Heaven On Earth

Chapter Six: Let's Have A Fantasy Pretend Marriage

Eight weeks passed and Mom hasn't been released from the hospital. Dr. Alex says, she needs at least the rest of the year to recover. Mom says, that I should enjoy my summer and that I should stop being so worried. So, I took her advice and enjoy myself.

I was getting ready to meet with Luke, because earlier this morning, I receive a letter from Luke, telling me to meet up with him at the secret place and nothing else. "Man, I wish I know what that boy is thinking." I said to myself. After I finished getting ready, I stood in front of my full-length mirror. "Cute!" I said. Then I took my four-leafed clover necklace and wore it around my neck. Then I walked out my room and went downstairs.

I got to the living room where Dad is watching TV. "Bye, Dad!" I said. I was about to open the door when Dad said. "Where are you going?" "To meet with Luke." I said. "Well, Okay then. Becareful, Rose." "I will." I said, happily. And went out the door.

I walking for a few minutes, I decided to make a quick visit to the Cat's Eye café. I went in and insantly got greeted by Laney. "Hi, Rose! What brings you here?Are you here for a drink? Or a bite to eat?" Laney asked. "Oh, no. I was passing by and decided to pay a little visit." I explained. "Oh, I see. I was wondering, did you see Luke by any chance?" Laney asked. "Um, no. Why did you say that?" I said. "Well, this morning. He came in, just as we're about to open. He came asking for some table cloths, a few long felixible sticks, some rope and a few cookies. After that, he left without saying a word." Laney explained. Some table cloth? Sticks? Rope? I have an idea for the cookies. But... What is Luke up to? "Hey, do have any idea on what Luke's doing?" I tried asking, but Laney simply shook her head in response. "Well, thank you for the info. I'll be leaving now." I said goodbye to Laney and left the café.

I'm now heading for the secret place where I know Luke is ther right now. What is Luke doing with those items?Is it related to our meeting? Well, I just need ask him when I'm there. After a few minutes, I arrived to where the the hidden tunnel of trees is. To my surprise, Luke was waiting at the entrance and leaning against a tree.

I went closer to him. "Hey, I see you read my letter." Luke said. "Yeah. Um... Could you tell me now why you wanted me to..." He cut me off. "But, before that I got something to show you first." He then stand in front of the entrance. The entrance to the tunnel was now covered branches and vines but still can be pulled aside. So, Luke pulled aside the vines and went ahead and I also did the same.

We were walking through the tunnel in complete silence. Hm... Luke has never been this quiet before? I wonder what's up, this time? "Hey, Rose..." Luke snapped me out of my daze. "Y-Yes?" I asked. "Is there something you always wanted to do but never got to do it?" Luke asked. "Well, that's an odd question? But, yes." I said, I looked down, blushing. "Then, what is it?" Luke asked. As we walked, Luke was silently awaiting my answer. I blushed even redder and said. "I-I want t-to get married to the man I love and w-who love me back" I was obviously shuttering my words. "Ah, I see then..." He looked around and said. " Please wait a second." We stopped and Luke went to a batch of bushes then went back to me holding something. He stopped in front of me and started to make something out of what he got.

"Okay, this will do. Rose..." He knelt down on one foot and present me with a ring made out of vines with a small white flower acting as a diamond. "Lu-Luke? W-What's the meaning of this?" I said while blushing redder than a tomato. "Well, I know I'm not the one you love but this is what you wanted to do, right?" Luke said with a slight blush. "Yeah, but..." "Don't worry, it's just pretend." Luke interrupted and grinned with a blush. I looked at him, and I happily said. "Yes, I will 'pretend' marry you." he smiled happily and slips the vined ring on my ring finger.

Luke stood up and held my hand. "Let's skip the 'wedding' part and move on to the 'married' part, kay?" he briefly explained and I nodded while smiling. "Okay. Now that we're happily married, let's move in to our new home, shall we?" Luke excitedly said, I looked at him, slightly confuse. But, before I could ask him, he walked through the end of the tunnel and of course, I followed. "Okay, Honey. Welcome to our new home!" When did he decided on my nickname? Oh, never mind! I looked towards the tree and saw a tent made out table cloth and sticks. So that's what it's for!

We went closer and I saw a table with small chairs inside and in the center of the table is a vase with colorful flowers in it. "Wow! Luke, it's so cute!" I said and then it struck me. I didn't realize this before but when did he planned this through. "So, let's get started on our 'pretend' life together!" he snapped me out of my daze again. I could shake this odd feeling, so I asked him. "Um... Luke?" I muttered but loud enough to make him turn around and looked at me. So, I continued. "How did you know that I wanted to get married? Well, at least 'pretend married' in this situation." Then, he puts his hand on top of his head and smiling in a ready-to-tell-the-truth way. "Well... You see... I made this in hopes of you wanting, something more fantasy-type thing, you know like... Meeting an elf and inviting him for tea or something." He said, then awkward laughed while scratching the back of his head. I, on the other hand, face palmed my forehead. Oooohhhh, brother! He thinks all girls dreamed of that! Unbelievable!

We stayed like that for about 5 seconds, when snaps out of his position then ran towards the tent and gestures at it. "So, putting all that aside. Let's start playing husband and wife!" He rises his fist in the air, all pumped up. I giggled a bit at him and went inside the tent. Inside there was the table, the chairs, a jar of cookies and a large chest. So he didn't eat the cookies! But... What's with the chest? "Hey, Honey I'm going out to get some-" I interrupted before he could finish. "Luke, what's the Large chest?" "Well, remember what I said about thinking that all girls wanted something fantasy like or something." He walks over to the chest and opened it. "So, I brought some costumes. But, now it kinda ridiculous now, right?" He strut his goofball smile and scratch the back of his head. Well, yeah, it's kinda ridiculous now. But... I got! "How about let's use these and make it a, fantasy themed marriage, don't you agree?" I then took out a pair of fairy wings and wore it. "See? I'm your fairy wife." I twirled around to let him see a better view of what I'm wearing. He smile, did a little laugh and took out football helmet, a wooded sword and a cape. Then, he became my knight in shinning helmet pretend husband.

In just a few hours, we rode a magic carpet, we went on top of the 'sacred tree of magic' and we fought a dragon made out of sticks and table cloth. And when I'm in danger my knight will running to always save me. Playing pretend maybe child's play and that we're too old to play that. But one thing's sure, that playing pretend lets you do things that are impossible or you're too young to experience it. It lets you create unforgettable innocent memories with your best friend.

Just before the sun sets, cleaned the meadow and returned everything that Luke borrowed. After that, we bid goodbye and parted ways for today. I arrived at home, exhausted but feeling great and then I went upstairs, took a bath and fell onto bed soft bed. I looked at my right hand and immediately saw the vined ring that Luke made for me. I slightly blush, then took a small box with a ribbon on it and put my ring in it. I closed the box and put it besides my bed. "Honey? I didn't gave you a nickname yet, haven't I? Let's see..." I pushed my face deeper into my pillow and faintly whispered. "Darling..." Then, I was fast asleep.