Derek and Emily wrapped up their work and went home. It was already half past 5 in the evening when they returned home. They had only an hour and a half to reach the Stevenson mansion because Maria didn't like people who got late.

Emily was worried about what she was going to wear for dinner tonight. Judging by Derek's tone she knew it was something big tonight but she couldn't get him to spill the beans.

Emily was just out of the shower looking for her perfect dress. Emily was always confused about her dress whatever the occasion was. Since Derek entered her life, he always helped her choose the best one for her.

Knock knock

"Hey, Emily? Are you ready?" Derek asked her from outside her door.

"Umm... no. Not yet. I can't choose what to wear." She replied.

"Can I come in?" He said as he rattled the doorknob.

"Umm wait! I'll open the door." She called out before she unlocked the door.

"What happened woman? Why did you lock the door? What if you had an emergency in there? I had to break down the poor door." He said as she opened the door.

"Derek, I'm used to having my door locked. Plus, I don't want any intruders to come barging in my room while I'm busy." She said emphasizing on the word intruder.

"Oh so now I'm an intruder." He said as he threw her on the bed and started tickling her.

Emily giggled like a little child. Derek kept tickling her.

"S..sstop Derek. Stop! Stop!" She said as she put her palms on Derek's chest and pushed him back with all her might. But he was too heavy for her. She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing more. Her cheeks were already aching from laughing hard.

Suddenly he stopped tickling her and looked at her right through his icy blue eyes that always mesmerized her.

"Emily... "He said as he inched closer to her lips.

Emily froze. Her mind stopped working. His hot minty breath fanning her face.

"Y..yyyes?"She said as she looked at him.

"If you don't stop biting that lip of yours, I swear we'll be late because I'll keep tickling you more." He said as he started tickling her again.

"Okay!  Okay!" She replied

"Run...and get ready." He said as he got off the bed.

"But I don't know what to wear. I'm confused." She said as she started biting her lip again and looked through the various dresses that hung inside her closet.

"You're biting your lip again." He said. Emily looked at him. She could swear she saw his eyes getting a darker shade of blue as he said so. Somehow, she was happy to see her effect on him. She affected him as much he affected her.

"Here. This. Take this one and get ready. Don't tie your hair. I love your hair open." He said as he handed her a dress and whispered huskily in her ear. His words left her hot and bothered.

"You have only fifteen minutes to get ready!" He called as he closed the door.

After 15 minutes, Emily came out of the room all dressed up. Derek was already sitting in the living room, ready to go.

Emily wore a black dress with a lace bodice and full lace sleeves. She wore her favourite black stilettos. The dress accented her smart figure and her brown hair. She just put on some mascara and liner with red lipstick. She splashed some perfume which Derek gifted her a few weeks ago. It was her favourite.

"Ready to go?" Derek said as he extended his hand towards her. Emily accepted it.

"You look so gorgeous tonight." He whispered in her ear. She smiled.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Mr Stevenson. "She whispered back. To be honest, Emily's whispers hit the chords in Derek's heart. He wanted to mark her as his and he was going to do that.

They got in the car and reached the Stevenson mansion. Before they could knock the door, Maria opened the door. She smiled sweetly and hugged both of them.

"Welcome home son, Emily." She said as she led them inside to the dining room. Tonight, it was different. There were more people.

" Derek, who are all these people and why are they here?" She whispered to Derek.

"Relax, they're my family." He said as he entered the dining room. As soon as he entered, everyone stood up.

"Hello everyone!" He said as he walked over to the people holding Emily's hand firmly.  Emily was really nervous. She never had much company. And families always confused her because her own family was a wreck.

Derek introduced Emily to quite a number of people. His uncles and aunts. Although his father didn't have any siblings but these were his mother's family and his father's cousins and friends.

"Take a seat everyone. Let's start dinner. " Maria said as she sat at the head of the table while the food was served. The dinner progressed nicely. Nothing happened until desserts were served. As soon as the desserts were served, Emily saw that everyone was looking at her as she dug her spoon in her créme brulee. She ignored everyone's eyes and kept eating her dessert until there was something at the end of her bowl. She stirred her spoon again and there was a ring. A freaking ring with a beautiful blue stone!

"Derek, there's  a ring in my dessert!" She whispered to him.

"Huh??" Derek feigned shock.

"Here, give it to me."He said as he took the ring from her.

"I'll  be right back." He said as he left the dining room in quick strides. Emily saw that many of the people were stifling their laughs. She was absolutely confused as to why they were laughing.

"Excuse me, everyone." She said as she excused herself and went into the garden for some fresh air.

Everyone got up from their seats and gathered near the large windows of the dining room. Derek went after Emily to find her standing in the garden with her arms wrapped around her. She was looking at the moon.

"Emily?" He said.

She turned around to find Derek sitting on one knee with the ring in his hand.

"Emily, I don't know how to be romantic. I just wanted to ask you something. Would you, Emily Brookes, do me the honour of becoming my wife, my life partner and marry me?" He said.

To say Emily was shocked was an understatement.  She was shocked beyond words. She looked at Derek and came close to him then held his shoulders to make him stand.

"Yes... I will marry you. Your place is not in my feet. It's in my heart." She said as Derek slipped the ring on her finger.

"One more thing...."He said as he turned her around her back facing his front.

"That..."He said as fireworks erupted into the dark night and made "I ♡ U".

"Oh, Derek... This is so beautiful. I love you more." She said as she hugged him tightly. Derek picked her up and spun her.

All the guests came into the garden and congratulated them. Champagne was served as Maria clinked her spoon to her glass.
"Everybody, I want to make a toast to the very beautiful fiance of my son, Derek. May you two always stay happy together, love and cherish each other. Welcome to the family, my daughter, Emily. I have two very beautiful daughters now." She said as she sat down.

"I'm always going to be your favourite daughter, mama. Right?" Alice asked Maria.

"Of course, you'll always be my little girl, Alice," Maria said as Alice kissed her forehead and ran away.

"Love you, mama." She called out and blew her another kiss before she hopped away.

For Emily, life was giving her a second chance to be happy. It was indeed the best day of her life.