Chapter 1 - Get Ya There Travel
Chapter 2 - A New Day
Chapter 3 - Anniversary Plans
Chapter 4 - Trip Countdown
Chapter 5 - Now Boarding
Chapter 6 - A Sparkly Arrival
Chapter 7 -Time to Explore
Chapter 8 - Olivia's Amsterdam Good Time
Chapter 9 - Missed Messages and Sad Goodbyes
Chapter 10 - Last stop, Munich

Chapter 11  

Happy Anniversary
Olivia entered. The room was beautiful, very nice linens were on the bed and the drapes matched perfectly. So far, this was her favorite hotel! Almost getting sidetracked, she now focused her attention on the phone. There were no new messages waiting for her.

Upset at the lack of messages, Olivia took a seat on the bed. Looking at the nightstand beside the bed, she noticed a note folded in half. The front of the note read “Ms. Green”. Without hesitation, Olivia opened the letter.

The note was a message from the local tourist office. It seemed the guide that was going to show Olivia around the city, had taken ill and there was no one else available to meet with her.

She sat on the bed starring at the note. Tears began to roll down her face. All Olivia could think was that she missed her 5th anniversary with the man she loved, and for what? Of course she understood that this situation was unforeseen and unavoidable, but it deeply disappointed her.

While she sat, deep in thought, she heard a phone ringing. The ringing was coming from Olivia’s purse.

“Oh no” Olivia thought.

She was in such a hurry to get to her hotel that she forgot to drop the cell phone she found off at the lost and found desk. The ringing stopped and Olivia figured she’d check with the concierge to see if he could bring it to the station for her.

Drying her tears, Olivia looked at the clock. It was approaching 11am. She decided she would take a nap and call Keith in about an hour to see what she should do. She was hoping maybe she could get on a flight back to New York today and make it home to at least have dinner with Brian.

Olivia laid down, and fell asleep. Before she went to sleep she set her alarm clock. She wanted to call Keith as soon as she could. She needed advice on what she should do.

Waking up to the buzzing sound of the alarm clock, Olivia opened her eyes. Now feeling rather refreshed, without delay she got up and picked up the phone. She knew it was only 7am in New York, but she also knew that Keith would be in the office reading his emails and preparing to start his day.

Her call was answered on the third ring. Olivia was pleased to hear Keith’s voice on the other end of the phone.

“Hello, Get Ya There Travel, this is Keith,” Keith greeted the caller.

“Keith, good morning, it’s Olivia.”

“Liv, how are you? How’s the trip going? Having a good time?” he questioned.

Olivia replied, almost on the verge of tears, “well, things were going okay, but I arrived today in Munich, checked-in to the hotel and when I got to my room, found a note.”

“What did the note say?” asked Keith.

“It seems that the tour guide that was going to tour me around has taken ill. Unfortunately there is no one that can fill in for him. I was thinking maybe I can just fly home today due to the circumstances. What do you think?” Olivia said.

Keith looked out of his office at Olivia’s desk. Seeing all of the pictures and postcards on her walls he asked her, “Liv, have you ever visited Neuschwanstein Castle in person?”

Olivia advised that she had never been to the castle.

“I think you should go. It is only a two-hour drive from where you are to Füssen. You should make the most of your free day” Keith advised.

Olivia thought for a moment. She would love to go to the castle but she also really wanted to go home. Keith basically told her what she should do, and since he set the trip up for her, she figured she should probably respect his advice.

“Alright, I’ll see how I feel and decide from there what to do. Thanks for your help.” Olivia answered.

“Cheer up Olivia; you’ll be on a plane tomorrow back home. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!”

“Okay, well, thanks again, and see ya soon. Goodbye Keith.”

“Bye Liv.” Keith replied and the call was over.

Olivia paced her hotel room trying to decide what to do. About twenty minutes after her call to Keith, Olivia’s phone rang. She anxiously answered it, hoping it was Brian. To her dismay it was not, it was the hotel front desk.

“Ms. Green, there is a car down here for you. The driver has instructions to take you sightseeing” the voice said.

Olivia thought to herself, “geez, Keith really doesn’t want me to waste this free day!”

She advised the caller to have the driver wait for her and she’d be down in a few minutes.

She changed her clothes and fixed her hair up. After giving herself a quick glance in the mirror she thought, “I really clean up well!” She was just about to walk out the door when she remembered her camera. She figured it would be a real shame to miss out on some photo opportunities while seeing Munich. The truth was, Olivia had no idea where she was going sightseeing. All she knew was that a car was waiting for her and the day would not be wasted after all.

Olivia tossed her camera in her purse and walked out of her room. She carefully closed the door behind her making sure it was locked. She waited patiently for the elevator to arrive--it seemed to take forever. Olivia always got antsy when she was excited about something-and this impromptu sightseeing tour was intriguing. Olivia loved adventures, and she could only hope that’s what this would turn into.

