Two Months Later

Christian

Now that Eloise and I were living together in our own home, it was time to take the next step. Her birthday was approaching, so I decided to whisk her away to Chicago for her birthday weekend. What she didn’t know was the two surprises I had for her.

“Where are we going?” she asked as we walked down N. Michigan Ave.

“You’ll see.” I winked as I held on to her hand.

We reached the American Girl store and I opened the door for her.

“Why are we going in here?” She laughed.

“I thought maybe you wanted to buy Maggie a new outfit.”

“Really?” She gave me a strange look.

“Yes. Really. To be honest, I’m sick of seeing her always dressed in the same clothes. Brighten her up a little.”

We looked at the clothes and Eloise picked out an outfit she liked.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go see if we can get some lunch here,” I spoke.

“We don’t have to eat here. We can go somewhere else. I really don’t think this is your thing, Mr. Blake.”

“No big deal. Let’s just go see if they have any tables available.”

I walked her to the Grand Dining Room, where the doors were shut and the hostess was standing outside.

“I was wondering if you had a table for two available?” I asked.

“Of course we do. Follow me.”

The moment the doors opened, everyone yelled happy birthday. Eloise cupped her hand over her mouth in shock and then looked at me.

“Christian, what the—”

“Happy birthday, baby.” I kissed the side of her head.

****

Eloise

I stood there in shock. I couldn’t believe what I saw. My mom, dad, Scarlett, Jeff, Hannah, Claire, Kenny, and Christian’s mother and stepfather. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Christian.

“You threw me an American Girl birthday party?”

“I did.” He smiled.

I walked over to the center of the dining room where my family and friends were standing. All my girls, including my mom and Christian’s mom, were holding American Girl dolls. We hugged and some tears were shed, mostly by me.

“Someone else is here to celebrate with you,” Christian spoke.

I turned around and he was holding Maggie.

“How did you get her here?”

“I snuck her into my carry-on as you were walking out the front door.” He grinned.

I took her from his hands and then hugged him tight.

“Thank you for this. I love you so much.”

“You’re welcome, baby. I love you too.”

We all gathered around the table, ate a delicious lunch, had cake and ice cream, talked, and laughed until we couldn’t anymore. Our time was up and we needed to leave the room so they could set up for the next party.

“He’s perfect, Eloise.” My mom smiled.

“I know he is, Mom.”

“He reminds me of your father.” She winked.

I gave her a smile and a hug.

“Are you ready, baby?” Christian asked as he placed his hand on the small of my back.

“Yeah. I’m ready. What are we doing next? Is everyone coming?”

“We’re going to go explore Chicago and leave the two of you alone,” Claire spoke.

“Yeah. I’m sure you have some private celebrating to do after this.” Natalie smiled.

“I’ve booked a dinner reservation for all us at the Skydeck Chicago at eight o’clock. So, we’ll see them there,” Christian spoke.

We headed back to the hotel, and once we got inside the room, I wasted no time thanking him for everything he’d done for me.

“I can’t move.” Christian smiled as he looked over at me.

“Me either.” I giggled as I snuggled against him.

After a short nap, we showered and dressed for dinner with our family and friends. When we reached the Skydeck, everyone was already there, and I was surprised to see we were the only people in the place.

“You rented out the entire Skydeck again?” I smiled.

“Of course I did. This is a private occasion.”

Christian held my hand as we walked over to join our guests.

“I’m not really comfortable up here,” Natalie spoke.

“I wasn’t at first either, but it’s so beautiful.”

“I guess.” She sighed.

“I can’t believe Christian did all this for me and had you all come out here.”

“I can.” She smiled as she hooked her arm around me. “He’s the Prince Charming you’ve been searching for your whole life.”

“I know and I almost blew it.”

“No you didn’t. He would have never given up on you, and he would have kept on fighting no matter how long it took.”

“You think?” I asked with a smile.

“I know.”

“Eloise, let’s go out on the ledge before dinner,” Christian spoke as he walked up behind me.

I hooked my arm in his as he led me to the ledge and we once again stared out at the beautifully lit Chicago city.

“I love you, Eloise,” he spoke.

“I love you too, Christian.” I smiled at him.

He placed his hand in his pocket and suddenly he got down on one knee.

“Christian, what are you doing?” I began to shake.

“I think you know.” He winked. “I have never in my life loved anyone as much as I love you. You complete me, Eloise. From the moment I saw you, I knew I had to make you mine.”

“Oh, Christian.” The tears started to rise.

“You are the epitome of love and you make my days and my life so much brighter. You are my best friend and my lover, and now, I would love for you to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me. Eloise, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Christian! Yes, I will marry you!” I exclaimed as the tears streamed down my face.

He took the two-carat princess cut white gold ring from the box and slipped it on my finger. Then he brought the ring to his lips. Everyone clapped with excitement as he stood up and swung me around.

“I can’t believe this!” I cried.

“Believe it, baby, ‘cause it happened. We’re getting married.” He brushed his lips against mine.

“I can’t wait to plan this wedding!” Natalie screeched.

We celebrated into the wee hours of the evening and then went back to the hotel and celebrated alone. I couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful ring that sat on my finger as my head laid against his chest.

My life was perfect. I was marrying the man of my dreams, my book had hit #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List, my YouTube channel grew to over two million subscribers, I started doing seminars around the world, Ted Talk, and I was offered my own radio show for an hour three times a week called “Ask Eloise.” Now I would move on to the next phase of my life and become Mrs. Christian Blake.

Remember ladies, your Prince Charming is out there, and you’ll know it when you first meet him. If you don’t have to #Delete him, he’s a keeper.