The Academy

Sixty Seven

Rose:

Tink left with Peter, Trevor and the kids who have all grown up so much in the last couple of years. I sat on the couch holding Matthew, gently rocking him to sleep. Once he was off dreaming about whatever babies dreamt of I stood up and walked him to his room where I sat him down in his bed smiling at him.

From behind me, Jace wrapped an arm around my waist, “Hey beautiful.” he said and I rolled my eyes, “Sh, he’s asleep.” He laughed quietly and we walked to our room and I flipped on the music, I’m not sure what it was, but I can’t deal with an empty feeling house, there has to be something that’s going on. A dead silent house is like a ghost town.

“So how has your birthday been?” I asked, and he tapped his chin. “I can think of one way to make it even better.” I laughed, shaking my head. “And what might that be?” He leaned over kissing me. “That.”

“Ever the charmer, you are.” I said laughing and he smiled, “Why thank you.”

Then we got to talking about the day and I laughed, “Peter’s gotten buff since the last time we’ve seen him!” I exclaimed and he laughed, “I noticed that too, maybe I should try that too.” I stopped laughing and pointed at him. “No, I respect Peter for doing that, and all other men who do it but I don’t want you leaving now that we have a kid Jace.” He laughed, and pulled me closer so I was lying on his chest. “I was joking,”

A small time passed where we could only hear the radio blaring Hallelujah by Panic! At the Disco.

Finally Jace gave a small laugh, “You know, this almost reminds me of the night I proposed.”  

It was May Eighteenth, my birthday. It’s not like I expected anything major but a card at least would be nice. Even though I didn’t mention it often I figured at the very least Peter would call Jace and pass along a message like, “Dude you better remember your girlfriend’s birthday.”

I wasn’t going to hold it against him though, it wasn’t like he remembered. All day he’d come up to me looking like he was about to say something then would walk off.

Now it was around eleven o’clock and I was sitting outside by one of the trees.

For the past three years, every day on my birthday I would try to reach out to Nathan. Hopeing that at least I could get a message back. Something.

“Hey Nath, so guess what? I’m nineteen, crazy huh. When we were younger half the time we never thought we’d never make it to fifteen. Now look at us...I really hope you can at least hear me because I’d feel like an idiot if you weren’t and I was just talking to nothing. Well, hope you’re having fun down there in the Underworld and I guess I’ll talk to next year…” I muttered, sighing and looking at my necklace.

Since it was May, it was starting to warm up so I was just outside in a t-shirt with quarter length sleeves and some short pj pants. It was a nice night though, it wasn’t muggy, and the stars were brighter than I’d seen them in years.

“Mind if I join you?” Jace asked and I shook my head, “Nope, the more the merrier.” he laughed and sat down beside me. “Sorry, I have something I need to say really quick...Hopefully it’s really quick.”  I looked at him confused and he held one of my hands.

“Listen Jace, we live together, you’re my boyfriend if-” I started to say but he cut me off. “I don’t think I want to be just your boyfriend anymore.”

He took a deep breath, “I love you, I don’t know what you’re answer will be to this but whatever happens just know that I know that.”

Another deep breath and reached behind himself before pulling out a small box.

My breath hitched in his throat as he asked, “Will you marry me?” I smiled and said, trying to play it off cool (though I probably failed big-time) “Of course you idiot!” he smiled and slipped the ring on my finger before embracing me. “Happy birthday, Rose.” I felt like crying I was so happy.

“Believe it or not I was so nervous to ask you.” he said, shaking his head and I sat up playing with his hair. “What did you expect me to say? Me to spat in your face and say how stupid you were for asking me at nineteen? No, I don’t know how long I’m going to be here, I want to be happy.” I told him and he looked at me, “No, we aren’t talking about death today, any other day maybe. I really don’t like the thought of you leaving.” “Thanks Jace.” I said kissing him again.

A yawn escaped me and he looked at me, “Tired?” “Ever so slightly.” I replied, rubbing my eyes and he smiled. “Then fall asleep, I won’t keep you up if you are.” “Thanks again.” I said piling beneath the blankets and curling up.