In Another Life

11. Moving out and Moving on

Amlyne and Jeff made the decision to move in together. Beth and Wendell were thrilled to see their son happy and healthy. The young couple started collecting things for their new life. Amlyne had a "hope chest" that she had filled with dishes, afghans, sheets, and basics to start housekeeping. She decided not to tell her parents what she was planning. She would just pack her things, write a letter, and leave. Jeff found a small house for rent that they could afford. He moved in first. They furnished it with furniture they found at Goodwill and Salvation Army. Amlyne ordered a mattress and box springs from a local furniture store. 

That Monday, while her parents were at work, Amlyne left. She wrote a letter to explain everything. 

Mom and Dad, I have decided to move out. I found a place closer to work. I have taken my cedar chest, stereo, and other things. I decided not to take my twin bed right now. I will talk to you soon. Much love, Amlyne

Jeff came over and loaded the cedar chest onto his truck. She loaded the few boxes she had into her car. When they arrived at their new house, they unloaded the cedar chest and stereo. Amlyne got the boxes of clothes. Jeff went back and got the rest. They both plopped down on the couch. "Well," she said, "Here we are. Together at last." Jeff leaned over and hugged her tight. 

Days went by. Weeks went by. Amlyne wondered if Jeff was going to ask  her to marry him one day or would they just live like this forever. He showered her with love, but he never let on if he wanted to take the relationship further.  

It was October. Amlyne's birthday was coming. Jeff wanted to make it special. Beth had helped him find the perfect birthday present. He placed the box into a larger box and wrapped it up with a big bow. Amlyne just wanted to have a quiet night at home with a movie and dinner. She was a little late getting home. Jeff was already there. As she opened the door, the smell of roses was overwhelming. It was dark already and hard to see. Then, she realized there were candles lit everywhere. She slowly closed the door. The stereo was turned on. She looked around and didn't see Jeff anywhere. She caught the smell of steak cooking. As she walked through the house there were little flowers in vases everywhere. Jeff walked out of the bedroom. He had showered and changed out of his work clothes. His hair had been cut. He looked so young. He was holding a bouquet of red roses. Amlyne dropped her coat and purse on the floor and walked to him. "Did you do all this?" she asked. He nodded and handed her the roses. They smelled so good. She turned and placed them on the kitchen counter. "They are beautiful. Thank you so much." Quickly, he swept her up into his arms and kissed her. "I love you," he said. "Happy Birthday, my sweet girl." He kissed her gently and she kissed him back. 

He guided her to the table and pulled out the chair. "You sit right here, ok?" She nodded. Jeff went to the kitchen and opened the oven. He came back with 2 plates of food. There were steaks and baked potatoes. There was a basket of rolls already on the table.  He walked back to the kitchen and came back with drinks. They sat and ate slowly, looking deeply into each other's eyes. After they finished the steaks, Jeff went to the kitchen and came back with a small cake.  He quickly sang Happy Birthday. They cut into the cake and enjoyed the rich chocolate. After dinner they moved to the den. Jeff told Amlyne he had a gift for her. He gave her a small box. Amlyne untied the ribbon and tore off the paper. Jeff never took his eyes off of her. She opened the box and found tissue paper. Buried inside was another box. She pulled it out. It was velvet covered and black. She opened the box. Amlyne stopped breathing. It was a beautiful diamond ring unlike anything she had ever seen before. There was a diamond that was flanked on either side with smaller diamonds. There was filagree work abound the band. "It's an antique, " he explained. "I it found in a store in the mountains. Mom helped me buy it." He pulled the ring out of the box and placed it on Amlyne's finger. She was speechless. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Well?" he asked. "What do you say?"

Amlyne sat there stunned. She didn't know what to say. Finally, she found the words. "You didn't ask me anything. Is there something you wanted to ask me to go along with this amazing ring?"

Jeff suddenly realized that he hadn't popped the question. "Amy Lynn, I love you. I loved you the first day I saw you when I tried to run over you with my bike. I loved you the day I taught you to swim. I loved you the day I dared you to try Skoal and you did. I loved you the day I kissed you at the falls and almost passed out. I loved you the day we rolled down the hill and your mom yelled at me. I loved you when you snuck out at night to meet me by our tree. I loved you when you beat me at rummy. I love you when you put up with me going on and on about racing cars. I loved you when you saved me from the darkness.  You made me the man I am today and I can't imagine ever spending one day without you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. So, can you tell you feel the same way? Will you marry me?"

By then, Amlyne was sobbing. She threw her arms around Jeff and kissed him over and over. "Yes, yes, yes, yes..." They went into the bedroom. Jeff slowly undressed her as she undressed him. She heard the music coming from the next room. She was lost in the sound. Jeff picked her up and put her on the bed. They made sweet love. She was in another world. It was heaven. She was happier than she had ever been. Jeff couldn't get enough of the woman, once the little girl who showed him the love no one else ever had. That day they first met, she looked past his weight and clumsiness. She looked past his temper. She only saw his soul. She was the only person in the world who ever touched his soul. This was the beginning of the rest of their lives.