit with dim pink lights. I couldn't see anyone but Daniel who was standing before me with my hands in his.

"Eloise." My eyes met his. "I love you. I love you with all my heart." He confessed. "And I can't see my future without you being in it. I know it might be too early for you but I don't want to delay when I know it will be only you forever, and no one else."

My heart suddenly picked up the race when I realized what he was doing. I wasn't a fool not to get the idea. The romantic lights and soft music playing in the background was the indication of what he was going to do.

And I was eagerly waiting for him to say it.

"So, Miss Eloise Nicole." He stepped back and took out a box from his pocket. He took out the ring from the box and put it in front of me.

"Will you marry me?"

"Would you love to become Mrs. Eloise Nicole Adams?"

He came forward, not breaking the eye contact. He had no idea of how my heart was rejoicing the moment. But something was missing. It didn't feel right. There was a hollowness in his proposal.

"Will you, Eloi?" He asked again.

I took a step back. "Ah, About that. Daniel I...I...sorry. But I can't " I sighed.

His face fell and eyes got filled with hurt. I heard gasps in the background. I knew no one was expecting this from me but I had to make this right.

"You..." His voice cracked and he looked away. "I... I'm sorry, Eloi if you felt it forceful." He looked at me again. "I don't want to force you for anything. I'll wait for the right time but can you answer me...why not? I mean you could have said not now but you said no. Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"Actually, Yes." I sighed. "You said something wrong."

"What is it? Tell me, I'll correct my mistake." He said desperately, cupping my face between his palms.

I bit my lower lip stopping myself from smiling. I felt bad for doing this to him but I was enjoying teasing him.

"You asked the wrong way," I said.

"Huh? I don't understand."

"You know, the way you asked me yo marry you...it's umm... Let's say...Overused?"

His eyes got filled with confusion and he kept staring at me for an explanation.

"Ask me the right way, the daniel way. I might reconsider my answer." I winked, patting her shoulder.

His eyes turned wide and he abruptly removed his hands from my face. He rubbed his face with his palms and groaned. "Goodness, Eloise you scared me." He suddenly laughed, shaking his head. "You're so evil, Eloi."

"I was impressed by your uniqueness. The way you proposed to me to be your girlfriend was new. I want the same now." I shrugged my shoulders, laughing.

"Okay, so let me rephrase my words for you." He then cleared his throat.

"So, Miss Eloise Nicole, would you like to be my food partner forever? Would you like to see us getting fat together till the last bite of the food we eat? Will you be mine forever?" He gave me a heart-melting smile.

"First promise me you'll never change. You'll always remain playful all your life." I asked, my eyes getting welled up with tears.

"I promise." He said in a heartbeat.

"Then yes, I'll love to see us getting fat together. I'll marry you, Daniel."

I squealed when I heard a blast sound. In no seconds, flower petals started to rain on us. Daniel sealed my lips in a loving and passionate kiss.

"I've spoiled you a lot." He said between the kiss.

"A lot." I chuckled. "I love you, Daniel."

"I love you to eternity, Eloise."

"Thank you for making this moment memorable for me," I whispered and kissed him back.

We heard loud cheering and claps in the background. The lights turned on and the first thing I saw was Evan, Xavier, and Sean standing near the stage with party poppers in their hands. Oh, they were the ones who showered us with flower petals.

"You know Eloise," Sean said. "We were forced to do this." He shook the empty cardboard popper in his hands. "And I almost threw it away and was going to sit back but damn you said yes."

I laughed at him, I knew he was teasing Daniel. He and Xavier came on the stage and pushed Daniel away.

Xavier stood in front of me and smiled. "Well, I'm a little late to say this Eloise but welcome to the family. I'm eagerly waiting for you to be my sister-in-law. Advice though... Keep him on toes otherwise, he'll become a lazy ass."

We both laughed. He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "I'm happy for both of you." He whispered.

"What the fu— hell man! You can't kiss her." Daniel grabbed Xavier's arm.

"Oh, as if you don't do it to my wife."

"I consider Ariana as my sister."

"And I consider Eloise as my sister."

They both were glaring at each other when Sean interfered by pushing both of them away from me. "Fight somewhere else."

"Forgive me for making a teasing comment before but I'm genuinely happy for both you, Eloise. Welcome to the family." He too kissed my forehead. I smiled, I felt special.

