Best Thing

Chapter 10

   Caleb had come over for supper that night and told me all the details. He said that we would be driving to his parents house, which would take a little bit, and we'd stay there for the weekend. Charis' party was on Saturday night and we'd arrive Friday night. So, he said, I would have all Saturday to meet his family!

    I was starting to get pretty excited actually. Caleb had also said that I could pick a "scenic route". It had to be less than 24 hours on the road and less than two days to get to our destination. I packed my suitcase and Caleb picked me up Thursday morning. I hope what I planned is going to be as exciting for him as it is for me.

"Alright boys take good care of Ava please!" I told Josh and Alex as I headed out the door. I stopped quickly by Josh and whispered, "And you'd better watch her close when she's with Jordan. They have a date tonight!" I winked at him and he gave me a hug.

"Of course I will. Just," he shook his head and sighed. "be careful okay?" I nodded my head and walked out the front door to where Caleb was waiting for me in the driveway.

"All ready?" He asked.

"Yep!" I said, "Even got some snacks for the trip."

"Yes! lets get going!" He said as he shoved my suitcase in the back with his. "So where we headed? New York? Miami?" He smiled.

"Well first big city stop is St. Louis, but that's not where the surprise is!" I said poking him in the side.

"Oh so we're playing the "don't tell the driver where he's going" game Huh?" he said laughing.

  I couldn't help myself but laugh also, because when Caleb laughed it was so darn catchy and you could never stop yourself from laughing along. "Well it's a surprise, and I'm not telling a single soul until we get there!" I said determined. I could sometimes be a blabber mouth and I was really bad when it came to surprises.

"Well that won't be too hard since I'm the only soul you'll be seeing for the whole trip."He smiled over at me.

"Oh I'm not too sure about that!" I said but tried to change the subject quickly so I wouldn't even be tempted to blurt it out. "But I'm really sure I can't wait to meet your family!"

"Me too! You're going to love them! You and Charis will be best friends! And I cannot wait for you to meet my niece and nephew!" He said hopping up and down in his seat.

"My goodness I just can't wait!!" I exclaimed. Soon enough we jumped into conversation about our families and the different things we all did together. My family always went boating together, and his family was always four wheeling. We weren't so different and we realized we were more similar by the minute.

   We stopped at a diner in St. Louis for breakfast at around 10. We'd left at around six which meant we were half way to my surprise and we were making very good timing!

"So what's this BIG surprise you have planned for today?" Caleb asked.

"Alright," I had to give in a little, "I'll give you a hint. First thing we will be going to starts with a G and the second thing starts with a B." I said with a mischievous grin.

"Okay, sure. is there guessing?" He asked.

"I suppose I'll take a couple. But you'll never guess." I said. I crossed my legs and folded my arms as if to look intimidating.

"Hmm so I will spare them until the drive there. Which is where again?" He asked. And I had to give him this one because he was driving.

"Kansas city, but nothing else but guesses!" I said strictly.

"Okay, Okay. Wow! Kansas City that's a fun place! What do fun people do there anyways?" He said. I almost answered this one before realizing what he was doing, and stopped myself short.

"Nice try Bucko but we have to be in town by 2:30 so we can get to the first thing. And that's that so let's go!" I grabbed my bag and Caleb put down the money for the check.

I got in the car and made my playlist with a couple of more hints towards the end of it so when we got there he might get it. As soon as I was buckled and all settled in Caleb jumped in the car with a small plastic bag in his hand.

"I got this for you pretty lady." He said handing me the bag in the palm of his hand while slightly bowing.

  I opened it up and pulled out a mini snow globe of St. Louis. It had the arch going over the city as it "snowed", and had St.Louis written on the tan base of it.

"There's more! look again!" Caleb said opening the bag up for me again. Inside was a jewelry box. I looked up at Caleb before I even reached for it, and he was smiling so big, waiting expectantly for me to open it." Go on, come on, pleeeeease!" He pleaded with me. I grabbed the box out and opened it up. It was a beautiful heart locket.

"Caleb this is beautiful! Thank you so much!" I said astounded that he picked this out. It was absolutely perfect.

  He opened it up for me and said, "I was thinking that maybe after this weekend we could put a picture of us in it, so we'd never forget it."

   "Yes! Even though I know I'd never forget this weekend it will be a great reminder to how good we looked when we are too old to remember!" I said teasingly.

   He laughed, and nodded then became serious. He reached up and tucked a stranded piece of my hair behind my ear and studied my face. I guess I'd never really looked into his eyes as closely as I am right now, but I couldn't stop staring. It's like deep down I already know what's going to happen in the next couple seconds.

"Just promise me you'll never stop being you." He said as our faces got closer.

"I promise." And then we were kissing. And I know it sounds crazy when other people say it, and it probably will when I do too, but right at that moment I felt a spark. And I immediately felt relief because when we pulled apart and I looked into his eyes, I didn't doubt that I would end up marrying him, and get to enjoy moments like these forever.