Bad Luck or Fate?

Chapter 68

I had been kneeling on the gazebo floor for what seemed like an eternity. I’m sure in reality it had only been about half a minute to a minute but I swear in that moment I could hear the rapid beating of my heart. It felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. She had gasped at the sight of my opening the box and she just froze there. I was trying to be patient but even Nancy had answered immediately. I know it was only my second time doing this but shouldn’t it be an immediate answer? Where hope and love and nervousness once reigned supreme, panic and terror took over. Was this not what she wanted? Maybe the cross country trek, the scavenger hunt, the house, maybe that was too much? Oh God. What if she says no? 

Breckyn’s hands were shaking as she ran a hand over her mouth and looked from the box to me. A few tears fell from her eye and down her hand. My life hung on what those tears meant as she slowly took her trembling hand from her mouth and shook her head. “Oh Jimmy….” She said in a soft, low tone as she closed her eyes and more tears fell. I hung my head and started crying. This was it. I was going to get rejected right here after making a fool of myself all day long, after planning this for months and months, after getting everyone in on it. This was it.

“That’s such a stupid question..” She said with a little giggle. I snapped my head up. She smiled at me and slowly nodded. “Yes.” I was weak and tired from being up all night worried sick and praying that she would say yes but I’m fairly certain I heard her say yes. “Did… did you just say yes?” I asked her squeezing her left hand again, never wavering from my knelt position. She knelt down in front of me on her knees and grabbed my face in her hands. “Did you just ask me to marry you?” She wiped the tears from my cheeks as I nodded. “Yes, I did.” She moved my hair out of my eyes and ran her fingers through my hair as she smiled. “Then, I’m saying yes, James. Yes. I’ll marry you.” I dropped the box and pulled her into a kiss right then and there, letting the tears fall all over again. The kiss deepened until I was lying against the wet gazebo floor with her lying on my chest. We laid there giving quick pecks until she leaned up. 

“Are we engaged, Fallon?” She asked softly. I smiled and snickered as I lifted my hand up and pushed her hair out of her eyes, placing it behind her ear. “I think so.” I paused and kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Fallon” I added, beaming. She leaned down and kissed me, her hair falling again and framing my face, shielding me from the rain for a moment. “We’re not married, yet. I’m still Jones until those ‘I do’s’, mister.” I leaned up on my elbows and propped myself up. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go get married. Now.” 

Breckyn laughed and pushed me back down. “Hmmm. I think all the churches and court houses are closed for the day, love. We’ll have to wait. Besides, if I don’t get walked down the aisle or have a real wedding, my parents will be upset, your parents will be upset, and Drew will kill you if she doesn’t get to be in that wedding, you know that, right?”  She stood up and dusted herself off and held out her hand and helped me up. I stood up and straightened out my vest and slacks. The rain had slowed to a light shower and we were now protected from the most part under the gazebo roof. “I suppose you are right. We should probably have a proper wedding. You deserve that much anyways.” I pulled her to my chest and stooped down until we were nose to nose. I kissed her lips and smiled against her smile. “I love you. I love you so much.” I stood back as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She looked around at the lights and lanterns. She grinned as she took it all in. I looked around with her, watching her eyes sparkle under the amber glow the lights were putting off. She was absolutely glowing and she would be regardless of how illuminated the park was right now. She stopped and looked me in the eyes. “How…” she started. I just moved my head from side to side.

“You. You inspired all of this, everything.” She put my face in her hands and stared into my eyes for a moment. She sniffled and took a deep breath in and pulled me in for a kiss. “I love you so friggin much, J.” I picked her up and spun her as she laughed into my neck. I set her down in the middle of her laughing fit. God I love her laughter. It made my heart soar. “That’s good, Brecks. Cause I love the shit out you. I’m the luckiest man in the world.” She grabbed both of my hands and looked down at her still empty hand.