Born to Make You Smile

THIRTY-SEVEN

On the afternoon of Gavin’s forty-seventh birthday, we left work early and headed to High Park for a picnic lunch. The sun was warm, and a pleasant cool breeze toyed with my curls. The birds sang their harmonious tunes. Signs that spring and love were in the air.

We strolled through, eventually finding a shady spot on the grass, where I laid out a fleece blanket. After smoothing my magenta polka-dot sundress, I had a seat next to Gavin. A few moments passed, and I removed my sandals, digging my bare feet into the grass, letting the cool, damp blades massage and tickle my toes. The air was infused with the fresh aroma of sun, and I couldn’t help but inhale, letting the serenity of the outdoors flow through me.

“This is beautiful, Grace. Thank you for planning this.”

“Happy birthday.” I gave him a quick kiss, then gestured to the cooler. “I hope you’re hungry!”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, actually. I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

I opened the cooler and took out several containers of food—cucumber sandwiches, chicken wraps, chorizo sausage rolls, bean salad, and fresh berries.

“Wow, this is incredible,” he exclaimed, looking at all the food. “When did you make all this?”

“Yesterday and early this morning.” I flashed him a proud smile. “Enjoy, my love.”

As we had lunch, I people watched. A woman sketching trees held me captive for a moment. My eyes focused on a couple pushing two children in a double stroller, and it filled me with a wistful excitement, envisioning our future. The girls. Our own children. At one point, I noticed a tall, lanky man holding an excessive bundle of colorful balloons in the distance.

“That’s not for me, is it?” Gavin asked, looking worried.

I laughed. “No! Of course not. What would we do with all those? We’d float away.”

He chuckled. “I’m surprised that young man is managing to stay on the ground.”

As he said that, the balloon man began to walk toward us. Perhaps he was selling them?

Gavin waved to him. “Young man with the balloons, over here!”

“What are you doing?” I whispered through my teeth.

“Hello, sir,” the balloon man said in a crisp English accent. “Would you be interested in buying a balloon for your lovely lady?”

“How much?” Gavin asked, going into his wallet. “For all of them?”

I put a hand on his wrist. “Gavin...seriously. No.”

“By golly, are you the world-famous dentist Dr. Gavin Brinley?”

“Why yes, I am.” Gavin straightened, nodding proudly.

What the hell is going on here?

“I’m your biggest fan. Tell you what. I’ll give you all these balloons for free.”

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Gavin.

“But,” the man said with an exaggerated pout, “there are some rules.”

“Rules?” I repeated. This was getting stranger by the second.

“First. These balloons can’t leave the park. So you have to pop them all before you go.”

Now I was really confused. But I guess it was a good thing since there was no way in hell those were all fitting into his car.

“Second, they have to be popped in order by color. Purple, yellow, red, then blue.”

My brows furrowed, and I let out a confused laugh. “What? Why?”

“Purple, yellow, red, blue,” repeated Gavin, not perplexed in any way by what was going on here. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome, Dr. Brinley. And Grace. You both have a fantastic day now,” the balloon man said, then left.

“How did he know my name?” I asked. “What’s going on?”

“Pop them.” Gavin conveniently took out a large safety pin from his pants pocket. “Purple first.”

I flashed him a dubious glance. Gavin was definitely up to something.

I began to pop the purple balloons. Then, after the third one, a small white paper fell out.

“Oh! What’s that?” Gavin asked suspiciously.

I opened the folded paper. The word “WILL” was printed in black marker.

Holy shit. I began to understand exactly where this was going. “Gavin... um…” I blinked, looking up at him. “Is this...what I think it is?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He smirked. “Keep popping, love.”

I pressed my lips together to hide my elation, continuing to pop like a madwoman. Passersby likely thought I was crazy.

The next note— YOU.

Then— MARRY.

My heart picked up speed as I popped the single blue balloon, the final note that read— ME?

I looked over at Gavin, who was down on one knee, holding a small black box. Then he opened it.

My heart pounded with excitement.

Inside sat a beautiful ring—simple and timeless. A solitaire cushion-cut diamond on a white gold band. Gorgeous but not overly extravagant. The perfect ring for me.

He looked up into my eyes, then gripped my left hand. I could feel him shake. I was shaking too. I swallowed, trying my best to hold my composure.

“Grace, love. We’ve been through so much together. Highs and lows. Ups and downs. I love you so very much. With every piece of my heart. You have no idea how happy you make me. Not only me but the girls as well. You have truly been our saving grace, pun very much intended. Every day, I wake up with a smile, so thankful that you are a part of our lives. And I want you to officially be a part of our family. Forever.

“So, Grace Annika Mayer, my love. Will you accept this ring and marry me? Be my wife, my disco queen, my G-Force, for life?”

This dashing, disco-loving dentist. The love of my life. I threw my head back with laughter.

“Dr. Gavin Theodore Alexander Brinley,” I said with a smile. Then bounced and clapped. “Yes, of course! For life!”

He slipped the ring on my finger. A perfect fit. Then he stood, and I wrapped my arms around him. He pulled me in for a kiss.

“Now I believe,” I said against his lips.

“Believe in what?”

“Miracles.”

He laughed, then whispered, “And you are one very sexy thing.”

We walked together, hand in hand.

“I can’t believe you planned that crazy balloon guy,” I said.

He chuckled. “That wasn’t even his real accent either. He’s actually a magician. And a theater actor.”

“How did you come up with this idea?”

“I wanted a creative way to pop the question , and it just came to me.”

“Oh my God.” I shook my head with a smile. It was so corny. But so sweet. So Gavin. “I was really surprised. But very confused at first. A bit of a risk to take on your birthday, though! What if I said no?”

“Well, what can I say? I walk on the wild side these days.”

I giggled, then stared at my ring. God, it was beautiful.

“You picked this ring for me, right? No one else,” I teased.

“Definitely.” He brought the back of my hand up to his mouth and gave me a gentle kiss. “Marcelo there is quite the character.”

I smiled. “Did he give you a good deal?”

“Yes. The family discount . I also got something for the girls, a small heart necklace for each of them. And perhaps a few more things for you. Your birthday is coming up in a month’s time.”

“Nothing too crazy, right?”

“Well...” He winced.

He definitely went overboard. However, I was a new Grace who didn’t mind the bling. “That’s great. Gimme all the jewelry. Head to toe. Spoil me!”

He chuckled. “Good. You’ll be completely covered.”