When The Curtain Falls

28 ~Christmas Day Pt 2~

Jenna and Josh emerged in a clearing. The snow sparkled in the morning sun as a soft breeze brushed their faces and turned their noses and cheeks red. At the other end of the clearing, a frozen pond lay with a thin sheet of ice.

"It's so peaceful out here," Jenna said, mesmerized by the scenery.

"When I was a kid, I used to come out here for hours on end. I really felt in my element out here, you know?" Josh said, smiling as he looked around.

Jenna watched Josh admire the beauty of the forest and felt her heart swell. She ran over to him and he turned around to face her, but it was too late as she had tackled him into the soft snow. The weight of their bodies crunched in the powder. Jenna looked into Josh's eyes and smiled. She leaned over and gave him an Eskimo kiss. As she leaned in for a real kiss, Josh took a handful of snow and threw it in her face. In her moment of weakness, he flipped her on her back and switched so he was straddling her. Jenna went to grab another handful of snow, but Josh took Jenna's wrist and pinned it down. He did the same with the other wrist.

Josh was about to lean in for the kiss they both longed for when they heard a shrill voice in the distance.

"JENNA!!!! JENNA!!!!" Bella ran over to them, nearly falling over in the deep snow.

"Bella, is everything okay?" Jenna asked as they both got up. Jenna walked over to Bella. Bella didn't say anything but she had a huge grin and her eyes were bugging out of her face. "Bella!? What is it??" Jenna asked again.

"Look!!!" Bella held out her hand to show Jenna her ring. Jenna stared at the ring for a moment before looking up at Bella. They both screamed with excitement and jumped around in the snow.

"What's the matter?" Josh asked, walking over to the girls.

"Jake proposed!" Bella said, flashing her hand at Josh. Josh stood in silence for a moment, anger and hurt growing inside him. Everything faded out. His vision went blurry and "What's wrong, Josh?" Bella asked with concern.

"What? Oh, sorry. I'm so happy for you! This is amazing!" Josh said, putting on a fake smile and giving her a hug. "Josh-"

"Is Jake inside?" Josh blurted.

"Uh... yeah-" Josh stormed past the girls before Bella could say anymore, leaving them in confusion.

*Jakes POV*

I sat down at the kitchen table, with a cup of water in front of me, I turned around to see Bella and Jenna out the window. Bella seemed so excited to show Jenna her new ring, I think I picked the perfect one.

"Jake!" I turned around to see Josh marching inside. His face was red from the snow and his hair was messed up and frizzy as he ripped his hat off. "Come with me," he said into my ear in a growl before going upstairs. I followed him into his room and he shut the door behind me, locking it.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to propose?" Josh walked toward me, his shoulders tense, his brows furrowed, and his fists clenched.

"Josh, I'm sorry. I just thought you'd be mad if I told you."

"Jake, I'm mad that you didn't tell me. We tell each other everything! I'm so happy for you! I just thought we were always going to get married together! We promised each other."

"Listen, Josh, I didn't know how this was all going to go so I didn't tell anyone.'' I walked closer to my brother, putting my hands on his shoulders. "Bella and I aren't in any sort of rush to get married, and I promise I won't walk down that aisle without you, brother."

I pulled him in for a tight hug. Josh pulled away and smiled "I'm still mad you didn't tell me" he waved his finger in my face.

"I love you brother," I chuckled, pulling him back in for another hug.

"Now, let's go out there and celebrate!" Josh said.

"Wait, have you told Mom and Dad yet?"

Josh looked at Jake gnawing on his lip. "Uh, not yet. Let's... wait to tell them, alright?" He scratched the back of his neck anxiously.

"Oh come on Jake, don't worry about it, You know they'll be so happy for you no matter what."

*****

"How long have you two been dating for?" Karen interrogated as they all settled at the dining room table.

"Uh, we don't keep track of that stuff," Jake replied frantically.

"Have you even met her parents? Do you know what they are like? Did you ask her father permission to propose?"

"Karen, please," Kelly said, taking her hand.

"Jake, do you love this girl?"

"More than anything in the world, Dad. Marrying her is something I've never been more sure of in my life." Jake looked over to Bella, putting his hand on her leg under the table.

"You know marriage is a big commitment and something you can't take lightly."

"Mom, Dad. We aren't ready to get married yet, we just know that there's no one else we want to spend the rest of our lives with, so we're just... giving ourselves a push in the direction of forever."

"That's my boy," Kelly smiled, patting Jake on the back. "See Karen, this is the boy we raised so well. You have to trust him, he is old enough to know what he wants and what's best for himself."

"I know, I know. I'm just a little worried is all. This is a lot to hear after just meeting the girl yesterday and finding they got engaged today."

"Mrs. Kiszka, I don't expect you to be fully OK with this whole thing right now. That's a given. It's true, we haven't known each other all that long, but I swear to god, I have never been more sure of something in my life. Ever since we first met, there was an instant connection. We... complete each other," Bella said as Jake nodded in agreement.

"Look Mom, I'm not looking for your approval. I just wanted to tell you."

"No, you're right. You're a grown man now. I need to let you spread your wings." Karen said, taking a deep breath. "Well now that that's out of the way, I think this calls for a celebration!" Karen walked up to Jake and grabbed his face, "You be good to her, Jakey," and kissed his cheek.

"I will, Mom," Jake looked down to grab Bella's hand again.

Karen then walked over to Bella, "and as for you..." she looked back at Kelly and then back to Bella, "Welcome to the family." She took Bella into a warm embrace.

"You and I will have to catch up later. I need to know more about my soon-to-be daughter-in-law!"

"Ok Mom," Jake grabbed her hand and sarcastically giggled.

"I've always thought about this day. I just never thought it would be so soon. But, everything happens for the right reason at the right time. You two will know what to do."