What About Now

Chapter 17 - The Question

Taylor's P.O.V.
After work, Thomas asked if he could walk with me home. I rolled my eyes at him and said that it would be a bit pointless if I'd say no, seeing as we lived in the same block of flats.

"Well I could have walked on the pavement across the road if you wanted," He laughed, slinging his rucksack over his shoulder.

"I'm not that cruel!" I cried, hitting his arm playfully as we left the office. The wind whipped at my coat as we walked down the city streets. It tore at my hair and caused it to fly across my face. Looking across at Thomas as we walked, I burst into laughter when I saw that he was having the same problem. His dirty blonde hair was swept across his eyes and he had to keep holding it with his hand so that he could see where he was going.

"Do you want my hat?" I said as I laughed, taking my hat off my head and handing it to Thomas. He grinned, and pulled the hat over his head. I erupted into a fit of laughter at how ridiculous he looked, with my burgundy woolly hat pulled down to his eyebrows. He looked at me innocently.

"What? Is there something on my face?" He asked. I couldn't answer him though, because I was laughing to hard. Standing up on tip toe, I reached up and pulled the hat right down over his eyes. He yelped and reached out for me, crying "I'm blind! She's blinded me!" as he did. I wiped the tears from my eyes as I jogged on ahead, leaving Thomas behind, fumbling about in the lamp-lit street. I headed on for a little while longer, and when Thomas didn't come up beside me, I turned round in confusion. Something jumped at me from behind, and I screamed in fright.

"Got ya!" Thomas yelled triumphantly, grabbing me round the middle and almost causing me to topple forward.

"Thomas!" I screamed, grabbing his arms for support, "Let go of me!"

"Never!" He laughed, twirling me round in a different direction to the street pavement. Confused, I looked up ahead and realised we were walking through a park. But not just any park. This was my park. The park I used to come to when I was lonely. Where I would write and think. I paused as I took in my surroundings, and Thomas let go of me.

"Beautiful isn't it?" He breathed.

"Yeah." I managed, "It hasn't changed at all." Up ahead, rows of tall lamp posts lined the cobbled pathway, creating numerous pools of golden, shimmering light that brought the place to life. Glowing in the dark, leaves of emerald, jade and yellow rustled in the wind; whispering in a language I did not understand. Tall oak trees stood proudly along the path, and beyond them I could just make out the green grass of the park. It was still as beautiful as I had remembered.

"Follow me," Thomas said distantly, "There's something I want to show you." Taking my hand in his, he led me down the pathway. We walked a little way on, and just as I was about to ask where we were going, Thomas stopped and pointed. I followed his finger with my eyes and they fell upon my old partner in crime. Benchy. A large smile grew on my face as I walked up to the bench and ran my fingers over the cold wood. My fingers shivered at the frozen surface, and I quickly retraced them.

"I came here a lot you know," Thomas broke the silence, causing me to look back at him.

"When I left for New York?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah," He nodded, looking out over the lake, "Just helped me to think."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I sighed. A cool cloud of frosted air escaped my nose as I breathed out. As a child, I would always pretend that I was a dragon in winter. I'd go around breathing clouds of air out through my nose and flapping my arms about, and my mum would always laugh.

"Well, we'd better get back," Thomas cleared his throat, "Aren't you meant to be surprising Ben?"

"Oh, yeah! I'd completely forgotten!" I let out a little laugh, and patted the bench, "I'll come back and see you again, Benchy. I promise." Thomas chuckled and held out my hat for me. Smirking, I placed it over my head and took Thomas' arm. I could feel the warmth from his body radiate through my coat as we walked. I pressed my side to his in an effort to keep warm, and although I couldn't see his face, I knew Thomas was smiling.

Later that evening...

Once I'd got showered and changed, I'd called a cab to take me to Ben's hotel. I hadn't spoken to him since I had left New York, but he had told me the name of the hotel he was staying at in his last postcard. I couldn't help but smile as the cab pulled up outside the hotel's grand entrance. A man in uniform came and helped me out of the car as if I were royalty, and after politely thanking him, I headed up the marble steps toward the reception.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A tall lady with a posh accent asked me as I approached the receptionist's desk.

"Hello, yes I'm here to visit my boyfriend Ben Jones. He's staying here as part of a business trip."

"Yes of course, I'll call his room for you," She smiled, picking up her phone.

"Okay, but please can you say it's just a delivery for him or something?" I said hurriedly, "I want to surprise him."

"No problem miss," She winked, "Hello, is that Mr Jones? This is reception. There is a delivery down here for you. Yes. It's come just now. Okay thank you." She put the phone down and smiled.

"He'll be down in a moment."

"Thank you!" I grinned, turning away from her and taking a seat in the reception area. I quickly pulled out my phone and checked my reflection in the glass. I flicked a stray piece of hair away from my eyes and put my phone away again. Excitement grew inside me as I waited in my seat. I hadn't seen Ben in two months, and speaking to him on the phone is hardly the same. I fiddled with my fingers in my lap for a moment, when a sudden 'ding' caught my attention. I looked up fast, just in time to see the lift on the other side of the room open, and my boyfriend step out of it.

"Hello, you said there was a delivery for me?" He asked the lady at the desk.

"Oh yes, won't be a minute," She replied, heading round the back of the desk. She winked at me before she disappeared through a door, which I assumed led to her office. Excitedly, I jumped up from my chair and crept up behind Ben, who was now stood with his arms resting on top of the desk. I stopped just a few steps away from him and tapped him on the shoulder. A little startled, he whipped round.

"Taylor?" He gasped, his eyes widening with surprise.

"Surprise!" I exclaimed, jumping into his arms.

"Oh my god, Taylor!" He laughed, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer toward him, "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story!" I replied, as he pulled away and smiled down at me.

"Oh I can't believe it's really you!" He beamed, tucking that same bit of stray hair behind my ear. Grinning, I stood up on tip toe, and wrapping my arms around his neck, put my lips to his. He instantly kissed me back, his hands cupping the side of my face.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time," He said breathlessly as we pulled apart, "But I've wanted to do this for longer." Confused, I tilted my head to the side. Smirking, Ben took his hand in mine and crouched down to the ground on one knee. Gasps echoed around us, and I caught my breath.

"Taylor, we've been together now for two years, and I can honestly tell you that they have been the best two years of my life. From the moment I first met you, I knew you were the girl for me. I love you so much! And so..." My heart raced, as I watched Ben place his hand in his pocket and produce a small, black velvet box.

"Taylor Brooks, will you marry me?"