Eileen's POV

"Eileen, I need to ask you a question." Nick got down on one knee and fiddled with his coat.

"Oh my." I started. One of my hands flew to my mouth as he pulled a beautiful black velvet box out. Tears filled my already damp eyes. 

"Eileen Rosemary Field. You are the life line that has kept me grounded. You were the first person I ever loved so much I would have died for them." He held my hand and a gentle snow began to fall. The moon shown down on us and I pressed my hand to my trembling lips. "You loved me when I would fail, and when I would succeed. You were there when I needed you and even when I did not want anyone. I love you so much Leen." He opened the ring box and I let tears slip down my face. "Would you do me the great honor and agree to become my beloved wife?"

I nodded and then managed to sob out, "I love you too! Yes!" 

He stood and wrapped his arms around me. He slipped the lovely oval shaped diamond on my slender finger. "I love you darling."

"I love you more." I snuggled into him and let the tears flow. He tipped my head up and pressed a kiss to my mouth. 

The gentle snow fall drove us indoors shortly there after. 

"You should probably change love." He whispered in my ear. I looked down at my designer gown, once full and lovely, now damp and limpish. 

"I will go up the servant's stairwell and then meet you by the entrance, we can come through together." I motioned to the large stairway at the front of the dancing couples. "Could you grab Sue for me?"

"Of course." He pecked my cheek and swaggered off towards my best friend. He pointed in my direction and she followed. She smiled and waved then headed over, leaving Nick to talk to Chass. 

She walked over to me. "Eileen, doll, what happened to your gown?"

"Long story." I laughed. "Come let's get me redressed before I catch a cold." I faked a british accent that sounded more nasal than anything.

She giggled and looped her arm in my own. We walked up the servant stairwell and to my room. I went through my closet and chose a stunning blue gown that gave off a Cinderella vibe. 

I quickly put it on and then walked out of my dressing room. 

"Well?" I spun for Sue to see. 

"Oh my gosh! Leen you look like Cinderella!" She laughed. "I am going to assume prince charming is Nicholas?"

"Maybe." I twirled. She giggled and I brought my left hand up towards my stomach. 

"Oh-" She gasped. "Eileen Rosemary Field. When were you going to tell me you got engaged?"

I smiled and blushed. "I was trust me. I just did not know when the right time would be." She grabbed my hand and turned the ring this way and that. 

"Girl that is beautiful." She sighed happily. "Look at us. Both engaged and not yet 30. Remember when we were younger and we both said we would never get married before 32." She giggled. "That plan failed."

"It did." I smiled. 

"Shall we?" She extended her hand for me. I grasped it and she led me to the main staircase. Nicholas met us in front of the doors. 

"Wow." He smiled. "You look lovely." He kissed my cheek. "Thank you Sue." 

"Congratulations." She smiled. "I better go find Chass." She opened the doors and walked down the staircase. 

"Are you ready my Cinderella?" He leaned in.

"When ever you are my prince." I kissed his handsome cheek.

He smiled and the butlers opened the doors for us. We walked to the top of the balcony over looking the crowd. Nicholas and I separated and walked separately down to the second dais and then he extended his forearm for me. I curtsied deeply and accepted. He walked me down, to the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from the crowd. 

"How precious." One woman near me whispered. (play video NOW)

https://youtu.be/GNA-iBt_UWM

I smiled slightly and they cleared a path for us to walk to the center. I looked to Nick and he smirked as the conductor played 'Tale as Old as Time' from  'Beauty and the Beast'. I curtsied as he bowed and a soloist began the song. 

He gathered me in his arms and twirled me around. "How funny it is that we are dancing to a song from Beauty and the Beast and you look like Cinderella."

I smiled slightly. "I love you." 

He gently lifted me and then set me down. We twirled out and then back, continuing the waltz. He dipped me and we locked eyes. 

"I love you more." He whispered. My diamond clad hand rested on his arm. A woman near me gasped slightly and the twittering began. 

Nicholas had a glint in his eye. I looked at my smiling mother and father. Pride glowed from their features. 

Nick lifted me again and my skirts swished around us. I landed lightly and he smiled at me. I trusted him. 

Susan and Chass joined us and my parents after them. The song ended and I curtsied lowly to Nick as he bowed. He grasped my left hand and kissed our ring. 

My mother walked over to me and gave me a hug. "Oh my baby." She smiled and kissed my temple. "I am so proud of you." 

My father gave me a kiss on the cheek and Nick a handshake. "Good job honey." He smiled at me. 

"Thanks Daddy." I kissed his cheek. 

"Welcome to the family Nick." My father clapped Nick on the back. 

"Thank you Griffin." He wrapped his arm around my torso. 

"Nicholas?" A voice interrupted our conversation. 

Nick turned and at came face to face with his mother. "Mom?" He gave her a hug.

"Oh Nicky." Mrs. Winston wrapped her tall son his her small arms. 

He pulled away. "Mom you remember Eileen." 

"Of course. Hi, honey." She wrapped Eileen in her arms. 

"Hello Mrs. Winston."

"Please call me Ava." She smiled. "I couldn't wait to come back. Charles was on a delay with the country of Russia so I ended up here." She turned back to Nick. "Have you asked this lovely young woman to marry you yet?"

"Mom." Nick groaned. "Yes I did." I held my hand up. 

"Oh it is beautiful." She examined it. "Nice job Nicholas."

"Thank you mom." He smiled. 

We laughed and chatted for the next couple hours then the guests began leaving. I kissed my mother on the cheek and my father on the temple. 

"Come on Eileen." Nicholas grabbed my hand and gently laid my coat on my shoulders. 

He led me out the door and into the crisp fall into winter evening. He held my hand as we walked down to to the end of my parents front entry arch. 

"Nick where is your car?"

"It is right here." A carriage pulled into the drive. 

"Oh Nick!" I snuggled into him. "You didn't."

"Oh yes I did." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tucked me against his side. He pressed kisses to my forehead. 

"My lady." The footman handed me in. "Sir." 

"Thank you." I settled against Nick's warm side. "You did all this for me?"

"You deserve it." He kissed my rosy lips. "I love you and I can't wait to start my life with you." 

"I can't either." I pressed my lips to his cheek and settled in against him.