Love Under Construction

37. Pride (Part II)

Spencer's POV

"Tonight— it didn't go how I planned! And we both know why." I say in between small pauses as she tries to figure out why we've stopped. "I could blame your ex and his terrible timing for not doing what's been on my heart for a little while now. But—- that would just be another excuse.—- that would be an escape. And I don't want to escape this! I don't want to escape us!"

"Baby, slow down!—- What are you talking about?" Olivia questions as she rubs her hand down the left side of my cheek to erase the single tear that begins to fall.

I pause for a moment before getting out of the car and jogging over to her side.

She gets out when I open the door as I watch her confusion grow.

"I'm sorry about tonight. I clearly have some shit to work on. And I promise I will. But one thing I know for sure is that I don't want to work on myself without you, Olivia! I want you to be there when I become the man you and I know I can become."

"Baby, you know I'm right here. You can't get rid of me," she assures as I start to lower myself on one knee and her confusion starts to morph into complete shock. "Spencer? What— are you—doing?"

I stop speaking for a second as I reach into my pocket and pull out a small box, making her tears run down rapidly.

"Olivia, I love you! And I don't mean just any old love. It's the type of love that makes the image of you happy with another man feel like my world crashed down. And maybe that's not healthy—" I say and she lets out a small chuckle at my words, knowing I'm referring to earlier tonight. "But I know I wouldn't be able to function without you in my life. So please continue to be patient with me. And I promise I'll work on doing the same for you."

I take a few deep breaths as I notice a small crowd start to form from bystanders leaving the shopping mall we just so happen to be near.

"Baby, you know I will!" She cries as the crowd starts to pull out camera phones and murmur as they await my next words.

"I know. And that's why tonight will be the best decision I ever made in my life, if you say yes."

"Come on, bro! You got this!" A random guy yells from the crowd and everyone around us chuckles, making us both laugh.

I don't lose sight of my lady as the words continue to formulate in my mind.

"What I'm saying is—- I want you to be my wife, Olivia!" I tell her boldly and she smiles as everyone around us begins to clap. "Will you marry me baby?"

She nods as I let out a huge smile. "Yes— of course!"

Her words launch me into a state of gratifying euphoria as I place the ring on her finger and stand to share a kiss like in all of those cliché romance movies Olivia makes me watch.

I smile as I wipe away her happy tears and kiss her some more.

"I love you baby!" She tells me as I lift her and allow the applause to ring loudly as I spin her a few times.

"I love you too," I say and she smiles before kissing my lips once more.

Take her home, bro!" Someone yells and we shake hands.

"Let's go baby," she says happily as she rushes to the car.

"My phone is blowing up," I yell as I show her my screen.

She smiles as she looks through her messages.

"The girls know!" She tells me. "Everyone knows."

I scan her messages before pulling off.