Kylie & Jack 1: Humble Beginnings

73. Champagne Smiles

Saturday 26th Oct, 9:51 PM

"Wombat – will you marry me?"

Here he was, on bended knee, gazing up at her like he was some meagre mortal worshipping a deity. The beautiful diamond ring perched within the soft cushions of the velvet box in his hands, glistening under the light of a thousand synthetic stars in the canopy above them. He had been saving for a few weeks now to buy this ring. Jack had spotted it nearly two months ago in a jewellers when Kylie dragged him downtown to buy birthday presents for Loz, John and Janelle. While Kylie was distracted, eyeing a collection of Pandora bracelets, Jack quickly asked one of the sales staff how much the ring was that had taken his exacting attention like a headlight in the darkness, as they entered the shop and if he could have it put on hold.

At Loz's birthday dinner in a Mexican restaurant, Jack had accidentally let slip to Loz that he had bought a ring. It took her a few seconds to drag Jack outside into the street, away from everyone and – in her best Ali Anderson voice – demanded all the details.

"You're planning to propose! Ohmygod!" Loz squealed delightedly, jumping on the spot until Jack laid his hands on her shoulders, begging her to shut up.

"Please, Loz keep your voice down!" Loz promptly stood still and waited for him continue.

"Yes ... I'm planning to ask Kylz to marry me –" he held up a hand to silence her, seeing the excitement bubbling up to her quivering mouth. She quickly rolled her lips tightly and clamped her hands together in front of her.

"Yes, I'm going to ask her to marry me – and nobody knows, well except you now – and I am begging you, don't – don't – tell the other two. Not even Ryan, not the boys, not anyone. Please?" Jack clasped his hands together in front of him, begging, pleading, praying Loz will keep his secret.

She welled up, clamping her hands over her nose and mouth before pulling him into a tight hug.

"I knew I should have put money on you!" Loz cried, her eyes lined with happy tears, holding him so hard against her.

"Congratulations, Jackie! Oh, this is the best news ever!"

"Thanks – and this coming from you?" Jack asked, nodding to Loz's now obvious bump.

"Oh please, growing life – meh. You've brought my best friend back to life –" Loz burst into tears, stepping away from Jack, trying to daintily dab her eyes.

"You found her when she was ready to give up, lost and broken. Kylie's happy because of you." Loz wiped away her tears, chuckling as she tried to compose herself. Jack had never seen this side to Loz and was surprised to say the least.

Jack gazed into Kylie's stunned face. He could see the silver lights above them reflected in her eyes, watched as she clamped both hands over her nose and mouth, as her eyes widened.

"Mate, I'm worried that Kylz is catching on, what if I blow this whole thing?" Jack asked, pacing around the Gloria Jeans cafe, while Loz sat at the table watching him with growing frustration.

They had just been to the vineyard to arrange everything, it was little over a week away now and Jack was the most nervous he had ever been in his life.

"Mate, calm your bloody farm, ok? If Kylie is getting sus that you're up to something, believe me she'll tell you." Loz said sipping her tea, trying to ignore his continued pacing until he almost knocked another customer over.