Page 32 of Asking Kate
“Mine?” Kate looked down and automatically twirled the ring back and forth. “Perhaps a little loose.” She grinned. “Nothing that your mother’s delicious cooking and food portions can’t fix.”
And Olivia laughed.
Then her smile wavered. “We should get back. I think dinner was nearly ready.”
“We should,” Kate agreed. “And before my knees seize up on this cold ground.”
They cuddled close the whole way. Olivia’s elegant fingers threaded over Kate’s arm and Kate's fingers over Olivia’s, so that shining rings rested side by side.
Geeta had left the door on the latch, and they quietly walked down the hallway, the walls covered in pictures of Nicola and Geeta’s honeymoon, and photos of Charlotte and Millie and Jelly Bean, and Kate and Olivia and kids too.
They broke out into the large room at the back, and chatting and laughing cut into stunned silence the moment they entered.
Nicola clearly knew. She crossed her arms and looked straight to their hands. Geeta pressed praying fingers to her lips. Charlotte looked like she was about to burst. Millie grinned from ear to ear. Satinder reached for her glasses. Ralph held his finger to his lips trying to keep Bea quiet, Olivia's brother holding her on his knee.
Even the babies stared at them silently.
“Oh, come on,” Millie scoffed suddenly, “like either of them would say no.”
There was a tut from Olivia. A whispered admonishment, “Millie!” from Charlotte.
Followed by more silence, and people leaning, waiting for the answer.
Kate looked to Olivia, then, “We’re getting married,” they said together.
And the whole bunch erupted into a cheer. Geeta rushed forward and embraced them both.
“Congratulations, you two!”
Olivia’s mother gazed from one to the other and back again while the others crowded around.
“Show us,” Millie said before tutting. “That’s so fucking tasteful,” she said with a big grin.
“Congratulations,” Charlotte beamed, Zoe still in her arms.
“Never doubted it,” Satinder said, her voice breaking a little.
“And it happens we have a lot of food to celebrate,” Geeta said. “Getting engaged at Christmas is becoming a family habit.” She smiled, before turning to Nicola to stroke her cheek and kiss her.
Kate turned away for politeness, and to gaze at Olivia. Who’d first been her lawyer, before they’d fallen deeply in love. The woman she adored most in the world, and woke up to everyday, with their baby alongside. The one her kids often turned to. And now, her fiancée.
“Merry Christmas,” Kate said.
“Merry Christmas,” Olivia replied.
THE END