Birthday Surprise

Chapter 13

Josh
Although it's hard to adjust at first, Carmen still manages to finish her senior year like anyone else. I'm her date to the prom where she wears the homemade dress that her mom made. She doesn't mind that it's more of a casual dress because she loved it and doesn't have to splurge on a formal prom dress. I don't care either because she still looks beautiful.
"Where do you see yourself after this?" She asks during a slow dance.
"It's one of those questions, huh?"
"Sorry. I was just wondering because you know how I applied to a few schools in Colorado."
"Yeah. I know. It doesn't really apply to me because I'm not in high school anymore."
"You know what I mean."
I sigh.
"I don't know. I'm tired of this place. I wouldn't mind getting out of here and building a life somewhere else."
"I know the feeling. That's why I had talked to my mom about Colorado. She encouraged me to go because of everything that happened here."
I nod.
"Yeah, I do too."
"I know. Do you think that you would like it there?"
"In Colorado? Yeah. I told you that I've been there before to visit some relatives with my parents."
"I know. I meant if you would like the idea of living there."
I grin.
"Are you asking me to go with you?"
"Yes. You don't have to say yes though. I was just kind of thinking ahead. Everyone else has their own plans so I would have you at least if you did go."
"I'll have to think about it."
"Of course."
We keep dancing and enjoy the rest of our night. It's her graduation day pretty soon after that. It turns out that the three of us aren't the only ones who wanted to attend. Maria had invited more of the family and other mutual friends of ours are at the ceremony. We cheer for her as she walks on stage to receive her diploma. Afterwards, we go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. I look at Maria at one point and she nods slightly. I stand up and walk over to where Carmen is sitting.
"Carmen?"
"Yes?" She responds with slight amusement.
"You know I love you, right?"
"Yes. And I love you."
"But let me show you just how much."
I pull out a small ring box and get down on one knee. She gasps.
"Carmen, I didn't know that I could truly love someone this much before. You're the girl that made me want to commit to a relationship and treat you like the amazing person that you are. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," she says through happy tears.
I slide the ring onto her finger and get up to kiss her. Other people in the restaurant must've paid attention because they start clapping with our own table. One of the guests takes my old seat so I can sit next to her. She smiles and looks down at the ring. I had to save up but I got her a beautiful diamond ring. It was definitely worth it. She looks at Maria.
"Mama, look."
"Yes, it's beautiful. It's just as beautiful as I remember," Maria says.
"Remember? Did she go with you when you bought it?"
"Of course. She was the one who encouraged me to propose and she's your mom, so it made sense," I say.
"You did?" She asks, looking at Maria.
"Yes. Mija, you've been through a lot while you were living here. If you're going to Colorado, I want someone to go with you that I know will take care of you. I know that Josh will, so I told him that he can marry you."
Carmen looks at me.
"You were going to say yes when I asked you."
"Of course. I already had this planned, so I thought I would wait until now to tell you."
"Are you sure that you're okay with going?"
"Yes. I want to go wherever you go."
She smiles and gives me a quick kiss. We can't stop smiling as we keep enjoying the graduation slash engagement party.