Big Things

She reaches out and grabs my hands after watching me deflate.

"Are you being serious right now?"

My heart plummets to my feet and I feel my face burn red.

"Uh...I...uh...." I stutter out and I am not sure what to say. She pulls me into her as she reassures me.

"I'll act surprised! Don't worry, Austin won't know I know!" She gushes but Austin is already behind her. His eyes dart from mine to the back of Margot's head and I feel like I am going to combust from anxiety. Margot catches me looking behind her and spins around.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," he says gloomily. He reaches out for her hands and I decide to stay silent. I can tell by the way he's gripping her hands and gazing lovingly into her wide blue eyes that this is it. This is the big moment and it just so happens to be right in front of the white bench!

He looks into her wide, teary blue eyes and says, "Margot Ann-Marie Hamilton, you make me feel like the luckiest man in the world when I am with you. I had never known what love was until I met you. I couldn't imagine settling down with anyone else and I would be honored to make you my wife, my partner in life. Will you marry me?"

He gets down on one knee as he pulls the small black ring box from his jacket pocket. A large crowd has gathered around them and I hear loud gasps from all around the yard. I want to look around to see if the photographer is catching all this but my eyes are glued to Austin. My heart feels like it's expanded three sizes in my chest and I am choking back happy tears. I watch as he pulls open the ring box and my stomach somersaults.

It's not Tilly's ring tucked inside the box. But instead, a massive oval diamond perched on a thin gold band is glistening out of the box. Margot frantically shakes her head yes and shrieks, "Of course! Yes!"

Austin slips the stunning ring onto her finger and everyone erupts into applause. She pulls him in for a kiss and my clasped hands fly up under my chin. As much as Margot manages to get under my skin, I am truly happy for Austin. I'm adjusting to her being around all the time so I know I can grow to like her. Worst case, tolerate her for Austin's sake.

Ryan pulls me into him and I rest my head on his shoulder. I watch as multiple photographers flash pictures of the beaming couple and I spot my mother standing next to the Hamiltons. Molly is standing to her mother's right and her eyes are glued to Margot's left hand. I wonder if that's the ring Margot was talking to me about. I look to Ryan and ask, "Is that ring from the Hamiltons?

He nods and then looks down at me.

"Apparently y'all had a discussion about rings and she made it known that she wanted her mother's ring."

"How do you know about that?" I ask surprised.

"A.B told Gus and he mentioned it when we were at Theo's," he says. I immediately wonder if that means Tilly's ring is up for grabs and I catch Ryan studying my face. As if he were a mind reader he says, "Your grandmother Tilly's ring is back in your mother's possession."

I feel my face go red and he adds, "Gus also made it known that you have your heart set on wearing that ring the next time you get engaged."

I frown and then reply, "You didn't have to add the next time. I don't like being reminded about my engagement from hell ya know." He laughs and I add, "Well, I'm sure Margot is thrilled that Austin proposed with the ring she hoped for then."

He smirks to me.

"I'm sure you're more thrilled that your grandmother's ring is free again for the taking."

I pop my shoulder up but don't say anything in response. He's still grinning when he adds, "Don't worry. I've noted that not only do I have to gain your mother's approval, but if I dare propose, it needs to be with that ring."

"Yeah, no pressure," I tell him with a laugh. I feel my heart swell again and I catch the color that floods his cheeks. I bite my lip before I say, "If and when you decide, just let it be after all of Austin and Margot's hoopla has died down. Trust me, I am not antsy for an engagement."

He gives me the side eye and I laugh, "I promise Ryan, I'm good with our pace. I don't want you thinking that I am expecting a proposal so soon."

"Okay, I was beginning to wonder. And it's not that the love isn't there. I love the shit out of you, I just think I need more time in Hollis before I start thinking of a wedding."

"Oh, I truly think you are the one for me. I feel it in my bones that we belong together and because of that, I can wait."

"Good. Then if we are on the same page, I'll make sure I wait until after your best friend and brother have their moment," he says. I immediately think of Annabeth and spin back around to see if I spot her. I look around but don't see her or Gus anywhere. Everyone is now huddled around Margot and Austin while she flashes her ring around. Betty suddenly appears next to me and says, "We were going to do this a little later, but since everyone is gathered around Poppy's memorial, I guess we will make our speech now."

I nod to her and she pulls me over to the antique bench with her and Scarlett. All of the other society members have already gathered around the bench as well.

