pieces | ethma

The Reversal

Ethan

It was the perfect ring. It was already her size, and it was dainty and unique. Just the way I knew she'd like it.

I couldn't wait to ask Emma to marry me. We'd been together for three years, and after my family's nagging, and some deep thought, it was about time I propose.

I was planning on taking her on a weekend getaway to my parent's lake house, and proposing on the water. It was going to be so romantic.

I was so excited, and I really hoped Emma wasn't catching on. Maybe I was being a little too giddy around her. I couldn't wait to stake my official forever claim, and put that ring on her finger.

-

Emma

I know Ethan's gonna propose. I found the ring in his sock drawer. His sock drawer. Come on, E. You know better than to put an engagement ring in the same spot that you store our condoms. The kid's 23 years old and he's paranoid that his parents will find them even though he lives with just me.

At first I was upset that I ruined the surprise for myself, but then I got really excited at the thought that we were finally getting engaged.

I thought about it, and since I already knew he was going to propose, and he seemed so excited  about it (I kind of knew something was going on before I even found the ring), I decided to take matters into my own hands.

And I couldn't be more excited to surprise Ethan.

-

Ethan

Emma always gets home before me, so I was a little puzzled when I saw that none of the lights were on. Maybe she wasn't feeling good and went straight to bed? Maybe she still wasn't home? I didn't know, but I was definitely in for the surprise of my life when I walked through the front door.

"Emma?" I asked. The whole living room and kitchen was lit with candles. It was beautiful. There were even some flowers along the wall, and there she was, my beautiful Emma. Waiting for me in the kitchen, she was wearing a beautiful blue dress and some silver heels. Her hair was curled perfectly, and she had a huge smile on her face as she walked to me. "Hi, baby. What is all this?" I asked, hugging her as she snakes her arms around my neck. She smiled up at me before giving me a long, sweet kiss. It made me feel warm and cozy just like every other kiss I've ever shared with this girl.

"I wanted to surprise you." She said, kissing me again. "I love you so much."

I chuckled, kissing her again. "I love you too, baby."

"I made dinner, but first I have to tell you something."

"Okay. Go ahead, sweetie."

She smiled before walking into the kitchen, grabbing the box I hoped she didn't find yet, and then she walked back to me.

"I know what you're thinking. The surprise was ruined. But, Ethan, it's no surprise that you're the love of my life. It's no surprise that you're the one I'm supposed to be with forever. It's no surprise that you're my soulmate, and my twin flame, and the John Lennon to my Yoko Ono. You're everything to me, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my future with you by my side. We've been through the ups and downs, and here we are more in love and stronger than ever. We're only gonna grow from here, and I can't wait to see where life takes us."

"Emma—"

"Ethan, someday we're gonna tell our children this story. It's different than most people's, but we're different. This is what makes us us. So, with that being said," she said, getting down on one knee. I laughed as she smiled up at me. This definitely was a different story than most people's engagement's, but that was just Emma and I. We were different than most people. But I loved her more than anything. "Ethan Grant Dolan. Will you put this ring on my finger and marry me?"

I sunk down to my knees, making myself more level with her before I kissed her. Everything I was feeling; every emotion was poured into this kiss, and it was the same for Emma. I pulled away, leaning my forehead against hers as her thumb stroked my face. "Of course I'll marry you, you beautiful human." I said, brushing my lips across her jaw and down her neck.

She giggled as I gave her neck a long kiss, the heat on my tongue making her let out a small moan. "Ethan, we still have to eat dinner."

"I'll eat you for dinner." I said.

Emma laughed before capturing my lips with hers. "I love you so much." She said, her mouth against mine before I pulled away again.

"I love you too, baby. More than you'll ever comprehend. Now, give me that ring box."

Emma handed it to me, and I got the ring out before she gave me her hand. Our foreheads pressed together as I slid the ring onto her finger. Her hand slid up my chest and behind my neck as she kissed me again.

I have to admit, I was disappointed in myself for not hiding the ring well enough, but at the same time this was exactly how life worked at the time. Nothing ever happened perfectly, and that was okay. To me, it was perfect the way it happened because it was unique to Emma and I. As long as I had her, I'd go with the flow as much as I needed to. We were happy, and that's all that mattered.

We did still go to the lake house for the weekend, but instead of my planned proposal, we made a private celebration out of the weekend. Just us on our private lake, being in love and celebrating that.

Sure, Emma played the reverse card on the proposal, but at least the answer was still yes.