Close To You

Chapter 5

Sean unlocked the door to his house, then wandered inside, placing his bag to the side. The lights were off, and it didn't look as if anyone had been there for a while.

"Happy birthday to me!" He sighed as he made his way into the kitchen. A note in fancy woman's script had been placed on the refrigerater, immediately drawing his attention.

"Sean,
Hey, babe. stopped by to see what you were up to but I guess you were still at work, because no one was here. Just wanted to let you know I didn't forget about your birthday. In fact, I bet you'll find it if you turn around.
Love, Ellie"

After reading the note, he turned and there, in the doorway as promised, stood Ellie. She held no present in her hands, just a smile on her face, which, though cheesy, was present enough for Sean.

"Happy fifteenth," She said cheerfully, pulling Sean into a hug. He returned the hug and looked down at her.

"You look beautiful."

"Honey, you'd think if I wore bib overalls and a sweatshirt, I'd be beautiful."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Not a thing," She replied as she leaned upwards to kiss him. "But anyhow, I have your present." He looked at her suspisciously as she grabbed his hand and led him to her car, where she drove him to some place unbeknownst to him, since he had been unwillingly blindfolded. The car came to a stop, and the blindfold was removed. He wondered at his surroundings.

"Ellie, it's beautiful!" He exclaimed, taking her into his arms. She laughed.

"Sean, you act like you've never seen the beach before. After all, you've only lived five blocks from it for the past three years." He laughed and grabbed her hand.

"Yeah, but I've never seen it like this before. It's so calm! And peaceful!" He shouted as the two walked through the sand to the water front. She pushed him down in the sand, making him in turn pull her down with him. She leaned against him, the two of them watching the setting sun make the water go from orange to pink to purple, then blue, and finally black. Suddenly, Sean realized what he wanted most in the world, and he decided then and there when he would confess and where. For now, though, he was content to watch the water.

* * *

"Dennis Jenkins," The teacher called from his podium at the top of the stage. The student came up, accepted his award, then shook the hand of the teacher and came down the other side of the stage. Sean watched from his vantage point on that other side, watching the countless number of graduating students coming and going. In a way, he envied them, because he knew that was his class, and he should be there with them, but there was nothing he could do now. Another name called, another award given, another blow to Sean's ego, but he was not there to feel sorry for himself, which he constantly reminded himself. "Ross Keller." The jock-turned-all-study-man hopped up on stage, and while he was shaking the teacher's hand, he noticed Sean standing at the other end. A sudden smile crept across his face, and he nodded, which Sean returned. "Eleanor Mathews." Sean's attention was drawn to his girlfriend, who was proudly accepting her award, complete with the specially colored cap she had worn earlier that day because of her being chosen valid victorian. Upon coming down the steps, she saw Sean, and promptly jumped into his arms.

"I did it!" she shrieked in glee. Sean, laughing, held her close.

"So you did. I'm proud of you, girl."

The traditional party had ensued on the campus grounds, and then Sean took Ellie's hand and led her to a trail that went to the top of a hill overlooking the school. He leaned up against a tree, her sitting against him. Still holding her hand, he toyed with her fingers for a while. Finally, laughing, she asked him what he was doing. Without verbally answering, he told her more with one simple gesture than any words could ever say. He released her hand, and when she pulled it back she noticed a single gold band around her left ring finger. Gasping, she looked at him for an answer, only to find the same goofy smile and large brown eyes that had made her fall for him in the first place.

"I've wanted to ask you for a while, but I thought we were too young and maybe we were. Hell, maybe we still are, but I do know that this is what I want, what I've wanted for a long time." He took the hand back, holding it close. "I want you to marry me." She looked at him wordlessly for long, tense moments, then finally, with tears in her eyes, threw her arms around his neck.

"Yes, I will."