"Not you too," Daniel grumbled.

Sean smirked but didn't look at him. "Eloise, if this dumbass ever make you upset or fight with you, come directly to me or Xavier. We'll take care of him, okay?"

"Sure." I laughed.

"What if she fights with me?" Daniel asked, crossing his arms.

"Then you come to me." Evan came forward.

"Finally, I have someone on my side." Daniel sighed dramatically.

"You're a traitor, Evan." I playfully glared at him.

"Hey, don't call my boyfriend a traitor. Poor Daniel, he was left alone." Trish walked near him. "Daniel, don't worry I'm with you too."

"You're the best, Trish." He gave her a side hug. I rolled my eyes at their interaction.

Mr. and Mrs. Knight, mom, dad congratulated us and gave their blessings.

__________________________________________

Whatever I say, they wouldn't listen. They always have and will tease me to death. I don't really complain though, I do the same to them.

"Congratulations, both of you." I beamed when I heard Ariana's voice from behind. I turned and hugged both Ariana and Amara as she was in her arms.

"You both are an adorable couple. A perfect match. I'm happy for both of you. And Eloise, welcome to the family." She then hugged Eloise.

"I have always wanted to see this day. So, when is the wedding?" Trish asked.

"As soon as possible. What say, Eloise?" I asked, snaking my arm around her waist.

"Yes, as soon as possible. And I don't want a grand wedding. I want a simple and small function in the presence of our family and friends."

"As you wish." I kissed the side of her head. "So, tomorrow then?"

All the ladies gasped. "Tomorrow?" Eloise frowned. "Though I want a simple function, it doesn't mean we don't need time for preparation, Daniel. And I want to finish my remaining projects and commitments before starting my new life. I want it to be hassle-free."

"How much time will it take? I can't wait."

"Three weeks max."

"You mean almost a month? God, it's too late."

"You're so whipped, man," Sean commented and I rolled my eyes.

"You'll be whipped when you find yours," I smirked.

"I am not and I will not." He exclaimed firmly.

Aunt Myla approached us. "Two down, one to go. Sean?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Keep me out of this, Mrs. Knight. I'm enjoying my freedom pretty well." He raised his hands.

"Oh, you'll be down one day. And I can sense that the day is not too far." Xavier joined.

"I said keep me out of this." He glared at everyone but we teased him with our smirks.

I took Amara in my arms. "Hey, my queen. I'm sorry but now you'll have to share me with Eloise." I pouted. She looked at me with her questioning eyes then suddenly she started to push me away, her lower lip trembling.

"Oh, no, no, no, baby don't cry. I promise that I'll love you forever. I'm sorry, darling. I was joking." I panicked when she started to cry. Did she understand what I said?

Sean grabbed her from me. "Don't cry, baby. You have your uncle Sean with you. I love you more than your uncle Dan does. I will not share you with anyone. I promise." She nuzzled her face in his neck and sobbed.

"I told you I'm the best uncle, not Daniel." He mumbled to her but she didn't stop crying.

"Give my daughter to me," Xavier grumbled. "You both always made her cry by including her in your bickering." He then wiped her face. "Don't worry, my baby, you have your father all for yourself. You don't have to share me with anyone." He cooed. And surprisingly she stopped crying and snaked her arms around him possessively.

"You all have spoiled her. Now, she wants all the attention." Ariana complained and started scolding Sean and Xavier. I silently slipped away from them to save myself from scolding because I knew I would get an earful as I was leading the spoiling Amara party.

"I saw what you did," Eloise said coming after me. I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head.

She laughed and snaked her arms around my neck. "Thank you for making a part of this lovely family. They are the sweetest people I've ever met." She whispered.

"I'm glad you like them." I kissed her forehead. "But I can't wait for a month to make you officially mine." I pouted.

"Patience bears sweet fruit." She kissed the corner of my lips, teasing me.

I grabbed her chin and brought my lips closer to hers. "But this patience will kill me."

"Can't help it."

"Oh, you can and you will."

"What if I don't?" She smirked.

"Then I'll seduce you to do so."

"Just to tell you, I have strong control over myself."

"Believe me, you don't. You can't resist me for a month." I smirked

"Are you challenging me, Mr. Daniel Adams?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, I am, soon to be Mrs. Eloise Nicole Adams."

Saying that I sealed her lips in a passionate kiss.

I can't wait to become her husband.

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