His Girl

3. You're my First

Over the month they'd been together, Jay and Lauren had grown so much closer. He knew he was in love with this girl, and he wasn't sure he'd ever fall out of love with her either. It was already July and he knew their time was running out quick. He didn't want to leave her, but duty called.

It was the fourth of July. They'd been together for a little over a month and he had a romantic day planned for them. This was the first time he'd ever gone this slow with a girl, but she was the first girl he'd ever loved. Besides a few heavy make-out sessions, they hadn't gone farther. Jay wasn't pushing her either. He loved her enough to respect when she was ready.

He spent the morning getting ready. He borrowed Will's car so they could both dress up for a change. He made reservations at a restaurant on the river where the fireworks would be visible. He picked her up at lunch and they spent the day roaming around the city. About four, he took her back to Kelly's to get ready for the night. 

When he picked her up again, she was drop dead gorgeous. She had a long blue strapless dress on. Her hair was in it's natural curls, and she had just enough make-up on to leave him speechless. 

"This ok?" she asked giving him a small smile. 

"Better than ok," he managed pulling her close for a searing kiss. She clung to him as they kissed just inside the doorway. 

"Ok you two get outta here, and be safe," Kelly called killing their moment. 

"We will," Jay said wrapping his arm around Lauren's shoulder giving Kelly a nod. Once down in the car, Lauren leaned over and gave Jay another searing kiss. She couldn't get enough of this man, and she couldn't wait to give him a surprise tonight. 

"So where are we going?" she asked lacing her fingers through his. 

"A surprise," he smiled at her with a wink. 

"Fine," she said pretending to pout. "I have my own surprise for you later," she said with a grin. 

"What kind of surprise?" Jay asked navigating the city traffic. 

"It's a surprise," she said sarcastically making him laugh. 

"Fine... ok, keep your surprise," he smiled. Lauren let out a little huff. She'd hoped that if she told him she had a surprise for him, he'd give in a tell what her surprise was, but that didn't work. 

They pulled up outside the restaurant and let out a little surprise gasp. "Jay.... this place looks expensive," she whispered. 

"So? This is our night. Just go with it beautiful," he smiled giving her a quick kiss. He came around and helped her out. Inside they were seated in a back corner with a table overlooking the river. 

"This is beautiful," she said taking it in. 

"Yes it is," Jay smiled never taking his eyes off her. 

Lauren blushed as she caught his look. They enjoyed the food and just being together. It was so easy when it was just them. Jay just hoped it was always this easy with her. After their dinner plates had been cleared, Jay pulled out a small box and set it on the table in front of her. "What's this?" she whispered carefully picking it up. 

"Open it," Jay smiled holding one of her hands across the table. 

Lauren slowly lifted the lid and her eyes slowly filled with tears. Inside lay a solid silver band. On the outside their names were engraved and on the inside was today's date. "It's a promise ring," he started as he carefully pulled it from the box for her. 

He slowly slid it on her finger; it was a perfect fit. "I promise to always love you and cherish you. I promise to always fight to come back to you. I promise to always just be whatever you need me to be. I love you Lauren, and I know at the end of this month our time together is going to come to an end. But I don't want it to be the end. I want to promise to come back for you because I love you more than I ever knew it was possible to love someone. I don't want this to just be some summer fling. I want this to be the real deal. I want you to have something that when you look at it, you think of me. I love you Lauren Kathleen."