Burn (Finished! Working on sequel!)

Celebratory Days: Age 29

It had been almost a year, and I was proud on now things were holding up. Corbin helped me around the house, helped take care of Ember, while I did the same. We made a pretty good team if I do say so myself.

A time that I had also been dreading for a while was coming up too.

My birthday.

I wasn't the kind of woman who liked celebrating things for myself, but Corbin had insisted we threw a small party. "Can you go outside and get the wreath, Emmie?" Corbin called from upstairs. I heaved a sigh. "Alrighty...!" I jogged outside, smelling the warm summer breeze that drifted by.

Also at the same time for planning my party, we were still renovating the house, adding a new room for Ember's nursery. This had taken a lot of hard work. Ember was almost one and had been cooperating nicely.

"Now, where was that da-" I stopped myself. I had to get accustomed to not cursing anymore considering Ember was starting to learn new sounds and such. I was a bit exited for the day in which she learned her first word. I groaned, looking around the house. "There it is!" I grabbed it, bringing it upstairs. "Ah-bah-bah-bah!"

Corbin said to me. I raised my eyebrows. "What?" He gave a grin. "You're not supposed to see what Gail and I are planning for you." I rolled my eyes. "Well, fine then. I'll just go outside." Walking outside, I shut the door behind me. I ran a hair through my medium-light brown hair, going to go sit on a log.

"I wonder what I should do for Ember..." I muttered, thinking. I tugged on my long sleeve shirt as a chilly breeze came by. Summer was ending, which meant Fall was coming, which meant soon Ember was going to turn one.

"Emmie!" Corbin yelled through the window, waving his arms. "It's done!" I hopped up, staring at him blankly. Oh! Right! Party, duh. I mentally face-palmed, heading upstairs.

The door was closed and not a peep was heard anywhere, other than my shallow breathing. I placed my hand on the doorknob, just as I was about to step in, the door swung open.

"Gah!" I tumbled onto my face, falling down onto the wooden floors. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" I stood up, holding my elbow which was slightly scratched. Gail looked at me with concern.

"Are you okay, dearie?" I nodded slightly. "Emmie, I'm sorry." I shrugged the pain off, clapping my hand on his shoulder. I turned my attention to all the plants and decorations strung around the room.

I gasped, holding my hands over my mouth. "You did all of this for me?!" I asked in amazement.

"Surprise." Corbin said weakly, smiling at me.

I could feel tears forming in my eyes as I looked around. This was amazing!

"Gail has a gift for you." Corbin said, nudging my arm. I nodded as Gail picked up a delicately wrapped box.

"Here you are, you deserve it." She smiled at me. I carefully picked at the box, opening it. I pulled out a golden locket with my initials engraved on it.

The necklace said Emerson K. On the back. There was a little clock in the front. "Gail..I-I'm speechless!" I ran over, hugging her. "Oh- aww..." She patted my back with those dainty delicate hands of hers.

"Emmie, I need to go get something, I'll be back in a few." He kissed my forehead, walking out the door, grabbing keys and making his way to town. "Gail, do you know what that was about." She eyed me. "No, no, not at all..." She trailed off. I gave her a slight grin. "Oh, really now?" She nodded. "I'm sure." She quickly walked downstairs, giggling.

I heaved a sigh. "Alright, fine. Don't tell me." I laughed at her comment, heading into Embers room. Ember sat up, babbling at me. Her eyes were wide open, and her hair was almost down to her shoulders. She giggled as I picked her up, changing her and plopping her down onto my hip.

"You wanna go see what Grandma Gail is doing?"

Yes, I thought of Gail as my mother, she was such a wonderful lady over the time I had stayed with her, and I hoped to be able to grow old with her as well.

***

Gail and I ended up talking in the living room until Corbin came in through the door. "Emerson, a moment?"

Something was up.

He guided me outside, but not before letting Gail take Ember.

"Soo, what did you want to show me?" He coughed, signaling for him to follow, ignoring the question.

We ended up in a peaceful spot in a meadow, which was believed to be called 'Masterson Valley.'

Corbin cleared his throat, looking at me. "Emerson...You're beautiful, and you know that, right?" I laughed at him. "Yes, I know." I smiled at him. "Good. Then in that case," He paused.

"Emmie, I've known you for some time now, and I want you to know, you really are the most amazing girl I've ever encountered. You're intelligent, witty, beautiful, strong," He laughed. "And an amazing mother and girlfriend." I could feel myself blushing at his comments. "And so, will you..." He took out a golden ring, with my initials engraved into the front. It was beautifully spiraled with small diamonds on either sides of the initials. He then got onto one knee, holding the ring up to me. "...Do the honor of being my wife?"

I held my hands over my mouth, as I was getting very emotional now. "Is this a joke?!" I said, overjoyed. He chuckled at me, standing. He wrapped his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. "Nope, it's not." He mumbled softly into my hair.

I smiled widely as tears fell from my face.

"Emmie, I will always love you, through thick and thin." He said, handing the ring to me. I wrapped my arms around him, laughing slightly.

"Then in that case," I took the ring, slipping it onto my right ring finger.

"Yes, Corbin. I will be your wife."