People lingering all over the garden and patio turn to face Scarlett and I catch the Penderghasts strolling over to the center of the garden. The crowd parts so they can push through and I watch as Mrs. Penderghast wipes a tear from her eye. I release a long exhale and steady myself for the sadness that's about to fall upon us. Scarlett smiles to everyone and someone from the waitstaff hands her a microphone. She looks around her before saying, "I'm so sorry to interrupt such a beautiful moment, but I did want to say a few words about the wonderful young woman that pushed her vision into this stunning reality."

Everyone's eyes dart between the Penderghasts and Scarlett while she gives a speech about how ambitious and over achieving Poppy was. Ryan pulls me into him when she comments about Poppy being a delight to work with and everyone that knew her was truly blessed. I'm pretty sure everyone was choked up by the end and we all lowered our heads in a moment of silence.

Scarlett is so poised and can put even the simplest of words so elegantly that I am glad she took over the speech. She remained composed, but it truly felt like the words were flowing straight from her heart.

After everyone lifts their heads, we all quietly scatter back around the yard and many people wait around the Penderghasts to offer their condolences. I'm sure they are glad they moved away to Oxford so the constant reminder of Poppy and everyone that knew her isn't constantly bombarding them.

"Kind of an emotional roller coaster, eh?" Ryan asks quietly in my ear and I nod. People went from ecstatic to somber in a matter of minutes. But if it weren't for Ryan and me, Austin would have waited to propose until after the memorial speech.

"It's been an emotional month," I confess to him and he gives me a soft smile. I finally spot Annabeth striding toward me with a massive grin sprawled across her face. Ryan leans into me and says, "I'll go grab us a glass of wine."

I glance to him as he wanders off toward the bar and when Annabeth is less than a foot in front of me, she wiggles her fingers in front of my eyes. I pull her hand closer and gasp, "You are officially off the market! I'm so happy for you!"

She glances to her hand and with a shrug of her shoulder she says, "I mean, it's clearly not as big as Margot's but...it's still pretty!"

We both look to the dainty sapphire on her finger and I know Gus's mother wears a sapphire too. The Blackwoods are hardly flashy, but every piece of jewelry they own is an antique or heirloom. I look back to A.B and reply, "I'm sure this ring means a great deal to the Blackwoods if Gus chose this one to give to you. It's beautiful and unique."

I catch a sliver of a frown and I want to slap her. Of course it's not what she had pictured, so she just can't be happy with it. I smile to her and add, "I'm really so happy for both of you! I can't wait for the wedding planning to start!"

She's quickly grinning again and she says, "Of course you'll be my maid of honor. And since this party looks fantastic, I might just have you be my wedding planner! Hell, maybe I'll get married here! Gus can definitely afford it."

I let out an anxious laugh and wonder if she is being serious. I decide not to ask so instead, I just pull her in for a hug. I look behind her and still don't see Gus anywhere. I'll let him come to me.

When she pulls away from me, she says, "Well, your best friend and your brother are getting married. Will you be next?"

I shrug, "Maybe, but I don't see us getting engaged until long after Austin's wedding is wrapped up."

"And mine, right? You can wait until after mine too," she says with a slight snap and I nod quickly to appease her. She smiles again and suddenly I am worried that Annabeth will be a bridezilla. Or worse, she'll find out that her groom told her best friend that he was in love with her only days before he proposed. Or she'll let something slip about her secret disappointment in not marrying into a big, flashy rich family and wanted a much bigger ring only to have the Blackwoods disown her. I swallow my worried lump down and just continue to smile at her.

Ryan finally comes back with a glass of wine and I frown when I see the small portion. It's unfortunate that I have to behave myself tonight.

Ryan and Annabeth quickly start talking about her engagement and my eyes start scanning the backyard. People are back to chit-chatting and gushing about how beautiful the Wellington House looks. I spot a small crowd still gathered around Austin and Margot and she has her hand out to her audience.

I know I have big things to look forward to now. Possibly being the owner of a winery, being the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding, and watching my reformed bachelor of a brother tie the knot. And who knows, maybe I'll be the next one hiring a wedding planner.

I grab onto Ryan's hand while Annabeth gabs on about her anxiety of finding a wedding dress while pregnant. She's talking a mile a minute and Ryan just nods his head kindly in response. I stare at his beautiful green eyes and a kind of peace falls over me. I know there are big things ahead of me and I know I can tackle them all with him next to me.

Oh yes. I think big things are a comin', and I am ready!