Beyond Blue Eyes

11: Tori

June

I can't believe that I've graduated from Hollywood Arts. It feels like a dream to me. Jade and I are planning on getting an apartment together sometime this summer, and I have a feeling that Jade might be thinking about proposing to me sometime soon, too. It seems like she's been planning something big recently, and it seems like every time I walk into a room she's in, she jumps and tries to hide whatever she's doing. I can't imagine how big of a surprise Jade's planning for me, but I have no doubt that it's going to be pretty big.

"Hey babygirl, do you want to go out to dinner tonight?" Jade asks me sweetly one afternoon. "Of course, sweetie," I say. "Okay. Make sure you wear something fancy, babygirl," she says with a smile. I head to our bedroom and put on a nice fit-and-flair scarlet dress that reaches the floor, complete with a matching cape. Hey, go big or go home, right? I come out and find Jade nowhere to be seen, and a note on the kitchen table.

Babygirl,
I went ahead to the park to get everything set up. When you're ready, come join me.
Much love,
Jade

I slip on a pair of shoes and head out to my car to make my way to the park. When I get there, I notice Jade right away, looking stunning in a floor-length blue and gray dress that really makes her eyes pop. I quickly get out of my car and head over to her, and she motions to a picnic set up under a tree. "Oh, you look absolutely gorgeous, babygirl," she says as we both sit down. "Same to you, sweetie," I say with a smile. We eat our dinner together, chatting about the last few years of our lives, and I can't stop smiling, no matter how hard I try. I don't even feel like stopping. When we're done with our dinner, Jade stands back up, pulling me up with her before taking both of my hands in hers. I notice that she's got a tear rolling down her cheek, and I move to wipe it away, but she stops me. "Just let it be. It probably won't be the only tear I shed tonight, anyway," she says. "I don't understand," I say. "You will, babygirl. Probably sooner than you think," she says, then she releases my left hand, keeping hold of my right hand.

What happens next brings tears to my own eyes. She slowly, carefully lowers herself onto her right knee, then looks up at me. "Victoria Vega, I know so well how rough our relationship started out, but if I had the chance to go back in time and do anything different, I wouldn't change a single thing. Without you, I wouldn't have a purpose on this earth. You are the missing piece of my heart, the piece that I've been looking for my entire life. You're the most beautiful woman that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and befriend. You make me want to be a better person than I used to be," Jade says with tears streaming down her face. "God, I'm rambling on, aren't I?" "A little bit, yeah," I say with a small shrug. "Then I'll get right to the point. Victoria Vega, my beautiful, beautiful queen, will you make me the happiest woman in the world and become my wife?" She asks me, taking a ring out of her purse. I can't find my voice for a few tense moments, but not very long. "Yes, Jade. Of course I will become your wife," I say, letting her slide the ring onto my right ring finger before helping her back to her feet. She kisses me warmly, and we head home for the night.

"This feels so surreal. I've pinched myself like a dozen times to make sure that I'm not dreaming, and I still don't believe it," I comment to Jade after we've both taken our showers. "Me neither. You have no idea how much courage it took for me to be able to do that, babygirl. I was having second thoughts the entire day, until about five minutes before I proposed. I've never been that nervous in my whole life," she says. "Well, I'm glad you decided to go through with it. I love you, and I'm more than ready to take this next step in our relationship together," I say. "Me too, babygirl," she replies, kissing me softly. "I am never gonna get tired of that, sweetie," I say. "I feel ya. I am never gonna be able to get enough of those Vega kisses," Jade replies with a sigh of contentment. I smile and kiss her again, making her smile too. "So, when should we get married?" I ask her. "How does the end of August sound?" Jade asks me. "Two-and-a-half months from now?" I ask her. "Sure. Unless that's too soon for you," she says. "It's not too soon for me. I feel like it's not soon enough," I say, and Jade smiles wider. "Same here, babygirl. Still, waiting to have our wedding until the end of August gives us some time to prepare," she says, and I agree with her. With that figured out, we move on to planning the wedding, starting with the guest list.

"I think that we agree that we want to invite our friends and families, right?" I ask. "Yeah. It's only fair. I'll make a few phone calls and see if I can find out where my father is so we can send him an invitation," Jade says. "Are you sure you want to send him an invitation?" I ask her. "Yes. All the crap he's done in the past doesn't change the fact that I want him to be at my wedding," she says. "Whatever makes you happy, sweetie," I reply. "Thanks babygirl," she says, snuggling into my side. "Okay. Anyone else you want to invite?" I ask. "I don't really see any reason to invite anyone else," she says quietly, having placed her chin on my shoulder. "Neither can I," I reply, and we move on. "Where do you want to get married?" I ask. "Hmm... How about the park, where we technically went on our first date?" She asks. "You know, that is a wonderful idea," I say, turning my head to capture her lips with mine. We continue planning our wedding long into the night, even planning when and where we're going to get our wedding dresses.

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Hello everyone! The next chapter is going to be Tori and Jade's wedding. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Until next time!