A Kennedy Promise

Forever and Always

June 7, 2013

Almost a week later, Juliet received a call from Leon late at night. He was rushing his words and Juliet had to tell him to slow down multiple times. He finally managed to ask her out, but he did it bluntly and in a not-so-romantic way. He was worried that Juliet would reject him. Much to his relief, Juliet responded enthusiastically. That was one thing done, he thought.

The evening the next day, Juliet arrived at the park that Leon had asked her to meet. Juliet was biting her lip, slightly nervous about being in a new dress that she probably should've swapped for something much more comfortable. She was looking around for Leon, who she hasn't seen since she entered the park. In fact, there was no one else around the area. She pulled up her phone to call Leon when she suddenly saw him emerge from behind one of the big trees. She didn't see it, but Leon was blushing furiously. He managed to compose himself when she approached him.

"You look beautiful," he commented. "As always."

Juliet giggled. "I didn't realise the S. in your name stands for 'Smooth'."

Leon scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed that he actually said that. Juliet looked past him and saw that he had set up a picnic mat with a charming red rose right in the middle. The edges of the picnic mat were decorated with lit scented candles. Juliet absolutely loved it. Leon, on the other hand, didn't know how to proceed. To think that after all these years, he was still the shy 21-year-old boy around women. Thankfully, Juliet led the date though she was just as nervous as him. The two gradually became comfortable and enjoyed their time together. They eventually laid down next to each other and stared up at the evening sky. The sky had grown darker, and sunset was imminent. Juliet looked at him and smiled. She edged closer towards him and cuddled him. He threw a shoulder around her and hugged her close. Pressing a light kiss to her forehead, he sighed softly.

"...And after all these years, you still love me?" Leon asked though he knew the answer. He just needed to hear her say it again.

She had the most delicate smile on her face. She chuckled, "Forever and always, Leon."

Leon suddenly went quiet. It was now or never. He sat up and rummaged the inside of his leather jacket. Juliet looked at him quizzically.

"Everything all right, Leon?"

He didn't answer. Juliet sat up too and peered at his face. He was emotionless, but upon closer look, he looked like a nervous wreck. He kept glancing at his cellphone on the picnic mat, then back to his feet. Juliet started to panic a little. What if he had received a message from Hunnigan and had to leave again? Positive thoughts, Juliet scolded herself.

"I thought about this long and hard, and every time I play it out in my head, it just doesn't feel right. Chris tried to help, but I didn't think it'd work. So, I'm just gonna go with my gut and say it outright."

"Wait, Chris?" she asked, confused. "Leon, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

He presented a small velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a classic but beautiful diamond ring underneath. Juliet gasped. His face turned red, but he went through with it.

"Juliet McKenzie, will you marry me?"

Juliet stared at him with wide eyes. She never expected Leon to pop the question so soon, considering the fact that they've technically only had one date. They hadn't even made it official that they were dating. Juliet didn't care anyway. Her love for Leon was true, and she knew he was the one she had been waiting for, a little too long perhaps. She grinned widely and nodded.

"Yes, a thousand times, yes!"

Leon couldn't hide his excitement as he slipped the ring onto her finger. His hands were shaking and the ring almost slid off. Juliet immediately jumped into his arms, giving him a bone-crushing hug. Leon laughed, returning the embrace and kissing the tip of her nose.

"We'll be together, forever," she said, and a smirk appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Heh, cheesy," Leon teased, but he liked the sound of that. "I'd never let you go, ever."

She looked up at him and asked, "Is that a Kennedy promise?"

"It's a Kennedy promise," he replied, bringing his lips towards hers.

The kiss was heated, and full of passion. Leon pulled her towards him, making her sit on his lap. He snaked his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss. Behind them, the sun had completely gone down and the only light illuminating was from the candles. They didn't care that it was already dark. However, their little fantasy was broken up when Leon's phone rang. Juliet pulled away from him and glanced at his screen, which flashed an incoming call from Hunnigan. Leon kept his eyes on Juliet, softly planting kisses on her neck.

"Shouldn't you get that? It might be important," Juliet said, trying to get off of him so that he could answer.

"No," he replied, unbothered. He made sure she stayed right where she was. He gently touched her face, turning it to make her look at him instead. "Don't worry about it. Hunnigan's probably just calling to chase me for my reports."

"What? You haven't done it yet-"

"Doesn't matter," Leon cut her off, kissing her lips again. "You're all that matters now, baby. I love you."

Juliet sighed happily. "I love you too, Leon."

—

END

[Check out the Amara Rollins series:

'All Of You' featuring Piers Nivans

and 'Got Smoke?' featuring Luis Sera on my profile]