Finally, the elevator came and Olivia was on her way to the lobby. The ride down from the fourth floor took what seemed like an eternity. She couldn’t wait to be on her way. Upon arrival in the hotel lobby, Olivia went to the front desk. She advised the young man of her name and he immediately took her to the car waiting for her outside. She thanked him for escorting her, and the driver opened the car door for her.

She was stunned to be riding in the back seat of a Mercedes, with her very own driver. Once Olivia was comfortable in the car, the driver closed the door and got ready to leave.

“Hi, I’m Olivia, I was wondering if you could tell me where we’re going? Olivia said to the driver.

He looked in the rear-view mirror at Olivia and answered, “It is so nice to meet you Olivia, My name is Friedrich and we will be taking an afternoon drive together. I hope you enjoy the gorgeous scenery all around you, Germany has much beautiful landscape to offer our visitors.”

Friedrich continued on, “is this your first time in Germany, or have you visited us previously?”

Olivia was impressed with Friedrich’s English; he spoke very well for a non-American. She then replied, “I have been to Germany a few times. I’ve not spent much time in Munich before though.”

Olivia now noticed they were heading outside of the city center, she couldn’t imagine where he was taking her.

As they drove, Olivia’s bag began to ring. She was so engaged in the scenery around her, she didn’t realize the noise was coming from her bag. Finally Friedrich asked if she was going to answer her phone.

“Shoot”, Olivia thought.

“This is not my phone, it was left behind on the train last night and I was going to bring it to the lost and found at the train station.” Olivia explained.

“Oh, I see” Friedrich replied.

Olivia relaxed in the back of the car. She was going over the trip in her mind. As much as she wanted to believe that she wasn’t enjoying her time in Europe, she couldn’t. Deep down she was glad she had been asked to go on this trip.

She had missed Brian a great deal, and was sad that she was away for their anniversary, but she didn’t regret going. The truth was she was feeling a bit guilty now, having such a great time. Going to Diamondland –seeing all of the sparkly stones that surrounded the place, it was incredible. Besides the places and tours she had been to, and gone on, she had met some great people. Jacqueline turned out to be a good listener and thinking about it, so did Clive.

Olivia now looked out the window and saw a road sign for Füssen . Olivia was well aware of what most people went to Füssen for…Neuschwanstein. Now she was getting really antsy! Keith had arranged the perfect ending to her trip, a quick visit to one of the most magnificent castles in the world!

It was approaching 5 o’clock. The sun was lowering itself, preparing to give way to the night sky. Everything looked so amazing; it was as if the castle emitted some sort of magical essence that was intoxicating to all around it.

Finally, they had arrived. Olivia quickly got out of the car and just stood and admired the awe-inspiring site that stood before her. Olivia had often thought about the castle and how incredible it was, but nothing could have prepared her for the way she would feel when she stood before it for the very first time.

Normally the castle would be closing at this time, however, there were a few private tours going on so it would be staying open to the public a bit later today.

Olivia stood at the entrance of the castle just starring, taking it all in. Seeing it in person, Olivia could certainly understand why this castle served as the model for the ones found in the Disney parks.

The driver interrupted Olivia’s thought, “Ms. Green, are you going to go in? It’s beautiful on the inside as well!”

Olivia hadn’t realized she had been standing and starring for nearly ten minutes.

“Oh yes, I’m gonna go tour around right now!” She responded.

“Be sure to go up to the upper courtyard, the view as the sun is setting is indescribable.” Friedrich advised.

“I will certainly keep that in mind” Olivia said as she made her way to the entrance.

She walked in and was astonished at the sights. A castle guide advised her that the castle would be closing in a half hour. Olivia asked for directions to the upper courtyard and the guide eagerly told her where to go.

She hurried to the spot. She knew the sun was setting and she wanted to see it.

Olivia stepped through the doorway. As she looked in front of her she could not believe her eyes. There, right before her, down on one knee was Brian. Her whole life, this has always been a dream of hers, to be proposed to in a castle, so for just a moment she could feel like a princess. This very moment far exceeded any dream she ever had.

She walked closer to Brian and he began to speak.

“Liv, ever since the first time we met, I knew someday this moment would arrive. I have never felt such love for anyone else, as I do for you. Each day I wake up is a good day because I know you are in my life. You are the most caring, understanding, patient woman I have ever known, and the amount of love you hold in your heart is incredible. You give without needing anything in return and even when you’re sad, you find a reason to smile. And the beauty you possess is ever-present both inside and out”

Olivia stood in the courtyard, tears streaming down her face with each word Brian spoke.

Brian continued, “I honestly cannot imagine my world if you are not right there at my side, so I am asking you now, in front of all of these people, Olivia Marie Green, will you marry me so we can live happily ever after?”

As he spoke the words, he extended a ring box out to her. Olivia was speechless as she looked at the ring. There in front of her was the very diamond that she had adored just days ago. As Brian removed the ring from the box and placed it on her delicate finger, she couldn’t believe it. This ring was everything she had picked out without knowing it.

