More Than Friends

Part 175 (Hardin)

I get out of the car and walk to Tessa's side of the car. I open her door and help her out.

"I bet I can guess what you have hidden in the trunk," she says as a smile takes over her face.

"Maybe one thing, but not everything, baby. I still have a few new surprises up my sleeve."

"But you aren't going to tell me yet, are you?" she huffs.

"Nope. But, as you may have figured out, I'm recreating our first official date for our six month anniversary... with a few new twists." I can't help but wink.

"Something tells me I should be a bit scared, knowing how you think." She laughs.

I wrap one arm around Tessa's back and bring my other to gently cup her cheek. "You're in for one hell of a celebration tonight, baby." I give her a quick kiss on the lips before turning to walk to the trunk and sneak out the picnic basket I packed before Tessa can try to see what else is hidden in there. I quickly grab her hand and we walk to the exact same spot on the grass with the perfect view of the lake we had our first date at.

"Hardin? Do you still remember that day?" Tessa asks as we continue to walk, hand in hand.

"Tess, I remember every single moment with you."

"You were so determined to show me you could be a real boyfriend, yet you wouldn't admit you were a true romantic at heart."

"Theresa, I'm not romantic."

"You can drop the act, mister tough guy. I see through all the bruised and scarred knuckles, the excessive cursing and the tattoos to the sweet, romantic, truly mushy guy you are deep inside."

I can't help but let out a laugh that echos as we walk through the forest. "Mushy? You really have a way with words, Tess. Now you've got me all hard and turned on."

"Shush!" She gently shoves my shoulder with the hand I'm not tightly holding onto. "It's supposed to be a compliment."

"Fine." I roll my eyes. "But I'll only be mushy for you."

"Deal." She smiles up at me, just as we finally reach our spot on the grass. She quickly helps me place the blanket on the grass before we sit down overlooking the lake. "You should have told me we were having a picnic. I could have made something."

"I know. That's why I didn't say anything." I snicker.

"You jerk! I think I'll throw your gift in the lake."

"I'm just joking, baby. Help me unpack this basket?"

As Tessa helps me unpack the food, her eyes go wide at the enormous array of food. "Wow, this all looks so yummy. When did you have time to do all of this?"

"Emma helped by making this food for us."

"Really? That must have been so much work!"

"She was happy to do it. She congratulated me on not screwing this up for half a year." I laugh.

"That is quite the accomplishment." She giggles.

Tessa and I enjoy looking out over the lake, with the warm spring breeze washing over us as we eat the delicious food Emma so lovingly made for us.

"So, when do I get to open that box with your positive pregnancy test in it?"

"Here," Tessa says as she starts shoving grapes into my mouth. "Maybe this will keep you quiet for a bit!" She starts to laugh as I almost choke on the three grapes she shoved into my mouth.

"Very nice. Choke me to death for our six month anniversary," I tease.

After Tessa finishes laughing at my expense, she moves from her spot on the blanket and starts to straddle me. "Can I please have my gift now?" she begs as she runs her fingers through my hair.

"I guess so..." I dig a little black box out from my jacket pocket and hand it to her.

"Another charm?!" she squeals excitedly. She quickly opens the box and digs out the charm before holding it up in front of her. "It's a little picnic basket!" she continues to squeal. "It's adorable!"

"It's so you'll always remember our first date and today." I smile.

"Thank you!" She starts smothering me with kisses. "Help me put it on?"

I put Tessa's new charm on her bracelet for her and gleefully watch as she shakes her wrist, causing it to dangle, and admires the miniature picnic basket.

"Aren't you forgetting something, Miss Young?"

"Um... I don't think so," she teases.

"Gift! Now!" I jokingly demand and hold out my hand.

"Fine. I think you've earned this." She passes me the beautifully wrapped gift box with a very suspicious grin.

I shake the box, but it doesn't make a sound. "Are you sure there's even anything in here?"

"Just open it!"

I gently untie the ribbon and lift the top of the box off. As I look into the box, all I see is a June calendar page. "Thanks, baby. This is just what I always wanted— a random calendar page."

"Smart ass! Look closer," she urges.

As my eyes scan over the piece of paper, I notice a big read circle with some writing inside marked on June 24th. "'Wedding day.' Wait! Wedding day? Wedding day?! Is this for real?"

"Yes!" Tessa beams.

I immediately tackle Tessa to the blanket and start smothering her in kisses.

"Hardin!" she chokes. "I can't... breathe!"

I quickly get off her. "Sorry, baby." I chuckle. "I just can't believe this. I thought you wanted to wait until after you graduated... and for Emma to get married."

"After that day at the lake, when you said all those wonderful things to me... something changed for me. I don't want to wait any longer to be yours forever. And Emma is ecstatic for us. She can't wait to start planning with me."

"Wow. You're actually going to be Mrs. Scott in only three more months? This is the best gift, Tessa. Thank you, so much," I say as I gently cup her cheek and try to hold back my tears.

Tessa and I lie back on the blanket together. We stare up at the clouds while I hold her close to me.

Tessa finally breaks the silence. "Wait... why were you nervous about giving me the charm, Hardin?"

I sit up, bringing Tessa with me. "Oh. Um, that's not the gift I was nervous about." I reach into my jacket and take out an envelope. "This is what I was nervous to give you."

"What is it?"

"Open it."

Tessa nervously opens the envelope and pulls out two tickets. "Plane tickets to England? We're going to England?"

"If you want to. I thought we could go during Spring Break. I hope it's not too much for you, but I thought it might help you feel better if you met my mum and had a loving mother figure in your life. And now we can even tell her about the wedding! What do you think, Tess? Do you want to come back home with me?" I ask as I search her face for an answer.

"Hardin..." Tessa says while her eyes dart back and forth between the tickets and me.

"Yes?"

"Um, I think going to England would be..."

"Yes? Tell me already!" I demand and eagerly wait for her answer.