Home Away From Home

Chapter 16

As Nick drove, Valerie became more suspicious the further they got.

"Where are we going?" She asked again.

"I told you-" He started.

"Somewhere perfect. Yeah I know. But where is this place?"

"Someplace perfect."

"Are you in love with that word? Maybe it won't be perfect for me."

"Then we change location again until we're somewhere perfect."

"When are we getting to this somewhere perfect place?"

"We're here, sweetheart." Nick got out of his side and walked to Valerie's side. He opened her door and she got out. He closed the door and took her hand. Valerie looked up in shock.

"It's-It's..." She was speechless.

"Perfect?"

"That's the word."

"Told you."

"You did this?"

"Yeah." His cheeks became red.

"It's beautiful." She faced him.

"Just like you." There was lanterns all over the trees with Christmas lights. Rose petals on the ground and a table in the middle, set with two plates and a rose in a vase.

"But how-when did you do this?" She still couldn't speak properly. She couldn't believe he would do this for her.

"I did it when you took forever getting dressed."

"I love it. No one's ever done something like this for me before." She put her hand on his cheek. He held onto her hand and closed his eyes, wanting to remember this moment forever.

"Come on." He opened his eyes and walked her to her seat. After she sat down, Nick whispered in her ear, "Be right back." He walked away and came back with a closed tray and placed it in the middle of the table.

"What is it?"

"Pizza de la box." He took the tray off.

"It's just plain pizza." She was confused.

"You don't know that, it could be anything. I just took the tray off, I didn't open the box."

"So open it."

"You open it." She rolled her eyes and opened it. Her eyes widened. On the pizza, 'Will you marry me?' was spelled out with M&M's, her favorite chocolate. Valerie looked over at Nick. He was on one knee with a ring in a box in the palm of his hand. "Valerie, I know it may seem like we're young, but I can't live another day of my life knowing that you're not mine. I know I just asked you today to be my girlfriend, but I've known you all my life. I love all the faces you make and the words you say and the way you act, I love everything about you. I love how you're in love with Lana Del Rey and cried your eyes out when you met her. I love the way you separate your foods when you eat. I love the way you sing, horrible by the way. I love how you can get things out of me in an instant. I love how you're so protective over Zack. I love how you take care of everybody else but forget to take care of yourself. But Val, I want to be that guy that will take care of you, everyday. I want to wake up to your beautiful face and fall asleep to it every night. I want to have stupid pointless arguments with you and make up 5 minutes later. I want to have a beautiful family with you. I want to sit together paying bills. I want to be a perfect husband for you. I love you, Valerie. So much. You make my heart beat so fast. You take my breath away. I know this sounds cheesy, but it's how much I love you. Will you marry me and be forever mine?" Valerie got up with tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe it. After all that time wanting to be his, but being unable to have him, he was kneeling in front of her asking her to marry him. She couldn't believe how lucky she was. She was crazy about him and knew that she couldn't live without him. Nick watched her face, waiting for a response. He hoped to God that she would say yes. He didn't know what he would do if she said no. She was his everything. She was always there for him, even if he just needed to hold her. She was the love of his life and he knew that they belonged together.

"I can't promise to be the perfect wife. But I will try." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"So does that mean..?" He stood up straight, excitedly.

"Yes, I would love to marry you." Nick put the ring on her finger and kissed her. He picked her up and span her around. His wide smile mirrored hers.

"I love you so much." And he did. He couldn't believe how crazy in love he was with her.

"I love you too, soon to be husband." They kissed again.

.splD~