The Tour

50

"Where are we?" I asked pulling up to the location Oli had put into his maps on his phone for me to follow whilst I drove.

"I wish I knew" he said as I turned my head towards him and looked at him confused "I just googled good picnic spots near me and here we are" he laughed as I shook my head

"You're an idiot" I laughed as we both unbuckled our seatbelts and made our way out of the car

"I know as much about America as you do Nicky." He said as I nodded in agreement knowing I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.

He quickly walked around to the boot of the car and pulled out a white and blue plastic bag with the words Tesco written over it causing me to instantly laugh at the bag branded in a British supermarket.

"Please tell me the food is fresher than that bag" I laughed as he nodded quickly

"I didn't bring you food all the way from Tesco Nicky" he laughed making his way back towards me linking our hands together as we began walking through the small woods in-front of us.

The light sounds of birds chirping and the twigs crunching below our feet was enough to cause an instant calm. Fresh air was something I felt I'd lacked all tour. I'd done little to no exploring of any states I'd visited and had exclusively treated myself to a lot more time in the tour bus than planned.

There was something about the woods that reminded me more of home. More countrysides and calmer environments than the busy life of America and Americans. Although I've always lived in London the way they lived here was completely different and something I'd never fully adjusted to. There was so much more ease for me at home. I could travel my own home country a lot easier. I could go to Europe a lot easier. I had opportunities to be me at home, something I longed for.

"Here should do" Oli said snapping me out of my own thoughts as we came to a stop and he began rummaging through the Tesco's bag before revealing a small picnic blanket

"Nothing special but it will do" he muttered to himself before opening up the green and blue tartan blanket and placing it on the floor as flat as possible allowing us to sit ourselves down on it.

I quickly placed myself down as he continued looking through the bag pulling out bits of food as he did so. First a box of strawberries, a picnic staple in my eyes. Followed by some store bought sandwiches  that he'd probably collected when he collected the car. As he placed down the sandwiches he stopped to turn my way focusing on me not loosing eye contact.

"Oli?" I said as he smiled at me before looking back at his bag as he started pulling out more food

Mini cheddars ... my favourite crisps from home

Maltesers ... my favourite chocolate from home

Fruit pasties but specifically the red ones in a separate bag as they're the only ones I eat ... from home

Chocolate digestives ... another favourite from home

"What is all of this?" I questioned as he smirked at me and reached for the bag again before pulling out a small black box

A wave of emotions overtook my body as I focused at the small box and butterflies began to form in my stomach. What was in that box. Not a ring surely? We'd only been together for a few months he couldn't be proposing already could he? Although I know I'd say he's within a heartbeat to him I could not get married right now. Not yet.

"I know how this looks" he said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck "but I'm not on one knee remember that" he said as my eyes focused on the fact he was sat cross legged clutching the box like his life depended on it

"Okay so what is it?" I asked as he pointed to the food infront of me

"What's all this?" He asked as I looked back at him confused as to what the hell is going on

"They're food" I said simply as he moved his hand signalling for me to carry on talking

"Food from home..." I said as he nodded before slowly opening the small box in his hand revealing a silver key placed in the middle shining slightly as the sun beamed down onto it

"A key?" I said as he nodded and took my hand

"A key to our flat" he started as I felt my own eyes widen "I've brought a flat in London Nicky. And I want you there with me once the tour ends" he said as I nodded slightly overwhelmed by him asking

"Our flat?" I said as he nodded laughing lightly at me repeating the information he had just given me

"In Canary Wharf. 10 mins from your parents. 5 from Kensie's and 20 from James" he said as I felt a tear roll down my cheek at the fact he'd already checked how close I was to the people who meant the most to me

"What about your family?" I asked as he shrugged

"Trains and cars exist Nicky, I can visit them whenever I want. You're happiness is what is important to me, you deserve to be back near the ones you love" he said as I leant over and kissed him so thankful for the way he was and how well he treated me

"Thank you" I said as my lips disconnected from his revealing a smirk on his face

"I'll take that as a yes then" he said as I smiled back at him

"It was always going to be a yes"