Charlie

Chapter Twenty-one: Back at it

September was here and school was ever challenging. Ashley, Naomi, Stephanie and Greg were all glad that Charlie was back. Not just so that they can stare at him but because he made me happy. They could see the change in me. They could see that I was happy again. I didn't have many classes with them since I was a whole semester ahead of them.

If I decided to take classes again in the summer, and take classes during both summer session. I would only have one more semester and actually graduate college in two and half years. This is a very ambitious goal but I think I can do it. I don't know if I'll be able to keep my Dean's List place but I will try my hardest to accomplish it.

October was here and of course my favorite holiday, Halloween. Not to mention that Charlie and I celebrated our one year anniversary. I thought this was when he was going to propose to me, but he didn't. I was getting anxious already. I didn't want to rush him, I know he wanted to do it on his own terms. I was ok with waiting, but it was killing me how he was going to do it.

Last year Charlie and I dressed up as little red riding hood and the big bad wolf. This year we wanted to have some kind of historical couple reference. I just didn't know which historical couple to go dressed as. I didn't want Romeo and Juliet because that was sad story. We decided to go dressed up as Bonnie and Clyde. This fit more perfect than last year, seeing how we were both in trouble with the law this year. It made perfect sense.

We of course went to our friend's house for a costume party. Naomi knew how to throw killer parties. She never disappoints. I was dressed in a long black dress, Maryjane shoes and a beret sitting halfway on my head. A small piece of my bangs was sticking out. Charlie was dressed in a three-piece suite looking dashing as ever. We had plastic play guns to match our outfits. Our friends knew exactly who we were.

We laughed, drank, joked and had a great night. We walked home and Charlie said to me "baby girl do you want a repeat of last year?" "Of course, sexy!" We got home and had a repeat of the hottest sex we've ever had. Charlie's love making surprises me every time. I don't know why he's so great at it but I'm grateful that he is.

This semester went by superfast and I finished my last final. My birthday was coming up and I wanted to celebrate it with family, friends and of course my love. Charlie told me that we weren't going to do anything for my birthday. I was a little sad but hey it's all about compromise, right? Charlie surprised me by tell me he was to take me to Paris for Christmas. My heart soared through the roof when he told me where we were going. I called my mom to tell her and she said that they were going too. Carol and Alex invited my parents to go to Paris too. I was so excited this was going to be my first time going overseas.

We were going to spend two weeks in Paris, France. I did research and started to make a list of all the things I wanted to see. I showed Charlie and he just laughed and laughed. He placed his hands on my face and gave me a gentle kiss on my lips. "I love you Re-Anne". "Baby girl, we can go wherever you want to go."

We all went first class aboard American Airlines flight 401. The fifteen-hour flight was a killer, but I know it will be all worth it. Charlie and I were wrapped up in each other's arms the whole flight. Charlie whispered in my ear, "Beautiful do you want to join the mile-high club?" I busted out laughing and kissed his soft lips. "Baby not this time, maybe another time?" I loved this man and all of his surprises.

We landed safely in Paris, France. For the first time for as long as I've know the Abernathy's they showed off their money. We stayed at La Tremoille a beautiful hotel in the center of Paris. We didn't have a direct sight of Eifel tower but you could see the very top of it. Paris weather was cold in December so our balcony wasn't opened. The room was very beautiful and spacious, very romantic.

The first thing I wanted to go see was the Eifel tower but Charlie said no, he said he wanted to save the best for last. We visited the Louvre, the Picasso Museum, Bus Ride at night in Paris. We also saw the Palace of Versailles and the Chateaux de Chambord. We also had a private tour on the Seine which was very romantic boat ride and the Arc de Triomphe. I got to see the Eiffel tower from the boat ride. I loved viewing all of the history this beautiful city had to offer. I love being here with the man I loved.

Our last days in Paris were coming to an end. I kept on pushing Charlie to take me to the Eifel tower but he said he was saving the best for last. I was getting really pissed off that he wouldn't be able to go before we left.

On Thursday, December 13th, Charlie said for me to get dressed in the clothes that were going to be brought up. I knew he was planning something special but I didn't know what he had up his sleeves.

The dress was a beautiful teal color that was off the shoulder cut with a beautiful scalloped eyelash trim on the neckline. It was knee length and it made me look very sophisticated. I paired it with nude heals. I did my makeup and hair very beautifully, not too dramatic but just right. I wore the diamond earrings that Charlie bought me for my birthday and the diamond "C" necklace. I had a soft warm trench coat on top because it was cold in Paris.

The Abernathy's set up a beautiful dinner for all of us. We had a romantic dinner at L'Abeille the atmosphere was nothing I'd ever encountered before. The building itself looked like it was out of a story book. The food was plated beautifully but I was afraid to eat it. I didn't know what it was. Charlie hand feed me some of the food because I gave him a weird face when they brought out the food. "Baby girl, just try it if you don't like it then we can order room service later on tonight."

Dinner was actually really good, I gave into the weird looking food and I was actually very surprised. The Abernathy's paid for our meal, I didn't even want to know how much it was because I figured it was expensive. Charlie said to me, "Baby girl lets go to the place you've been dying to go." "Baby are we going to the Eiffel tower?" "Yes, my love we are." I was so excited to know that we were going to the Eiffel tower. He placed his hands on my face and cupped it and kissed me softly.

When we made our way out of the restaurant there was a white Cinderella carriage that pulled up. I turned to Charlie and I had my mouth wide open. "Yes, baby girl we are taking a carriage ride to the Eiffel tower." There was a blanket and we wrapped up ourselves in it. It was really cold. Our parents took a carriage too, but it wasn't a Cinderella carriage.

We arrived up to the Eiffel Tower and Charlie helped me down. We started to walk towards the tower, and Charlie looked behind towards his parents, I saw that he gave a nod. I saw him out of the corner of my eye but my main focus was on the tower. Charlie then stopped walking and I felt my arm being pulled. I turned towards him and I saw him go down on one knee. He had a beautiful moval diamond engagement ring in a small black box. The ring look very antique.

I looked down and I covered my mouth because it was wide open. Charlie opened his mouth and said "Re-Anne Valeria Lewis, Love of my life, the girl next door, the girl I've always known who would be my future wife. I love you with all of my heart, you know me like no one else does. You've been there for me through thick and thin, love and hate. Will you do me the honor of being my wife."

"Yes, Charles Edward Abernathy, I will marry you!"