Ten Minutes Ago // Ben Tyler Cook

Part Two / Chapter Seventeen

well, I did decide to post this today. because I love this chapter and I'm excited for it.
there's only one more chapter after this one in part two...

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Ben's POV
Spending so much time with Marlee, even though we're at different theaters the majority of the time, has made me realize how much I want to marry her. Being away from her for six months was hard enough. I don't know if I can stand being separated from her for that long ever again. I've brought up the dreaded topic of the future in a few conversations, and she's expressed a desire to take the next step. The only issue is when to ask. This time I'm not going to give up.
   
I enter Marlee's apartment building to pick her up for our normal date, but this time, I once again have the small box in my pocket. I'm more confident this time since we've talked about it more. I've been in contact with Mr. Granger, and he's given me his blessing to propose to his daughter. Everything's been set in motion, and all I have to do is ask. Our plan is to go to explore the DUMBO area in Brooklyn. When we're there, I'll find the perfect place and time. I'm determined to not let this go like last time.
   
I take a deep breath and knock on the door. I hear Noelle shout for Marlee from inside the apartment. When Marlee opens the door, I almost freeze. "You're so beautiful," I manage to say, making her cheeks color a light shade of pink. She's wearing a casual red dress with little white flowers patterned on it.
   
"You don't look so bad yourself," Marlee replies, taking my hand and pulling me from my spot. "Can we go to that really cute bookshop I told you about?"
   
"Of course." I nod. "There's an old carousel down there, too. It's in the Brooklyn Bridge Park." I grin, knowing she's going to comment about the park.
   
"You'd think I'd get tired of going to parks by now," Marlee teases. "But I could never get tired of going places with you." She stands on her toes to kiss my cheek. "I love you too much."
   
With both of us smiling, we walk to the train station. The ride ahead of us won't be short, but I don't mind. It just means I get to spend more time with Marlee.
   
We get off after just over ten stops and begin the walk to the bookshop Marlee wants to visit. Her expression brightens when we step inside.
   
"Look at all the books," she whispers, smiling.
   
"Why are you whispering?" I grin.
   
"I don't know," she answers, her voice still in a whisper as she explores the aisles of books. She picks up a few every now and then, declaring her love for a character, the plot, or an author. She whisper-yells my name multiple times until I turn to see what book she's holding. It's an old-looking copy of Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo. "This is one of my favorite books!" She exclaims.
   
"I don't think I've ever read it. I've seen the movie and the musical." I step over to her. "It's really long."
   
She nods. "Yeah. Over one thousand pages." When I wince, she says, "It's a classic, Ben! They make those ridiculously long. You should know that, don't make me hit you over the head with this book!"
   
Marlee only agrees to leave the bookshop when I promise to take her back soon. We walk to the carousel, and she lets out a gasp when she sees it. Once I pay for our ride, she skips forward, claiming a white horse with a dark-colored mane. I mount the chestnut-colored horse next to Marlee's. When everyone who paid is on a horse, the ride starts up and the music begins to play. My heart flutters when I hear Marlee's soft giggles as her horse moves up and down. She doesn't stop smiling the whole time we're on the ride. The carousel slows to a stop in a few minutes, and we dismount our steeds.
   
On the walk to find a spot to sit in the park, Marlee gets a call. "Hang on, I'm sorry," she apologizes as she steps to the side and takes the call. I wait for her, giving her some privacy and doing my best not to listen in. She's back by my side in a few moments, mixed emotions on her face.
   
"What was that about? Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.
   
In a short moment, Marlee covers her emotions with a smile. "I'm okay, but we can talk about it later. Not tonight?" She requests. I nod. She doesn't want to talk about it.
   
We finally find a place as the sun sets, and we sit down on the grass, looking up at the Manhattan Bridge towering over the park. Marlee rests her head on my shoulder, and we sit in a comfortable silence. If I don't ask soon, I may not get another chance to.

I stand up. "Let's walk to the water." I take her hand, praying she can't hear my heart beating wildly. When we reach the railing next to the water, I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Marlee?" I begin.

"Hm?" She turns to look at me, a content expression gracing her features. Gosh, she's so beautiful.

"Do you remember the night of our first date?"

She nods. "Yeah. You took me on a picnic, and we looked at the stars. You sang Glinda's part in For Good." She grins.

"Remember the night we danced in the park?"

She nods again. "You sang the song from Cinderella."

"Ten Minutes Ago," I say with a small nod. "Marlee, I told you that night that it reminded me of you. That I knew how the prince felt because he fell in love minutes after seeing Ella. I wasn't exaggerating. From that very first date, I knew that we had something special. By our second date, I knew I was head over heels in love with you. There was no turning back from that point. That was over one year ago, and since then, my love for you has only grown. I look forward to you every time I see you. When we were apart, it tore me apart. I knew then that I could never be away from you that long again." The small ring box in my pocket begins to feel heavy. Marlee is watching me, but I can't tell what her reaction is. "Marlee, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. A-and if you want that, too, I'd consider myself to be the luckiest man in the world. So." I take a deep breath, pull out the box, and bend down on one knee. "I love you, Marlee Jane Granger. I have from the moment I met you. Will you marry me?"