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A chorus of objections erupted. Although Micah was used to this type of family ruckus he needed calm at the moment. His whole future hung in the balance. He needed to get this proposal right. He needed to show Faith how much he loved and wanted her to be his wife. For so many years Faith had been short changed by life. He wanted to be her pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Her forever.
Micah continued. “Well then, say something positive instead of needling me. I’m seriously about to lose my nerve.”
The sound of footsteps heralded the arrival of someone else. He took a quick glance at his watch. It was still fifteen minutes or so before Faith was scheduled to arrive.
Micah turned toward the hallway. He was praying it was Rafferty. Things between them were still a bit strained. Rafferty had called off the engagement to Pamela and in the aftermath, Micah had told him about Pamela’s suggestive behavior.
Rafferty was mourning the loss of his fiancée. As a result, Micah had been hesitant to tell his friend about his plans to propose to Faith. Although Rafferty had been supportive of his plan, he’d told Micah very plainly he wasn’t certain he would be up to being present for the proposal.
Micah understood. Rafferty was in pain. Only time would heal his wounds. Micah wanted to help his best friend heal. He wanted to show him that once the pain lessened, his tomorrows would be beautiful. But it would take the passage of time to achieve peace of mind.
When his parents came into view in the hallway, Micah smiled at the sight of them. It was quite obvious that something had shifted between Jude and Penelope. He knew he wasn’t imagining it. They had arrived at his house together and there was a vibe between them that seemed almost intimate. Hallelujah!
Penelope made a bee line to Micah. The honeyed scent of her perfume surrounded him as she hugged him and pressed a kiss on his cheek.
“Penelope, you better let go of him so he can breathe,” Jude said with a chuckle.
Once Penelope let go of him she reached out and began wiping off his cheek. “You’ve got a little of my red lipstick on your cheek. I want you to look perfect for your special moment.”
Suddenly, his nerves reached an all-time high. So many questions were racing through his mind. Had they known each other long enough for an engagement? Should he have involved his family in the proposal? Would Faith say yes?
“Am I the last one to get he
re?”
At the sound of Rafferty’s voice, Micah whirled around. Relief washed over him. On a day like today, he needed his best friend more than anything.
Micah walked over to greet him. “Hey, man. I wasn’t sure you were coming.”
Rafferty looked sheepish. “I wasn’t sure either. We’ve been best friends for a long time and you’ve never turned your back on me. You were always there for me when I needed you. How could I do any less for you?”
Micah reached out and hugged Rafferty. “It means the world to me.”
“Oh you guys are going to make me cry!” Shayla wailed. Micah and Rafferty pulled apart as sniffling sounds began to emanate from Shayla. Micah rolled his eyes as he looked at his sister. His father was eyeing her shrewdly. If he wasn’t mistaken, Micah deduced his Pops might have figured out Shayla’s feelings for Rafferty.
“Let’s head outside so we’ll be ready when Faith gets here,” Jude suggested. “She might suspect something is up if she finds us all huddled together whispering.”
Micah clapped his father on the shoulder. “Good looking out, Pops. Thanks for being here.”
Jude winked at him. “There’s no place I’d rather be at the moment.”
“Okay everybody,” Caleb said in a raised voice. “Let’s take this party outside and get in position.”
Bella handed the baby over to Heath. “I pray she doesn’t start crying and ruin the surprise.”
Heath looked nervous. “You and me both,” he mumbled.
They all began to file out of his kitchen toward the back porch which led to his deck and backyard.
As Rafferty walked past him he grinned at Micah. “I really am happy for you, Micah. Faith is a lucky woman.”
“Not half as lucky as I am,” he said, earning himself a pat on the shoulder as Rafferty made his way outside with the others.
Suddenly Micah was all by himself in his kitchen. Although he was a tad nervous, all felt pretty spectacular in his world. He was asking for Faith’s hand in marriage tonight, and if all went well, they would soon be man and wife. He didn’t think Faith would want a huge wedding or anything. Family and friends would be there. And God would be right by their sides at the altar, anointing their love.
The sound of the front door opening made his heart beat a little bit faster. The clicking of shoes on the hardwood floor echoed in the silence. Suddenly, Faith was standing before him looking as beautiful as a summer day. She was dressed in a cornflower blue sleeveless top and white shorts. He loved how she no longer felt the pressure to cover up her burns. In his eyes, Faith was the most beautiful woman in the world. Inside and out.
“Where is everyone? I saw all the cars outside. Am I late?” she asked, looking around her.
