We Met Because Of Death

Birthdays and Engagments

(Austin's part)

Should I propose to her today? It was a nice day and I was gonna be alone with her anyways. It was my birthday and I knew they had a lot of shit planned for me but maybe I could squeeze that in. Make it sort of a birthday present from myself. If she said yes that is... I really hope she does. She loves me I know she does but still was this too soon? I was ready for this I wanted her, I needed her. The thought of getting on my knee and bringing out the ring made me feel like jello. If she says yes it would be amazing. Waking up to her every night knowing she was mine. Maybe this would even stop her nightmares. I think of last night, the way she gripped onto me like her life depended on it or maybe mine. She cried for so long not even Max could get her to calm down. The only thing that calmed her down was after she knew all the doors were locked and the phone was right next to us in bed. She had told me what it was about later on. The fear she felt, the things that went through her head. I look over at her, fast asleep on the bed. Her eyes were still puffy and she still had the phone clenched in her hand. I walk over to her sitting down next to her. She instincly curls into me and mumbles something I can't make out. I smile and bean down to bury my face in her neck. Asking her to marry me might be the best thing for us right now.

Haylee's part

I unlock the door with a sigh and stare out at the busy sidewalks. I didn't want to show it but I was still scared even though I knew it was just a dream. I could feel my anxiety rising. I didn't want to be like this. Especially with Austin's birthday today. I wanted this day to be great for him. I was suppose to go check on his birthday present earlier but since I slept in Dave went and did it for me. I needed to shake this feeling and do it for him. He had left earlier to go with a few of his friends for the ride they had planned to take him on. Enough time for me to calm myself down. I knew he was worried about me enough. He's been very careful with me all morning. A few hours with his friends would help.
" Don't worry he's perfectly fine."
Good,I breath out in relief. I walk out to the car running my fingers through my hair. I turn the radio on as I pull out the driveway. I sigh and let the music calm me down. Today was all about Austin.

I set the last chair up and stand up. Rubbing my hands against the front of my jeans. I look around seeing everything was in place. He should be here any minute now. Logan was bringing him around three. I plop down into the chair out of breath from the heat. Dave was fixing the air conditioning because it decided to stop working yesterday. We had decided to do the party at my studio. It was mine and his place anyways and had everything else to enjoy.
" Looks great to me ."
Gabbie sits down on the floor in front of me smoking. I sigh and move out of the way .
" You know you need to stop that right?"
She turns red and puts it out nodding her head. Her ex boyfriend Kevin got her into the habit. After they broke up she never stoped. Although she does try to. She use to be the innocent one and I guess some would say she still was but if you really knew you would know that she's not the same anymore. That's the part of growing up I guess. We both went down the wrong path but maybe were starting to find the right one.
" Are you excited?"
" Nervous but yeah hopefully he'll like this."
" I think he will, as long as you're here he'll be fine."
" Thanks."
She smiles and stands up looking over her shoulder.
" Speaking of lover boy I think he's here."

( Austin's part)
I get out of the car and look up at the studio. Of course Haylee would have it here. I smile and slam the car door shut. Logan beats me to the door. He grabs me quickly.
" Alright old man don't have too much fun."
" Fuck off Logan you're older than me."
I shake him off of me with a smile and walk in leaving him behind. All I wanted was to see Haylee. To at least see if she was okay now from that nightmare because she definitely wasn't before I left. Although she did try to hide it but I could sense how nervous she was. She told me not to worry but how am I not supposed too? I stop when a balloon hits me in the face. Balloons hang on the doorway and a big sign is put up on the wall. Haylee's smile catches my eyes leading me to see everyone else who were smiling at me.
" Happy birthday Austin!"
" Holy shit."

The party became a blur as I listen to the voices and the soft music. Everyone is laughing, some even dancing. My brothers laugh drinks in hand. Dad and Claire stand in a cornor dancing. Ryan and Logan dance with their kids smiles wide. Everyone was so...so happy. They all carried on with their lives. It was almost like old times but yet a part of me knew that it wasn't. The death of someone you love that's always gonna change you. You see the world for what it truly is. It's a scary place but you just gotta find the bit of light in the scary. I look at Haylee her purple dress that sticks to every part of perfectly. Her laugh that makes my hands ache to wrap her in my arms. Her eyes that hold me captive ,forever captive. She was my light and I was set on making  her mine. I feel my feet carrying me towards her. The ring already cluthed in my hand. She turns as I'm halfway to her. She smiles at me and walks over to me. I feel everyone start to look at us as if they knew. Or maybe they vould just feel the power that was between us. The sparks that held between our fingertips, the power that was strong enough to take away  their breath. I kneel down pullimg the ring forward. I hear Haylee gasp. The room goes silent the music is turned off. I take Haylee's hand who seems frozen in place. When her eyes meet mine, my breath catches in my throat.
   " For a long time I always thought I'd be alone. There's no better way to say it, I was lost I couldn't find the strength or to even find the will to stand up. When I first came back home I was relieved to be away but a part of me was still left behind. When I met you.. well im not gonna be that guy who's gonna proclaim my love to you, when its been said so many times. No you deserve more than just words, you deserve actions, actions that I could never be able to fully do for you but im hoping that this could be a great start  Haylee will you marry me?"

( Haylee's part)
My heart races, my fingers were shaking as he held onto me stareing up at me. His soft smile waits for my answer. I stare at the ring it was beautiful and even I could see it nestled on my finger. My second proposal but yet the feeling was so different. My body felt numb, fear spikes in my stomach. I love this man I really do.
            " Yes."
Noise ricochets as everyone lets out their cheers the noise brought back once again. I watch as Austin slids the ring onto my finger. Warmth jumps up my veins and causes my body to pulse to the feeling. I feel my smile spread as he stands. I shriek and jump into his awaiting his arms. Was this the beginning of something new or was the darkness awaiting for me again?