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“A barbeque, honey,” she responded with a suspicious smile. I knew something was up, but there was no way she was going to tell me anything. We continued walking down to the door. My mom opened the door, allowing me to go first. There were flower petals from the doorstep leading to the huge oak tree in our backyard. The entire tree was completely decorated.
“What’s all this?” I asked, confused and excited. I didn’t know why I was excited. It just felt like something good was about to happen.
Bryce.
He stepped out from beside the house. His muscular frame showing through a white button-up shirt was almost too much to take. He was absolutely gorgeous. It was like my heart stopped, my stomach tied into a knot, and I wanted to run to him.
“Reyna, I’m sorry for ambushing you like this, but you left me no choice. I couldn’t let us end the way it did, and if you still want us to be apart, I will totally respect it. I just want you to know that I’ve never loved anyone the way I’ve loved you and I don’twantto love anyone except you. I used to not believe in marriage and family, but you changed that. Ever since we broke up, I’ve realized more and more that I want that and I want that with you,” he began, and I suddenly realized tears were streaming down my face.
“I love you so much, Reyna, and if you allow me, I’m willing to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you mean the world to me. I promise that I will take care of you and our child and make it my life’s mission to ensure that both of you are happy. I will ask you again, today with your family as our witnesses…" He paused as he got down on his knee. "Will you marry me?”
The whole family was silent, and I was speechless. I seemed to be at a loss for words. Suddenly, my nephews started chanting and dancing around, "Say yes! Say yes!" Everyone started clapping, slowly and together. Clap. Clap. Clap. Talk about pressure.
I covered my mouth with both hands and nodded vigorously. "Yes, Bryce. Yes! I'll marry you." I finally got the words out with the tears blocking my view of the beautiful man on his knee in front of me. My entire family cheered and continued clapping and hollering.
Bryce slipped the ring I’d sent back to him onto my finger and got up to kiss me passionately. The roar of my family was nothing compared to the way my heart was bursting. The feeling of our bodies together again was just indescribable.
“I’ve never had anyone do something like that for me,” I said, looking deep into his eyes.
"I'm glad to hear that," Bryce responded with a chuckle.
We were suddenly surrounded by my family and friends. Everyone wanted to congratulate us. There were more hugs and smiles than I can count.
"It's about time both of you came to your senses," muttered Uncle Ron, as he hugged me. I laughed and as I let go of his warm embrace, I saw the twinkle in his eye. "So stop this malarkey of doubt and just get on with life. You'll someday get to my age and realize that just getting on with it and enjoying life is what's important. Especially now you've got a little someone on the way."
"You're right, Uncle Ron. So right." He squeezed my arm as he walked away.
We filled the rest of the time with laughter and revelry. We played some good ol' family games, and it was gorgeous to see everyone just enjoying the time together. Here and there I would glance over at Bryce and sometimes our glances met. It was like we were zoned in on each other for that one moment before we went back to enjoying everyone else.
Soon after the meal was over and the sun started to set, people started making their way home. My parents and Bryce and I did a cursory clean of the backyard before Dad did his "end of the night" signal of a huge stretch and a yawn.
"Well, that's it for me. I'm beat," he said. "Those grandkids sure run circles around me."
We all laughed but understood what he was talking about. I looked over at Bryce, knowing that we were soon going to be dealing with this kind of energy in our home. He winked at me, setting my heart at ease.
"I agree. That's enough for tonight," Mom announced. She picked up things that had to go inside and corralled Dad into the house with his own handful of things. Watching them leave and knowing the strength of their marriage, even after all these years, made me smile.
"You look happy," Bryce commented, as he came up beside me and gave me a side hug while following my gaze. "They sure have given us a good example of what a marriage can be. It doesn't have to be all this up and down and emotional angst. If we just commit to each other and know that we are secure within our relationship, we can have it all, too."
I turned my body toward him and interlaced my fingers behind his neck. "You know, you're totally right and I have no problem admitting that!" I laughed into his chest. "Why don't we watch the sunset together?" I pulled him over to the oak tree where a bench sat in the perfect place to see the sunset.
As we cuddled under the oak tree, Bryce whispered sweet nothings into my ear. I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, and it felt like home. The petals from the doorstep continued to sway in the breeze, dancing around us like a celebration of our love.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I said in disbelief.
“I know. It’s surreal,” Bryce responded with a chuckle.
I looked up at him, and I noticed something different about him. He had always been confident, but this was a new kind of confidence. A confidence with openness and vulnerability that he had never possessed before. It was like he finally knew what he wanted in life and was going for it with all his might, with an open heart. It made me feel safe, knowing that he was willing to fight for our future together.
“I’m going to be the best husband and father that I can be,” Bryce said as he caressed my hair.
“And I’ll be the best wife and mother,” I replied, leaning into his touch.
We kissed again, and it was like time stood still. It was just him and me under the oak tree, declaring our love for each other.
As we pulled away, Bryce whispered, “I have a surprise for you.”
I looked at him quizzically, wondering what else could surprise me today.
