Lovebeam

Chapter 17

We're back in New York, and for some reason, I just feel unhappy.

Brody is sitting at the kitchen table across from me and I'm paying bills. Madison moved out to move in with Keith so it's just me now. I had to move in order to afford to live.

A horn honks outside.

Growing up here, I'm used to it, but it's annoying me.

Brody is texting.

"I'm lonely, baby. I don't want to live here anymore."

He frowns, types a quick message, and sets his phone down.

"I thought you loved Brooklyn, sweetheart?"

"I did." I mutter. "But when we went to your grandparents...I don't know. There's something magical about Maine. There's a charm there. Everything is so beautiful and calm. Here it's just loud and annoying. While I love my hometown, I don't want to live the rest of my life here."

He nods slowly.

"The cost is live in Maine is cheaper than it is here."

"But if you want to stay here-"
"No, I love the idea of Maine. I don't know how you feel about children, but can you imagine raising little kiddies there?"

I smile.

"You want kids?" I whisper.

He nods. "Do you?"

"Yes. How many do you want?"

"Five." He says.

My jaw drops.

"What?" I laugh. "I'm going to be so stretched! My vagina is going to be nasty."

"I'll still love you the same." He smiles. "How many do you want?"

"I want two." I laugh. "And even number."

"Why not four?" he presses.

I think about it.

"Four wouldn't be that bad."

"See?" he laughs.

"Alright, okay, four." I smile. "We can have four." I whisper.

I lean across the table and kiss him. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." He whispers.

<><>

We ended up making out for an hour and a half, nonstop. We had dinner and he went home. It's eight at night now, and Brody calls me.

"Hey lovely." I say.

"Hey." He says. "Get dressed, put some shoes on, and come outside.
"Uh...okay." I say, confused.

I throw on the firstr thing I can find, which is a flower dress, and some white flats, and go wandering outside.

He's got a button down on.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

He just smiles and opens the passenger door for me.

Confused, I get in. He gets in and starts to drive.

We go into the city, and he parks across the street from a skyscraper in Time Square.

We get out. People are staring.

He covers my eyes.

People start gasping.

"What are you doing? I don't like this." I say.

"Trust me." He murmurs.

I sigh. He stops and removes his hands.

"Look up."

Confused, I look up.

And there, projected across the street on the wall of all the buildings, is Danielle, will you marry me?

Oh.

My.

God.

My throat starts to tighten.

People are taking photos left and right.

I can't move.

I take a deep breath and slowly turn around.

He's behind me, on one knee.

There's an old ring box in his hand, open.

"I love your hair and that it gets big after you take it down. I love how your smile always reaches your eyes. I love your lips. I really love those. I love messing with your nose and you say stoop in a little kid voice. That's so cute. I love tickling you and hearing your laugh. I love when I'm about to tickle you and I'm not even touching you but you still laugh. I love your mind and the way that you see things. I love how you get frustrated over little things. It's so cute. I love when I'm giving you a lot of kisses and you start to smile. I love when I wake you up with kisses and you slowly open your eyes and give me that adorable little smile of yours. I love your toes, and how you're feet are always cold. I love that you love me. But most importantly, I love how you're so funny and smart and strong on so many levels, and I know it's soon, but I really, really love you, and I'm ready to be your husband. So, Danielle, will you marry me?"

I'm crying. I can't help it. My hands are cover my face, and I'm crying.

"Yes." I choke out. "Yes, I'll marry you."

People start to cheer. He grins, standing up, he slides the ring on my finger, and pulls me into his arms, kissing me. I hug him tightly. I can't breathe, I can't even think. Everyone is cheering and giving us congratulations.

Oh god, I'm so in love.

"I love you so much." I mumble, crying.

"I love you too. You're my world, Button. I love you."

<><>

He turned the projector off and I went home with him. Right now, I'm sitting in my bed with sweats and his shirt on, leaning against the wall. He's in sweats, laying on of the left side. I'm leaning against the left side because my bed is against the wall. My feet are across his legs.

I'm so happy. I can't stop smiling.

"I love you." I say, grabbing his hand.

"I love you too." He whispers.

We sit in silence for a while, just looking into each other's eyes. I'm so in love. God, I can't even right now.

"When do you want to open your toy store?" he asks.

"I don't know. It's not just a toy store."

"What is it?" he asks.

"It's a toy store with a bakery. It has to have a basement though, and it would completely change with the holidays. Even the food. Everything would change with the holidays."

"What if we made it together? And we pass it on to our kids?"

The thought warms my heart.

I crawl over his legs and lay down, settling in his arms.

"I love the idea." I whisper, kissing him. I pull away slightly. "I'm really happy, baby."

He smiles, his fingertips sliding up and down my back, under my shirt.

"Me too. I'm happy you're happy."

"I'm happy we're getting married." I whisper.

"When do you want to get married?"

"What about...on June 24th." I whisper. "Of next year?"

He nods. "Our one year and six month anniversary."

"Yes." I say.

"Okay. So...tomorrow is Sunday...and, I want to go to Church." He whispers. "I want to learn more about your religion."

The idea surprises me.

I wasn't expecting that.

I nod slowly.

"Okay."