Tempt My Heart(7)
Today also marks four years since I first met Cane. Before then, the 4th of July was always one of my favorite holidays…but now it’s definitely number one.
After stuffing ourselves on fried shrimp, burgers and fries, we head down to the beach. The guys are carrying our chairs so Roxie and I can race each other down to the water. I was excited to see the spot where Cane and I met was vacant. Dalton surprised us with a box of sparklers that we lit and swirled around the air while waiting for the fireworks to start.
I’m sitting on Cane’s lap, with him holding me tightly against his chest while I rest my head on his shoulder. We are watching as the fireworks shoot off, one after the other. There’s something about the loud boom of the fireworks and the fizzling sound as the colors explode across the night sky that’s takes my breath away. The guy hosting the fireworks comes on the loud speaker to wish us all a Happy 4th of July, and announces that it is time for the Grand Finale.
I can feel Cane wiggling as he tries to slide out from under me. I stand up to allow him to get up and plop back down on the chair. “Where are you going?” I ask, “It’s the Finale!”
My jaw hit the sand, as I take in the image before me. Cane is down on one knee, pulling a ring out of his cargo shorts; transforming this moment into something extraordinarily special. Even more amazing is the fact that there are about a hundred fireworks going off above us.
Roxie is bouncing on Matt’s lap, screeching with excitement.
It’s hard to see in the dark, but with the glow from the fireworks, I can somewhat make out the ring he’s holding. It completely takes my breath away. It’s a small diamond with two butterflies on each side. The butterflies have tiny rubies in their wings and tiny diamonds along both sides of the band.
Taking my hand into his and holding the ring up with the other, Cane stares into my eyes with so much love it’s astounding.
“Brittan Nicole McKenna; four years ago I met the most beautiful, funny, and charismatic woman right here in this very spot. After four years of calling you my girlfriend, I now want to be able to call you my fiancé and then my wife. You are my best friend and my rock. You’ve stayed by my side through everything and supported every decision I’ve made, even if it wasn’t the one you wanted me to make. I want to spend every day, for the rest of my life, falling more deeply and madly in love with you. Please say you will be my wife?”
Covering my mouth with my free hand, cries of joy erupt from the deepest part of my soul. If I could pick the perfect proposal, this would be it. I gaze up at the night sky watching the fireworks spread across the sky. Turning my eyes back to Cane, I can’t help my scream, “Yes! Oh, my God Cane, I cannot believe this!” With shaky hands, he carefully slides the ring onto my finger. I can’t control my excitement and tackle him, making us both fall on the ground.
“You’ve just made me the happiest man on earth.” Cane leans down, kissing me with so much passion and love; I get a little giddy.
“No, you’ve made me the happiest woman on this entire planet!” I say into his mouth, happily kissing him back. Our moment is celebrated with explosions of bright, vibrant colors mixing and dancing together in the skies as we are surrounded by our friends and total strangers clapping and cheering for us and offering their congratulations. Cane climbs to his feet, extends his muscular arm and reaches for me. Taking his hand, he helps me stand; I can’t help but blush as I brush the sand off my body. Everyone is still staring at us as I quickly wave and sit back down in the lawn chair.
“The ring is just perfect Cane, I love it!” Gazing down at my left hand, now donning the most beautiful ring I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“I was hoping you’d love it; I’ve been saving up for months to get it. I know you love butterflies and the rubies are for July; the month we met and now the month we got engaged.” Taking my hand into his he pulls it up to his mouth; fluttering gentle kisses over my fingers and hand. A thousand butterflies invade my stomach at once, as our overpowering love and commitment rushes through my veins.
“I have an idea…Let’s go!” I say, jumping up out of my chair and yanking Cane across the beach. He yells back to Dalton and Matt to grab our chairs. Everyone is following behind us, as we make our way through the thick crowd of people. After what feels like an eternity we finally make it to the parking lot.
Walking over to Cane’s Silverado he finally tries to pry my idea out of me. “So what is this great idea that has popped into this beautiful head of yours?” He asks tapping my temple playfully.