I carefully reach into my nightstand, quietly shuffle things around in the back until I find exactly what I want. With Emily sleeping with one of my arms under her neck, I have no choice but to use one hand to open the tiny velvet box. The moonlight is barely shining through my blinds behind my nightstand, but the diamonds glint softly. I've been trying for what seems like forever to come up with the perfect proposal for my Sweetness, but nothing seems good enough.
Maybe the moment is here anyway and I should take this chance to make the absolute best out of it.
15
Emily
"Mmm. You're so warm," I say faintly as I slowly wake up. Slightly, Jake squeezes to let me know that he heard me. I return the squeeze, looking up at him.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning, beautiful." I roll my eyes, causing Jake to smile. "You're always beautiful,” he adds.
I pick up my hand, which is resting on his chest, and cup his stubble-filled cheek. My eyebrows bunch as I notice something on my finger, suddenly becoming aware of the feel of a ring. My eyes widen as I hold my hand out. To be sure, there's a ring on my finger. And it's stunning with the white gold band and three princess-cut diamonds. I'm beyond words as I glance between the ring and Jake, who is watching me carefully, a small smile on his face.
“Will you marry me?”
My attention turns fully to Jake, and I gulp at the love and passion that he's showing me. His green eyes seem to darken, his lips waiting to break out in a grin, yet his jaw is tight. There's so much joy radiating from him that it's overwhelming. I lean away to sit upright and scoot backwards on the bed, so I may rest my back against the headboard. Jake does the same, seemingly impatient with me and hooks a finger under my chin to force me to look at him.
"Marry me."
"How'd you...?” I start, failing to form a question. “Why?" I blurt. My mind is a tornado, swirling round and round with emotions. Panic, confusion, fear, happiness, and love.
Jake's beautiful smile disappears. "Why? Why not? Don't you want to marry me?"
Hurt churns in Jake's eyes, which immediately passes on to me. His hands fall from my face, and he stares at his door. For a moment, I hesitate. One thought becomes clear in the gray haze of my mind. This time, it's me who makes him turn his head to look me in the eyes.
"Of course, I want to marry you, Jake. I'm just trying to figure out where all this is coming from. We still trying to get back on solid ground. Why now?"
"Sweetness, last night you said that you wanted something stable to lean on. I told you that it was me. I meant that and I wanted to prove that to you. I want you to know that as long as you're with me, I will be there for you. I want to show you that no matter what, I'm here. Always. I want you to know that you are mine for the rest of our lives. Why should I wait another second of my life without you being my wife? Nothing would make me happier right now. You are my heart. Always. I know that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you. Marry me."
Fireworks explode in my heart at Jake's sincere words. Instinct takes over and my lips sweep across Jake's once before a full fledge attack. My skin burns to get closer as my lips part and Jake's tongue plays with my own. After three luscious kisses, I end the kiss. Suddenly, my mind is made. I don't want to worry about anything. For this second, I just want to be happy, and I want to make Jake happy. All too easily I could lose him and that is something I won't allow to happen.
"Yes. I'd love to marry you, Jake."
Jake grasps the nape of my neck and lays me down for a kiss, towering over me.
"Really?" he asks, slightly out of breath, looking into my eyes.
"Really."
He tilts his head and laughs softly. “I've been saving money for a while and between that and the money Mom put into a trust before she died, I was able to get you this.” He rocks the ring back and forth on my finger. “When I bought your bracelet, I bought this too. I've been waiting for the perfect moment ever since you regained your memory. Losing you once was terrible; I don't want to lose you ever again."
"Oh, kiss me already."
That slightly crooked smile brightens my soul. Jake presses his body into me and kisses me. Slowly. Passionately. His tongue moves hotly against mine, dashing around my mouth playfully. His hands gently hold my neck with his thumbs running back and forth along my jawline. My hands slide down his lean body and we roll over. Leaning back, I look into those green eyes that I love so much. Elation takes me as high as the highest cloud. The air sizzles as I run my hands back up, resting on his shoulders.
"Jake," I breath carefully. The air is so charged that I'm scared it will explode if I make the wrong move. I'm scared that I'm going to do something to mess this up. There's so much that I want to discuss. My demeanor changes so suddenly, I wish I could've stopped it.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I don't want to ruin this moment."
"Saying 'I don't want to ruin this moment' pretty much ruins the moment, Sweetness. C'mon. You're my fiancée, now. Talk to me."
"Tell me that again,” I smile.
"You're my fiancée," he says slowly to enunciate every word.