Serendipity

Chapter 31

This is the end and then I'm starting the sequel, so don't worry.

I hear birds chirping, and I see little minnows swimming in the icy lake. Children are playing in the snow, and parents are holding hands.

And Tyler.

He's peering up at me, a look of pure love in his eyes.

People are taking photos.

My hand is over my mouth, and I'm crying.

This moment doesn't have to be planned.

I don't like planned moments.

I like surprises.

I love unexpected moments.

"Yes." I sniffle. "Yes, I'll marry you."

He stands up, sliding the ring on my finger. "Oh God, Tyler!" I gasp, wrapping my arms around his neck. He picks me up, sitting me on the railing. "This couldn't have been better."

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I was crying a lot, so we sat in the car until I calmed down, but I'm so happy. I got my iPhone SE in gold, and Tyler insisted I get a life proof case. I got a white and gray one. He got the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, and I insisted he also get the life proof case. We got unlimited everything.

We've just gotten home, and we went upstairs to change. Tyler told me I should tell Delaney first. If I don't, she'll kill me.

I'm in a hoodie and sweats now my hands in my pockets. We wander into the living room.

"How was your day on the town?" Mom asks.

"Good." I smile. "Del, I gotta talk to you."

"Alright, talk." She shrugs.

"No." I say. "I need to talk to you. Alone."

"Oh." She frowns, standing up. Grabbing her phone off the coffee table, she follows me upstairs.

I wander into Tyler and I's bedroom.

"What's up?" she asks.

Silently, I pull my left hand out of my pocket and show it to her.

"What?" she asks. "What about it? That's a pretty ring. You know, I really need to borrow that one d-"

She cuts off, staring at my hand for a second, and then she turns so she's next to me, and she holds out her left hand.

"OH MY HOLY FUCKING MOTHER OF MARY GOD!" she screams on the top of her lungs. "YOU'RE GETTING-" I slam my hand over her mouth.

"Delaney!" I hiss. "You're the first to know!"

"Holy shit, Car." She whispers, her eyes filling with tears. "You're getting married!"

Tears slide down her cheeks, and then she hugs me.

I hug her back tightly.

"Del, will you be my maid of honor?" I whisper, smiling, my eyes full of tears that aren't falling.

"Yes, oh my god."

We sit up there, talking for a while, and then we go back downstairs.

Blake immediately looks frantic. "You were crying." He says to Delaney. "Why were you crying?"

Tyler isn't saying anything, he's just playing with his phone.

I sit down next to him, running my hands along my jeans.

"Why were you shouting?" Mom asks Delaney.

She shrugs, plopping down on the couch.

"Carmen and I are on the same cellphone plan." Tyler blurts.

"Oh..." Mrs. Cerda trails off. "That's cool, honey."

"We're on the same plan because we're getting married." He says.

Silence.

Mr. Cerda is the first to grin.

"Oh my god." Shaun says. "Yes, this is the best day of my life! I'm finally gonna have brother!"

Everyone starts freaking out, asking questions.

"So who's giving up their penthouse?" Blake jokes after all the excitement calms down.

It's quiet for a second.

"I really don't want to." Tyler says.

"I'm not giving up mine." I say.

"Carmen, marriage is about sacrifice."

"Exactly. You'll be fine without yours."

"Well, I mean, you will also."

"I'm not selling it." I say seriously. "I'll cry. I love that place."

"It does have nice windows."

"Yeah, and we had sex there, we can't sell it." I grin victoriously.

He laughs quietly, shaking his head.

"You really know how to get your way." He mutters.

"I know." I kiss his cheek. "Thanks baby."

"I haven't agreed to anything yet." He says.

"Yeah, but you will. I'll superglue my ass to the floor, literally, before you make me sell that place."

"Well sweetheart, what if that place goes out of business?" he asks.

"Then I'll buy the building."

"Alright, you can have the penthouse." He sighs.

"Get ready, bro." Blake snickers. "The wife is in control. She's going to terrify you. You watch."