Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 58 - Jasmine

Everything that night had been wonderful, and as she hugged her parents, her mom said, "You two go and have some fun. We will see you for breakfast." After hugging her dad, Jasmine turned and pulled Kim into her arms as she said, "Kim...thank you again for allowing us to be a part of this. It was incredible." Rubbing her hand up and down Jasmine's back in a comforting way that only a mother could do, Kim said, "Oh, no thanks needed sweetie. I'm so happy that you all could make it. It truly meant a lot to me to have everyone here." After one final hug and goodbye to everyone, Ethan told the driver to make a short pitstop at Van Leeuwen for ice cream.

Close to forty-five minutes after enjoying a decadent cup of Honeycomb ice cream that they'd shared, Ethan directed the driver to take them to their destination. He'd been so secretive that Jasmine's curiosity had driven her crazy. When Ethan had laced their fingers as they'd headed to the Escalade rental that they'd taken to the auction earlier, Jasmine had pushed down her desire to inquire about where they were going, yet again. And brushing her curiosity aside, Jasmine laid her head back on the seat. Glancing over at Ethan, Jasmine said, "This has been such an amazing trip Ethan. Thank you again for allowing my parents and I to be a part of it." Turning to smile at her, he said, "You don't have to thank me baby. I told you, there is nothing that I won't do to make you happy. And besides, I wanted you here with me." Smiling, Jasmine leaned over and placed a kiss to Ethan's lips, which caused him to groan as she broke the kiss. Eyes filled with desire, Ethan said, "I can't wait to make love to you." Jasmine's eyes widened before they darted to their driver. She was hoping like hell that he hadn't heard Ethan's comment, and when she turned her attention back to Ethan, she noticed that he was struggling not to smile. Jasmine playfully smacked Ethan on the arm, and in a hushed voice that only Ethan could hear, said, "I hate you so much." The smile that he was struggling to hide, spread across his face as he leaned over and placed a kiss to her lips before saying, "Liar."

As they drove through the streets of New York, Jasmine glanced out of the window and just watched as the scenery passed by. She had asked Ethan where they were going, but he'd smiled and said, "I have a place to show you that I know you'll love." After a couple more inquiries, and with Ethan's response only being a smile that played at the corners of his lips, instead of their actual destination, Jasmine had stopped asking, and just laid her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the ride.

Close to twenty minutes later, they were pulling into a large, and somewhat empty parking lot. Jasmine peered out of the window, and was only able to see a couple buildings, and the.... water. Seeing the water, and the lights that shown around the area had Jasmine's lips parting as she said, "Wow...that's beautiful." In the distance Jasmine could see the Brooklyn Bridge, and with the lights surrounding it, it looked just as it had in many of the movies that she'd watched that had featured the historic bridge.

When their driver had exited the car, and opened the door for them, Jasmine watched as Ethan exited the car, and turning, he extended his hand to help her out. Once Jasmine had exited the SUV, she glanced around the area, and when Ethan gently pulled her forward, she smiled as she said, "Is this what you wanted to show me?" Smiling, Ethan said, "It's part of it. Come on." And pulling her forward, they walked along a partially lit path by the East River, Jasmine simply enjoyed the time that she was spending with Ethan.

Right before they'd gotten to a bend in the path, Ethan had stopped them, and said, "Okay. You have to close your eyes now." Frowning slightly, Jasmine said, "Close my eyes? Why? What are you up to Ethan?" Chuckling, Ethan said, "Trust me. You'll love it...I promise." Narrowing her eyes, Jasmine glanced around the area, and said, "Okay. I trust you." A huge smile crossed his face, and he said, "Thank you baby" right before he placed a quick kiss to her lips.

Closing her eyes, Jasmine laughed when Ethan placed a huge palm over her eyes, to ensure that she didn't peek. "I'm not going to peek Ethan!" Chuckling, Ethan said, "I'm not taking any chances." Literally allowing herself to be blindly guided, Jasmine felt a small amount of anxiety, but as she thought of how much she trusted Ethan, she pushed it down. Jasmine knew that Ethan would never allow her to be hurt, or harmed in any way, and the fact that she had that much faith in him hit her. Because she would never have trusted Marcus this much. Hell, he couldn't be trusted to water her damn plants when she'd left for a week to attend a teacher's seminar. She'd asked Marcus to water her plants, there were only three of them by the way, and a week later, she'd come home to find them all dead. His excuse had been that he'd gotten busy, so yeah.... there was no way in hell that she would ever trust Marcus to lead her anywhere!

As Ethan led her up the steps, Jasmine smiled once they'd reached the top. When Ethan stepped away, Jasmine frowned, and said, "Ethan? Where are you going?" Chuckling, Ethan said, "I'm still here baby. Keep them closed, until I tell you to open them...okay?" Nodding her head, Jasmine smiled as she said, "Okay." She heard a slight rustling sound, and a second later Ethan was back at her side. When he slid an arm around her waist, Jasmine sighed and leaned against his side. The scent of him always affected her, and with the slight breeze coming off of the water, his scent filled her nose.

When Jasmine felt Ethan's warm breath by her ear, goosebumps raced over her skin as he said, "Five....four....three....two....one.... open your eyes." Jasmine's breath caught in her lungs at the sight of what stood before her. Her hand rose to her chest as her eyes filled with tears as the most beautiful carousel that she'd ever seen sat in what appeared to be a giant glass case. "Ethan..." Tears began to fall down her face, and being the incredible man that he was, Ethan brushed them away with his thumbs as he said, "Surprise baby." Kissing her temple, he said, "You told me how much you loved carousels and since we were here, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you this one." Slowly shaking her head, Jasmine fought to form words past the lump lodged in her throat. Swallowing, Jasmine said, "Baby...this...is..." Tears streamed heavier, as she turned and looked up at the man that she loved as she said, "Ethan.... you did this for me?" Nodding, Ethan continued to brush her tears away as his eyes softened and he said, "Of course. I told you before...there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you happy Jasmine." Locking eyes with her, Ethan cupped her face as he said, "I love you.... Jasmine Raynia Ellis."

It was in that moment that Jasmine burst into tears.