One Shot Series 3

Unexpected Answer

Justin wiped his hands on his sweats for about the millionth time that night. He was, to make an understatement, a little nervous. He wasn't nervous about what she would say, he was actually quite confident about that one; he just wanted everything to be perfect. He wanted it to be an untainted, unspoiled, amazing evening because if he got this right it might just make up for how shitty he had been before.

He darted his attention away from his clammy hands and to the chicken in the oven, which was obviously burning, uttering angry expletives when he noticed it. It was half an hour until she would get back and his timing had been awful. Dinner was meant to be ready when she arrived, not this long beforehand. He hadn't set up anything either, or made himself look presentable.

For once in his life, Justin used his initiative and did something sensible. He turned the heat on the oven down low; just enough to keep the food warm, and went to get himself ready.

He showered and changed into a shirt and pair of jeans, running a hand through his hair because it was what it was and if he actually tried to make it look good it would turn out badly anyway.

Justin was quite proud of himself actually, having acquired everything he needed in total secrecy; it would be a complete surprise for her.

There was a ton of candles, which he lit and placed around the room. Every surface, from the floor, to the table held at least one, and he put a lot of effort into making sure that they were positioned perfectly.

Somehow Justin had managed to sneak a bag of rose petals into the house; it was quite a large bag too. They were used to make a path from the front door, all the way to the dining room and then Justin went upstairs and put some on the bed because he knew that would have to look nice too.

He was just putting the finishing touches to everything, checking it all over and over to make sure it was perfect, when she arrived.

He thought he was going to be sick when he heard her putting her keys in the door.

"Justin?"

He rushed out; engulfing her in a hug and taking her coat off for her while she smiled and asked him what it all was for.

"You deserve a nice night." He said simply, and it was true.

She had been working hard for the past few weeks, sometimes getting back in the small hours of the morning, Justin knew she only did it because she felt a sort of loyalty to her job but it wasn't what she wanted.

He guided her to the dining room, where she gasped and pressed a hand to her heart. Justin felt like he was going to jump up and down and scream and shout and sing because he was so excited for this and she had no idea.

She gave him a massive smile when he brought out her meal, kissing him as a thank you. He could barely keep his food down as she ate away, stealing from his plate every now and then. It was half way through dessert when he decided he couldn't take it anymore.

Justin put down his spoon; swallowing his mouthful of ice cream and feeling it slip down his throat, rehearsing exactly what he had decided on saying.

"Listen, babe I need to ask you something."

She looked at him with her lovely eyes and poked her tongue out to wipe a little of the sweet dessert off of her lips. That made Justin feel even more jittery.

He had to say it right, no messed up words and sentences that didn't make sense, it needed to be perfect.

"I've been thinking, for a long time. I love you baby, I really do." Justin coughed, unable to think of what he was going to say next. So he decided to make it seem a little less like he was breaking up with her by getting up from his seat and lowering himself down onto one knee right by her side, pulling out the little black box. He took her hand and uttered the only words which would come to his now foggy mind and revealing the sparkling ring inside.

"I love you. Babe, will you marry me?"

He watched her face as the smile she was wearing faded away into a look of shock. Then her hand was over her mouth and he thought this is it, she's going to say yes. She's going to say it. But she didn't.

She just sat there in silence, looking distressed; her eyes wandering around the room and refusing to land on him.

"Baby?"

Her half-whispered reply was barely there, but he heard it. "I'm so sorry."

Justin's heart sunk down to the bottom of his stomach as he felt every ounce of hope he could possibly have drain from his being. He slowly closed the box, putting it on the table and standing up. He felt her reach for his hand, and her soft skin make contact with his. He pulled away though, collapsing back into his seat with his head in his hands.

"I'm really sorry." She said it again louder and he squeezed his eyes shut at the sound. Her voice was croaky, half there because it was masked by the sound of oncoming tears. He felt a sudden hot flush of anger because how dare she cry, how dare she. He was the one who was embarrassed, rejected and hurt to no end and it was all due to her, yet she was the one with tears beginning to streak down her face.

"Can you at least tell me why?"

Justin didn't recognize his own voice, he didn't want to hear answer yet he did.

"I don't know Justin, I just feel that it's not right...I love you, I love you so much Justin. Just, maybe...maybe not this."

"But you always said, y-you always talk about your wedding. You want to get married, I know you do."

She took a long breath, the force of it rattling through her body. "I do, but I...don't think I want to marry you."

The phrase sounded like it was said under water to him. Tears pricked at his eyes, threatening to roll down his face but he didn't let them. He didn't let them fall as she spoke, apologizing profusely. She held his face gently, barely resting her hands upon his face, trying to get something out of him, some sort of reaction. He lowered them mutely, turning away and blowing each candle out slowly. The petals were collected, stuffed back into the bag quickly. Justin just wanted her to go but she was hovering around him, asking if he was okay and making it all so much worse. She left eventually, picking up her coat and saying she would go and stay with a friend.

Justin felt like a bullet wound had just been reopened in his chest, and he felt like he had been shot all over again when he went up to his bedroom, finding it waiting for a scene to play out which never would.