Only Us (Justin Fields)

Only Us

Justin

Some things in life are meant to be, and some aren't. We end up losing in the National Championship game to Alabama, we fought as hard as we could but I had broken ribs and they had a broken system. Sometimes no matter how bad you want it, it simply isn't meant to be. And sometimes things work out, like Jillian and I.

I end up officially deciding that this was my last year of college football, though I think deep down I always knew I wouldn't play another year. With COVID it would be nice to have a season with the fans and a few more Saturdays on the field but like Jillian had said before, life wasn't going to wait for me. The draft comes and I don't go as high as I thought I would, of course it is based off what people need but to have three quarterbacks drafted before me was seemingly crazy. I've only lost two college games in my life and I've set records and was a part of the heisman conversation every year I started. The work had been done and the stats were there. But I would be lying if I said this was the first time someone underestimated me. All this means is I got all the chances in the world to prove myself. And I will.

I end up being with the Chicago Bears which isn't awful. They need a young quarterback to build around and that would be me. Plus Chicago is a beautiful city in an area obsessed with sports. Jillian is already excited to learn its history, immerse herself in all that it offers. Explore something totally new.

Speaking of her, she had been great. The greatest things I've known really. Through all the ups and especially all the downs she was right there. The strongest person in the room, always. And I got to fall in love with her over and over again.

And so I decide it was time to take the next step. We already have a place together in Chicago, she has a job lined up and there were only two things left to do. One was for her to graduate and two was for me to propose.

That brings us to now. Graduation day 2021. It was hot out in Ohio. The main graduation was out on the football field and there was a lot of people down there. Jillian spent the whole morning making sure her cap fit over her hair. I helped her pin it down, let her know she was the most beautiful girl in the whole world then let her fly. I meet up with my parents and her brother then head over to the stadium.

"It's weird being in the bleachers" I admit.

"Gives you a while new perspective huh" my mom asks.

"It does. I wonder if this is what Jillian feels like when I'm out there and she's up here" I say.

"She never doubted you for a second. The only time she was worried was when you took that big hit on new years. Any other time she was calm cool and collected like always. Believed that you would do whatever it takes and it would be enough" she claims.

I smile to myself as I fiddle with her gift in my hand. My ultimate plan led up to these moments. That's why I was nervous. Turns out she had faith in me all along and never had to worry. And it was time I did the same for her.

The ceremony took forever but it was really cool to see her walk the stage. There were a few times in her life she thought she would never do it but she did. I couldn't have been more proud of all she had accomplished, and all she plans to do.

Once they clear the field I find her in a sea of people before pulling her into a long hug. I tell her over and over how proud I was, how excited I am for the future. Finally I have a chance to pull her away.

We find a tree out in front of the stadium to hide under. This is exactly where I told my family I would be. "Are we going to take pictures" she wonders. That is what I told her to get her out there in the first place.

"We will. But first, here. It's your graduation gift" I say handing her a bag. She just rolls her eyes because of course that's her reaction to me giving her something. For some reason I know that will never change.

She reluctantly takes the bag and opens it up. Inside was a small pot, a bag of soil and some seeds. "I'm getting Deja vu" she teases as I laugh nervously.

"These seeds are a little different" I tell her.

She takes out the seed bag and my breath gets caught in my throat. "Peonies" she asks.

"Yeah. I picked them specifically for this" I explain.

"Why is that" she wonders.

"Take a look inside" I encourage.

"At the seeds" she asks.

"They are seeds of some sort" I try to explain.

Instead of asking more questions and getting more confused she just gets into the bag. She dumps the contents inside into her hand and freezes in her spot.

Peonies are known as wedding flowers. They represent "happy marriage" and are said to bring good tidings to the happy couple. When I decided to propose with this idea finding the right flowers was hard enough. But I think I got the right ones.

"Justin there's a ring in the seeds" she whispers and I chuckle. I grab the ring from her hand before falling to one knee. I think it finally hits her as she covers her face.

"Three December's ago our paths crossed for the first time and I had made a decision. You were going to be a part of my life, maybe even the best part of it. I was going to do anything to get you to stay by my side because then I knew life had meaning behind it.

My idea to make you stay was to give you seeds. Little did I know they weren't just flowers, you planted the seeds of this relationship. You gave it your time and your love, you made sure we got to see the sun and that our roots had room to grow. You Lilly, you decided what happened with us.

And I never once doubted your commitment to growing. Even though it was hard. Even when it rained for 100 straight days then went dry for the next 100. Watching you learn to love this life made me to love it too. Along the way I fell in love with you and I knew there was no turning back.

I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to continue sharing moments that don't seem real. Learning from you has been the greatest experience of my life, just as loving you has been. And I want to do it forever.

I know it's been only you for so long, but from now and forever it's only us. If that's what you wish" I say.

She doesn't say anything at first, it was like she was in a state of shock. I had been hinting at a proposal, asking ring sizes and what she would like. Of course she goes with a small non conventional preference but I expect nothing less. And I pulled her somewhere away from everyone because it was intimate and she never liked drawing unneeded attention. She's a smart girl, I thought she would have figured it out.

She eventually drops her hands to reveal a beautiful smile. "Only us" she promises.

I slip the ring on her hand and let out a sigh of relief. We might have only been together for a year but it's been two and a half years I've been learning about her, about life, and about love. And I have the rest of forever to continue to do all of those things and more. I couldn't wait.

"That's my boy" my dad yells and suddenly reality sets in. I had my family record because I was hoping I could relive this moment forever. They all start to pour out of the woodworks as I shake my head. They are some pretty good hiders.