The Hourglass

Fifty-Nine

"Adam, where are we going?" I giggle, stumbling as I cling to his hand. It was my birthday and Adam had a surprise for me. He blindfolded me after I got in his car, saying it was all a surprise. I couldn't even know where we were going, apparently. 

When Adam parked the car, he carefully helped me climb out and began leading me off to wherever it was, he planned on taking me. He kept assuring me on the way that I was going to love it; that it was worth the suspense. I found out the hard way it's hard to roll your eyes when you're blindfolded. 

Things with me and Adam were good, now. After that moment in his office we started talking again. We worked through the heartbreak and started falling into the rhythm of getting to know each other again. Dad was so thrilled to have him back at Thursday dinner and golf on Saturday. 

And to both of our surprise, Adam started joining us at church on Sunday mornings. He said he wasn't sure what he believed, but he was curious enough to come. Neither Dad nor I questioned it or pushed him about it. We let him explore at his own pace, just happy to have him around. 

As far as we knew, Adam's dad didn't know we were back together yet. I wasn't sure what was going to happen when he found out. It had been difficult enough the first time, and Adam informed me of his Dad's intentions to fire me before we broke up. Adam assured me he was working with some lawyers of his own, but it wasn't going to be easy to go up against his dad. 

Adam opens a door for us and carefully ushers me inside. I feel air-conditioning and smell cleaning products. Adam stops after we walk inside. "Okay, Rosaline. Are you ready to remove your blindfold?" he asks. His voice is excited but nervous. I nod my head eagerly. 

Adam slowly removes the blindfold, and when I'm able to do so, I open my eyes in anticipation. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights after being in pitch black. I blink a few times, and the room comes into focus. We're in an art gallery. I look closer at the art on the walls and recognize it as Adam's. My heart lurches. 

"No way," I whisper excitedly. I turn to Adam quickly, my eyes wide in wonder. He chuckles happily as he takes in my surprised expression. 

"Surprise," he says, gently taking my hand. 

"When did you do this?" I ask curiously. 

"I started working on making some connections while we were apart," he explains gently. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, slightly annoyed but too happy to really care. I couldn't believe Adam had finally done it. He finally got his art out there. It was in a gallery for everyone to look at and appreciate. It was exactly where it belonged. 

"I wanted to surprise you for your birthday," he reminded me. 

"Oh, yeah," I laugh, feeling dumb. I just couldn't believe it. I never thought Adam would do it. 

"There's still one more part to your surprise," he tells me, and I look up at him curiously. "Come on, follow me," he says, nodding his head towards the hallway. He holds my hand and guides me down it until we reach the opposite side of the gallery. 

On the back wall is a covered painting. "Wait here," Adam tells me as he heads over to the wall. I can tell he's nervous and he takes a deep breath before removing the cover from the painting. When the sheet falls to the ground, I gasp. 

It's my painting. 

I can't speak. I look at the painting, awestruck. I can easily tell it's me, but I look so much more beautiful - like I have a filter on or something. Was this really how Adam saw me? I was so happy and bubbly. My smile was contagious, and my eyes were so full of life. I didn't realize it at first, but I was crying. 

Adam slowly joins me by my side and I feel his hand brush tears from my eyes. The movement causes me to finally break eye contact with the painting as I turn to Adam. "What do you think?" he whispers. 

I look into his green eyes, and they're so beautifully vulnerable. Did this wonderful man really believe I wouldn't love this painting? I smile sweetly at him and cup his face. "I love it," I whisper back. 

Adam kisses me sweetly, and I kiss him back with all of the love I have for him. Happy tears continue to silently stream down my cheeks. When Adam breaks away, I can't help but laugh quietly at my emotional reaction. Adam wipes the fresh tears from my face. 

"Rosaline Davis," Adam whispers. "You are, without a doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I was a fool for letting you go. I promise I will never be that stupid again," he assures me. He takes a steadying breath, seeming nervous all of a sudden. 

Adam gets down on one knee then, and I feel my eyes widen in surprise. He sets a black velvet box in my hand and opens the lid, revealing the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my life. "My dearest, Rosaline," he breathes, "will you do me the highest of honor of marrying me?" 

My heart races, and I'm only shocked for a moment before I excitedly scream, "Yes!" and tackle Adam with a hug, nearly knocking him over. He chuckles into my ear and embraces me. I kiss him with all of the love I have before touching my forehead to his. "Yes, Adam. A million times, yes," I whisper.