His Brother's Obsession

Chapter 9: A Big Decision...or Two

JUSTIN'S POV

I walked through the hall and down to Alyssa's bedroom. It's a Sunday afternoon so I know she's awake by now. I stop for a second and listen to the music she is listening to. It's very calming and relaxing. The song sounds like you'd listen to it right before bed. I listen in for only a few seconds more. I knock on the door.

"Yes, Justin? I'm getting changed right now."

"Oh well I just wanted to know if you wanted to go out to dinner tonight. I am going to dinner with my parents, some other family members and some friends. I have a huge announcement for everyone."

"Okay, well I just have this one errand and then we can hang out for a couple hours and then dinner. Sounds good." She was slightly yelling from the other side of the door. I could hear her perfectly fine, so her almost yelling was pretty funny but I love her voice anyway. I walked away from the door and made my way downstairs. I went into the kitchen and started making breakfast. More like brunch but I won't complain. I took all the ingredients out that I would need for the meal. Pancake batter, butter, milk, eggs, salt, pepper, bacon, ham, potatoes, bread, cooking spray, all the utensils and the dining ware.

I took my time, knowing that Alyssa would also be taking a while to get ready. She is the type of girl who takes as long as she needs to, even if she only has a few errands to run. If she is going to the grocery store that is a different story. I don't think she needs makeup, but she wears it when she wants to and I can't tell her how to run her life. As I was finishing up setting the table she is walking down the stairs looking like an African goddess. I love her brown skin, one of her most beautiful traits. Her smile is second to that. It is a perfect combination. I watch her facial expression go from tired and exhausted to full of joy and definitely excitement because I know she was hungry. I know my girl can eat so I don't make her eat like a bird, if she wants seconds and third helpings, then so be it.

"Wow Justin. This looks. . .amazing. Like something out of a magazine."

"Oh you know I try to do everything as well as I can for my sweetheart." I lean over and kiss her showing her I mean what I say. She puts her head down and clasps her hands together. Saying a silent prayer over the meal I had prepared for her. She is such a thankful woman and I am so thankful for her. She immediately digs in and does not waste time to smother her pancakes in syrup. I don't know how she does it. Her entire plate is full of syrup and she makes sure to use it all.

She finishes a lot later than I had expected her to. I was not in a rush, but I planned on going to the shopping center to pick up a new suit and shoes and a very important item for tonight's dinner.

"Oh my gosh J, this is amazing. I did not realize you could cook like this!"

"Neither did I. I don't think my cooking skills are that great actually."

"You need to give yourself more credit. These eggs are so fluffy and the pancakes are the perfect brown. Oh my. You could be a chef on the side of your other job and no one would notice you're a contractor. You are quite talented Mr.  Hull."

The way my name sounds falling from her tongue, like it was meant to be there. I can't wait for tonight. I hope I get the answer I am praying for.

Later That Night

I walk out of my bedroom and down the hall again like it is a routine. Going to check on Alyssa to make sure she is almost ready. I hesitate to knock on the door and change my mind all together. I am shaking and nervous for these announcements and hope that I can find a way to put the words together. I feel my hands start to get clammy and take deep breathes to reverse the effects of my anxious nerves. I walk downstairs and outside to start the car. It was a little chilly out and I want to get to the restaurant as soon as possible.

I check my watch every minute or so as if ten minutes were passing in between. I hear her door open and wait in silence preparing to witness her arrival. I know she will look beautiful and I hoped I was ready.

Oh. My. God. I did not expect this. I guess since we had not been to a formal dinner in a while she wanted to show off. And she is doing a good job at it. I could not keep my eyes off her. She was mesmerizing and hypnotizing. Like nothing I have ever seen before. The black gown not even closely related to what it's color is associated with. She made it look angelic and pure. The way the dress hugged the curves I wished I could touch the dip in her back. I want her to know how much I want her. She would know tonight just how much I love her.

On the way to the restaurant I couldn't help but watch her in the passenger seat. I had no idea how I was blessed to have a woman like her in my life. I placed my hand on her leg and she reached and intertwined her fingers in mine. I am slightly surprised she accepted the gesture. We reach the restaurant and a man goes to open her door. I reach over and lock the doors. She giggles a bit and waits patiently for me to exit the vehicle. I walk over to her door and she unlocks it letting me try to be a gentleman. The man that tried to open the door nodded his head up and down in understanding. Alyssa wrapped her arm in my arm and we made our way toward I designated table. I saw the family was already here and figured they would probably be upset that we were ten minutes late. They all joined in warm greetings and friendly hello's. My brother sitting on the left of my chair was staring in Alyssa and my direction sort of in a trance. He was elbowed by father and then he also shared a kind hello to us both. I moved the chair out for Alyssa and she took her seat. I sat at the head of the table and rehearsed my lines in my head. I wanted tonight to be perfect.

Alyssa sat in silence when my parents and coworkers were not talking to her. She is the type to keep to herself, but I didn't realize she was this quiet. I felt I knew the reason but I did not want to push the issue and make her uncomfortable. James was watching her, probably feels bad for what he did to her. I forgave him a while back and he has yet to gain my full trust again. I want him to apologize her be genuine when he does it. I can tell the atmosphere is changing and becoming eerily thick. So I interrupt everyone and their separate conversations.

Clink! Clink! Clink!  I tap my spoon onto my wine glass to gather their attention. "I know you are all wondering when you can leave and go to bed and probably are wondering why I invited you all here in the first place." I paused. "I have an announcement to make. You all remember the project the big boys are asking me to prepare for Europe," silence, "I got the job! It's official. I will be leaving by the end of the month."

"Justin." Her voice caught me off guard, I had not heard a word from her the entire time. I look over to Alyssa who is slightly in awe and sadness at the same time.

"I wanted to tell you earlier, but I wanted to wait for the right time as well."

"I'm happy for you I really am. It's just a surprise. Oh my God! This is actually amazing." Her attitude goes from in shock to be super excited and she stands up and nearly jumps on me. "I am so proud of you!" I hear some whistle and others share an 'awe' like someone held a sign to cue it. But I don't think anyone expected what happened next to actually happen. I took Alyssa and pried her from my body. Holding her hands I went down on my good knee and reached in my pocket. I pulled the ring box from my suit pocket and nearly vomited when I saw her face. She was just about to burst into tears of joy and I barely got the words out. 

"Will you marry me?" 

She almost knocked me to the floor in happiness. "YES! YES! YES!"