Dawson's P.O.V.:
We pulled up to the park where we were going to have the picnic and everyone piled outside into the shade. The sun was up and shining bright and there were few clouds in the sky. Laiken mostly tagged along behind Shannon and Blair and helped them set up, leaving Jared and I alone.
His fingers were intertwined with mine and our shoulders kept brushing each others as we walked around the park.
"Can you believe its been around 10 years since we've met?" I ask, breaking the silence between us.
Jared's eyes dart to me, a smile painted on his lips, "Has it really been that long?"
I nod as the corner of my lips raise, "Yeah, next month it'll be 10 years since Haiti."
Jared chuckled a bit before nodding and, with his free hand, he ran his hand through his hair. He was quiet, which wasn't really him, especially since we were outside.
"Jared?" I tilt my head out of concern. He looks at me, and I can see a film of anxiousness and excitement in his eyes.
After blinking a few times he crinkles his brow, "Yeah, babe?"
"You seem anxious, stressed. Are you okay?"
Jared quickly shuts down that idea, "I'm totally okay!" he shouted, forcing a smile.
"You can tell me, but I won't make you. I just really want you to feel alright." I kiss his cheek, his stubble poking my lips.
"I know, baby girl." He kisses the top of my head as we circle back around to the picnic area where Shannon, Blair, and Laiken are sitting, waiting for us.
Laiken runs up to Jared and jumps into his arms, whispering something into his ear. But before I could even question what they were hiding, Blair called for me.
"Hey Dawson, could you help me get the sandwiches out for everyone?"
I look over at her with a smile, "Of course!"
Blair pulls me to the the picnic cloth and sits with me as we start to put sandwiches on plates. She pulls my mind away from Jared and Laiken, which was really odd. She tells me about how her and Shannon met, her plans with her art degree, all about her. I was really starting to like her, she was really cool and freakishly like Shannon too.
As soon as we finished with setting up lunch, we brought the plates and basket over to the boys and Laiken. Shannon was holding Laiken in his harms, her grasping something in her hand. Jared was smiling with me, his knees shaking and his thumbs rubbing his knuckles. I really wish he would tell me what was going on, but I trusted him. If it was serious, he would let me know.
I set the food down on the table and walk over to Shannon and Laiken.
"Hi Sweet Girl!" I say, taking her into my arms. Shannon smiles and walks over to Blair, pulling her his side.
I kiss Laiken's forehead, fixing her hair, when she whispers something into my ear, "This is from Daddy."
I knit my eyebrows and look down at her open hands. In them, is a silver ring, laced with rows of tiny diamonds. "Oh my god."
I could barely breathe, the words choked me as I pinched the ring and held it up. My eyes quickly darted towards Jared, who was now knealing down on one knee.
"I have spent the last 6 years with you and every year I ask myself how the next twelve months can be better than the last. With you, its hard to beat," Jared stops, voice crackling as he wipes a tear, "since you are my heart, my love, my other half. I want to wake up to you and our daughter for the rest of my life. Dawson Anna DuPuis, will you do me the honor and become my wife?"
With tears streaming down my face and Laiken in my arms, I nod and rush Jared for a hug. He stands up and takes our daughter and I in.
"I love you." Jared whispered in my hear. His voice was still shakey. Then he laid his head in the nape of my neck and I could feel his wet cheeks.
"I love you, too, Jared."
