like real people do./ arvin russell

1.8

arvin being home was better than expected, i was working at the elementary school a few minutes from our house and arvin stayed home and started looking for jobs around the area. he had stepped back from active duty but he still needed a job so he's been talking to his chief about it.

today was an especially good day, its friday which means fun activities with the kids all day and no homework to grade, pretty easy right?
my classroom was packed with all my kiddo's all day and we watched movies while we made different art projects to put on display for the school. when lunch time came around, arvin surprised me with lunch, he claimed it was because he just wanted to "treat me like a queen" but sometimes that boy doesn't know his left from his right, so obviously it's bigger than that, but today had been perfect so i shrugged it off and enjoyed it.

even though two of my kids had tantrums, i still made the most out of it and i got to leave on time, so it was a win win. when i had gotten home the front door was closed, which was weird because arvin always like to have the door open and the screen door closed, i looked around to see if the lights were still on and they were so i ignored it and went inside.

i was met with rose pedals leading to the kitchen and to the master bedroom, i stood in awe, not knowing what to do or say as arvin walked up to me, he wore casual clothes and the same old hat his daddy gave him, but by the look in his eyes i knew this meant more.

"arvin what- how- when- why..?"

"shush doll, follow me.."

and i did, he led me back to our bedroom where a nice dress, like one of those fancy ones i saw girls in magazines wearing, it was amazing and the perfect color too.

"arvin, i don't deserve all this really"

he just shook his head and walked away, his place being taken by lenora who was smiling brightly at me. i heard the front door close and i couldn't tell if it was a bad thing or not but i didn't worry too much when i saw lenora.

"alright i have an hour to do your hair and makeup and get you in this dress for your date tonight, we have no time to waste let's go!"

i was confused but still i followed lenora and for the next hour she was all up in my personal bubble getting me ready for what i assumed was just a date night.

"lenora why won't you tell me what's going on?"

"because arvin would have a cow, now cmon!"

she drove me to a restaurant just a little outside of knockemstiff. when we got there, we were led inside the big restaurant to a table in the back that held arvin and thomas, a double date? sick.

"you know i still don't understand why were here..? why couldn't we just have a double date at mcdonalds?"

arvin chuckled and wrapped a protective arm around my shoulder. the whole night was a blast and i didn't think i could miss my childhood anymore than i already did. it seems like just yesterday 19 year old me was still hating arvin with a passion when he came back into my life, here i am at 21 almost 22 sitting at a table with lenora and her boyfriend and arvin, my boyfriend of two years, crazy how much things change.

the night was ending and arvin seemed to be getting more and more nervous as it went on. lenora had finally finished her dinner and silence fell over the table. i leaned into arvin, tiredness washing over me and even though they thought i wasn't paying attention both thomas and lenora were telling something to arvin, who was obviously saying something back.

"hey doll..?"

i sat up slowly, arvin moved me over him and to where he was sitting so he could get out of the booth, it was weird but i just watched as he fiddled with his hands, he use to do it all the time as a kid whenever he'd get nervous, a small habit he never got rid of.

"why so nervous all of a sudden russell?"

he chuckled, getting off the booth and pulling me towards the edge of it, he placed a kiss to my hand and smiled.

"im nervous because.."

he dropped to one knee, his hands were shaking but he kept the same smirk he always had on his face as he looked up to me, by now, everyone in the restaurant was watching us.

"im nervous because two years ago, i brought you out to knockemstiff for a little get away and the day after, i got you a promise ring. a promise that i was going to make you mrs. arvin russell...and i haven't been too sure about most things in my life but this, you, and being with you, starting a family with you in the future, everything right down to just being in your life...i love you natalia brinkway...will you marry me?"

my mind was racing, heart beating out of my chest, it felt like i was on top of the world. arvin was crying, although he had tried to hide it, it was the second time i had ever seen arvin russell cry. it made me remember why i love him, why i went through all the trouble and the fights and the laughter, everything. he was my everything.

"yes arvin...of course I'll marry you!"

he slid the ring on my finger and pulled me into a kiss, the restaurant erupted into cheers, but all i could do was focus on the man in front of me, and how we got here in the first place.

"i love you."

"and i love you."

...
A/N:

trying to determine whether or not i want them to just live a happy life together and end the book here orrrrrr destroy everyone's hearts with the ending I've thought of from the start...anyways 😃