Saturdays

Chapter Eight

Last Saturday

"Babe, are you still scrolling through wedding dress pictures from the internet? That's how you're spending your Saturday morning?" Jack jokes.

I sweetly smile, "No." I say while dragging out the 'o'. "Of course not."

He laughs, knowing that I'm lying, "You know we aren't even engaged yet.. Right?"

I giggle, "Yes, I know. I like planning for the future, thank you very much."

"I know, I know." He playfully rolls his eyes.

"I know things didn't exactly go to plan. You wanted your future husband to have the opportunity to ask your Dad for his blessing before proposing and I know that. I wish I was able to do it how you want but for obvious reasons, I can't. Even though I had no control over it, I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill that particular dream of yours."

"In this very moment, I know we aren't ready for marriage but I'm going to tell you something. Don't worry- it's not bad. Actually, it's quite the opposite."

My eyes are filled with tears but with no particular emotion attached to them. I'm so confused that I don't even know what to say back to him.

"In that week we flew back to Nessis City before Tom died, we had this one conversation I know for a fact that I will never forget. It was just the two of us. If I remember correctly, you and your mom had left to go get some fast food," Jack shakes his head, "But that's not the point." He says to himself.

"Anyways, our conversation was everywhere. From sports to food to college but then we started talking about my future. More specifically, our future. He kept on telling me how much he appreciated me, that he thought I was absolutely perfect for you."

He sees the tear roll down my cheek, then pulls me close to him.

"He gave me his blessing for our marriage."

My eyes widen in shock. "W-why?" I ask with my hand covering the mouth.

"I don't know. I was just as shocked as you are right now. We had only been seeing each other for like two months! He even knew we weren't officially dating but his instincts were right."

"...Were right- What do you mean?"

"He knew we would get married."

I take a deep breath. What is he trying to tell me? Is there a secret message behind this story?

"Hold on." He says before getting up and leaving the room.

I'm left, sitting on his couch... still in confusion.

He comes back a few seconds later with a small, velvet box.

"Don't worry, I'm not proposing." He states after seeing my nervous expression.

He opens the box, which contains a ring. "This is a promise ring. I want you to know I will stay true to you and give you all of my heart, for the rest of my life. One day, I intend to replace in with an engagement ring and wedding band, to express my love to you and my commitment to our relationship. Are you willing to take this ring to symbolize our future together?"

I giggle.

"Why are you laughing." He laughs.

"Because you're so cheesy and cute. And I will definitely take the ring." He smiles and slides it on my finger.

"Should I call my mom? Does she know the part about my dad?"

"Yeah, you can call her. I haven't told her that I would be giving you this promise ring but she has said in the past that she agreed with your father and that we also have her blessing."

I smile and hug Jack. "I'll love you forever"

"I'll love you always."