first american title | tenya iida

eleven

~*~

iida's pov

As the months dwindled to an end, my love for Lydia only grew. The way she swung her hips when we danced in my living room to the way her fingers danced across the fretboard of a guitar. When she whipped her head back to reply with a snarky comment or when she mumbled something sweet under her breath. The outlook she had on life and the way she encouraged me. Constantly all she did was better me and teach me something I wouldn't have even thought before. 

When I looked into her eyes, five words repeated themselves to me over and over, like a broken record. I love you so much. I love you so much. I love you so much. She ultimately had me tied around her finger, and I did plan on unraveling myself anytime soon. 

Tomorrow morning was Saturday, also known as four months from the date in which Lydia and I began dating. I knew exactly what I was going to get her. I had since found a new job with better hours and better pay. After work, I had just enough time to get exactly what I needed. 

I had ordered the ring two weeks ago, so it was all set and ready when I went into Tiffany's to pick it up. 

The employee handed me a small blue box with a smile. "I hope she says yes."

I chuckled out a, "Me too" and then left.

Quickly, I went to the local florists and picked up Lydia's favorite flowers. White lilies. They smelled absolutely wonderful. I placed them in a clear vase when I got home and waited for Lydia's arrival. We went to bed as we always did, holding one another close.

The next morning, I got up and changed into some casual clothing and cooked Lydia her favorite breakfast. Nervously, I tapped the box in the pocket of my sweatpants. 

Lydia was not at the house, however, she was out getting final boxes from her apartment. She had basically moved into my apartment now. 

Suddenly, the doorknob turned and her stunning face was met with mine. "Hey Tenya," she said softly while putting down a box in her hand.

I smiled. "Hello star," I replied before leaning down and kissing her passionately. She dropped her purse on the ground and kissed me back. "Happy four months," I whispered. Her lips curled into a smirk and kissed me again, running her hands through my hair. 

Eventually, I pulled off. "I have something to show you," I told her. 

Her eyes lit up. "Do you?"

I nodded and pulled out two freshly baked quiches from the oven. "One for you, one for me."

She took hers and smiled. "Aww Tenya, these are my favorites!" 

A giggle escaped my lips. "I know they are," I said as I dug into mine with a spoon. "I have a date planned for us later," I mentioned.

She smiled into the bite of the egg. "I love you."

"I love you too star."

After breakfast, Lydia and I walked to the bus stop where we first met. I told her how I thought it was odd to see someone at the stop but that I thought she looked stunning the first day I saw her. I still think of that creamsicle colored dress. Whenever Lydia wears it I melt inside. It's so gorgeous on her. We bus down to Pier 39 and go into the aquarium first. 

Lydia's eyes light up. "Tenya look at the clownfish! They look so cute!"

I can't help but to giggle. "They remind me of Finding Nemo," I state.

We walk down more isles, Lydia pointing out all the cute fish to me. She seems incredibly drawn to the tank full of white beta fish. "Look at how elegant they are," she says. Their tails spread outward and swish back and forth in the flowing water. "They're gorgeous."

"They are," I agree. "You're just as gorgeous," I mention. 

The blush that crept onto Lydia's cheeks was beyond obvious, and even though she slapped me in the arm gently and said "Stop it," I knew she was beyond flattered. 

After the aquarium, we went onto the carousel next. We ran up to the top level and sat next to each other on two horses. As the carousel began to move, Lydia looked at me. "This is lovely," she told me.

Her comment made my smile broaden. "I'm glad you like it." She leans over and gives me a soft, brief kiss before linking her hand with mine. 

We get off the carousel and go into a few gift shops, buying the odd knick-knack here and there. By the time were thinking about going home it's two o'clock.  

The pier is, for the most part, abandoned. Lydia and I stroll down the pier until we met a point where nobody is standing. Perfect. I turn towards Lydia and stop us from walking any further. I tap the box in my pocket just to make sure it's there. "Star?"

"Hmm?"

I take a deep breath. "Lydia. I love you more than words could possibly say. More than poets could convey in a million sonnets, and more than songwriters could in a million songs. You're the perfect human being to me. You're truly the best aspect of my life, the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I always call you star because you're my star. As cheesy as it is, you brighten up my life. You encourage me to do things that I never would otherwise. Every time you speak I fall more and more in love with you," I confess and then pause. "I know it's very soon but," I begin, falling down onto one knee. "Will you marry me?" I ask, opening the blue box to present the ring. 

Lydia's hand flies to her mouth as small tears poke out her eyes, threatening to come pouring down like rain. "Yes. Oh my god yes I'll marry you."

I smile and get up. I take hold of her left hand and gently slide the ring onto her own. I think I made a pretty good choice with the ring. It was a simple band with a large, circle diamond. When I saw it I immediately thought of Lydia, and how it suited her. 

The tears had begun rolling down Lydia's cheeks as she looked down at the ring on her finger. "Tenya it's only been four months," she mentions. 

I nod, still holding her hand in mine. "I know but," I pause to search for the right words. "If you believe in destiny, which sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but. When I think about stars aligning and destiny, I'm reminded that I know, deep in my soul, that you meeting me was destiny. And us falling in love with one another was Destiny. I can confidently say that I want to be with you forever and that everything has fallen into place for us."

She looks up at me and then back down at the ring on her finger. "I love you so much Tenya," she tells me. 

"I love you too."

We walk back to the shops on the pier, and the entire way back Lydia looks at her ring. I'm glad she likes it. It symbolizes our love now. It symbolizes everything I could have asked for. I love Lydia, and I'm glad I get to show her that I want to marry her and call her my wife. I love her so much more than can be explained. Every time I glance at her my heart skips beats knowing that soon enough she will be my wife. My star. 

~*~