Chapter 28

                                    

                                          
(Tori's POV)
I stay frozen, my mouth wide open and covered by my hands. I did try fighting back the tears, but that's now a lost cause as they flow freely from my eyes. 
I didn't think I'd see this day any time soon. Of course, I regularly dream of marrying Eddie, but since the two of us are always so busy, we kinda had a mutual agreement to put marriage on hold for a while, which is why 9 years down the line in our relationship we haven't already tied the knot. Because our relationship has been strong for so many years, we just felt like we could hold off on marriage for a while longer.
But now looking at Eddie down on one knee, holding out this gorgeous diamond ring, I'm simply speechless, and for the life of me, I seriously can not understand why we've waited so long.
"Um, Tori?"
Shit, now would actually be a good time to say something. 
"YES!! YES I'LL MARRY YOU!!" 
I can't help but erupt in extreme happiness. My dreams are finally coming true, and yes, I do know how much of a fairytale that sentence sounds, but I don't care, because my long time boyfriend, my literal high school sweetheart, has finally asked me to marry him! 
Eddie jumps to his feet and carefully slips the ring around my finger. A perfect fit! 
"It's beautiful" I gasp while I admire the piece of jewellery. 
"And so are you" he compliments. 
I still can't stop my tears of joy from falling as I wrap my arms around my fiancé. Oh wow, that sounds weird to say out loud...
Eddie hugs me back and holds me tight, pulling me impossibly close to his chest.
"This is it Tori, the start of the new chapter in our lives" Eddie whispers, before burying in face in the side of my neck.
I sigh to myself in complete happiness and contentment. This moment is so perfect. 
"Can we come out yet? We're dying here!" 
The sudden voice calling out causes me to jump slightly in surprise. I break away from Eddie as I'm caught off guard by the knowledge that we're not alone anymore, or perhaps never were.
"Come on out you guys" Eddie calls out. 
One by one, each of our friends appears from behind the bushes and foliage surrounding the wooden gazebo we're currently stood inside. Behind my friends, my family then appear, my mom, dad and even Trina, all looking teary-eyed and emotional.
"So... we're engaged!" Eddie announces.
I hold up my hand, showing the glowing ring now placed around my finger.
Instantly, everyone present erupts in celebratory shrieks and applause, jumping up and down and squealing with delight. I even catch my dad jumping, punching the air, and celebrating with Andre and my mom next to him.
Eddie and I are engulfed in hugs and kisses as our friends and family surround us. 
"I take it you all had something to do with all this?" Tori asks, pointing at the candles and rose petals and referring to the trail leading from the house. 
"Actually sweetheart, this was all Trina's doing" my mom says.
All I can do is blink a couple of times as I try to comprehend what I've just been told. 
Trina actually did something nice for someone else?
I turn to face my sister, who's small smile makes her look kind of nervous.
"Why did you..." I start to ask, but Eddie cuts me off.
"I called Trina and asked her to help me. I told her my plan for the proposal, and Daryl let her into the house while we were having our food. I asked for her help, to help prove to you how sorry she is about taking and selling that flash drive" Eddie explains.