Confused, Barbara turned back to take another look. When she focused on the bunny’s front paws, she giggled. A large, dark green Brussels sprout was obviously what caused Ariel’s aversion. Bending forward, Barbara realized that the sprout was not even made out of fondant or modeling chocolate—it was a real sprout.
“Do you like it?” Craig asked, as he came to stand next to her.
“Oh, I love it,” Barbara said. “It looks so real. You’ve got to teach me how to bake like you do. Whatever possessed you to include a sprout?”
“Well, I was planning on perhaps using a small head of lettuce, but I believe you are very well aware of why another vegetable had to take its place.” He adored the blush that crawled up her skin. “Hey,” he went on, as Ariel reached past them to pluck the green ball from the bunny’s paws.
“Now the cake is beautiful,” Ariel said with a grin. “Let me just throw this away.”
“Don’t you dare, Ariel,” Craig growled. “You drop it right now!”
Barbara looked between the two, wondering what had possessed her sister to do such a rude thing. She gasped as Ariel shrugged and dropped the sprout to the floor. She was so intent on watching Ariel, it took her a moment to realize Craig had moved.
Thinking he was picking up the vegetable, it took another moment for Barbara to realize he was on one knee, the sprout in the fingers of one hand.
Once certain that he had her attention, Craig began to pluck the leaves from the sprout one at a time, dropping each to the floor. She watched as he continued to peel away the layers, her heart beginning to pound against her ribcage.
“You have captured my heart and soul,” he said, another thin leaf falling to the ground. “You have made me realize that my life is nothing without you by my side.” Her eyes filled with tears at his words. “Every moment of every day since I’ve known you, you have rekindled the beauty of this world and all the amazing possibilities it has to offer.” No one stirred in the room as another layer of leaves joined the growing pile on the floor. “You are the most incredible, most loving, and the most beautiful woman I have ever known.” Only a last layer remained. Craig met her eyes, reaching up to stroke away a tear that escaped to roll down her cheek. “Make my last dream come true. Marry me, Bunny.” His finger peeled the last leaf off to display the engagement ring he had hidden in the core.
Her eyes sparkling with tears and wide with amazement, it took her a moment before she screamed, “Yes, oh God, yes!” Barbara threw herself at him, knocking him backward onto his butt, bursting into tears at the proposal and all his words had meant to her.
Ariel, tears on her own face, put aside her aversion of the vegetable as she ran her fingers through the pile of discarded leaves to pick up the dropped ring. Craig held his brand-new fiancée with one arm as he took the ring from Ariel and slipped it onto Barbara’s finger.
“Well, that proves it,” Logan said, as he shook his head.
“Proves what?” Elizabeth asked, wiping her own cheek, her smile huge as she watched the happy couple.
“It proves that you, my dear, are married to the only man who knows how to hold on to the ring.”
Jason, who was standing with Nancy in his arms, laughed. “Don’t be so hasty, Logan,” he said, lifting Nancy’s left hand. “You still have one ring to go before you can make that claim.”
The women giggled, slipping out of their men’s arms to run and surround Bunny. Elizabeth reached out to draw Angel into the group as they each gave the stunned, deliriously happy young woman their congratulations.
After everyone had made sure the couple had their best wishes, the table of desserts was raided. Barbara shrieked loudly when Logan picked up a knife, placing herself between the cake and the threat of its beheading. Even though Craig reminded her that it was indeed made of flour and sugar, and couldn’t be kept forever, she absolutely forbade anyone to take so much as a piece of coconut. Ariel assured her that she had taken several photographs while Barbara had been out of the room.
“Wait, so you knew?” she asked, turning to her sister.
“Of course,” Ariel said with a smug smile, giving a bow of her head before continuing. “Seriously, why do you think I protested so much about a vegetable when I could have just as easily passed the bowl without a word?”
“Hmmm, let us think,” Nancy said with a giggle. “Perhaps because you are such a drama queen?”
“You should all be ashamed of yourselves,” Ariel said, with a huff. “I just redeemed myself from that entire throwing the seashell debâcle, and yet do I get any recognition?”
“Not when you were supposed to ‘hand’ Craig the sprout and not drop it on the floor,” Garrett said with a grin.
“Don’t blame me that I am such an obedient sub that I do exactly what any Dom instructs me to,” Angel retaliated, reminding him that the word “drop” had indeed been used.
Garrett popped her butt, his grin letting everyone know that some evil thought was forming in his head. “Good to know, nowhow about getting me a slice of that cake your sister is still guarding?”
“You are all such big cowards,” Ariel declared, before her eyes found her sister’s, which promised retribution. Swallowing hard, she turned back to Garrett. “Um, maybe a nice piece of pie would do?”
“Only if you want a spanking for lying about being such an obedient sub,” Garrett challenged.
Nancy, whose plate did indeed contain two huge pieces of pie, grabbed Angel’s hand. “I suggest we get out of the line of fire.”
Angel felt included, loving every moment as the group laughed and teased each other. She looked at Barbara and grinned before putting her hand on Ariel’s arm. “If you are successful, I understand the need for a prize. I just thought you might like to know I’ve got the cutest undies on today.” Elizabeth’s laugh filled the area as Angel’s words had Ariel’s head turning back to Barbara.
“Um, sweetie…”
