Marry Me

Chapter 18

     I was pacing around the apartment when I finally heard a knock at the door. I took a deep breath, ran my hand through my hair, and crossed to the door.

     "Who is it?" I called out.
  
     "The only person who actually lives here?" Alondra answered with a small laugh. I smiled and flipped the lights off before opening the door. Alondra stepped in and dropped her keys into the bowl she had by the front door.

     She looked up and started to speak, but froze. Her jaw dropped and she looked around her apartment.

     Tea lights dotted most surfaces, and surrounded the large bouquet of sunflowers that I had placed in a yellow vase on her coffee table.

     Her diningroom table was set for two, and I had two bags of Alondras favorite fast food sitting in the middle of the table. I had used her TV to find a video of a crackling fire with soft music playing in the background. The video flames cast extra pale yellow glow across the room.

     "What is all this?" Alondra gasped. I smiled and pulled her towards the table. I pulled her seat out and gestured to her to sit down. She slowly sat and raised an eyebrow at me, waiting for an explanation.

     I opened the bags and started getting the containers on our plates and said "I've been an asshole lately, and I know I've apologized for that. However, I haven't apologized for being scared."

     I sat down in my seat and reached for her hand. She placed hers in mine and I laced our fingers together. She smiled and I said "I thought that if I distracted myself, I could get over all my personal crap.. but you are more than just a distraction. You are a smart, strong, beautiful woman with the best sense of humor and the most patience I have ever seen one person have."

     Alondra laughed and tilted her head to the side. In the candle light, I could see a soft blush glowing under her tanned skin. I almost lost my entire train of thought while studying her beautiful features.

     I shook my head slightly to snap out of my trance and continued.

     "These last few weeks have shown me that a life without you just isn't as wonderful if you aren't around. I want to spend as much time with you as possible, and I don't think I can do that as just your friend."

     A smile slowly spread out across Alondras face and I said "So I was hoping if I proved that I remembered your favorite color, flower, and fast food since not much else is open this late... you'd give me a chance to learn even more about you as my girlfriend."

     Alondra started to laugh. I sat back a bit and swallowed hard. Did I screw up? Was the speech too much? I'd watched enough rom-coms against my will with my mom to know there was almost always a speech.

     She leaned across her table and kissed my cheek. Grinning in my face she said "I'd love to be your girlfriend."

     I smiled and kissed her quickly before she sat down and opened her take out container. We ate mostly in silence, but every time we caught the other one staring, we smiled and shared a kiss.

     After dinner, I pulled the cookie dough ice cream out of the freezer and met her on the couch with two spoons. We curled up together and Alondra put on a movie. I made it about half way through the movie before passing out, with Alondra curled up against my chest.

    For the first time in months, things finally felt right.