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“This is a yearbook that I found archived in the New Liberton Public Library database. I called them and they shipped the physical copy along with the newspaper clippings. We’ll have to get photocopies and send it back, but for now, I wanted to show you what’s inside.” She flips through the pages, finding what she’s looking for. She lays the book open in front of me, the page is filled with Senior portraits of the graduating class.
I study the dated photographs, not understanding what she’s showing me because all I see are bad mustaches and permed hair. Until one smile catches my eye and my breath stills in my chest. “Mom,” I hardly whisper.
“It’s her senior photo. I found it when I got her maiden name from your birth announcement. I didn’t know if she’d look how you remembered or not.” Thea squeezes my bicep, letting me gaze at the only picture I’ve seen of my mom.
She looks the same as I remember, yet entirely different. The years have made so many of the details fuzzy. I spent many years mourning her death all over again when I realized I couldn’t remember what her laugh sounded like or what the details of her face looked like.
“It’s perfect.” A drop of moisture hits the paper and Thea quickly wipes it away. “I miss her,” I utter, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
“She’s beautiful. When I saw the smile, I knew without a doubt it was your mom. You look a lot like her,” Thea says, gently running her fingers through my hair.
Knowing that I have my mom’s smile brings me a comfort that is beyond words. Knowing that Thea loves the smile that belongs to my mom makes me feel even more connected to her. It feels like a sign.
“I wish you could have known her,” I admit. “She would love you.”
“Maybe your mom and my dad are up above smiling down on us. Maybe they orchestrated the whole thing.” She laughs, nudging me playfully with her elbow.
“Yeah, maybe they did. Maybe my mom is asking your dad for his blessing so that I can marry you,” I tell her, making her smile.
“I hope so.”
“Thea,” I say seriously, making her cock her head at me.
“What?”
“Marry me,” I demand, blowing my chance at another grand gesture.
“What?” She asks incredulously, trying to figure out if I’m joking or not. I’m not.
“I don’t want to wait any longer.” I hold her head gently in my hands, bringing her lips to mine. “Be my wife,” I demand again, kissing her lightly.
Her eyes search mine like she’s still not sure she should take me seriously. It’s my fault, I screwed this up by springing it on her. I jump off the bed, only wearing my underwear, not a great proposal look but it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that she knows how serious I am. I grab the velvet box that I’ve had hidden in my old duffle bag in the closet, returning to the bed.
I pull her towards me, making her sit with her with her feet on the ground in front of me. I drop to one knee before her, resting the open box on her lap. “Thea. I didn’t want to rush things, and I meant to make this special, but I can’t wait.
“We fell in love quickly, but I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I want a family with you. I want all of my new memories to be made with you. I only want a future with you in it. Please, will you marry me?” I finally ask, changing tactics and trying not to be a completely demanding lunatic. “It would be the greatest gift of my life.”
She stares at me, her tears flowing freely down her face before a sob breaks free. Her arms shoot out, pulling me towards her as she wraps them around my neck. “Yes. I want to marry you. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
The breath I was holding whooshes out of me, relieved that I didn’t screw this up completely, but even more relieved that she actually wants to marry me. No matter how incredible our relationship has been, there’s still a lost boy inside me that’s been rejected over and over again in life. A part of me will probably always expect the worst, but I’m learning that I don’t have to with Thea. My Sunshine.
We hold each other tight for a long time, laughing and crying in utter joy. It’s only when I hear the lid to the ring box snap shut between our bodies that I realize I’d forgotten about it.
I pull back to open the box again, presenting it to her. It’s a small golden band, woven around the teardrop diamond to look like ivy with smaller stones encrusted as leaves. It’s nontraditional, it’s dainty, it’s beautiful, and it reminded me of Thea as soon as I saw it.
I slide it on her finger as soon as she gives me her hand. It’s a perfect fit, only because I stealthily took one of her rings from her jewelry box before I went to Texas last month. All of my training in Special Ops paid off for that moment alone.
“Do you like it?” I ask, even though I can tell she does by the way she’s smiling.
“I love it. It’s perfect.”
Just like her.
Epilogue
Thea
