10 Years • Joel Pimentel

Chapter 21

Amelia rested her head on my lap as I played with her hair. I studied every feature on her face and felt my heart beat faster. Her room was pitch dark and the only light was coming from the tv. Although she couldn't see me, I couldn't help but smile at the memories we've created.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked not looking at me but the movie we were currently watching.

"Nothing." I let out a small chuckle.

"Liar." She said as a smile creeped. "I know you too well Joelito." I smiled at the nickname she finally came up with.

"You're right." I said looking up at the movie. We sat there in silent as our eyes were glued onto the tv.

"Do you want to know why I love A Walk To Remember so much?" She shifted her body so she can look at me better. I looked down at her and smiled.

"Why? Is it because of their cheesy love story?" I chuckled as she smiled from ear to ear.

"Kinda." She said nodding. "I don't know why but I fell in love with their love story. It's so beautiful and it gets you in your feels."

I looked up and it was the scene in where she tells him her number one was to be married at the same church her parents did--and that's when it hit me.

"Melia, what do you say about getting married at the church your parents did?" I asked not looking at her. I felt her get up and looked down.

"Joel, that's all the way in Mexico." Her voice was filled with sadness. "And honestly that's not what I want." My heart sank as I looked at her. Well there goes my plan. Silence took over as we sat there not knowing what to say or who should break the silence.

"Joel," she said in a low voice. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." I said assuring her.

"No it's not. I made you upset." her eyes had sadness and regret written all over it. "I still want to marry you though."

I placed my hand on top of hers and caressed her soft lips with my thumbs. My eyes traveled from her eyes to her lips. I felt her lean in as I did too as our lips were centimeters away. "I love you." She whispered before she crashed her lips into mine. I felt the famous fireworks go off as my heart went crazy.

We pulled back and I rested my forehead against hers. "I love you more." I whispered. I was about to reconnect our lips but was interrupted by the door swinging open. Amelia pulled back quickly as she try to make it seem like nothing was happening.

"Wow is so dark in here." Emanuel said as he turn the light switch on. Amelia and I closed our eyes to adjust them to the bright light. "Anyway, Amelia come with me. We have a surprise for you." She looked at me confused but I shrugged not knowing either.

Emanuel and I both helped her out of bed and walked to the living room where her parents stood there in tears smiling.

"Amelia, mija." both her parents took her in for a hug as they cried. "We missed you so much."

Emanuel, my mother and I smiled as we watched them hug and reunite. My eyes teared up seeing Amelia happy and with her family once again.

Her mother pulled away and looked at us. "Muchísimas gracias." She said as her tears continue to fall.

"Somos familia." My mother simply said with a smile on her face.

"Hablando de familia," I said earning stares from everyone. "Quería preguntarle algo, a usted don Alfonso." My throat felt dry and my heart skipped beats.

"Y que me quieres preguntar, Joel?" Alfonso looked at Leticia confused.

"Bueno, quería pedirle la mano de su hija. Yo la amo demasiado y no me imagino compartiendo mi vida con alguien que no sea ella."

Both her parents looked at me shocked as I stood there nervous. I looked over at Amelia who smiled from ear to ear.

"Joel, she won't-"

"Apa, yo lo amo." Amelia said cutting him off. "He's been here for me since day one and making sure I'm okay. I want to spend my last days with him, as my husband."

Both parents exchanged looks and then looked at me. "Tienen nuestra bendición." I smiled at thank them but then looked at my mother who stood there speechless.

"Mamá, está bien?" I asked chuckling.

"Sí es que no puedo creer que se me casa mi bebe." She said hugging me earning laughs from others.

Now comes the stressful part, wedding planning.