Kara's POV
When we get home, Jill is still at George's. George opens the front door for me and I walk in. We go to the kitchen and find Jill and Miss Judy talking over cups of tea. They fall silent the moment we enter the doorway. They look from me to George. There is quiet so loud you could hear a pin drop. George's arm is around my waist, my hands crossed in front of me. George looks at me and smiles. I smile back then turn to Jill and Miss Judy. I uncross my hands and reveal the ring. Squeals of excitement erupt from them. They jump up and hug us both. When they finally calm down enough to focus, we talk about the proposal, they look closely at the ring, and we discuss plans.
"We were thinking we'd do it quickly." George said.
"That way there's less time I have to wait to call her my wife." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. I smile broadly. I've never been so happy.
"When are you going to tell the guys?" Jill asks.
"We though we could have a dinner here tomorrow night and tell them then." I offer.
"Terrific!"
"Great!"
The two of them say at the same time. We all laugh.
"Well.. I've got to start getting a meal ready then!" Miss Judy says, turning and walking into the kitchen.
"You don't have to start tonight!" George calls after her.
"Well I'm too excited to sleep and the housekeepers came while you were out so I've nothing to clean!" She shouts back. We all laugh again.
"Well. I am just thrilled for the two of you. You're going to be so happy together. I'm so happy!" Jill says, walking towards the front door. We follow and watch as she goes to her car.
"Kara, call me tomorrow!" She shouts before stepping into her vehicle.
"Okay!" I call as we all exchange waves. George and I stand in the door until we no longer see her car. We turn and walk back inside.
"I'm so tired." I say to George.
"Me too." He says.
"Miss Judy! We're heading up to bed!" He calls into the kitchen.
"Okay! Sleep tight kids!" A muffled response comes back.
I lead the way up to the bedroom. George helps unzip my dress, sneaking in a couple kisses on my shoulders. We change out of our dress clothes. I wear shorts and slip on one of George's shirts. He puts on a plain white tee and boxer shorts. I get in bed and cover myself under the blankets, exhausted. Just before George turns out the light, I hold up my hand and gaze at the ring. It's so beautiful. I tear up as I recall the proposal for probably in my head the hundredth time that night. My stomach starts to turn in knots.
The room goes dark and I feel George pull back the covers and climb into bed. Not a moment later his arms wrap around my waist.
"I love you." He whispers into my ear. I smile in the darkness.
"I love you too." He leans up and kisses my cheek.
"Sleep well future Mrs. Harrison." He says.
"Sleep well George." In just a few minutes his breathing deepens and I know he's fallen slumber. I wait a minute more before climbing out of the bed. I go out the room and walk down the stairs.
The kitchen light still on, Miss Judy must still be up. When she sees me, she smiles. I give a meek smile back. When she sees my small smile she immediately points to a chair, wordlessly instructing me to sit. I do so as she disappears back into the kitchen. It's a few moments of silence before I hear the whistle of the kettle. Miss Judy comes out carrying two cups of steaming tea, setting one down in front of me. I reach for a sugar cube and stir it in. She sits in the chair next to me and waits patiently for me to talk.
"What if they don't like me?" I start.
"Who, sweetie?" She asks.
"The other girls. Or George's family. Or-"
"Oh you hush with that now. You're an amazing young woman. It's difficult for people not to like you." Miss Judy replies in her soothing voice. I sigh.
"I'm scared." I finally look up at her. She places a hand gently on my arm.
"And why is that, sugar?"
"I don't know. I'm just scared that something is going to happen. Like one day George will wake up and realize he doesn't want to be with me anymore. Or that I'll get cold feet or something. I don't really know why. I'm just scared." A tear falls down my cheek and Miss Judy reaches to wipe it away.
"Well I will tell you right now George is never going to leave you. You know he calls every day he's away? He asks how you're doing. Sometimes he calls three or four times in a single day. And every time I ask if he just wants to talk to you but he refuses. He doesn't want you to think he's overbearing or too intrusive. He just wants to know you're okay." I smile when I hear that.
"He's pretty great." I say. Miss Judy smiles back.
"Well he's reason to be. With a girl like you in his grasp, he's got to be on his best behavior." She jokes. There's a moment of silence as we each sip our tea.
"But why me?" I ask after I swallow a sip.
"Of all the people George has encountered in his life, why me?"
"Because you're his something special." She said simply. I wait for her to elaborate.
"No woman has ever had this effect on him. Not even his own mother. He craves your attention and love. But not in a needy way. You know how there's some couples that just click? That are just absolutely perfect for each other? And there's no real way to explain why, they just are?"
I nod.
"That's what I see between you and George. There's no words to explain what it is you have or why you two work so well, you just do. It's as if George has been searching his whole life for you but didn't realize it was you he wanted until he found you. Does that make sense?"
I nod again.
"Thanks." I say. She squeezes my arm.
"Any time sweetie." We finish our tea.
"You going to head up to bed?" She asks as she clears our cups.
"In a bit." I say. She kisses the top of my head as she walks past and out to her bedroom. I get up and walk out the back door. I sit on the porch swing. I gently move myself back and forth as I watch the night sky. I absentmindedly twist the ring on my finger as time passes.
I hear the door creak and turn to find George standing there. His hair is messy from sleep, his shirt twisted and crinkled, his eyes tired.
"Hi baby." He says.
"Hi." I reply.
"You okay?" He sounds worried.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just couldn't sleep is all."
George doesn't say anything. He crosses the space and sits next to me on the swing. I bring my legs up to my chest and scoot into George as he raises his arm and pulls me closer. I rest my head on his shoulder as he slowly moves us back and forth, back and forth until we both fall asleep.
