Corps Security, The Series (1)(87)

When I see the picture looking back at me, I almost lose it. It is beautiful. The old me would have looked at this picture like I had so many times over the years and let the painful memories consume me. But now, with Axel by my side, I can look at it and smile. I can look at this picture and see the overwhelming love two young kids had for each other.

“It’s stunning, Axel. I love it.” My words are so soft they are barely audible.

“You aren’t mad, are you? You left that box of pictures out a few weeks ago and I got the idea.” He seems to be walking around on eggshells, worrying that I won’t like it—or worse that, it will cause me pain.

“God, no. It’s perfect.” And it is.

The picture is of Axel and me the day he left for boot camp. I still remember the day my mom brought it back from the store. She had a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. They had framed it and given it to me the same day.

In the picture, Axel was hanging out the bus window, one hand hanging on to the window frame and the other reaching down and holding mine. You can just see his broad shoulders dressed in his camouflage and his newly shaved head. I still remember taking my father’s clippers to his silky locks the night before he left. I was standing on the tips of my toes, stretching up as tall as I could and meeting his waiting lips in a sweet kiss. I had bought a new soft yellow sundress to wear that day and it was hanging beautifully from my youthful body.

There was so much love, promise, and sadness in that picture. It is us. It is our past and our future and it is absolutely perfect.

With tears rolling down my face, I carefully lean it against the wall before throwing my arms around his neck and peppering his face with kisses. “I love it, Axel. It is the best gift I have ever received. I love you so, so much.”

“I love you too, Princess.” He kisses me softly and wraps his arms around my back, holding me tight to his body.

We stay like that for just a second, soaking in the peaceful contentment that swirls in the air.

“My turn?” I ask into his neck.

“Not yet, Princess. One more.” He loosens his hold on me, placing my feet back onto the floor, and takes a step back. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a small blue box before dropping to one knee in front of me. The tears that stopped from before are back with a rush.

Oh. My. God.

“Izzy, from the first moment our eyes met, I knew you would be mine forever. There wasn’t a day that passed that you didn’t hold my heart. Everything I have ever done in my life was with you in mind, even when I didn’t think this moment would ever come. It was all I prayed for. We might not have had the easiest road to get here, but know, from this day forward, I will do everything within my power to ensure that there is nothing but perfection. The happiness and love we deserve, baby. Will you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?” When he finishes, I can hardly see him through the tears gathering around my eyes, blurring my vision before falling down my face.

“Yes. Yes, a million times over!” I yell and drop to the ground in front of him, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him with so much love and exuberance. “Yes!” I scream, throwing my head back and smiling wide.

He laughs and opens the box. Inside is a stunning ring. A large round center diamond is set high on the thick platinum band. On each side of the center stone are three rows of more diamonds, the center row being slightly larger than the two on the outside.

It is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my life.

He slips it on my finger and brings the hand up to his lips for a soft kiss.

“You’re finally going to be my wife,” he says against my hand, his warm breath tickling the skin.

“You’re finally going to be my husband.” I smile back.

I give him another kiss before pulling away and looking down at my hand.

I can’t help but just think finally, finally, FINALLY.

“Okay, this will be hard to top.”

He offers an arrogant smile before walking over to plop down on the recliner I just left. “Oh yeah, Princess. There is no way you are topping that,” he replies pointing down at my hand.

I smile to myself and start handing him the boxes. He laughs when he gets to the Victoria’s Secret lingerie. “Great minds think alike.” We laugh together and he places the box off to the side.

I hand him the box with the dog tag and watch his face when he opens it. He sits there for the longest time just looking into the box.

His face is void of emotions.

“Jesus,” he chokes out. “Izzy, Princess, this is fucking amazing.” He looks at it for a few more minutes and asks me what the line at the end means.