1 IF ONLY

hmmmmmmm

The ring was sooooo beautiful than Nessa remembered. A twisting band of silver was interwoven with blue that reminded her of ocean.A family of Pearl nestled together.It was gorgeous,unique and sooooo perfect..

A snowflake landed on Nessa's hand,bringing her back to the moment she glanced at Derek,still down on one knee,on the beach black wave was crashing behind him,star twinkling above him,sand clinging to his pants,tears glittering in his eyes and Nessa felt her own eye well up in response..she couldn't move,she couldn't stand,the only thing she wanted to do was hold Derek hand and never let go.

She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled his body close to her kissing the expose flesh of his neck over and over again and then winding her fingers into his hair..

"I'm soo in love with you", she whispered.

"I love you more than word can say," Derek replied,breathlessly.Then,with a small laugh,he added "you're shivering".

Nessa giggled too,feeling girlish,carefree." That will be the snow", she said.

They finally pulled apart.Derek grasped Nessa's hand and pulled her to standing....

"should we head back?"he asked.

Nessa thought of the Thanksgiving party going on in her B&B at this very moment.practically the whole town was congregated there; surely her and Derek's absence would have been noted by now.But she didnt want to go back,not yet.she wanted to stay here with Derek in this perfect moment for as long as possible.

Nessa shook her head and rubbed the goose pimples on her arms,"can't we stay here for a bit longer?"

Derek smilled,"tenderly of course"He wrapped her in his arm.together they rock back and forth,as though dancing to music only they could hear...

"I can't wait to tell lola", Derek murmured after a while.

At the mention of Derek daughter Nessa felt a surge of excitement.The little girl will be sooooo happy for them,Suddenly, the idea of getting back to B&B seemed much more appealing.Nessa desperately wanted to see Lola's face,when they broke the news.it would be a fairytale ending for the child who'd had such a terrible start in life.

"Come on,let's head back", Nessa said,moving out of his embrace,and taking both of Daniels hands in hers.

" you sure?"he asked.

She nodded. breaking the news of their engagement to Lola was now Nessa greatest desire.she was feeling suddenly confident and proud,she wanted to stand on the window's walk of her inn and shout the news across town so everybody could here for miles around..

But as they stroll along the beach in the direction of the B&B Nessa felt her nerves begin to creep up on her.making announcement was her favourite thing to do,and there will surely be no way to sneak in,without people questioning there absense .That's not even to mention the ring.it was hardly inconspicuous,anyone with eye could see it sparkle from a mile away.

Nessa couldn't help but imagine all those faces gazing at her,some with supportive expression but other with judflental ones..

Right now,their engagement belong to her and Derek and no one else.it was a private thing,a shared state of bliss..But as soon as the broke the news to others,they would be inviting opinions into that sacred space.

They reach the small path that lead to the beach up to the street were they lived..

Nessa climb up the steep bank first,Derek following,As she emerged through the trees onto the side walks,she could see the light of the inn glowing and hear the sound of music and laughter floating through the air.Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

"Ready?"Derek asked as he drew up beside her.

Nessa took a deep breath she was nervous but also felt more confident that ever,like she could take on the world.

Hand in hand they slowly walked along the drive,past the carriage house that was once Derek's home,then up the porch steps and in through the front door of the inn at sunset harbor.Immediately,warmth and brightness enveloped them.the comforting smell of Thanksgiving food permeated the air.Nessa instantly felt the love ebbing through the inn.

Just then a laughing Mrs Smith burst out of the dinning room and into the walk way,when she saw Derek and Nessa standing there,she frowned at them...And Nessa couldn't hide her fear when she saw future mother in-law shooting her a death glare...