I blink to adjust my eyes, but when the room around me comes into focus, I’m awestruck by what I see.
The entire dining room had been transformed with beautiful fairytale garden-themed decorations. There were hundreds of balloons dancing above us in shades of pink, green, and light brown. There were fairy lights, fake grass, flowers, and glitter. As I looked around, I got teary-eyed at the people standing on either side of the pink carpet that ran up the center of the room to a beautifully decorated arch.
I was surprised not only to see members of Kay’s family, but also mine. I couldn’t believe they were here, especially because I’d been told that they all had plans for Christmas. Even when I’d called them earlier, they told me that they wouldn’t see me until after the New Year. Now they are here and…
Oh my god…
I whip around to glance at Kay, and she stands there wearing that gorgeous smile of hers. My heart began to pound against my chest because all I could think about was there being one very particular reason why we were here, why our families were here. I opened my mouth to speak, but got choked up when she took my hand and led me down the path towards the arch. As we stood there in front of all the people we loved, I couldn’t help but sob. I knew I was probably ruining the little makeup I did still have on, but I couldn’t help it. My heart was so full.
“Is this…is this really happening?” I ask, barely above a whisper.
“Zseyah, my love,” she chuckled, wiping my tears. “Did you really think I was going to let you go into the new year without at least making you my fiancée first?”
“I…I…”
“Zseyah Morris,” she continues as she gets down on one knee. My right hand shoots up to cover my mouth as the tears fall more frequently. She takes my free hand in hers and looks up at me with a smile. “I have loved you for years, and even before that, you were my best friend. Ever since that first day we met, I knew that you and I would be by each other’s side until the day we died.”
“Okay, Dr. Suess!” Morgan yells, causing everyone to laugh. I chuckled too.
“Baby, you make me so damn happy, and I love you more than life itself,” Kay continued after everyone settled down. “You know that you can always lean on me or look to me for support, and I’ll be there with the quickness. You and I were always meant to be, and I wanted to make sure you knew thatno matter what happens in life, I’ll be there for you through all the ups and downs. All the sick days and happy moments. All the milestones and memories.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box. Upon opening it, I see one of the most beautiful rings I've laid my eyes on. “Zee, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and allowing me to continue loving you and Serenity unconditionally?”
I nod frantically as I hold out my hand for her to slide the ring on. “Yes! Yes! A million times yes, oh my god!”
The room erupts in cheers and applause as she stands up and pulls me into her arms, kissing me with so much love and happiness that I feel it through my body. I was crying, and she was crying, but I could tell that we both couldn’t have been happier.
We were then pulled into hugs from every which way as family members and friends congratulated us on our engagement. I was stunned to see Kenisha here, and I squealed once we embraced. She and her husband were supposed to be in Samoa for the week with his family, but here they were right in front of me.
“I thought y’all would’ve been halfway across the world by now,” I said after hugging her husband as well. “What…”
“Now you know we were not about to miss out on this, Zee,” she laughed, and her husband nodded.
“When Kayla reached out and told us what she was planning, we immediately moved our schedule around,” her husband said. “Our parents decided to have a joint Christmas this year anyway. We’ve been in Baton Rouge since yesterday morning.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” I fused with Kenisha playfully. “You whore.”
“I’m sorry, bestie, but it would’ve ruined the surprise,” she whined, looping her arm with mine. “I’m so sorry, friend. You forgive me?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I giggled. “I forgive you. I love you, friend.”
“Aww, I love you too, cutie,” she giggles, hugging me once more. I could feel the tears coming again once she whispered. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to see what the new year and future has in store for you. You’re amazing and deserve all the good things that come your way.”
“Keniiii,” I cry, and then she’s crying.
“Oh, my god,” I hear Morgan tease as we break apart. “I don’t see how you have any tears left to cry, you big baby.”
“Don’t even start with me, Mo!” I reply, laughing through the tears.
“Yeah, leave my baby alone,” Kay says as she finally makes her way back over to me. She hugs me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulders. “I’ve come to give you one last gift.” She looks up at Kenisha. “Keni, you mind if I steal her away?”
“Baby, that isyourfiancée,” she chuckles. “You can steal her away whenever.”
“You heard the lady. Steal me away,” I joke.
“You’re so silly. Come on, my love.”
I take her hand and, once again, follow her as she leads me to our next destination. It takes us a few minutes to get out of the main room because so many people stop us to congratulate us and offer well-wishes. We thanked them as we maneuvered through the crowd. There were refreshments, music, and an open bar, so it had turned into another party just that fast.
We slipped out into the hall and followed the path to the main kitchen, where we walked through until we reached the door that led to the loading dock. A familiar feeling took over me as we took the back stairs up to the rooftop. As soon as we stepped out, I chuckled at the small picnic blanket that was set up, decorated with those little LED candles, wine, and a small charcuterie board. The sky was clear, and the stars and moon were shining brightly down on us as soft music played from the Bluetooth speaker a few feet away.
