A birthday surprise

finding out

Jason's pov

She's so upset. I just let her talk, let her get out whatever she wants. I nod occasionally so she knows I'm listening. When she's quiet for about 5 minutes, I think she's fallen asleep. I look up and she's staring out the window. "You've got a lot of great memories with your mom. Which trip to Disney was your favorite?" I ask. She smiles. "The summer before my grandpa passed away. It was the summer before the real world started." She says. She's fiddling with the box. "Maybe we should go home now, ya need to get some rest." I say. She nods. "I think I'm just gonna sleep here for the night. I've missed this ol place ya know." She says. "Yeah, ok, I'll pick something up for dinner." I say. She shakes her head. "Get something for yourself but I don't feel like eating." She whispers, closing her eyes. Her lip trembling. I sigh. "Ok, hun, I'll be back in a couple minutes." I say, kissing her goodbye.

Miranda's pov

I watch his truck drive away through my bedroom window, tears cloud my eyes thinking about all the fights we had and making up. Mom always forgave me no matter how bad I acted. God I wish she was here. I glance at the bed where he was sitting and there's a little blue box.

Jason's pov

I'm five minutes into town when I feel in my pocket for my wallet but the box with the ring is gone!! Where is it?! I park my truck and search the whole damn thing but it ain't in there. Now what do I do?! I drive straight back after grabbing something. I open the door and she's got it in her hand. "Darn there goes my surprise." I mumble, sitting beside her. She smiles. "What about all that junk about not ever wanting to get married?" She asks. How'd she know about that?! Luke must've told her. "Well, I don't like the idea of marriage but I don't want you to think I don't love ya enough to do it. I'd do anything for you." I say, taking the ring back. "I was gonna wait til all this stuff with your mom was settled before askin' ya but you saw the ring now. I'm not sure what I should do." I mumble. "Technically I didn't see the ring." She says. I look up quickly, confused. "What do ya mean?" I ask. She smiles and tosses the box to me. "I didn't open it." She says. I'm completely caught off guard. "Do ya wanna see it?" I ask. She looks away. "Not tonight." She says, then smiles and looks up at me. "I want you to surprise me." She says, laying her head on my shoulder. She falls asleep almost instantly. "My poor girl." I whisper, holding onto her.

*the next day*

We don't have any information on the funeral or anything so we head back home to Nashville. I send a text to her sister asking when it all is. She must be really torn up too. I have to find out when all this stuff is because of the tour in a couple weeks. Luke comes over. "Did you tell her about our conversation at the show not too long ago?" I ask. "Uh, which conversation?" He asks, scratching his head. "Come on, Luke don't play stupid with me. I know ya know what I'm talkin' about!" I grumble. He sits on the couch. "We've had a lot of conversations." He says, shrugging. I sigh and roll my eyes. "The one about me not wantin' to ever get married. Did ya tell her or not?" I gripe frustrated. I sit down beside him. "I may have let a few things slip." He says. "Why?!" I cry. "Ya can't lead a girl on like you're doing!! It's not right. I've talked to her too. She wants to get married." He says. "I know that. I was about to ask her when all this happened with her mom, now she's so upset and I wish like hell I could make it better for her." I say sadly staring at the floor. "Nothin' can make her feel better but time. Time and someone who cares. She's got all she needs." He says. I hear her call my name. I leave Luke in the living room and head to our room. She woke up after 7 hours. "When did we come back here?" She asks. "Ya fell asleep so I drove us home and ya been asleep since." I say, sitting beside her. "I'm so out of it right now." She mutters, rubbing her temples. "It's okay, sweetheart. It takes time for wounds like this to heal. A death in the family is worse than anything a gun could do." I say, hugging her. "Did ya find out anything?" She asks. "Nope, but I texted your sister. Maybe she'll give me some information later." I reply. She falls back to sleep, against my chest and I don't dare get up.