Unexpected Romance - 5 Romantic Short Stories (11 page)

Jill almost squealed when John pulled into the car park of her favourite restaurant. The best fine cuisine restaurant in the state, it was where John took her 2 years ago on their very first date. "How did you get a reservation at such short notice?"

"It certainly wasn't easy, they made an exception for us when I told the manager why we were coming here tonight," John smiled. "Come on, let's go and eat." John hopped out of the car and walked around to open Jill's door. He took her hand and walked with her hand in hand across the full car park and into the restaurant.

At their table they chose their food and John ordered Rioja, Jill's favourite Spanish wine -they settled down to eat. The food was great and the service exceptional. "Thank you John, I love this place. It was very thoughtful of you to take me here," Jill drank some wine and smiled back at John.

"I'm pleased you're enjoying the meal. As for me, I'm especially enjoying the company." John's brown eyes twinkled. "Now, Jill, there was one thing I wanted to talk about. I mentioned it when I called by the other day."

John took a deep breath and his voice softened. "You know me better than anyone else in my life, and you know I'm disciplined, focused and single minded. I don't give up when I hit a speed bump, I just get more determined. I don't slow down when the wind is against me, I try harder. You know that, and that's why I never gave up on you. I was hurt when you jumped to the wrong conclusion and split up with me, of course I was, but it didn't make me any less determined to build a life with you.

"And there's a reason I was at Sally's house that day and it wasn't to fix the kids' bikes, although while I was there I ended up doing that too."

Jill felt her heart sink and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was about to get up and walk out of the restaurant, when she caught her temper rising, and decided to listen, to slow down, listen and get the facts first.

John looked into Jill's eyes and continued. "Sally and I had just got back from the mall where she helped me pick out a ring, an engagement ring for you. You know she has a great eye for style, and you know I don't, she was the perfect person to help."

Jill swooned and grabbed the table with her hands. Again, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked around and it seemed liked everyone in the restaurant was looking over and smiling at her, "I need a glass of water," she gasped.

John poured and she drank the water, she checked again, and yes, for some reason, everyone was smiling, at her. She looked back to John and he was kneeling before her.

"Jill, I never stopped loving you, I love you more today than when we first got together, will you marry me?"

Jill looked down at the beautiful diamond ring in the open box, she looked up at the expectant look on John's face and stuttered, "I do, I will, I mean yes, of course I will."

Norah C. Peters has always loved telling stories that make people smile and she especially enjoys writing stories that lift the human spirit and get us in touch again with what really matters in life: love and friendship. When she's not writing she can usually be found losing track of time in the garden with a hot cup of tea close to hand.