“Mmm, y’know, the year is only three quarters of the way over, and I can tell you already that it’s been great. In fact, I don’t think one bad thing has happened all - oh, wait, Rose and Tobias were in that accident - but other than that I don’t think there’s been anything bad. Everything’s been all good.”
Chris smiled.
“We got rid of my stalker, this album has had the best sales of all my albums - including ones with Indecision,” she giggled. “Marie got married. Xavier’s getting married in November. Ike’s chef had her kid. Kelsey had Pippa. Oh, and did I tell you that Sandy had her little girl yesterday?”
“Umm, nope.”
“Brooke Grace. Isn’t that cute?”
Chris declined to answer.
“Storm and Rogue have been doing so well this tour too. They’re getting such a strong fan base. And the music is fantastic, of course.”
“Like anyone could expect anything less from a Hanson.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zoe teased.
“Honey, if any Hanson were unsuccessful at music, I’d be shocked.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Oh?”
“If they weren’t related to me.”
Chris laughed. He took her hand and stopped. Noticing this, Zoe looked at him curiously.
“What?” she asked.
“I need to you stand right here,” he replied, positioning her, “and look out to sea. And you’re not allowed to turn around until I say so.”
“Why?”
“Because. Trust me okay?”
“I always trust you.”
“Good,” he said, letting go and slipping out of her vision.
Zoe waited patiently for a little while.
“Can I look now?”
“Nope.”
Waiting.
“Now?”
“Just wait.”
“I am.”
Waiting a little more.
“Okay, now you can look.”
Zoe turned around. Written on the sand were the words “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”, and Chris was kneeling in front of them, with a hopeful look on his face, and an engagement ring sitting in a shell resting in his outstretched hands. For a moment Zoe couldn’t say a word. A smile broke across her face and tears seeped down her face. She knelt down in front of Chris and nodded.
“I will. I will.”
The hopeful expression turned to delight, and he kissed her softly before slipping the ring on her finger.
“It’s not much,” he admitted, “but it’s -”
“I don’t care how many carats it is,” Zoe interrupted. “You bought it for me and that’s what makes it beautiful.”
They kissed again.
“No, you’re wrong.”
“Oh?”
“It’s you that makes it beautiful.”
Zoe giggled.