The Lonely Hearts Club

Chapter 40: The Surprise (Hades)

I'm so fucking scared right now.

Even though Bree says she already forgives me, I still want to do something special for her.

I have this idea, which is probably really fucking stupid and lame, but I'm hoping at least part of her likes it.

"Are we almost there?" She asks.

"Yes ma'am."

We've been driving for hours, driving away from the shit heap of death and destruction that's Winterville, and into Springville.

All we can see for miles are cornfields and the occasional scarecrow.

The sun beats down hard from the bright blue sky and there's not a single cloud in sight—it couldn't be further from Winterville.

"Can I have another hint?" She asks.

Last night, we tried to rewatch that haunted house movie since she fell asleep the first time, and she asked for a hint then.

I told her it was a picnic of some sort and she seemed intrigued. Then she fell asleep twenty minutes into the movie, so tonight we're going to try and watch it again.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Patience is a virtue." I smirk.

"Yeah and so is kindness, so be kind and give me another hint." She says.

"Fine, there's a stream where we're going."

"That's a terrible hint, come on give me something..." she trails off and stops talking.

I glance at her, she's looking out the window.

"You good?" I check.

She's stares at a large abandoned water tank in the middle of a field. It's tall and rusty and surrounded by tall, dark trees.

"If I ever go missing, just know my body will be dumped in that." She says quietly.

"What the fuck Bree?" I widen my eyes at her, but she doesn't stop looking at the water tank until it's out of sight.

"Yeah, I'll be there." She says confidently.

"Why are you saying that?" I ask

"That's just where I'll be," She shrugs. "If I'm ever kidnapped."

"Well you're not getting kidnapped, alright?" I say, my chest tightens when I think of that happening.

"Because you'll protect me?" She teases. "You're real sweet Hades, now fess up and give me another hint about this wonderful plan of yours."

"Can I be honest?" I say.

"Of course."

"I'm starting to worry about this, I feel like my idea is stupid."

"Don't be ridiculous," Bree says. "I know it's not stupid."

"How?"

"Because you've obviously thought about this a lot." She smiles.

She has such a pretty smile.

"Yeah, but don't expect too much." I say.

If she starts getting high expectations, she's going to be disappointed.

"No one ever plans nice things for me," she says. "So whatever you do will be amazing."

Yeah, I hope so.

We drive for another hour before we finally reach the destination. I park on some grass and Bree frowns a little.

There are two willow trees in front of us and if you go through the leaves and walk on the old trail, you'll find where we need to go.

"You gotta trust me on this."

She shrugs and gets out of the car.

This morning, I woke up from the couch and gently eased Bree off me.

Then I went to the mall to get food and clothes for her.

She chose to wear the light blue sundress with ruffled sleeves.

She kinda looks like a princess.

"Are we going to have to walk?" She grimaces.

"It's not far." I promise, getting out a picnic blanket and a basket.

It's warm and there's a gentle breeze, birds chirp in the trees above as we walk.

"Okay close your eyes." I tell her when we reach the clearing.

There's a flowing stream and a squirrel sprints across the grass.

"Fine." She sighs.

She covers her eyes as I set up the picnic.

I spread the picnic blanket and start unpacking the food onto fancy plates.

I bought it all from the supermarket this morning, so to make sure I don't fuck up the illusion, I stuff the plastic packaging back in the basket.

I made a worker pick things out, so if Bree hates it, it's his fault.

There are vanilla cupcakes with pink frosting, cucumber, and cheese sandwiches cut into tiny triangles, plates of chopped fruit including watermelon, pineapple, grapes, and a glass pitcher of fresh lemonade.

Because this food is something a sparrow would eat, I also got these fancy chicken schnitzel sandwiches with lettuce and mayonnaise.

I know Bree's a vegetarian, but I'm not. I'd starve without proper food.

I stand back and assess everything, before shifting plates around here and there.

I'm so fucking nervous right now, what if she hates it?

This was such a shit idea, I should have just booked a table at some snobby restaurant.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Bree asks.

No.

Is there enough time for me to put this stuff away and pretend the basket was empty?

"Hades," Bree says gently. "I'm going to love it."

She doesn't know that.

She doesn't know that at all.

"I'm opening my eyes." She says.

"Don't." I say desperately.

"I'm opening them now."

Bree opens her eyes and examines the picnic I've set out for her.

My heart starts racing while I wait for her response.

Why the fuck did I think this was a good idea? I'm so fucking stupid.

"Oh, Hades." She lifts her hands to her mouth and her eyes mist with tears.

Great, now I've made her cry.

Why the fuck is she crying? Is it really that bad?

She keeps staring at it, not saying anything.

"You're really stressing me out here, angel." I say and she laughs.

"I love this so much." Before I register what's happening, she's throwing her arms around me in a hug.

She's hugging me.

"You're forgiven a million times over." She says as I wind my arms around her waist.

Okay so maybe this wasn't a complete shit idea, but I still need to complete my actual apology part.

"This isn't my apology." I say.

"It's not?" She raises an eyebrow.

We're so close to each other, it's a little distracting.

"No, I just wanted to set the scene."

"Then what's your apology?" She asks, looking confused.

"This."

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A/N: omg, it's either he kills her or proposes, no in between—KIDDING AHAHAHA

(BTW I'd totally love it you could press the little star at the bottom of this chapter ⭐️)