Isla POV
"Alright class here's your assignment. I want each of you to write an essay about your best friend, what makes them your best friend and what they mean to you" I say and get a collective groan from the class.
"Alright, now I know you weren't too enthusiastic about your assignment but there will be a reward for the best essay" I say "the person who writes the best one will get a one on one meet and greet with my friend Roman Reigns"
"You wish, he ain't your friend" one of the boys shouts just as there is a knock at the door
"Well your attitude just got your essay excluded from the competition" I say motioning for Joe to come in, he enters the room and greets me with a hug.
"Hey sorry to interrupt I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute" he says quietly as I look around him "don't worry she's with your mom" he's says knowing what I'm looking for.
"I'm almost done here" I smile "I just need to finish up"
"Miss?" One of the girls says "how long do we have to write it?"
"I want it by next week" I say "and the winner will be announced the next day"
"What do they win?" Joe asks and the class giggles "what am I missing?" He asks
"You're the prize" I say "a meet and greet with you, they were to happy about their assignment so I came up with a way to get them excited about it"
"Wait a second......you just used me as a bribe to get them to do their homework?" He asks with a half smile
"Maybe......are you mad?" I ask nervously and he smiles
"You're lucky I love you" he whispers before pressing a soft kiss to my lips earning a chorus of wooooo's and giggles
"Alright class dismissed" I laugh "see you all next week"
Once the class has filed out of the room Joe pulls me into his arms and kisses me tenderly. It had been a whole month since he had asked me to be his, he and Maddie had bonded amazingly well and I was even more convinced that him adopting her was a good idea.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" I ask breaking the kiss
"Oh right um.....if you're not busy I'd like to take you somewhere after work" he says nervously as I tuck a stray hair behind his ear
"I'm never too busy for you Joe" I smile "I'll be done by two"
"Great I'll pick you up then" he says "your mom has agreed to have Maddie overnight so they'll be no rush to get home and it will be just the two of us"
"Overnight? What are you planning?" I ask and he smiles
"You'll have to wait and find out" he says kissing my nose "I love you butterfly"
"I love you too" I say chuckling softly as I watch him leave the room, what is that man of mine up to?
Later that day
Joe POV
Parking up the car I walk around and open Isla's door for her helping her get out of the car. I take both of her hands in my and look at her for a moment taking her in before we start walking towards our destination.
"So did you manage to speak to your lawyer today?" She asks as we walk
"Yeah I did, it should be a fairly simple process we just need Callums consent" I say and instantly her face falls, I stop walk and lift her face with my finger "Hey don't worry, we'll get his consent"
"You know what he's like Joe he will deliberately make this difficult for you" I sigh "I don't want this to go wrong"
"It won't I promise you that" he smiles "now smile, I want you to enjoy tonight"
After walking a little further a quick glance at her face tells me she has realised where we are headed. As her brow furrows can't help but chuckle at her confusion.
"Joe why are we heading towards the tree house?" She asks "why did you want to bring me here?"
"You'll see when we get up there" he says "I wanted it to be special. Something that only related to me and you"
Isla POV
Joe let's me climb the ladder frist and the second my goes through the hatch a small gasp leaves my lips. The tree house is decorated with fairy lights, in the centre is a blanket with a picnic laid out on it, there is a bottle of wine and the chairs have been replaced with big comfy cushions.
"Joe this is amazing, how did you even get a picnic up here?" I ask and he smiles as he sits down on one of the cushions.
"The same way I did when we spent prom night up here, do you remember that night?" He asks
"Of course, my date cancelled on me so I decided not to go, instead of going you cancelled your date and spent the evening here with me" she says "you played that mix that you made"
"I'm glad you mentioned that" he says pressing pressing a button and the little wooden house is immediately filled with music "I found it while I was getting this place ready"
"So what is all this in aid of?" I ask sitting down "you've clearly gone to alot of trouble"
"I'm getting to that" he says "do you remember the conversation we had that night when you told me how you wanted your future to be?" He asks and I nod
"Vivdly" I smile "I said I wanted to become a teacher, to fall in love with a man that treated me right, I wanted to get married, have a family and just be happy" I say "but I was young and nieve then, I thought it would all be so easy"
"I disagree" he says "You're a teacher now and I'm hoping I'm right when I say you've crossed the second one off your list"
"And the last one, in fact I guess since I have Maddie I you could say there is only one thing left on my list" I say "but marriage doesn't seem to be that important these days"
"Maybe it only becomes important when you realise you've found someone you can't live without, who makes your world a brighter place and makes you want to be the best you can be" he says taking my hands in his "that's how I feel about you, I spent far too long without you in my life and I don't ever want to do that again, Isla Winters I have loved you for as long as I can remember and I will love you until my dying breath, I want to cross the last thing off your list so, will you marry me butterfly?"
As I look at Joe with tears rolling down my cheeks I'm speechless, I known what I want to say I just can't get my voice to work. As my silence continues his brow furrows and he looks deep into my eyes.
"Say something please" he says quietly
"Yes" I finally manage to say "yes I'll marry you Joe"
"Yeah?" He smiles and I nod as he slides the most beautiful diamond ring onto my finger before kissing me tenderly.
"I love you my beautiful butterfly" he says resting his head against mine
"I love you too my handsome superstar" I smile "I can't wait to spend forever with you"
YOU ARE READING
Forever & Always
FanfictionIt's been years since Isla has seen Joe. He was her best friend once upon a time, the one person she could count on to always be there for her. Since he left she's had no one to turn to, but when she sees him again for the first time she's not prepa...
