Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 18 Real and True

Chapter 18 Real and True

It had been a week and word got around that Collin O’Donnell and Aria Winters are an official couple. The media was bombarding us everywhere we went. Thank goodness that my father arranged for my office to be in the same building as Collin’s office. It made the commute from my condo to work more bearable. Collin and I would switch up nights we stayed at each other's condos. It confused the media to no end and quickly got bored of it. Collin and I found more comfort in staying at home cuddling or going off to drive at some remote location for a hike and a picnic. I was enjoying this side of him. He takes me to a new place almost every weekend. We have now been unrestrained for a month, but five months together. At this point I don’t know what I love most about him. He is so professional when he is at work and looks sexy as hell in his suite. And at the other end he has this adventurous wildman thing going on. We went on a long hike and pitched up a tent in this lake. It was so nice to be out in nature. 

Collin has been off today though. I am off early since my work is all done for the week, and Paul said I had no more meetings. Collin wanted to take me out somewhere nice for dinner tonight. So he asked that I not come over to his office for lunch today so he could get all his work done in time. I didn’t mind it too much. I was on my way to the spa with the girls. 

I entered Angie’s newest Spa and Salon here in Dublin. She opened two in the city. The receptionist motioned for me to head on to the back already expecting me. I heard the giggling of all my friends as I entered and saw them ready in their robes. 

“Hey ladies!” I greeted them and they all greeted me back. 

“Hurry up Aria, our measures are already set up in the big room.” Angie said and I quickly undressed and put my robe on and shoved all my things in my locker. 

We all were served a flute of champagne and started our girl talk. 

“So I think Bruce is going to propose soon.” Katie said. 

“O and what makes you say that missy?” Trish teased.

“Well he was at my place the other day and while I was using the bathroom I caught him with one of my rings on his pinkie. It was like he was measuring it. I can’t help but feel hopeful.” She said and we were cooing at her. She was the one that truly believed in these love stories and destiny. As a wedding planner she just thrived, and now she will finally get to have the one thing that she has done her whole life, plan a wedding, her own wedding. 

“Well, we will soon see now won’t we. I for one think that you and Bruce make a wonderful couple. I can’t believe that we get to keep our sisterhood together with this group of guys.” I said. 

“Well I think that out of all of us, I think Collin will propose to Aria first. After all they have been through I could see Collin rushing you to the altar now.” Angie said. 

“Yes and he is head over heels in love with you.” Lily said. 

“Aria, he makes you so happy and cherishes you. I wouldn’t mind if you two eloped tomorrow. I promise I won't be mad.” Trish said, baiting Katie. 

“Hey! I would!! I have planned all of your weddings three times over. I will be damned if I am not there. Aria I swear… I am planning your wedding to Collin and that's final.” Katie huffed and we all laughed at how rattled she got. 

“You will Katie, I promise. Now drink more and relax. Don’t make me strap you down.” I said as I took my place on the table ready for my message. 

Two hours later and all limber and loose. I came out of the Spa glowing with my hair done with a braided crown and tousled curls. My make up was natural with a hint of blush. I went back to my condo to change since I had only half an hour until Collin came. I decided to wear my black strapless cocktail dress and my black Louis Vuittons. When I was done putting my stuff in my matching clutch I heard my doorbell ring. 

I went to open it and there he was, my irish stud dressed in an impeccable charcoal grey suit with a black dress shirt with the top buttons undone. He looked extra handsome today. He held up a bouquet of roses and smiled. 

“Hello my dove. You are looking even more beautiful tonight.” He said and gave me the roses. 

“Come in while I put these in water.” I said and he obliged. I went into my kitchen and grabbed a pitcher and filled it with water and put the roses in. I turned and grabbed my clutch. He came up to me, grabbed the back of my head and brought me into a tender kiss. 

“Shall we, my love?” He said and I just nodded. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out and down to the awaiting limo. 

“Going all out tonight?” I said as I entered the limo. 

“I think tonight is extra special.”

“O’ and why is that?” I teased. 

“Tonight marks the six month anniversary of meeting the most amazing woman of my life.” He said and I leaned over and kissed him. I just love how sweet he could be. 

To my surprise we came back to his building and went in. 

“Collin, why are we going to your Condo.” I ask suspiciously. 

“Well we aren't going back to my condo.” He said with a smirk. 

“Then?” 

“It's a surprise, dove.” 

We went into the elevator where he brought me into a hard and passionate kiss. We went all the way to the top of the building and onto the roof and there was a table for two and flowers everywhere. It was the most romantic scene I have ever seen. 

“Collin. This is so wonderful.” I said. He was smiling proudly and helped me sit. He went to the cart behind him and brought out two dome covered plates and placed them on the table. When he uncovered the plate it was a nice steaming hot pile of pasta carbonara. 

