Fine Line

39. You got me waiting

Dakota

"I don't see why you won't just tell me what it is." Billie says as we walk through into the house.

"Billie." I groan and walk towards the kitchen. We had dinner and she wouldn't stop about it. There were a few times I almost pulled out the ring so that she can stop. But I knew that wouldn't be right. I want it to be a special moment.

"What? You got me waiting for what?" She asks and I sigh, leaning against the counter.

"Because I want it to be special." I say and she tilts her head slightly as she looks at me. She's silent for a few seconds, looking deep in thought.

"You bought a ring didn't you?" She asks and my body tenses as I look at her.

"What?" I ask, thinking I misheard her.

"You bought a ring." She says and I just stare at her.

"All of this talk about marriage and then one day you suddenly have a secret surprise." She says and I breathe in slowly. Since she already knows, I might as well confirm it.

"Yes. I bought a ring." I say and her eyes widen. Her mouth opens slightly in shock and she just stares at me.

"W-wait... you're serious." She says and I reach into my jacket pocket, pulling out the velvet box, placing it on the kitchen counter. Her eyes shift between me and the box, not saying a word.

"This wasn't how I wanted to do it." I say and run my hand over my face.

"But I mean, the sooner the better right?" I say with a nervous laugh. She doesn't smile or laugh, she just looks back up at me with tears in her eyes. I sigh and step towards her.

"Look, I know that this seems really fast, and it probably is but... I- fuck." I say and look down, running my hand through my hair. Maybe I didn't think this through. No, this is what I want. I let out a long sigh and look up to her eyes.

"I love you. I've loved you for so long, and I want you to always be mine. I used to think that marriage was just a piece of paper and didn't have any real meaning. But when I met you, my view on that changed. I want a life, Billie. A real life with no horrible parents, a good job, and a beautiful wife to come home to everyday. And maybe in the future, a couple of kids." I say, and gulp, watching her as a few tears slip from her eyes.

"I want it all, and there's no one else I want it with. You understand me, you always have. You've made me a better person. I used to be so violent, you saw me in that state, but I haven't been in a fight since then. The look of disappointment and anger on your face, that made me change right there because I never want to disappoint you, ever." I say and look at the box. I grab it in my palm and hold it between my fingers. I slowly get down onto one knee, looking up at her as I open the box.

"I really fucking hope you say yes but it's okay if you say no, because like I said, it seems so fast. But Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, will you always be mine? Will you marry me?" I ask as hands shake slightly as I wait for her to say something. It seems like forever, kneeling at her feet with a ring in my hand and tears rolling down her cheeks before she finally speaks.

"Dakota." She croaks out. Her eyes meeting mine, then looking down at the ring, then back up to me.

"Yes. Yes, I'll marry you." She says, a smile crawling on her face. A relieved sigh escape me and I shoot up to my feet, putting the ring back on the counter and grabbing her happily, She launches herself in my arms, her face pressed into my neck and her arms thrown around my neck.

"God I love you." I whisper to her and pull back. She looks at me and smiles happily. I dip my head down, connecting my lips with hers in a slow, passionate kiss. I pull back and cup her cheeks in my hand, tears filling my eyes. I lean over, grabbing the ring from the box and grabbing her hand, slipping it onto her finger.