Broken Lantern

Chapter Thirty

We pull up to the Japanese Hibachi restaurant and park. Matt and Brittany are already waiting outside for us. Kevin comes around to open my door for me, just as Joel flies into the spot next to us. Kevin pushes me back into the car, closing the door, jumping back against it. He hits Joel's door, 'Dang, dude! Watch yourself!" Kevin yells.

"Sorry man, I didn't realize y'all were over here. My bad" He says to Kevin, making sure Kev didn't dent his door. "You didn't have to hit her, dude."

"I had Alley halfway out of the car, you almost hit her."

Kevin opens my door again, reaching in to take my hand and help me up. I look at Joel, "Nice driving there, sir."

"Sorry, Alley", he says, looking down and then stepping forward to hug me. "I'm glad I didn't squish you, though." He says smiling, trying to lighten the mood with a not so funny joke.

"Y'all hungry? I'm starving!" Jessica says as she walks around the car to join us. "Thanks for getting my door, dear."

"Sorry about that, glad to see you managed it though." He says, winking at her. Joel knows exactly how to handle Jess and it's fun to watch these two go back and forth. He walks over and puts his arm around her shoulders, walking her toward Matt and Brittany.

Kevin and I follow.

"Hey, y'all ready?" Matt asks, opening the door to the restaurant. He's nervous; biting on his bottom lip and playing with the hair on the end of his chin.

I thought something was up, now I'm sure of it... but what? We go inside and walk over a small bridge that takes us over a beautiful koi pond. The vibrant orange and white fish are swimming around, not a care in the world, not even bothered by the sound of our shoes on the wooden bridge beneath our feet. I stop to lean over the railing, wanting to get a better look. Kevin stops too because I'm holding his hand, refusing to take another step forward.

"What are you doing, crazy girl?" He asks, half laughing. His words make me snap to attention. I turn my head to stare back at him, still leaned over the railing. I just smile and turn back. Darry used to call me that all the time; "Crazy girl". It warms my heart to hear it again in such a loving tone.

"Come look", I tell him, pulling his hand, bringing him to the railing with me. "Look how beautiful."

He smiles and kisses my cheek, then he bends over to look into the pond with me. A couple comes in the door beside us and we have to pull into the railing for them to cross the little bridge, but I still refuse to move.

The pond is amazing. There's a bright neon green light under the water causing a green glow over the bottom of the pond, making the water light up neon green. There are light gray and dark gray river stones covering the bottom as well. But it's the rippling water that's really caught my attention. Its soft, slow movement is captivating and relaxing. When the fish swim by, it causes more ripples to be left in their wake, inspiring a deeper trance. I could stand here the remainder of our dinner and not be bothered a bit by missing out on the fire show or the meal.

"Babe?" Kevin starts, "We should probably go to the table now."

I look up at him and he's smiling down at me. I can see the amusement in his expression, and I know he could stay here with me too, but he's right and he knows something.

I agree and he leads us through the restaurant, looking for our friends. When he spots them, he picks up his speed, dragging me behind him. "My legs aren't that long, Kev. I don't walk this fast!" I say, trying to keep up with his long strides. He turns to see me struggling and slows, allowing me to catch my breath and walk at a normal pace for me.

"Thank you."

At the table, he pulls my chair out, allowing me to sit first. He sits next to me and I look around the table. It's not bad, there's only two other couples seated around a table that could easily hold 15-20 people.

"I guess the dinner rush hasn't hit yet" I say pointing out my observation.

Everyone agrees and goes back to their menu.

I decide to order the steak, chicken and vegetables. While Kevin decides he's getting the plate that comes with all of the various meats and vegetables. "You'll never eat all of that", I say, challenging him. "watch me, doll... watch me", he says, sticking his tongue out at me. But I'm quicker than he realizes and grab his tongue, holding it, not allowing him to pull it back into his mouth. "Th-hey, th-top that!" He says. "Sticking your tongue out at someone is rude, mister", I remind him and let go of his tongue, smiling as he looks at me shocked by my behavior.

Just as I turn to talk to Jess, Kev licks up the entire right side of my face. "If sticking my tongue out is rude, I bet that's totally uncalled for, huh?" He asks, laughing at his nasty attack on my cheek and the look on my face.

With eyes peering at him, my jaw shut tight, I wipe my face with a napkin and without saying a word, I turn to him and reach up to pinch his arm.

"Owww!" He cries, rubbing the burning spot on his flesh. "Violence is never the answer!" He whines, laughing at the same time.

When I turn back to Jess, I see all four faces looking at us, smiling happily.

"It's great to see you two like this; playful and cheery", Matt says first.

"Yeah man, it feels good to be like old times. Having fun ribbing each other and picking on Alley." Joel says, laughing and leaning over to nudge me.

I look at Kevin and smile and we lean in for a kiss.

"It does feel good to be out, having fun and not having to think too hard about anything too real." I admit, putting my hand under Kevin's on the table.

"Well, I hate to make it real then, but I called everyone here for a reason." Matt says, standing up, reaching into his pocket and turning to face Britt. Kevin squeezes my hand, making me look back at him, he smiles and winks, nodding his head toward Matt, like he's telling me, "Watch this."

I turn back to Matt and Brittany, who is shifting nervously in her seat now looking around to each of us, questioning with her eyes if we knew about this. I shrug my shoulders at her and smile, nodding her toward Matt.

He smiles when she looks back in his direction and kneels in front of her, holding up a dark red box and opening it to reveal a gorgeous solitaire diamond ring. She holds her hands together, pulling them to her chest, and looks at the man she loves, kneeled in front of her now. "Yes!" She says, so excited she can't contain herself. "You didn't let me ask." Matt says, laughing. "Oh, sorry. Ask", she tells him, slightly bouncing in her seat.

He shakes his head and laughs again, then he says, "Brittany, I love you so much. I love how sweet you are, and how you love everyone so easily. I love how you smile every time you see me like you haven't seen me in forever. I love how you aren't afraid to put me in my place or pull me in when I go too far. I love how you know me better than anyone else in this world and you still think I'm awesome." He says, crinkling his nose at her. "Britt, please marry me and let me love you forever."

"Yes!" She says, jumping to her feet, throwing her arms around his neck when he stands with her. She's jumping up and down in his arms, making him shake too, while everyone around the restaurant is clapping and laughing with us.