Perfect Imperfections

Twenty Five

"Congratulations, AJ!" I grinned and hugged Miss Valente, letting go to grab a drink from the kitchen. After the graduation, the graduating class came to the house for a party with the town because Jake felt like it. He felt like hosting a party for everyone in town, and everyone showed up.

"AJ!" I waved to Abby, Isaac, and Leo then hugged the woman, who rocked me side to side.

"Oh, you are so amazing!" She laughed and I let go then smiled.

"Thank you! Have you seen Jake? I can't find him anywhere." I said and Abby nodded.

"He went to the boathouse, said he had a gift for you there." She said and I nodded. As I walked out back, I waved to the people here then went towards the boathouse, smiling at the mostly complete building. It was just missing the spots to tie the boat to the dock and the doors.

"Jake?!" I called as I walked in, my heels clicking on the wood.

"Over here, Smarty!" I heard and went towards the dock, smiling as I saw Jake standing at the end with his hands in his pockets, looking out at the lake.

"Hey, the party's at the house." I teased and he turned to me and nodded, smiling as I stood in front of him, the lake to our side.

"I've got something I want to say." He said and I nodded.

"My uh... my great grandpa was a metal worker, he worked in this mine where they were trying to find precious gems and it was his job to make jewelry right there on the spot, I guess. My dad would know the story better than me." He laughed and scratched his head.

"Anyway, uh, my great grandpa found these diamonds one day and a raw emerald. He'd been trying to find a ring for his wife for a while now, but he'd been having no luck. Deciding to make one, he took the gems home and he used gold to make the band." Jake explained and reached into his pocket, showing me the ring from the story. As I stared at it, I looked up at Jake and tried to figure out what he was asking.

"My-my grandpa and my dad both used it, as-as promise rings for their wives." He said and licked his lips, looking at me.

"I-I thought I'd hold up tradition." He said and reached forward, grabbing my left hand and smiling at me.

"Adalyn Jade, I am giving you this ring with the promise that, one day, I'll buy you the perfect ring and I will replace it and your last name." He softly spoke, grinning as I finally cried my happy tears.

"Do you accept my promise?" He breathed, looking nervous, but I nodded and held my hand over my mouth, trying not to scream in joy. Once the ring was on my finger, I hugged Jake's neck and kissed him, pouring my love into the expression and letting out a breath when I felt his arms wrap around me.

"I love you, Jake!" I breathed, rubbing my nose against his.

"I love you too, Smarty." He grinned, softly kissing me again.

"Let's get back to the party." He whispered and I nodded, holding his hand as we walked to the house. When we got there, I saw his family waiting and knew they knew.

"So?!" Jessie gushed, but I hugged her and she squealed.

"Good job, son, you picked a good one." I heard John say then I let go of Jessie and smiled as Katie hugged me.

"Welcome to the family, sweetheart-"

"Whoa, hold up!" We looked at Jake then he hugged my waist, holding me in front of him.

"She's been in this family since she moved into my house, there's no need to welcome her now!" He joked, making us laugh, and I grinned up at him as he leaned down and pecked my lips.

"You're my family, Smarty." He breathed, which made my grin grow impossibly wide.

"Good." I whispered then he took my hand, kissing it and pulling me to the porch where everyone was dancing.

"Jake-"

"We've had one, very short dance as a couple! Let me make it up to you!" He said and held my hands as I laughed, dancing to I Don't Wanna Live Forever by I think Taylor Swift and maybe that Zayne guy. As we danced, I smiled as I felt my love for Jake growing still, like I was never going to stop falling for him.

"You make me so happy, Smarty." He whispered and I nodded, setting my hand on the side of his neck.

"I've never been happier, dungeon boy." I said, which made him laugh. When he twirled me, he hugged me in close and laid his head on mine.

"I love you." He whispered, his breath fanning my lips.

"I love you too." I breathed and hugged his neck, swaying with him. That night, everyone stood on the lake's edge as John and a few other men set off fireworks to celebrate. I was standing with Jake's arms around me, my hands on his wrists, and my head against his collarbone. When I looked up at him, he gave me that thousand watt grin that always stirred up the butterflies in my belly.

"FINALE!" I heard and we looked up at the sky, cheering as the finale began. After the fireworks, we began to say goodbye to everyone until it was just the family left.

"Hey, what's this?" Isaac asked as he came over with a goodie bag in hand.

"That is a gift from me to Jake!" I grinned and Jake gave me a weird look, like he was surprised to be getting anything.

"Just open it!" I rolled my eyes then he took the bag from Isaac as I stood and grabbed my phone, recording Jake's reaction.

"Okay, what is this?" Jake laughed when he saw the phone.

"A gift for you, but kind of also everyone! Just open the bag, dungeon boy!" I said and our family laughed as he sighed and pulled the tissue paper out.

"A piece of paper?" He asked, holding up the folded piece of paper.

"Open it, you idiot!" Carlos laughed and Jake sighed, setting the bag down as he unfolded the paper.

"'Patient name: Adalyn Jade Costanza'-"

"Get to the bottom part!" I hinted and Jake looked at me with a worried look, going to the bottom of the page and licking his lips.

"'Results: Patient is...'" He trailed, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Is this for real?!" He asked and I grinned, holding my hip as he stared at me.

"Jake!" Jessie whined since they were still in the dark.

"Oh, fucking hell, Smarty!" Jake yelled and threw the paper down, coming over and hugging me tightly as I laughed.

"YOU'RE PREGNANT?!"