Chapter 8: The Desire Was Too Great

They wished her a happy birthday and gave her a card but said they’d give their present to her later at the party. ‘You shouldn’t have got me anything else,’ she told them, ‘The party’s an enormous present on its own.’ Mum and dad smiled at each other.

‘Our daughter doesn’t become eighteen every day they told her.’ Gordon usually dropped Rebecca off on his way to work. As they pulled up outside, she gave her dad a kiss and told him, ‘Aaron kept his promise.’ ‘I never doubted it for a moment.’ Gordon told her smiling.

A normal day at work followed, then home to get ready. Aaron arrived at six looking very smart and gave her a card, a hug and a kiss. ‘Your present comes at the party.’ he told her. They set out for the hotel soon after. The meal was starting at seven.

They wanted to be first there, so that they could welcome everyone as they arrived. Their meal was going to be in a private room just off the main restaurant. Drinks and canapes were on a table just inside the door for people to have whilst they were standing chatting when they first arrived.

A table had been placed by the door for presents and as people started to arrive, the number of presents quickly grew. Rebecca had noticed her mum putting several out from a bag she had brought with her, as soon as they had arrived.

When Ian’s mum and his aunt arrived, they wished Rebecca happy birthday, said hello to Aaron, then had a whispered conversation with Gordon and Mary. ‘They’re up to something.’ Rebecca thought as she watched them. She still hadn’t worked out why two people she had never met, had been invited to her birthday.

Then more guests arrived, and she forgot all about it. Not long after everyone had arrived, they moved to the dining table. They had asked for one big oblong table with six people along each long side and three on each end.

Everyone had chosen their menu a week earlier, each person having several choices for each course. Red and white wine was served by the waiters and naturally there was a lot of chatter between mouthfuls. As she looked round the table, Rebecca felt so happy.

Often during the meal, she had reached under the table to hold or squeeze Aaron’s hand. As deserts were cleared away, Gordon tapped on a glass and the room fell silent. ‘There’ll be a short pause before cheese and biscuits, port and coffee are served.’ he announced.

‘Whilst we wait, I’ll ask you to all form a ‘U’ shape for a special presentation. It’s very heavy, so Ian will help Aaron carry it. Christine, would you stand next to Rebecca to help her please.’ Gordon positioned the two girls to stand side by side, with the rest of the guests making up the two legs of the ‘U.’

Aaron and Ian went over to the table of presents and fished out a present from underneath that was around a foot cubed. They seemed to have a struggle picking it up. Carrying it between them, they moved over in front of Rebecca and Christine. As they stopped, they paused, then they both took a half sidestep away from each other, so the present just dropped down and hit the floor.

Almost at the same time as it hit the floor, Aaron and Ian were down on one knee, holding out an open ring box which had been hidden in the open sides of the imitation present. In unison, with only the names different, Ian and Aaron proposed.

Both girls were taken completely by surprise, as were many of the guests. The room fell silent just in time to hear a firm and happy, ‘Yes’ from both girls. As they put the rings on, then went into each other’s arms and kissed, the room erupted with cheers and applause.

Both girls had tears of happiness running down their faces. Lots of the guests had wet eyes too. Everyone milled around congratulating both couples. Eventually Gordon asked them to return to their seats. As everyone was taking their seats, Gordon had a quiet word with Rebecca and Christine.

Then smiling at Aaron and Ian he tapped the glass once more. ‘I have another announcement,’ he said. ‘As this has been a double proposal and everyone here would be on the wedding invite list for both couples, there will be a double wedding following in due course.’

That brought more applause and happy looks. Now Rebecca understood why Ian’s mum and aunt were here. Cheese and biscuits were served, and the waiters went round offering a glass of port to those who wanted them. Rebecca noticed Kurt holding his phone up and giving Aaron a thumbs up, which he returned.