Page 42 of Unconventionally, Elle

Now

The next day in Nantucket felt like déjà vu.

"I could get used to this. God, that coffee smells good," I said as I walked up behind Barrett in the kitchen and wrapped my hands around his waist. I kissed him right between his shoulder blades and watched as goose bumps appeared on his warm, soft skin.

"We have a busy day, so drink up. We leave in an hour." He grabbed my hands, lifted them to his mouth, and kissed my fingers. Then he picked up his coffee and went to the bedroom. I heard him opening and closing drawers and a few "ahas" sprinkled in with groans.

"What are you looking for?" I shouted across the house.

"Just some things, and I know Emma left snow boots here. I wanted you to have them to wear." Another drawer closed.

An hour later we were hand in hand, enjoying the Christmas Stroll through Main Street.

My rosy cheeks and chapped lips were entirely worth it, as the Christmas trees brought joy to my heart.

I couldn't think of anything better right now than holding Barrett's hand and walking through a Christmas wonderland.

We made our way into a local bakery and sat down by the window.

"Wait here. This isn't the surprise, though," he said as he got out of the booth.

The Nantucket Christmas Stroll was surprise enough for me. It's an event that happens the first weekend every December, and it's a big deal, like huge. There are even horse-drawn carriages, though I'd had my fair share of those in New Orleans.

Barrett came back holding a picnic basket.

"Barrett?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.

With a huge smile, he extended his hand. "Let's go, we have to walk a little bit."

Excited, I stood up and took his hand in mine. I could smell fresh bread through the basket, and my mouth started to water.

"What's in there?" I asked as we walked through the fresh powdery snow on Main Street.

"You'll have to wait and see," he said with a smirk.

The suspense was killing me. Eventually, Brant Point Lighthouse came into view. It wasn't that far from the town, and I squeezed Barrett's hand as soon as I realized we were walking toward it.

"Ahh, Barrett!" I yelled, excitement thrumming through my body.

He laughed and readjusted his grip on the basket. "We actually get to go inside," he said, his voice layered with excitement.

My eyes widened and my mouth dropped. "No way! Oh my God!" I covered my mouth with my free hand, and my eyes stayed wide in pure shock.

"The mayor's a family friend. What can I say?" He shrugged as if it was no big deal.

"Of course he is." I rolled my eyes and giggled. I squeezed his hand tighter and skipped with delight.

Once we got to the historic lighthouse, Barrett opened the door and motioned for me to walk up the stairs. "Let's go to the top."

I followed him to the very top of the lighthouse, the whole time wondering why he was still holding the basket. When we arrived at the top, I looked out over Nantucket Harbor. The ocean extended for miles into a gray snow-filled horizon.

"Okay." Barrett was behind me, fumbling with the basket.

"I actually asked Mrs. Moffat, who owns the bakery, to put together a nice lunch with some mulled wine for us so we could have a picnic.

So without further ado, let's dig in, shall we?

" He started to pull items out of the basket and put them onto a blanket he'd placed on the floor of the lighthouse.

I couldn't stop smiling. Barrett had gone to so much trouble to make this a beautiful, memorable day.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this special.

It had been way too long. We sat next to each other eating paninis filled with stuffing, turkey, cranberries, and gravy.

My tastebuds were assaulted with flavor.

"God, this is delicious! How did you get this idea?" I asked around a mouthful of panini.

"Emma and I have done this a few times over the years.

Harold would arrange the picnic basket, and the two of us would come up here.

" He shrugged. "Like I said, the mayor is a family friend, so we spent a lot of time here.

I just love being on the water I guess, and I only have happy memories in this spot. "

I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. The combination of warmth and spices from the wine had me relaxed and comfortable.

"What are you thinking about?" he said.

"I'm not sure." I shrugged with a sideways grin. "I guess I'm thinking about how truly happy I am right now." I shook my head and lifted my hands, looking around. "Like, is this even real life?"

"Oh, it's definitely real." He laughed and lifted his cup to mine, then took a sip.

"Oh, look, there's one more thing in here," he said excitedly.

"Did she pack dessert?" I asked, hoping for one of the brownies I'd seen in the bakery window. But it wasn't dessert.

"Elle . . ." His voice trailed off.

"Oh my God. Is that . . . ?"

He reached into the basket and pulled out an old green book, like ancient. "I know how much you love to read, and I asked Finn if you had a favorite fairy tale. I didn't want to ask you and spoil the surprise."

He extended the vintage green book toward me, and I could barely speak. My eyes were wide, and my heart was pounding.

"It's a first edition Beauty and the Beast from the 1700s. I pulled a few strings and got it out of good old boy George Vanderbilt's collection." He released the book into my careful grip.

"This is the most thoughtful--oh my God, I don't even know what to say.

Barrett! Oh my God!" Holding on to the book, I flung my arms around him and hugged him tight.

"Thank you," I murmured into his neck. I sat back up and gave him a playful smirk.

"You know, I totally thought you were going to pull something else out of your magical basket of treats. "

"That was the point, my dear." His playful eyes turned my stomach into knots.

"Oh my God." A lighthearted headshake and I held the book to my heart. "Thank you." I gazed into his crystal-blue eyes and beamed.

After an unusually long pause, Barrett asked with a soft, slightly nervous voice, "What if it was the other thing?"

I went still, the book clutched to my chest. I was fine teasing him about marriage, but wait... Was he seriously considering it--and after only a few months? Did I want to marry Barrett Henry?

In that moment, a picture of Jude smiling and holding me came to the forefront of my mind. Jude and I had talked about marriage, and we had picked out a ring. I almost said yes once before to a boy I loved. Was I ready to say yes this time? And with someone else?

I gave Barrett a coquettish smile and leaned across the few inches between us to put my face in front of his, our noses barely touching. "Well, I guess you'll have to ask to find out." Then I kissed him.