Will You??

The weekend passed by so quickly Max wished he’d arranged for a weeks’ cover at the bank so that they didn’t have to fly back to The Glen so soon.

It was Sunday and they had the day free to do whatever they wanted, their meal at the OH wasn’t booked until 7:30pm. They decided to let the girls chose, girding their loins for a trip round the shops all day, but they were surprised when Ceri and Bron said in chorus…the zoo!!

Ed grinned at the look on Max’s face. He didn’t look as if Taronga Zoo was on top of his list. Ed nudged him and whispered, “Hey, little buddy, it sure as hell beats shopping.” Max grinned, nodding in agreement.

“Okay, ladies. What’s the best way to get there…bus?”

“No, silly; we get the ferry, then we can either get the bus up the hill or use the ‘ski lift’,” Ceri answered.

“Bus sounds good to me,” Ed said.

Bron held his hand before speaking, “You could be right, Ed; the steps up to the cable cars are very steep, and there’s always a long queue for it.”

“Bus it is then,” Max smiled, holding Ceri’s hand as they all began walking down to the Quay. They were lucky as the next ferry was due to depart in ten minutes, so by the time they got their tickets and walked down to the landing stage, it was already tied up and the passengers were disembarking. There were quite a few people waiting to embark once the gangway was clear, but there was still more than enough room onboard for the quartet to sit where they wanted. The girls chose to go up the stairs to the open top deck. It only took about ten minutes to get across the harbour, but they enjoyed the wind in their hair.

They were soon getting off the bus at the top of the hill and entering the zoo. Bron forced Ed to have his picture taken holding a koala, and then teased him that they had the same hairstyle. Ed pretended to sulk for a while until Bron handed him an ice-cream cone. He kissed her and wrapped his spare arm around her shoulder as they walked down the slope further into the zoo.

Two hours later they were still enjoying themselves and decided to try out the main restaurant for a spot of lunch. After they finished, they carried on wandering round the grounds.

“That was a very nice meal,” Max remarked, “Much better than I expected to eat in a zoo.”

The other three laughed at him and steered him to a large, green open area with some seating in a semi-circle. “Let’s sit here and digest,” Ceri suggested. “There’s a bird of prey display in about fifteen minutes.

“Oh cool,” Bron replied, cuddling up to Ed.

The display was a great success, and when it was over Max checked is watch. It was getting late in the afternoon and time to get back for the ferry. They needed to get showered and changed for their dinner engagement that evening.

Ceri and Bron couldn’t believe it when they were shown up to the mezzanine level in the restaurant, “Special treat for our special ladies,” Ed told them, a twinkle in his eye.

After the most splendid meal they’d eaten before, Max caught the manager’s eye and nodded. Vintage champagne was soon at the side of their table, and both me fingered the rings they had placed in their pockets after getting them from the hotel manager.

What the men didn’t know was that the restaurant manager had asked all the guests in the main area what was about to happen up in the mezzanine, and a hush fell over the entire place.

Max and Ed looked at each other and smiled. They rose as one and both kneeled in from of their loved ones, each taking a left hand in their own.

“Ceridwen, I can’t imagine how my life was before I met you. You’re in my thoughts my every waking moment. I love you and would be honoured if you would agree to be my wife.”

Tears filled Ceri’s eyes and overflowed as she looked into Max’s eyes and saw the love that filled them. She kissed the hand that held her own and breathed, “Yes,” into his ear. She gasped when she saw the ring that he placed on her finger, a sparkling diamond and aquamarine band. She looked over to her sister to show her, but Bron was too busy listening to Ed right then.

“Honey, the day you walked into my hospital room with that dab of paint on the tip of your beautiful nose, I thought that maybe there was a reason for living after all. You are the air that I breathe. I live only to love you, and just hope that you love me back as much as I do you. Bronwyn…would you make my life complete and marry me?”

Bron let out a squeal of delight and hugged Ed until he almost couldn’t breath. “Can I take that as a yes then, darling?”

“Oh, Ed. Yes, yes, one million times yes,” Bron replied.

“Once will do, sweetheart,” Ed grinned as he placed the vintage cluster ring he’d bought the day before on her finger.

“Oh, Ed…it’s wonderful.”

Just then the entire restaurant was filled with clapping and cheers as the other diners were informed of the girl’s answers.

“I hope you don’t mind,” the manager asked. “Some of our regulars were disappointed they couldn’t book the mezzanine tonight, so we told them why. Would it be too much to ask you to just say hello to them over the balcony?”

The girls giggled as they dragged their men to the edge and waved down at the other diners, who all toasted them wth the champagne the owner had supplied. They were soon in tears though as they were both handed a giant basket of flowers from the owner.

“Happy, darling?” Max asked Ceri after they’d said goodnight to Ed and Bron.

“I’ve never been happier in my life, Max; thank you.”

“No, thank you for saying yes, my love. I wish we could spend more time in Sydney, but we have to fly back tomorrow. Maybe we should get some sleep.”

“Maybe we should celebrate first,” she grinned.

Ed and Bron were already celebrating; Ed flopped down beside her to get his breath back, running his hand over her hip. “Shower?” he asked.

“Tub,” she replied, reaching for Ed’s shirt and padding off to the ensuite and running the bath. They were soon relaxing together in the bubbles, sleepy and very much in love.

“Come on, Max. I can’t finish packing until you get out of the bathroom.”

“Good morning, Ceri my sweet, it’s all yours,” he replied handing her his toilet bag. “I’ve double checked that there’s nothing left in there, and I’m sure you’ve done the same n here.”

“I certainly have, darling,” Ceri said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. He took her hand and held it to the shaft of sunlight coming through the window, watching the diamonds twinkle. “Happy?”

“More than.”

“Bron, are you all set?”

“Yes, Ed; I was just checking to make sure we’ve not missed anything. I’m ready when you are.”

Ed kissed her softly, then picked up her hand and kissed the ring that she couldn’t stop admiring.

They opened the door just as Max was about to knock. “Morning people, ready for breakfast?”

“I could eat,” Ed replied, grinning.

Before going into the restaurant, the men took the bags over to the reception desk, where they were taken to a back room. “They’re looking after the bags until we leave, honey,” Ed answered the question Bron was about to ask. “After we eat, we need to make a quick trip into town and we don’t want to have to carry the bags.”

“Okay,” the girls said together, wondering what their men were up to. It didn’t take too long to find out. They were soon in the QVB and heading towards Kalmar Antiques. Max opened the door and stood back to allow the girls to go in.

Mrs. Kalmar beamed when she saw them. “Ah, good morning, you remembered to come back.”

“How could we not, Mrs. K,” Ed smiled. “May I introduce Bronwyn, my fiancée?”

Bron blushed as she found herself in a war embrace. “So, she liked your choice?” Mrs. Kalmar asked.

Bron looked at her left hand and smiled. “It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. Ed tells me it’s late Victorian.”

“Yes, my dear, he made a wise choice.”

After a few minutes chatting together, Max looked at his watch. “I’m afraid it’s time for us to go. We need to get our bags from the hotel and get going.”

“It was lovely meeting you, come back and see us the next time you’re in town,” Mrs. Kalmar said, hugging and kissing them all and waving them off.

They collected their bags and were soon on their way to the airport and the flight home.