Secret Shopper (34 page)

Thomas was on bended knee smiling deliriously and I transformed into a shivering heap of sweaty awkwardness. Thomas looked at his watch then over his shoulder. On cue, my mom, Pharaoh and Rachel appeared from out of nowhere. I gasped and almost expected my dad to make an appearance. God, how I wish he was here to see this. How did they board the plane without me knowing it? Who paid for all those tickets?

“Thomas, what? Are you really doing what I think you’re doing?”

“No.”

I deflated. Thomas looked at his watch again. My mom kissed me. Pharaoh patted my head. Rachel squeezed me tight. Then I heard from the crowd, “We’re here! We’re here! Tom-Tom, we’re here!” Tamara and her husband, James with baby Cassidy asleep in her stroller emerged.

“Hi everyone,” I laughed through tears. “Thomas, okay. Now, really are you going to propose?”

“No.” He smiled.

God, I was confused. Was a minister going to emerge next to have us marry right here in the middle of LAX? That was so rock star, but not me. My mom’s tears as Pharaoh held her told me this was it. A proposal. Thomas looked at his watch again and gave a thumbs up to someone in the now growing crowd of on-lookers. Then
, I saw them. Angelica and Ty, hand in hand, racing towards us. My Uncle Tony trotted behind them. His smile so large he looked like my father for a second. I buried my face in my hands. I heard Tamara on the loudspeaker.

“Hello LAX, I would like to take this opportunity to give my baby brother the floor.” Tamara’s voice cracked from emotion. “
Phoenix and Thomas are sharing a special moment with you all. Tom-Tom, I’m so proud of you. Phoenix, your dad and our dad are shining down on this moment. Please, proceed.”

Our Jason Mraz song played from Tamara’s Ipod as she placed it near the PA mic. I looked at Thomas, or tried to through my never ending tears. God, I was going to look so puffy and disheveled, but hell, I didn’t care. Thomas kissed my hand, then placed his hand on his chest. Touching the unseen
Phoenix there, I knew. His tears flowed too, but his voice was steady.

             
“Phoenix Rose Lee Lizama. Would you do me the honor of being my best friend for life. My soulmate. My wife. The mother of my children?” 

James walked baby Cassidy to us. Her vibrant gray eyes matched her Uncle Thomas’s. She carried a little Hello Kitty gift bag and handed it to him. She hugged Thomas. The flock of supporters made a collective, “Awww.” Thomas pulled out a red velvet box. He ceremoniously opened the box and everyone went still.

I stopped breathing. The ring within was blazingly beautiful. It was a masterpiece, a twinkling platinum band embedded with a Celtic knot. Sparkling diamonds nestled in each knot. It was unreal, like it was forged by hobbits in a volcano. For a moment, my eyes flashed to Tamara who probably had a say in its radiant design. The knot matched her mother’s pendant. I smiled warmly at my new sister. Her body shook with emotion and when I gave her a thumbs up she laughed.

             
“Thomas Patrick Roberts, descendant of the Roberts Clan of Ireland…” I joked, even now, I joked—and the people around us giggled, but wanted my answer. I made a dramatic pause, then brought my hands to my chest. “Yes. Yes!” I said loudly for the benefit of my family and complete strangers. “Yes, I would be honored to be your wife and all that other wonderful stuff.” Needless to say we made an obscene display of affection.

In a flash, we stepped into the
L.A. morning. Tamara and James had two vans waiting to take this newly formed wedding party down to Oceanside. The women and Thomas piled into one van and the men and the luggage were in the other.

             
“Thomas, you are amazing.” I pinched his arm. “Are you for real?” He beamed and raised my newly engaged hand into the light streaming through the window. He kissed my hand and hummed a beautiful melody in my ear as Rachel, Tamara, Angelica and mom debated wedding details.

             
I wasn’t sweating the particulars because I already had my prince. I leaned into my fiancé. “So what did you and my dad ‘talk’ about?” Thomas smiled my favorite smile.

             
“First, I introduced myself. Secondly, I told him that I loved you with all my heart. Thirdly, I asked for your hand in marriage. And finally, I explained to your dad that if I could get you to eat off my plate and sleep in my bed at least once, that you would become the princess I always knew you could be.
My princess
.” 

             
I kissed my handsome prince and my fairy godmothers cheered. From that moment on, Princess Phoenix and Prince Thomas set out to rule the world together.