The sun was setting; she had an engagement ring on her finger, and the love of her life standing before her. As the sun went down Olivia said, “You are the most amazing guy I have ever known. Brian, it would be an honor to be your wife—absolutely I will marry you, I love you so much.”

Brian took Olivia in his arms, just before they engaged in a kiss, he handed her a of bunch of flowers, Edelweiss, and he whispered in her ear, “Our love will bloom and grow forever, just like the blossoms of Edelweiss do, I love you Liv, Happy Anniversary.”

Of every thought that had crossed Olivia’s mind in the past few weeks, being proposed to at the most fairytale castle in the world, wasn’t one of them. This day would go down in Olivia’s book as one of the happiest days in her life.

Brian was now much more relaxed. He was excited that he managed to pull this whole surprise off with no problems at all-and of course relieved that she said yes!

Olivia and Brian left the castle, but not before being photographed by a professional photographer. With a proposal of this magnitude they needed an amazing shot to send to friends and family announcing the good news.

Now together in the back of the white Mercedes, Olivia just stared at her hand and the gorgeous ring on her finger. She looked at Brian and smiled.

“I cannot believe what you have gone through for me, you certainly made this an extraordinary anniversary, I feel bad though, I haven’t gotten you a gift” Olivia said.

Brian replied, “Olivia, don’t be silly. You have given me the greatest gift possible, your hand in marriage, and I couldn’t possibly ask for any more than that.”

"I just have one question for you, did you ask my father for my hand in marriage?" Olivia questioned.

"Liv, I've known you and your family for a very long time, I wanted to do this right as I don't plan on doing it again, of course I asked your father for your hand!"

They arrived back in Munich. Brian escorted Olivia to a very fancy looking restaurant. They entered and were immediately brought to a table for two. The table was decorated with beautiful flowers and a tall silver ice bucket with two bottles in it.

They took their seats and Brian removed one of the bottles. As he poured the first glass, Olivia noticed that it was not a fancy, expensive wine, rather it was cream soda! Brian said to Olivia, “in keeping with our anniversary tradition, it had to be cream soda!”

Olivia laughed and said “does that mean I won’t be needing a menu either?”

As the words came out of her mouth, the waiter brought two grilled chicken salads to the table.

Brian looked at Olivia, smiled and said, “No menu needed!”

After finishing dinner, Brian and Olivia strolled down the streets of Munich.

“I still can’t believe you did all this for me, how did you pull it all off, am I really that naive to my surroundings?!” Olivia asked.

“Well, I had some help, it wasn’t all me. JOG-Paris, remember that phone call?” Brian asked.

“Yes, how could I forget, the woman on the other end of the phone, I was convinced, was your mistress and I hated seeing that phone number coming up each time she called” Olivia replied.

“Remember how I told you she was part of the Judicial Observation Group?” He asked.

“Yes…”

“Well, JOG was really Jacqueline O’Grady, my very good college friend. She moved to Paris to pursue law and turned out to be very handy this whole week!”

“Oh my goodness! She was my tour guide in Paris! Ohhh…she brought me to the exclusive Cartier boutique to pick out my ring! It’s all so much clearer now!”

They arrived at the hotel and Olivia is surprised to find that all of her things had been moved. Brian took her up to “their” room. Tonight they were staying in one of the hotel’s luxury suites.

Brian and Olivia had an un-forgettable night together. In the morning they packed their bags and headed to the lobby. Brian inquired if the train station had called about his cell phone, and they advised him that they had not heard anything. They checked out of the hotel and made their way outside to the car waiting for them to drive them to the airport.

As the car pulled away, Olivia’s purse began to ring. Hearing the noise, Brian asked, “When did you get an international cell phone?”

Olivia replied quickly, “oh no, it’s not my phone, I need to drop this off at the train station. I found it in the bar-car of the train that I took from Amsterdam to Munich. I was going to drop it off at the lost and found but keep forgetting about it.”

Anxiously Brian asked to see the phone. Olivia removed it from her bag and gave it to him. Brian looked at the phone and smiled.

“This is my phone, I must have left it in the bar car when I saw you coming that night!” he advised.

Quickly he answered the call.

“Hello?”

A man’s voice was on the other end of the phone, with a heavy French accent. The man explains how he has been phoning for the past few days. “I am Jean-Pierre from Cartier in Paris.” He advises.

The man goes on to further inform Brian that he forgot to take his credit card when he purchased the ring the other day. Olivia sees Brian reach in his pocked for his wallet and wonders what’s up.

“Oh my, you’re right, I did forget it!” Brian says upon seeing the empty spot in his wallet where his credit card should be.

“Sir, what would you like me to do with the card? Will you be back to collect it?” asks Jean-Pierre.

Brian thinks for a moment. He knew it would be very easy to hop back on a train from Munich to Paris and pick up the card; however that is not what he decided.

“Jean-Pierre, I appreciate your call, and you watching after my card. Can you please place it in an envelope and mail it to my address in New York? You can put the shipping charges on my bill.” Brian advised.

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