𝒯𝒽𝑒 /Sunny Side Up/ 𝐸𝓃𝑔𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉

Prologue

It was shiny and it was hers.
"Wow," she gleamed, smiling cheek to cheek like a dork. A big bright dork.
The ring fit well and she extended her hand up into the golden sky. Golden hour, it was nearly 6pm and Theadora Banquet, soon to be Mrs. Theadora Sunny, couldn't stop smiling at the reflection of the ring in the setting sun.
"What a magical time to be engaged," she giggled to herself as she walked across campus. She took in the fall colored leaves and let her eyes travel all over the outdoors of her campus. It was like the falling red leaves were celebrating such a divine occurrence with her.
Then, the revving of an engine caught her attention, "Ma'am I noticed you looking a bit radiant and I couldn't help but swerve over here," there was a heavy drawl of a southern accent and Theadora hesitated. Then a subtle smile broke out.
"Well," she said in a haughty tone of an English accent, "I'm not sure I fancy you good sir. Now good gracious," she dramatically checked her watch by raising up her wrist in the air, causing her engagement ring to shimmer and shine. "I must be going now!" She walked a few steps and glanced at the fair skinned man. He looked up at her and inched closer with his car.
"That's a mighty fine ring you got there ma'am. I wonder who the fortunate guy is," the accent continued and his eyes sparkled.
Theadora couldn't help but smile as Ben drove forward. Dropping the accent he went, "wanna get Chinese?"
"You know it!!!!" Immediately Theadora screamed and ran to the passenger side. She jumped in and chucked her backpack in the backseat of the black car. Then they drove off and laughter filled the air. "Your southern accent is getting better Sunny," Theadora smiled warmly but Ben Sunny smirked.
A beat of silence went by and he turned to her, "A British accent Thea?" He laughed hard.
"What! I wanted to try something new!" The brunette smacked him on his shoulder. "I always try the southern accent but you were already doing that so I thought, "let me do something different this time"," she peered over to him. "Your seatbelt's unbuckled hun,"
"Oh- thanks my love," Ben replied and clicked it in place. "And thanks for the compliment earlier, I've been practicing."
"Mmhmm, well it's working because I almost didn't recognize you," she said as they pulled into the parking lot of the Chinese take-out place.
Soon enough they ordered their meal and sat down at their favorite booth. It was a small place. Pictures of the Chinese culture rested on the wall and there were three booths and a few square tables.
Ben decided to try something new as per usual and Theadora did not.
"Do you remember when you gave me this ring?" Theadora asked as she looked all doe eyed at the gold tiara band with a small diamond.
"Yeah it was yesterday," Ben said but got no reply.
Then the server called for their order and there was silence again.
Theadora's mind was gone, where she had gone... well, it was somewhere far away from Earth.
"Wow Thea, it's almost like you're in love with the ring!" Ben exclaimed, his words dripping with sarcasm. Sarcasm that had a different effect on Theadora this time.
"It's... pretty," she whispered, "I like it..."
Ben couldn't formulate a reply this time. He just stared at her smiling. He took it all in and wanted to remember her smile, the freckles on her cheek. He wanted to remember the way her eyes studied the ring so delicately and the way her brown eyes sparkled. Instead he said, "Let's pray real quick,"
So Ben prayed, then Theadora who particularly blessed the place they were eating at and the chefs.
"Amen." They said together.
Ben started eating but Theadora kept taking pictures of her plate of food, then her ring and then her ring with her plate of food.
Ben kept quiet. Another word out of him and he'd probably get Theadora's deadliest glare.
"Let me have my moment," he imagined her saying.
Soon she began eating and they chatted for a while. Mostly about trivial things like work or school as Theadora was still a senior in college.
"I remember when you got down on one knee," her hands covered her cheeks, "and I was so nervous because of all of the people that were around."
She smiled up at him and then took another bite of her orange chicken with shrimp fried rice. Ben thought, "here we go again," but he was giddy on the inside to remember the scene and the words. It was truly ethereal to him.
"And I said, "Thea. My Theadora Banquet. My love, my chicken nugget. When I first met you I thought you were so weird and I still do.""
Theadora cut him off with another smack on the shoulder, "I can't believe you called me weird in front of all those people," she rolled her eyes and chomped on her food once more. "But go on..."
Ben rubbed his shoulder but for the moment only chuckled, "your love for the Lord and for others makes me want to be more like Christ every day. And I want to be by your side through that journey as your husband and lover. I know it won't be easy leading and loving you as Christ wants me to, but God knows I love you so much Theadora!"
He paused.

"Uh huh keep going..." Theadora's lips were glossy from the sauce of the chicken. "Then what did you say?"

Ben only smiled at her, only this time his eyes smiled too. Theadora connected the two dots. Ben was reminiscing too! He looked like a dork! A lovesick dork!

"And I said," he looked down at his plate and spoke a little low, " "Will you marry me?" "

An audible scream exited Theadora's mouth and Ben was just glad there was no food that came out with the scream.

"Thea- shhh!! Keep your voice down." He tried calming her down and it worked but Theadora kept on smiling. Like a dork. A bright dork. A very loud and crazy dork but Ben loved her for it.

"Oh- sorry!!!" But the smile still stayed.

The couple soon carried their leftovers with them. Next was the drive home or better yet, to their own homes. Ben lived in a different apartment complex than Theadora and often dropped her home if it was dark.
"Well that was fun." Theadora said plainly.
"Yeah," Ben replied.
"I wish we were already married though," Theadora let out, it slipped and she stared out the window.
"Why?" He knew why. He just wanted to hear her say it.
"Because... I don't know. I just- I'll miss you," she sighed and Ben smiled. The closer they got, having dated for two years, the difficult it became to not think of the other or not miss the other.
They'd both become such a big part of the other's life, spiritually, physically (although sex and a lot of physical intimacy was still off of the table), emotionally, mentally and academically.
They already met each other's family and parents. Things seemed to align for them to get engaged quickly.
"I'll miss you too Thea. But I want you to rest, okay?" He breathed.
"Yeah you too hun. I'll pray for you before I hit the hay!" She said as she got her things from his car.
"You better!" Ben shouted, "I'm gonna be your husband one day!"
And all he got in return was no snarky or sarcastic remark just an eye roll and a smile. And a little wave.

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Closing word: Psalm 37:4
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart"

A/N (Author's Note):
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