Blake Shelton Proposes To Gwen Stefani By Hiding Ring In Fried Chicken As Gavin Rossdale Bakes Up Plan To Control Sons

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have been dating for six months, and rumors that he had proposed had begun almost as soon as they confirmed that they were a couple. Now comes a report that Blake finally has taken their love to the next level by proposing, with an insider describing the romantic scenario, including how Gwen responded, to Radar Online.

To set the mood for his proposal, the country crooner waited until he and Gwen were enjoying an indoor picnic at her mansion. The 39-year-old former husband of Miranda Lambert chose to hide the ring in a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

But although Blake had dreamed that Gwen would respond with joy when she found that dazzling $1.2 million Tiffany diamond engagement ring in the fried chicken container, he was dismayed at her reaction.

“Gwen was very touched, but said she had to wait to make sure it was right for the kids,” the source told Radar.

The 46-year-old mom of three had another reason for declining the proposal. Although her sons (Kingston, 10, Zuma, 7, and Apollo, 2) were instrumental in her decision to decline, Gwen also was worried about the seven-year age gap, added the source.

“Gwen fears their age will get in the way of long-term happiness. She’s 14 years older than Blake’s ex-wife, Miranda Lambert!”

Moreover, because of what happened with her former husband, Gavin Rossdale, Stefani has a difficult time trusting again in marriage. Gavin betrayed her by cheating with the family nanny, which caused the dissolution of their marriage of almost 13 years.

“Gwen wants to trust Blake, but she fears it could come back and bite her,” noted the insider.

As for the report that her children were one of the main reasons she rejected that fried chicken proposal, Gwen just showed how much she cares about the boys in celebrating her son Kingston’s 10th birthday with a huge celebration. Spread out over two days, the party began for Kingston on May 27 with dune buggy rides and a fishing trip with his famous mom, noted Us Weekly.

In addition, Blake helped Kingston soar to new heights, literally. His No Doubt frontwoman sweetheart and Kingston climbed into a helicopter with the country music superstar for some fun in the sky.

However, the helicopter ride was just the start of the little boy’s special time with Blake and his mom. The flight took them to Shelton’s headlining show at the third annual Legends Day concert at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana, reported ET.

Kingston and Gwen sang along throughout Blake’s set.

As to the reason why Kingston’s father, Gavin Rossdale, wasn’t invited to help celebrate his son’s birthday? There’s some bad blood between Gavin and the lovebirds, and it has affected the little boys, according to E! News‘ insiders.

Rossdale does not want his three sons to bond with Blake, and he also is upset with his former wife’s relationship.

“Gavin doesn’t agree with [Gwen] having a relationship with Blake, and he doesn’t like her bringing the kids around him.”

Rossdale feels “hurt” by every aspect of the situation, from the way that his sons adore Shelton to the way that Stefani is so close to Blake.

“He is still hurt it has turned out this way and now she is in love with another man,” added one of the sources.

To try to control the situation and his sons, Gavin met privately with Stefani to hash over her new romance, a family source told Us Weekly.

Rossdale endured an “emotional” meeting with his ex-wife in order to “reassert his dad rights,” and the family insider revealed that Gavin wants her to contact him on every aspect of his son’s lives.

“Gwen had a meeting with Gavin to discuss her relationship with Blake and how it will affect the children going forward. [Rossdale] wants to be consulted on everything concerning the kids.”

Although Rossdale insists on staying informed about the country crooner, it’s not reciprocal. Instead, Shelton is described as “disgusted” with the way that Gavin cheated by having an affair with the boys’ nanny.

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia]