------A couple days later; Wednesday, November 15, 2020------
Mark's POV
These past couple of weeks have been a complete nervous wreck. I am as nervous as a clam, because today, November 15, 2020, is the day that I am proposing to the girl of my dreams. I've said in the past, I've always struggled with my past relationships. All the girls I've been with would always break up with me, and end up wanting to "use" me for my money because they need help with things. I don't mind at all helping with things, but when it gets to a point where I can tell you're using me for money, I've had enough! But when I met Jennifer, I never saw that attitude in her. We've been together for almost 5 years, and I never EVER saw that attitude in her.
I've been planning this proposal for the past 2 months, and it has finally come together. I may have a few surprises up my sleeve for her, but that'll stay a surprise until the time comes. I planned the proposal to be at Jennifer's workplace, which is the National Museum of American History. She recently got promoted to the Head of all Exhibits, which I am super proud of her for! And what way to celebrate that, with a marriage proposal. I was able to get in contact with all of her co-workers, and her boss, to help me out with the proposal. And they are all in to help me out! Jennifer is currently working today, and she gets off around 1:00 pm, so I'll be making my way to the museum before 1:00 pm so I can catch her before she leaves.
------A couple hours later; 12:00 pm------
It's now noon, and it's time to make my way over to the museum. I grabbed a quick bite to eat before I made my way over. I can't tell you guys enough, I am super nervous right now. I have no idea if she's going to say yes or not. She's told me she has had bad experiences before, where her exes would abuse her & use her until she's "broken." And I promised her, that I will make sure that she doesn't have to go through those experiences ever again. When I got to the museum, all the adrenaline came rushing to me. "Hey Mark, so good to see you. Are you ready?" Jennifer's co-worker Bailey asked. "Umm, I'm having an adrenaline rush right now, but, I'm ready. I'm ready to make her the happiest girl on the planet." I smiled. Bailey led me to the first point of the proposal. All of Jennifer's co-workers helped me set up everything, and when I saw the first stop, I already knew everything was going to be perfect. Aside from Bailey, Jennifer's other 2 co-workers, Annalise and Shelby, met up with us to give me the details on how things are going to play out. "You guys, thank you so much for helping me out with this. I truly appreciate it so much." I smiled. "Mark, you are so welcome. We are honored to help you out with everything. We love Jennifer very much, and since you are a part of her, we also love you very much. So we are honored to help." Shelby smiled.
------30 minutes later; 1:00 pm------
The time is now 1:00 pm, which means Jennifer is finally off from work. Which also means, it's time to get into place. The idea is for Jennifer to "meet" me at the last post, which there will be a total of 5 posts. *Hey Mark, it's Shelby! I am currently with Jennifer right now, heading to the first post! Wishing you all the best of luck!* When Shelby sent me that text, I knew, it was time.
Jennifer's POV
It was finally 1:00 pm, and I was finally off from work for the day. My co-worker Shelby met up with me so we could catch the metro home together. "Hey Jennifer, before we head out, I need you to check something out for me really quick." Shelby said. "Yeah sure, lead me there." I replied. When we got to our destination, there was a small table set up right outside of the "America on the Move" exhibit. "I have to run to the restroom really quick Jenn, I'll meet you right back here." Shelby said as she ran to the bathroom. I walked up to the table to check out what was going on. There was a note on the table, with my name on it, next to a beautiful white rose. I picked up the note, opened it, and read it. *My sweet, beautiful Girl. You are the most amazing thing that could ever happen to me. Thank you for making me the happiest man on the planet. And trust me, I will make sure that I will make you the happiest girl on the planet.* The note ended.
Seconds later, Shelby came running back from the bathroom. "Is everything ok?" Shelby asked. "Yeah, everything looks good. But I saw this note on the table here, accompanied by a white rose." I replied. "Ohh, that's strange. Who's the note from?" She asked. "There wasn't a name, but by the words, it looks like it's from Mark. Did you see him here at all today?" I asked Shelby. "Ohh no, I never saw him today. Or even if he was here, I never saw him. " Shelby said. "That's so strange. " I said. "Well, maybe take the note & rose with you and ask Mark later when you get home." Shelby said. She made a good point, so I took the note & rose and we went about our way. "Ohh wait, I accidentally forgot my water bottle upstairs at my last post." I said. "Where did you leave it at?" Shelby asked. "I believe the "Entertainment Nation" exhibit." I replied. "Ohh, I think Annalise is posted there right now! I'll wait for you down here while you go up." She said.
As I made my way to the "Entertainment Nation" exhibit, I noticed a small setup a couple steps away from it. When I came up to it, just like the last table I saw, there was a note on the table, with a white rose next to it. I picked up the note & began reading it. *You saved me at my worst times. And I promise you, I will always be there for you at your toughest.* I immediately knew, these notes were from Mark. Next thing I knew, I noticed someone walking towards me. "Hey Jenn, heading home now?" Annalise asked. "Yeah, I just forgot my water bottle up here." "Hey, can I ask you something really quick, Annalise?" I asked. "Yeah of course!" She replied. "Did you see Mark come by here at all?" I asked. "No, not that I noticed at least." She replied. "Ok thanks! I'll see you tomorrow!" I smiled as I walked back down to meet Shelby downstairs.
As I made my way downstairs, I saw someone in the distance, with what looked like roses in their hands. "These are for you." The person smiled as they handed me the roses. Right as the person handed me the roses, Spencer Crandall's version of "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain started playing in the background. (A.N. - Listen to the song as you're reading the next parts. Will post a link to Spencer's cover below.)
A couple more steps down, was another person with what looked like, was holding 4 more roses in their hands. "Jennifer, please take these." They smiled. At that very moment, I could feel some tears coming down my face. Right after I took the last bunch of roses, I turned around, and there he was. The love of my life.
Mark's POV
And there she was. The minute she turned around, I felt the tears coming down my face. "Mark, what is going on? What is all this?" She smiled. I grabbed her hands & squeezed them tightly. "My dearest Jennifer. These past 4, almost 5 years, you have made me the happiest person on the planet. We've definitely had our ups and downs, but that didn't stop us from keeping going with our lives. You truly have enriched my life, and have made me a better man." "You have been there for me when I was at my worst, and I will make sure that I will be there to help you at your worst, for the rest of our lives." I said as I began to prepare myself to get down on one knee.
I grabbed the ring out of my pocket and held it in my hand. "Jennifer, like I've said, you have made me the happiest man on earth, and I've known since the day we first met, that you are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with." I said as I got down on one knee. "Jennifer Katherine Gilbert, will you... marry me?" I asked as I started crying for real. I couldn't help but look up at Jennifer's sweet face. All I could see was her smiling face & the tears coming down her face. "My dearest Mark, I only have one other answer. YES YES YES!!!" She shouted as I got up & embraced her so tightly. All of Jennifer's co-workers & the guests and tourists that witnessed the special event were clapping & cheering in the background. I honestly couldn't stop crying because I was so happy.
It's happening guys. I get to marry the love of my life. Time to plan for a wedding. And knowing me, I have a couple surprises for my girl up my sleeve...
