Staying Strong (Sequel to The Two of Us)

Chapter 22

*Nate's Pov*

"So our first stop is the restaurant." I said. "Where I have planned for us a very a special evening, just the two of us."
"Oh how romantic." Y/N smiled.

I drove with my left hand and leaned down my right to intertwine it with hers. I brought her hand up to my lips and gave it a big kiss.
"I love kissing you." I said and kissed her hand multiple times.
"You love kissing my hand you weirdo." She laughed.
"Oh c'mon babe i'm your weirdo." I laughed.
"Yes. I love you and your crazy hair."
"I fixed it up tonight." I said as i parked the car. "Wait here." I got off the car and ran over to Y/N's side to open the door.
"You're such a gentleman." Y/N said taking a hold of my hand and getting off the car.
"I try." I smirked and leaned down to kiss her soft lips. I placed my hands on her waist and gently pushed her against the car. I could never get enough.
Y/N's hands came around my neck and our lips collided against each other.
My right hand laid firm on her waist while my left came up to cup her face. I caressed her cheek softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're so beautiful." I whispered out of breath.
The scent of her perfume filled my lungs like a drug i could never get enough of.

"I love you." She said locking our eyes before our lips locked for a passionate kiss.
I slowly pulled away and smiled, as much as i'd love to kiss her all night we have plans to take care of.
"So what do you say we get the night started?" I asked.
"I say let's see what you got up your sleeve Mr. Garner." She smirked.

*Y/N's Pov*

Nate was being such a gentleman, well he always is but, tonight he made it so romantic. We haven't gone out much since Noah was born but, i am beyond amazed by what he did tonight.
"Good evening, my name is Tyson and i will have the honor tonight to bring you your meals. Of course the kind Mr.Garner here was very convincing and got me to help here for this special night." Nate's friend Tyson said leading us to our table. I couldn't help but giggle at the things these boys do. "So tonight we have a very special meal planned, for starters we have a spacial Chicken Caesar Salad, something light to start off the evening and for your entrées we have a Beef Wellington, recipe courtesy of restaurant friend Chef Gordon Ramsay, with a side of
Y/N's favorite, some mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. May i interest the lovely couple in some of the fine wine?" He asked.
Damn he was taking this role way too seriously, Tyson should be an actor.
"Oh yes, would you mind bringing us the restaurant's finest bottle. 'A little party never killed nobody'." Nate quoted.
"Wow Mr. Garner, i must say I'm impressed. I mean candle light dinner, getting a recipe from the Top Chef himself, and some fine wine." I smirked.
"Well you know me, simple just isn't my thing."

Our food arrived and everything looked so delicious.
"So, I want to talk about us." Nate said.
"What about us?" I asked setting down my glass of wine.
"We've been together for almost two years now. Time flies when you're with the right person, yet it also seems like the world stops, and it's just you and me."
Nate locked his mesmerizing crystal blue eyes with mine.
"Nate you and Noah are...my everything. Yesterday, when you were on the couch giving Noah his bottle i was looking at both of you from the kitchen and i smiled and thought to myself, 'there's no place I'd rather be. I love you."
"I love you." Nate said and leaned over to kiss me.

...

"Well that was a delicious dinner." I smiled and leaned my head on Nate's shoulder feeling satisfied.
"I'm glad you liked it sweetheart." He said kissing the top of my head. I leaned my head on his shoulder and smiled as we walked around the city.
"So where to now?" I asked.
"Somewhere special."
"How special?"
"Let's just say, it's a place that means a lot to us in our heart...but, it will take us a while to get there we might make a few stops."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"You'll see." He winked.

I felt butterflies in my stomach and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart.
Nate opened the passengers side of his car for me to get in. I smiled anxiously to see where our next destination was.

One Dance by Drake came on and we both started full on singing. I love these little moments with Nate, living them and remembering them make me so happy...it's unexplainable.
"Nate you're a terrible singer." I laughed.
"Ppssht na uh. Babe i was thinking of starting a singing career here."
"Well you can start it but, I don't think it'll workout."
"You're so mean to me." He pouted cutely.
"You love me." I teased and he playfully stuck his tongue out at me.

Nate stopped the car and we were at the Santa Monica fair. We got out of the car and i reached out my hand to take a hold of his.
"So what are we doing here?" I asked.
"Well we're gonna play a game of whack-a-mole." Nate said.
"Oh that sounds fun."
"Let's go!"

We got to the station and Nate gave a dollar to the guy working at the stand.
"Ready...go!" I started whacking the plastic toys with the plastic hammer with Nate laughing yet being encouraging at my silliness.
"Congratulations, here's your prize." The boy said handing me a card. I looked at my smiling boyfriend and I was just confused.

Congrats! This is the first letter, go to the ice cream stand for another surprise. Order your favorite: Mint N' Chip

"Nate what is this?" I asked.
"I guess you'll have to find out."
I turned around and made my way to the ice cream stand.
"But they don't have mint n' chip ice cream here, only at Rite Aid."
"Well the note did say to ask for it."

"Hi. Um, can i get a mint n' chip  ice cream please?"
"Of course you can!" The man at the stand said enthusiastically. "Here ya go. And here's something special for you." He handed me the ice cream in a sugar cone and another card.

Surprise! It's your favorite ice cream! The ice cream that started it all ;). There's another surprise, take a ride on the ferris wheel.

I bit my lip and smiled at Nate, remembering it was mint n' chip ice cream i spilled on him when we met.
"Let's go!" I said, taking a hold of his hand making our way to the ferris wheel.
The girl working there pointed to us to come to her. I was confused and Nate winked at me as we made our way to her.
"Open this when you're at the top." She said handing me another note and opening a seat for us.
The ride up seemed eternal i was so anxious to open the note.
We came to a stop and i realized we were on top and I quickly opened the note.

Look out at the distance to find your destination.

I looked up and saw a lights down on the beach.
"Nate, over there." I pointed. "Down at the beach."

...

We made it to the beach and there was a path of rose pedals leading us to the lights.
"Oh my God! Nate." I almost cried when i saw they were candles in the shape of a heart. "Nate did you do this?"

"Yes i did. I'll always go all out for you I don't care how long it takes me Y/N I love you." We slowly walked closer until we were both standing in the middle of the heart.
"Y/N not only are you the my best friend and the mother of my child, but you're the love of my life. Y/N i love you and i want to spend every second of everyday making you happy, and making our son happy and all the children we may have in the future. I'll always be there for you, for us, through thick and thin. We've had ups and downs and have overcome many obstacles life has thrown our way, and let them keep coming because they make us stronger, and i know not everything can be perfect but, it's because i have you by my side that everything can be...And here in this exact spot where we met, this exact spot where one summer day a beautiful girl got her mint n' chip ice cream all over me, and changed my whole life...I just want to ask this amazing girl one thing..."
Nate kept a hold of my left hand and slowly got down on one knee. I gasped, and my right hand came up to my heart.
(Your/Full/Name) ...will you marry me?"