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Beckett
I glance around, taking in the elaborate setup I've created for this moment. My heart is pounding as I approach the center of the circle, meticulously arranged with the classic cars I've chosen as my props. I start to walk around the circle, taking in each car, letting my mind wander to the story I have in mind for each one.
The first one is a sleek, black Porsche, perfect for a high-speed chase scene, or a date night for the two of us. The second, a red Corvette, meant for a passionate love story just waiting for us to build together. I threw in an old, pale blue Mustang, ideal for a picnic for two on a warm day.
There's five more. A gray F150 for hauling stuff because my fat bank account doesn’t stop me from doing stuff for myself and I think Rhett’s the same way, a little yellow convertible for driving down to the North Carolina coast, a jeep for four-wheeling on the sandy beaches when we get down there.
And one little red, well-loved Honda.
I kept Bunny in the garage bay at Ashely and Boston’s estate, sneaking out to work on her whenever I could. It killed me to see how bald her tires had gotten. They were the first things I replaced.
Her paint has been lovingly touched up, buffed, and waxed. Her worn leather interior has been replaced with new, soft tan leather. She now has that new car smell we Bachmans love.
Oh, she also has a brand spanking new engine. Lovingly installed by Hank. When he got wind of my proposal, he volunteered to help out. He and Boston have been hanging out in the garage quite a bit. If I wasn’t already Boston’s best friend, I’d be afraid I’d been bumped to his number two bro.
The Honda NSX is also in the circle. I never had the heart to get rid of the car because I never lost hope that Rhett would come back to me one day. All the gifts I sent, the tracking I did, the car purchasing, delivering, and re-receiving, every moment of these past few months, I never, ever lost hope that she would be mine.
And today is the day I ask her to be mine…
Forever.
As I make my way back to the middle of the circle, I can feel the excitement building within me. The closer I get to the empty center, the more my palms begin to sweat. The cars I’ve so carefully restored and detailed are beautiful, but I'm still unsure if their presence will be enough to do this moment justice.
The early evening is crisp and earthy, the last of a thunderstorm has just passed. The damp grass is soft beneath my feet, long and swaying in the breeze. The air in the center of the circle carries the scent of tires, fresh paint, and the unmistakable scent of horsepower.
The last-minute rain shower left the already gleaming cars shining with dewy raindrops.
A light breeze wafts through the air, and for a moment I'm able to forget the gravity of what is about to happen, what I am about to do. I've been planning this moment for weeks, and the anxiety is starting to build.
I look up to the sky, praying for a sign that this moment will be as special as I hope. Another fresh breeze blows by and something serendipitous passes through me and I know...
She's going to love it.
Right?
I breathe in deeply and stop as I reach the center of the ring of cars.
She's going to say yes.
Right?
My gut says yes. My gut has never let me down before.
My heart lunges in my chest. She’s here. I look out over my ring of cars, watching her as she glides across the grass.
She’s wearing her daily uniform of worn jeans and a long-sleeved tee. Ashely wanted me to create some ruse with her, making an excuse for Rhett to be dressed up for this moment. I said no; I want her just like she is.
She doesn’t see me at first, as she admires the circle of cars that have randomly appeared in our grassy field.
Finally, she looks up. “Hey… What is all this?” She stands there, eyes wide with surprise, as she takes me in.
“Come here.” I hold my arms out to her. “Please.”
“What are you doing here? In a field of beautiful cars?” Her eyes travel from the top of my head down over my tux, landing on my white, grass-stained sneakers. “You look incredible. What on earth are you up to?”
It's now or never. I reach into my pocket, pulling out a small, red velvet box. I open it slowly, revealing a beautiful emerald ring.
I may as well just get down to it. I clear my throat, taking a deep breath. I'm surprised by how much my voice trembles as I sink to one knee.
