people started to walk and spread out, gearing up to exchange gifts. A tree had been set up on the patio, and once everyone gathered around, Sheri, Phil, Louis, and my da started handing them out.
It was a lot of fun, especially when Phil opened his gift from Lili. She had worked hard, creating a gorgeous leather-bound photo album with a silver plaque on the front that read, The Evolution of Philip and Kenna. Inside were all the photos she could get her hands on of the two of us, starting with that Christmas back in 1981.
Pulling her into his arms, Phil engulfed his Pygmy in a bear hug. “Thank you.”
Lili laughed and hugged him back. “You’re very welcome.”
After the gifts had all been unwrapped and Phil’s niece and nephew were being put to bed in a spare room, Da took me up to the gazebo for a bit of dancing.
“Connor says he’s hopin’ tae move in wi’ ye.”
Nodding, I said, “Alys told him he was welcome to.”
“I guess ye’re all righ’ wi’ tha’?”
“Of course. Plus, he’ll be closer to the guys, and they all can go into the studio together—”
Da twirled and dipped me.
When he pulled me back up, Phil was standing next to us, smiling. “May I cut in?”
Da handed me over to him. “Ye’re stealin’ all me kids.”
“I know,” he replied, his eyes glowing down into mine.
I felt myself flush, and my heart started viciously kicking around in my chest. He was ready to tell everyone, and I could practically hear Lili shrieking in outrage that I had taken the initiative and asked my mega-rich and famous heavy metal boyfriend to marry me.
Phil turned to my da. “There’s somethin’ we’d like to share with all of you.” His voice was quiet, meant only for my da to hear.
But looking out from the gazebo, I could see everyone gathering and smiling at us.
“Oh, yeah?” asked Da.
Strangely enough, he looked as though he knew what Phil was talking about already. He backed up a few steps, giving us a bit of space.
What the hell is going on here?
“Yeah,” replied Phil. He reached into his pocket…and then got down on both knees before me.
“Holy shit!” Lili squealed off in the distance.
“Language!” barked Da, pointing at her.
My gaze followed my da’s beefy finger, and the look on her face was something I wished someone would get a picture of. She looked as though she might start foaming at the mouth.
“Kenna?” Phil’s voice pierced through the fuzzy ringing in my ears.
I looked back down into his gorgeous face. I thought he saw confusion and awe in my own.
“I had planned on askin’ you this today…for a while actually. I just never thought you’d beat me to it.” He smiled.
Fucking dimples.
“Wh-what?” I gasped.
He snapped open the red velvet ring box, revealing the biggest diamond I had ever laid eyes on. There was no way he would have been able to get something like that in less than a day, what with everything we had to get ready for.
“Last night, you made me a promise,” he said softly. “You asked me. Now I’m askin’ you. I’m beggin’ you, Kenna. Make me a whole man and be my wife.”
“Yes,” I whispered, staring at the huge chunk of glittering rock in the box. Then, my eyes shifted and met his, filling with tears. “Yes!” I shouted.
Our friends and family erupted into ear-piercing cheers and whistles as Phil slid the ring onto my finger and stood, hauling me into his arms. The kiss he gave me was bursting with the purest joy. He held me against him as though I was his most treasured, beloved possession.
“In my heart, you’re already my wife,” he whispered against my lips.
“In my heart, I already am, too,” I whispered back.
He kissed me again and grunted, “Shit.”
“What?”
“I’m fuckin’ chubbin’ again.”
“Ambrosia!”
Congratulations came from all sides, and everyone had to get a glimpse at the enormous four-fucking-carat diamond I was now sporting as a testament of Phil’s love for his Baby Girl. It made me feel bad when Gloria came up, squealing like a teenager and throwing her arms around me. My ring made hers look like a speck of glitter, but she didn’t seem the least bit put out by it.
“Your mother is positively dancing right now, you know that, right?” she beamed, her eyes glistening. “She knew he was your soul mate. She and Grandma are celebrating behind the veil.”
They’ve been celebrating since last night.
“Oh my God, Kenna!” breathed Lili, her eyes