Livin' the Life

Chapter 18: Past vs.future

Journey's "Seperate Ways" plays as I watch Justine order soda and pizza at the counter. The neon arcade lights highlight her red hair as she skips back over, ticket in hand. "We're number 12. Come on we're riding the motorcycles." She says and grabs my hand as we run over to the motorcycles. She stradles the motorcycle and swipes the arcade credit card, then presses start. She laughs as I try to out race her on the virtual cliff. "Try again buddy!!" She says and revs the engine. "Dad, wait!!" I hear a familiar voice say. I turn around and see my son Nick with Nicholas. He smiles as Nicholas buys him a soda and hotdog, then they walk right past me and Justine. Nick looks back and gives a confused wave then walks off with Nicholas. "Hey, I let ya win!!" Justine says, her voice snapping me back to reality. "Cool." I say and robotically slide off the motorcycle. "Mr. and Mrs. Rossdale." The man hollers as Justine runs to the counter, paying for our pizza and beers. She brings them back, kisses me and asks: "Hey, what's the matter?" "That little boy was my son." I say and swig the beer. "He's beautiful. Looks like you." She says. "Yeah. He called him daddy." "Aiden... I'm sorry." She says desperately trying to be comforting. Any other time it would work. 'Why today? I'm planning on proposing to Justine. And now I have to deal with this' I think to myself. But I swallow my fear and force myself to ask the big question.

"Aiden?" Justine says quizzically as I bend down on one knee and say: "I know I'm just a bum on the streets. But Justine Sophia Gavin I've loved you more than any woman I've ever known. More than anything in this world, and I want to love you for an eternity...will you do me the honor of marrying me?" She wipes a tear from her eyes and then says: "Yes. Yes I will!!" I smile and then slide the AAA grade sapphire ring on her finger and lift her off her feet. Maybe just this once I can forget the past and focus on the future.