The Wedding Date

Closure

Dianne shivered slightly as she balanced on the railing of her parent's back deck, the twinkling lights that normally gave her peace shimmering dangerously fast in her watery eyes. She couldn't seem to stop the liquid from rolling down her cheeks, no matter how many times she haphazardly wiped them away, and no matter how much joy she felt at the pair of blue eyes watching her warily from his seat at the table, just a foot away.

He hadn't left.

As she closed her eyes for a second, willing the tears to disappear, she felt warmth surround her shoulders and the scent of Joe's masculine cologne as his arms wrapped his suit jacket around her, lingering for half a second on her upper arms before he pulled away and returned to his seat.

"Thanks," she murmured, hating how weak her voice sounded.

Joe just nodded, rubbing his jaw with his hand, as if he had nervous energy he needed to expel.

"So..."

"Di..."

Dianne let out a slightly hysterical giggle as they both began to talk at the same time. Slapping a hand over her mouth, Dianne watched as Joe tried to hide his smile, shaking his head.

"You go first," he nodded toward her, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Always a gentleman.

Sucking in a shaky breath, Dianne stared up at the dark sky for a moment, before bringing her eyes back to his, her breath catching in her throat at the look of intensity and nervousness looking back at her.

"I...I'm so sorry, Joe," she finally murmured. "I'm sorry for the way I acted...for the things I said...you didn't deserve my drunken wrath tonight, and you certainly don't deserve to feel bad for overhearing something by accident."

Joe didn't move, eyes still locked on hers.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel like a bad person," she continued, wiping the tears that continued to stream down her face, "Because you're not. In fact, you're maybe one of the best people I've ever met."

Joe let his head dangle between his shoulders for a moment, before sitting up straighter.

"Di that's not true..." he rasped out, before clearing this throat.

"Yes it is!" Dianne exclaimed, "My brothers talked some sense into me once I'd calmed down...you actually hear me when I talk. You listen and you give good advice and the best kisses...you see me, Joe.

Joe stared at her in surprise.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Dianne nearly whispered, suddenly overcome with more emotion.

"I did though," Joe groaned, slumping back in his seat.

"You didn't--"

"I didn't let you explain tonight," Joe reached up to tug at his hair in frustration, "When you were falling apart, I jumped to conclusions...I left."

"You didn't though," Dianne pushed herself off the railing, daring to take a few steps close to him. "You're here."

Joe gazed up at her, a confused expression on his face.

"Of course I'm here," he frowned, "Did you really think I wouldn't be?"

Dianne felt her cheeks heat up, suddenly at a loss for words. Maybe she'd assumed the worst, but she didn't have a good track record of men staying.

"Di, what I said tonight," Joe spoke softly, "About being here for you...that's the truth."

Dianne stared at him.