Surfside Sisters(93)

Keely laughed. “Exactly what I was thinking.”

To her surprise, Sebastian hit the remote and the television went blank.

“So we should be an old married couple. The sooner the better.”

Keely was speechless.

“I know this isn’t very romantic. I know I should get down on my knee and propose…”

    Keely grinned. “Yeah, you should. Right now. While you’re naked.”

Sebastian threw the covers back, walked around to Keely’s side of the bed, kneeled and held out his hand.

“Keely Green, will you marry me?”

Keely tried not to laugh at the sight of Sebastian kneeling naked before her. “I’d love to marry you, Sebastian Maxwell.”

Sebastian stood up. He opened the drawer of the bedside table and took out a black velvet box. Inside was an antique ring, a ruby surrounded by diamonds.

“Oh, Sebastian. It’s beautiful.”

“It was my grandmother’s. My mother gave it to me last night.”

“Your mother gave it to you? She knows you want to marry me?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Because your mother hates me, or at least resents me, for getting a novel published when Isabelle hasn’t.”

Sebastian nodded. “Mom might resent you for Isabelle, but she loves you for me. Here. Try it on.”

Sebastian slid it onto Keely’s ring finger. The ruby glowed deeply. The diamonds sparkled.

“It fits,” Keely whispered, thrilled.

“We fit,” Sebastian said.

Keely patted the space next to her. “Come sit next to me. Let’s look at it together.”

Sebastian crawled back under the covers next to Keely. They looked at the ring. They kissed. They kissed again, and embraced, and Keely cried a bit, and Sebastian comforted her, and when they finally turned on the television two hours later, the baseball game was over.

The Red Sox had won.



* * *



—

In the morning, Keely went to her house to shower and dress and work on her book. She knew she’d get no work done really. She’d stare at her ring and cry with joy.

    Her mother was at the Maxwells’ house, helping Al. Keely wanted to tell her mother about their engagement but not over the phone.

As she came out of the shower, Sebastian called.

“Hi, almost Mrs. Maxwell,” he said. “Could you meet me at my dad’s house? I think everyone is here, including your mother. We could tell them all together.”

“I’ll be right there,” Keely said.

She tried on five dresses before deciding on a simple sundress. She slipped into her sandals and put on lipstick and wiped it off so it wouldn’t get all over Sebastian’s face. She jumped in her car and drove very carefully, staying exactly at the speed limit until she got to the Maxwell house.

She found Sebastian inside, sitting with his father. Her mother was next to Mr. Maxwell, carefully brushing his hair. Mr. Maxwell looked better today. He was propped up in a sitting position and his eyes were open and focusing.

“Hi, Mr. Maxwell,” Keely said cheerfully.

Her mother said, “You just missed Tommy and Brittany. Tommy’s taking her home for a diaper change.”

“Your granddaughter’s so adorable,” Keely told Mr. Maxwell. He blinked. A good sign?

Keely walked around the bed to stand next to Sebastian. “Good morning.” She kissed his cheek. “How are you today?”

“Me? I’m fabulous.” Sebastian leaned over toward his father. “Dad, Keely and I have something to tell you.”

Keely flashed her ring to her mother, who mouthed, “Wow!”

“Dad,” Sebastian said. “We want everyone to be here when we make our announcement.” To Keely, he said, “I’ll get the others.”

As Sebastian left the room, Keely’s nerves made her shiver. Isabelle would be glad about their engagement, but what about Mrs. Maxwell? What about Mr. Maxwell? She remembered Sebastian telling her how his father had roared when they wanted to take him to a rehab instead of his own home. What if Mr. Maxwell roared in protest? She looked to her mother. Eloise gave her two thumbs-up. That was reassuring, but Keely still felt jittery. She busily smoothed the sheets and blanket over Mr. Maxwell.

    “You look really well today, Mr. Maxwell,” Keely said. “Did you see the Red Sox game last night? It was very exciting.”

Sebastian came into the room, with his sister and mother at his side. He went to stand next to Keely.

“Mrs. Green, Mom, Dad, Isabelle, Keely and I have something to tell you.”

Isabelle’s eyes went as wide as saucers. “Oh, hurry, tell us!”

“I’ve asked Keely to marry me, and she said yes.”

Sebastian took Keely’s hand and held it tight.

“I’m so glad!” Isabelle cried, and burst into tears. “Now you really will be my sister.”

“Congratulations,” Donna Maxwell said formally. “I’m happy for you both.”

“Yes,” Keely’s mother said. “It’s wonderful.”

“Thank you.” Keely was on the verge of tears.

Something touched her hand. Something bony and warm.