Painted Love-Matisse Thybulle

Chapter 13: The Question

Can I just see you every morning when I open my eyes
Can I just feel your heart beating beside me every night
Can we just feel this way together 'til the end of all time
Can I just spend my life with youNow baby the days and the weeks and the years will roll by
But nothing will change the love inside of you and I
And baby I'll never find any words that could explain
Just how much my heart, my life, my soul, you've changedCan you run to these open arms
When no one else understands
Can we tell God and the whole world
I'm your woman, and you're my man
Can't you just feel how much I love you
With one touch of my hand
Can I just spend my life with you

14 months later/Matisse POV:

Thanksgiving had come and gone which meant it was time for Matisse's favorite holiday...Christmas. Living in Philly made it even more magical for him. It always snowed and downtown was decorated like a Hallmark movie. He loved this time of year and it always lifted his spirits. This year was going to be extra special because things were about to change for him in a major way. Casey's job at ESPN was officially remote and with the company's blessing, she was officially moving to Philly. Finally. He was excited that they no longer had to do the back and forth drive to and from Connecticut. Had ESPN not told Casey that her pay would remain the same, she would have left. She also wasn't traveling nearly as much now. After New Years, Casey was going to move in with him and their new puppy Franklin (also known as Frankie). She was under the impression that she was going to move into a new two bedroom apartment in the city with Matisse. And he lead her to believe that. He made the idea so believable that not once has she questioned it. But, he had been working on a top secret Christmas surprise since September just for them. Matisse got a new contract from the Sixers and some new sponsorships which meant more money for him. With that money, meant he could buy a house. Nothing super crazy but much nicer than an apartment. He knew that he was ready to settle down and that Casey was the one he wanted to be with forever. Once the contract came in, things started to fall into place. Every day on his way to work, he'd pass this beautiful eight bedroom home on Lincoln Dr. He and Casey would sometimes go and sit in front of the house and imagine how they would decorate it. They would stay up late at night talking about that house and the life they wanted to build together in it. It had sat on the market for over a year...until now. Without Casey knowing, he'd bought the house and was going to surprise her with it for Christmas. This was a huge deal for him and he was having the hardest time keeping this secret from her. So many times, he wanted to just tell her. But he knew saving the house for Christmas would be so worth it. The house wasn't the only surprise though. Matisse's phone chimed to signal that he had a text from Casey's dad. 

     Clinton: I'm in town! I left the grands with Auntie SeSe and told them I was going Christmas shopping. Their watching movies on the couch. She doesn't suspect a thing. Should be at Tiffany's in 5.

Perfect. Matisse slide his phone into his black jeans and smoothed his cream color sweater. He hoped he was dressed serious enough to be buying this exceptional piece of jewelry. It wasn't the first time he'd shopped at Tiffany's for Casey. She still wears the necklace he got her when he asked her to be his girlfriend and the bracelet he bought her for Valentine's Day. But those pieces were child's play. Matisse was getting ready to buy the single most important piece of jewelry he ever will in his life. Even with Clinton's blessing, he was incredibly nervous about popping the question. What if Casey says no?  One day while they were shopping, they had wandered into Tiffany's. He had done it on purpose to see what type of ring would catch Casey's eye. He even let the attendant slip the ring on her finger and measure for her ring size. Matisse had taken note of it all while Casey thought of it as more of a joke. "Oh Tissy, there's no way i'd expect for you to buy me that ring. We're just doing this for fun." But that had been almost a year ago. He hadn't forgotten the look in her eyes as gazed at the ring on her finger, they way she smiled and held it up to the light. Matisse knew the night he told Casey he loved her in Louisville that he would one day ask her to marry him. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Casey. The logistics were always off. Now, the time was just right. Clinton strolled in, giddy at the sight of the store.  He was excited to be gaining another son. He loved Matisse and the way he loved Casey. When Matisse called to get his blessing, he barely finished the question before he said absolutely. He wanted one more approval of the ring before he bought it, for reassurance. Clinton grabbed Matisse into a big hug before going into the store for their appointment with Marla, the attendant who had worked with Tisse and Casey before. "Hello! It's so good to see you again Matisse! This must be Casey's Dad? Hi there! I'm Marla. I've got all the information and the ring ready to go. Let's take a look shall we?" Marla led them towards the back of the store where a little blue box in the signature Tiffany's color sat. "You guys ready? It's a beauty!" Matisse nodded his head and looked at Marla. "I'm ready." As she opened the box, a grin spread to Matisse's face. Inside was a 1.25 Carat Tiffany True engagement ring. It was beautiful, had some sparkle, but timeless. It shined bright under the light. "Marla, it's perfect. What do you think Dad?" Matisse looked over to see Clinton wipe a tear from his eye. "That is some ring. She's going to love it. Especially since it came from you." Getting the confirmation that he needed, Matisse handed Marla his card. The plan was starting to come together.