“I can’t believe you’re finally home,” I reached over and stroked his thigh. “I’m so happy to see you.” I couldn’t stop touching him. I was giddy sitting beside him.
“Baby, there’s something I want to ask you before we see my parents,” he cautioned.
I knew what was coming. He’d probably be warning me not to bite off his mom’s face when she went all cold and mean on me. I could feel her judgmental thoughts as soon as she walked up to us earlier. “I’ll behave,” I said. I knew he adored her, even though he complained about her ways.
“Oh, I’m not worried about you; I’m more worried about her. She doesn’t have a good filter, and pretty much says what’s on her mind,” he laughed.
“I’ll bite my tongue as much as possible, regardless.” I offered, knowing I’d at least try to behave.
“What I actually wanted to ask you was if you’d give some thought to being my wife,” it came out so casually, and with a simple little smile.
“What?” I sat blinking at him, almost like I was imaging what he’d just said.
“Will you marry me?” His eyes, those eyes, I couldn’t look away.
Did he just….OMG, I think he did!
“Really?” I was stunned in a most pleasant way. I never thought…I didn’t think…I mean…wow.
“Really. I’m asking you to marry me. Will you be my wife?”
“Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!” I squealed, realizing what just happened.
Reaching over, he pulled me into a sweet kiss. “You mean it?”
“Are you kidding me? You’re really questioning this?” I was taken off guard, I mean, I knew he’d been burned in the past by Emily, and I honestly didn’t know if he’d ever go that route again. I mean, sure I hoped he would, but it was totally unexpected. We’d never discussed the details. I was afraid to bring something so permanent up.
“We’ll have to go ring shopping later,” he said. “We can do it this weekend. I’m sorry; I don’t have a ring yet.”
“Oh my gosh, don’t apologize for something like that! You were overseas, oh my gosh, did you really just ask me to marry you?” I couldn’t stop rambling. I finally took a deep breath to calm myself.
“I did,” he grinned.
“I love you,” I whispered, realizing we were still parked and his folks were waiting on us.
“I love you too. I appreciate you sticking with me this past year, and I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too. It’s like a dream that you’re here with me.” It truly was. I knew I’d have to drive, but I wanted to sit there and just look at him, hold him, touch him. I couldn’t believe he was finally home.
“Let’s go have lunch, tell them the good news, and then you and I can take this celebration back to your place. I want to get you naked, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate,” he grinned. “I’ve missed being intimate, holy shit did I miss having sex with you!”
I laughed and then snapped back to reality. “Oh, your mom,” it hit me in that instant. He’s about to tell her our good news, and she’s about to spoil it – just like that. It made me want to beg off of lunch, steal him away for myself today, but I had to be mature and remind myself they hadn’t seen their son in a year either.
“It will be fine,” he soothed. “Trust me.”
I inhaled sharply, and nodded. “Okay, tell me more about them. Fill me in on the details that I need to know.”
“Mom is a power hungry and career driven, and Dad is more laid back these days. He works a typical nine to five corporate job and that’s all he wants to do. He was more driven when I was younger, working really long hours, but I think he’s worn down – either the job did it, or Mom. Mom on the other hand is the kind of person who wants to break every glass ceiling she can. She seemed to get more into her career as Dad was getting bored of his. She can get a little intense, but don’t let it get to you. Underneath it all, if she thinks you’ll be good to me, she’ll come around. She’s just a little over protective, even these days. I’m still her little boy, or so she likes to remind me, even though I’m a grown man. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, my little sister Maggie is actually the baby, by about eight years, but it doesn’t matter – she treats us both like children. Mags is pretty close to Mom, and Dad is just Dad.”
I cringed even asking, “How did they take the news last time?” I hesitated, “You know, with Emily.”