“This looks and smells delicious, did you make it?” I ask 

“Yes, I wanted us to be alone and make it more intimate.” He said. I smiled  and blushed. He put so much effort into this without the public's eyes. He was just perfect. Collin then brought out a bottle of champagne and poured us two flutes. Before we could eat Collin. Took my hand and cleared his throat. He actually looked nervous for once and It made me worry.

“Collin?” I began

“Aria, I love you. I love you more than anything. When I thought I would never see you again I almost died inside. I know there will be more battles ahead. But this time I know that with you by my side we can do anything. So please do me the honor of becoming my wife? Marry me?” Collin said, kneeling down on one knee and presenting a princess cut diamond ring on a rose gold band. I couldn’t breathe, he was really proposing, for real, not just because of an Arrangement. I know I love him and am willing to give up everything for him. What is holding me back? Nothing. 

“Yes, yes I will marry you.” I finally breathed out and smiled widely with tears of joy falling down my cheeks. 

“Thank you Aria” He said and then got up, put the ring on my finger and kissed it before enveloping me in a hard loving kiss. “I love you so much Aria.” He said and then helped wipe my face. 

“I love you so much too Collin.” I said and we just held each other and took in the moment. We were engaged now. A proper proposal in our real world. We finally let go and sat down to have our meal. Every now and then I would glance at my ring and marvel at it. This is really happening. When we were done Collin took out his phone and played some romantic music and started to dance with me. I swayed and rested my head on his shoulder. 

“So was this the excuse you had for not having lunch with me?” I asked as we still dance alone under the stars. 

“Yes, I ran to the jewler to pick up the ring. It was actually my grandmother's ring and I had to get it resized. Do you like it?” He asked. 

“I love it, I love it even more and am honored to wear it.” I said. He squeezed me tighter and I can feel how happy he was. 

“Your so perfect love.” He said. After a few more songs we cleaned up and headed down to his condo. We just dumped all the stuff on the kitchen counter and proceeded directly to his room to share a night of intimate love making. 

I woke up in the morning feeling like I was up in the clouds. Last night Collin made love to me like never before. It was electrifying and I felt like a different woman. 

“Goodmorning love.” Collin whispered behind my ear as he tightened his embrace to bring me even closer to him. He was spooning me from behind and started to roam his hands all over my naked body. 

“Good morning.” I hummed in delight. This man just knew how to wake me up. 

“So when would you like to get married? I can’t wait to start calling you Mrs. O’Donnell.” He said kissing behind my neck. 

“I don’t know.” I said and turned to face him. I kissed him tenderly. “Why don’t we tell our parents first, I am sure they have everything planned out already.” I said with a knowing smirk. 

“Ok, I suppose it is easier if they just handle everything.” He smiled and I nodded. 

We finally pulled ourselves out of bed and started the day. We were going for lunch with the parents back at the castle and then having dinner with the friends at Liam’s place. It was nice that we could kill two birds with one stone today. 

When we got to the castle our parents were waiting for us outside. We sat for lunch and when we announced our engagement they were all cheering. Both dads shook hands to a successful merger. The mom’s already planning the wedding and which date would be perfect. Of course I told them to talk to Katie since she is my go to wedding coordinator. 

We left the castle after a few hours and made our way to our friends. We got to Liam's place which was a nice townhouse. Collin rang the doorbell and held my hand. Willy opened the door and let us in. It was loud and crazy in the house. Everyone was around the kitchen island playing beer pong. When the girls saw me they screamed and raced to my side pulling me away from Collin. Lily grabbed my hand and screamed again. I looked at Katie’s hand and I screamed. Then Trish showed her hand and we all screamed again. All of them were congratulating each other in the most annoying way. 

“Dam women. Can you all stop screaming, we get it. You all are excited.” Bruce said and the guys nodded in agreement. Katie broke from our huttle and went to Bruce wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. 

“Sorry love, but you better get used to it because this will be the new norm. My friends and I will not change our ways. You have your brotherhood and we have our sisterhood.” Katie said with a confident voice. Bruce instantly softened and it was cute how Katie turned him into a love sick puppy. 

“Yes Love.” He said. 

“Don’t worry Bruce, we won’t be so loud next time.” I said and the girls giggled. 

We all talked about our engagement proposals and it was wonderful to hear that Trish and Drew went to a skate park and Drew pretended to fall and hurt himself. When Trish came to check on him He knelt on one knee and presented the ring. All Drew said was “Marry Me?” and Trish went down to her knees and kissed him hard, both of them landing on the ground. After they broke she said yes. Bruce took Katie on an intimate dinner cruise and proposed on a candlelite covered deck. I loved seeing everyone so happy. We started to tease Liam and Willy on when they were going to propose and they smirked and laughed saying “in time”.