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Me neither.Placing my finger over my lips, I signaled for her to be quiet. The surprise would be ruined if Brenda let on that she was here.
“I’m going to get the cake,” I said. Jerry had it delivered earlier and even my parents didn’t have a clue it was here. I took it out of the box and turned to Brenda.
“Remember, stand behind me. I’ll step out of the way once it’s time, so you can see everything, and she can see you.”
“Got it,” she whispered, trying to contain her excitement.
I couldn’t believe how my hands trembled. This cake wasn’t for Lindsay, but I could imagine what it would be like when it was our turn. My stomach did leaps. For the first time in my life, I knew I wanted to be married and have a family. I knew who I wanted to do it with, too. I felt a steadiness come over me, and I no longer worried about dropping the cake. One day, my love, there won’t be yours or mine, just ours.
As soon as I was back outside and in view of the others, I nodded to Jerry that everything was set and then stepped to my left so Brenda could see. Jerry was still standing beside Reanna. In mid-conversation, Jerry reached over and took her hand. That was the sign, and I walked steadily across the yard toward them, with Brenda at my side.
Jerry dropped to one knee, and the women all gasped gasps as they realized what was about to occur. Then, silence.
Still holding her hand, Jerry said, “Reanna, our relationship has been fast and furious like the Ford Mustangs we race. From the moment we met, it was pedal to the floor. But this ride has only begun. I have searched long and hard for the right words, and each time I stumble through them. There is only one way to describe how I feel. Reanna, you complete me.”
We drew up alongside Jerry, Brenda on one side and me on the other. I presented the cake with icing that read, ‘Will you?’ and Brenda offered a light blue box, the lid open to reveal a stunning four-carat teardrop diamond.
“Marry me, Reanna,” Jerry said with a bigger smile than I’d thought him capable of. “Be my wife and make an honest man out of me.”
Tears streamed down Reanna’s face, and from what I could tell, she hadn’t even noticed her sister was there, or the ring. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Jerry slipped the ring onto her finger, stood up, and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Everyone erupted in cheers. When their embrace broke, Brenda tapped Reanna on the shoulder.
“May I be the first to say congratulations?” she said with a grin.
Reanna started bawling even harder. “When did you get here?”
“Jerry had me flown in last night. Someone had to be here to make sure you said yes to the best thing that ever happened to you,” Brenda said.
Reanna turned to Jerry and said, “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
Jerry smiled and said, “I’m not sure. Maybe you’ll have to tell me again.”
As Reanna pulled Jerry into her arms, I figured my job was done. I walked over to the table and looked for a clear spot to place the cake. Lindsay helped by moving a few things.
“That was so romantic,” she said.
Jerry set a high bar for me when it’s my turn, that’s for sure.
“I would die from embarrassment if that happened to me,” said Lindsay. “I hate being the center of attention. Even in school, I would know the answer but not raise my hand because I didn’t want everyone looking at me.”
That surprised me. She’d always seemed so confident when we were together. “I’ll make a note of that,” I said.
Lindsay’s jaw dropped. “I…I didn’t tell you that to make you –”
I placed a finger across her lips and said, “Lindsay, our day will come. When it does happen, I hope it’s everything you dream about.”
She said, “I already have more than I ever thought possible. What else is there to dream?”
I slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Our future.” She melted against me and I claimed her lips.
Damn. I can’t wait to get you home where I can have you all to myself.Pulling away slightly I said, “Move in.”
I didn’t know where that had come from, but I had no regrets saying it.
She looked up at me, puzzled. “If I get any closer, your parents are sure to lecture us.”
Should I clarify what I meant, or just let it ride?This really wasn’t the place to ask Lindsay to move in with me. We had so much to discuss, and that was best left to a more private time. But I knew what I wanted now: I wanted to wake with Lindsay in my bed every morning and come home to her each night. All I had to do now was make that all happen, while keeping her happy. Without assuming anything. It would need a good, long talk. At least one.
Kissing her forehead, I said, “You’re right. We can finish this later.”
