Divine Intervention: One Shots

Moving Day

We were packed up and ready to go, The cabin was finished and furnished and waiting for us in Nashville. We had meticulously planned everything. A month ago we had flown out to see the finished build. We picked the colors for the inside, there were very few, picked out the furniture we wanted, arranged for someone to be there when it arrived, Esther, and started to imagine our life out there in that cabin in the forest. We flew home and arranged for the current furniture to be sold or donated, the piano shipped, and the actual moving plan settled. The SUV was as loaded as it could be and we ended up renting a small uhaul trailer so that we didn’t need to ship anything. We were driving the 2000 miles East with plans to make several stops to camp along the way. We estimated the 30 hour drive would take us about 5 days to do. I was actually excited. I could feel the shift in him. Living in LA had him stressed out most of the time, but lately he was smiling more, singing more, and just all around more calm.

He made one more lap around the apartment and sighed. “There’s a lot of memories here, but I’m not going to miss the place. I will miss the people, but this move is going to be amazing and there’s no one I would rather do it with.” He leaned down and kissed me softly. “I know this is your second major move in a year and a half and I am so happy you are doing this with me.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “It was never a question, where you go I go.” I smiled at him and bit my lip. “Thank you for letting me help make the decisions for your house.”

“Our house.” he booped my nose with the bent knuckle of his index finger. “It was my property, but it was never just my house.” He kissed me again and pulled away reaching for my hand. “Shall we?”

I nodded, tears clogging my throat, as I let him lead me out to the car. We were off on our journey to our new home. It was exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I texted Michelle as we got on the road. Just said goodbye to LA. 2000 miles to Nashville. Love you sis. 

Fast forward three days. We were hiking through a state park in Missouri. The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful and Avi was quiet. We reached a bluff overlooking a lake. He sat me on a boulder and took a bunch of pictures. This had become the norm whenever we were out exploring anymore. He sat next to me and took my hand and stared out seemingly into space. 

“I love you. You know that right?” He turned his attention to me, his eyes a very clear blue. 

“I do. You know that I love you too, right?” I rubbed circles on the back of his hand with my thumb. 

“Of that I am certain.” He cleared his throat and slipped his arm around me. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever. It felt like there was more he wanted to say, but he never did. Eventually he got up and we headed back in the direction we came from. I let it go, but something felt unfinished. He was quiet for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He would answer questions when asked and he didn’t seem mad, just preoccupied. 

We made it to the last campsite just before dark. We set up our tent and fixed our dinner. It was our last night camping and I was so excited to make it to our new home tomorrow. We actually went to bed early because we planned on getting an early start in the morning. We had about an 8 hour drive ahead of us and Esther and Darien would be waiting for us to help with moving things in. We were up before the sun and on our way in no time. The time flew by and I got more excited the closer we got. I was practically bouncing in my seat.

He reached over and put his hand on my knee. “I am excited too. We designed this place from the ground up. It's a perfect situation.” We were about 10 miles from our destination when he pulled off into a lookout place. 

I looked around, a little confused. “What’s up?” 

“I just needed a minute.” He took a couple of deep breaths and got out of the car. He walked back and forth next to the car a couple of times and then came around to my side. He opened my door and held out his hand. I took it easily and he led me to the railing of the lookout. “Welcome home sweetheart. It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

I took a deep breath and took in the view. It really was stunning. It was early June and everything was at its perfect color. The trees and flowers were in full bloom, the sky was clear, the water was running through the rocks below. I could hear the birds singing and the breeze slipping through the leaves. I sighed and leaned on the railing. It was so hard to believe that this was home now. It was the perfect place and I was with the perfect person. I couldn’t imagine anything more perfect. I heard him move behind me and I turned towards the sound. He was rubbing his palms on his jeans. I smiled and giggled.

He took another deep breath and reached for my hand. “For the first time in my life, all of the pieces are falling into place. My career is right where I want it. I get to see my family when I want to. I have the perfect house, in the perfect place, and I am moving in with the perfect person. I have never felt so much at peace. Ever. There’s just one more thing.” He reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. I gasped as I realized what was happening. He opened the small black box that he had taken out of his pocket. The ring was stunning. It was a moderately sized round solitaire diamond set on an ornately engraved white gold band. There were two tear drop shaped sapphires on either side of the diamond with the points pointing away from the diamond.  “Rae Elizabeth Jennings, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

I couldn’t speak. The tears dripped from my eyes as I nodded fervently. He stood and placed the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. I swallowed and threw myself into his arms. It took a few moments to find my voice. “Yes. A thousand times yes. It would be my pleasure to be Mrs. Rae Kaplan.” He picked me up and spun me around. He set me down and kissed me for all he was worth. 

“I love you Rae. More than words will ever convey. But I think we oughta get home so we can get moved in.” He kissed me again and then  put me in the car so we could make our way home.