Chapter 23 Now
It was my last day before I had to go back to base. Never in my entire military career, did I think I wouldn't want that. Things with Evie and I were still so complicated. We agreed that we would make this work, that we owed it to ourselves, and to Gabriel, to have this second chance. We spent the entire day in each other's arms yesterday, and then we picked Gabriel up, and spent the rest of the evening as a family. We watched paw patrol, and ate Spongebob shaped macaroni, and it was the best meal I'd ever eaten.
I got to put Gabriel to bed last night. I read him a story, and tucked him in, and then I sat and watched him sleep. I could have watched him all night, and I would have, if Evie hadn't insisted I come back to bed. I smiled to myself, thinking of the memory as I snuck out of bed and tip toed down the stairs. I wasn't used to having house guests, but for the first time since I started coming home, I actually thought I might miss this place.
After Evie fell asleep last night, I dug my mother's ring out from the safe, and hid it downstairs. I knew four years ago that it belonged on her finger, and nothing had changed since. She was still the only woman I ever loved, and I meant what I said about wanting her to be my wife. It didn't mean we had to get married tomorrow, but I needed her have it, to wear it, to know that I wasn't going anywhere, and that I was just as committed to her, as I was to our son.
She, and Gabriel were still sound asleep upstairs, so I slipped carefully out of bed, and made my way down stairs. I pulled the ring from my father's liquor cabinet, and placed it into my pocket before checking the fridge for supplies. My father used to cook us breakfast every Sunday morning, and it seemed fitting that I do the same for my family. It was one of my favorite childhood memories, and one of the only times we'd all sit at the table together with everyone's schedules being so different.
I decided on french toast, and bacon, remembering it was one of Evie's favorites. I had just about finished the bacon, and tossed my first piece of french toast into the pan when I heard a tiny set of foot steps. I turned slowly to see a sleepy headed Gabriel rubbing his eyes with one hand, and holding his lion in the other.
“Good morning buddy.” I said, with a smile. “You ready for some breakfast?”
He nodded enthusiastically, climbing up onto one of the kitchen chairs. Just like his momma I thought, she too was a food enthusiast, and I was surprised the smell hadn't already woken her. I finished up the french toast, and made Gabriel his plate, cutting the pieces in small cubes, like I'd done this a million times before, but the reality was, I hadn't. I missed out on all of his firsts, but I couldn't dwell on that now, not when things were finally starting to fall into place.
I set a place for Evie, and then myself, before running upstairs to wake her. I found her standing in the bedroom's adjoining bathroom in one of my tee shirts, fussing with her curly hair. “I woke up like this?” She said shrugging her shoulders, and looking absolutely adorable. I laughed with her, when I hugged her from behind, kissing the hollow of her neck.
“You look beautiful.” I said honestly, turning her in my arms, and kissing her properly. “Breakfast is ready, and Gabe's already digging in.”
“I thought I smelled something yummy.” She said taking my hand, and leading me down the stairs.
“Momma! Bacon!” Gabriel yelled, when he saw the two of us round the corner.
We laughed, and I pulled Evie's chair out for her, taking the seat directly across from her. There we sat, all clad in our pajamas, enjoying breakfast on a Sunday morning. It felt so right, and I wished it never had to end. I glanced around the table noticing that I'd forgotten to put the syrup out. I made to stand, when I felt something hit my foot. I glanced down, to see what it was, but Gabriel beat me too it, jumping from his seat and opening the ring box.
“Pretty!” He said, pulling the ring from it's box and watching it sparkle.
My heart sank into my stomach, this wasn't exactly how I'd planned on purposing. Improvising, I gently took the ring from Gabriel's small hand. “Thanks for picking that up for me buddy.” I said, before walking around the table to where Evie sat. Her hands instantly went to her mouth in a shocked expression, and I silently hoped that it was a good sign.
“Evangeline Perez.” I started, taking a deep breath for good measure. “This ring has been in my family for more years than I can remember. My mother left it to me on one condition. The woman who wore it had to challenge, and accept me, but above all, she had to love me. I knew at seventeen years old that this ring would only ever belong to you. If I were a smarter man, I would have proposed then, to hell with what anyone had to say, but you and I both know I'm not that man. I'm a man who has made mistakes, and I'll probably make more. But the one thing that I'm sure of in this life, is that I love you, and asking you to be my wife today isn't one of those mistakes. Will you marry me Hermosa?”
“I have so many questions. Where will we live? How will this work? What-”
“You're over thinking again Hermosa. What does your heart tell you?” I asked softly, placing my hand over it. “In here?”
“Yes.” She whispered, her eyes locked on mine. “Yes.” She said again, aloud this time before flinging herself down on top of me. We both fell into a fit of laughter, as she peppered my face with kisses. Gabriel joined in on the fun too, jumping on the both of us and attempting to tickle us. In the end, he was the one being tickled, and when we'd finally calmed him down, I placed my mother's ring on Evie's finger. It fit her perfectly, and looked like it had always been there.
She smiled, looking down at the sparkling rock. It was a split shank vintage opal ring with a diamond halo. The band was twenty four carat gold, and the opal was one and a half carats, and against the complexion of her skin, it shone brilliantly. My father had it custom made for my mother after their second date. It seems falling hard, and fast was in my DNA. I had never been so happy to sit down and eat cold french toast and bacon. Especially when I was sitting directly across from my new fiance. From the one woman, who has never left my heart. I was finally starting to enjoy life again, and it was all because of her.
After finishing our breakfast, and getting Gabriel all cleaned up, we decided to head over to Wes, and Zoe's place to tell them our good news. We pulled into their driveway around noon, and Gabriel wanted to be the one to knock on the door. I lifted him in my arms and let him ring the doorbell instead, knowing that it would drive their dog Rocko crazy.
I could hear Zoe yelling at the poor dog on the other side of the door before she answered it, making me laugh. “Jake!” She said, with a start as if she were surprised to see me. “And Evie, and Gabriel.” She added with a smile. “What brings you guys by?”
“Can we come in?” I asked, arching a brow. “Or, would you like us to come back another time..” I half joked. She was acting odd.
“Sorry.” She laughed, “Come in guys. We were just uh, cleaning the bathroom. Let me tell Wes you're here.” She said, running up the stairs.
“I know she's my sister.” I whispered to Evie, “but if they were having sex it's not like it would be a surprise.”
Evie smacked my arm playfully, just as Wes, and Zoe came down the stairs. I watched Zoe stop dead in her tracks, as her eye caught Evie's hand as she did so. “Jake?” She asked nonchalantly. “Is Evie wearing mom's ring?”
“That's why we're here Zo.” I said, the excitement evident in my voice. “Evie and I are engaged.”
“Engaged?” She asked, like she hadn't heard me correctly. “Jake.. could I talk to you for a minute? Alone.”
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Evie.” I said, standing my ground.
“Maybe so, but I'd rather not say anything in front of Gabriel.” She smiled sweetly at him. “Do you want to go help Uncle Wes feed Rocko?”
“Yes!” He squealed, as he tried to wriggle out of Evie's arms. She set him down, and Wes immediately took his hand, leading him towards the kitchen, and away from our conversation.
When she was sure that Gabriel was out of ear shot, Zoe focused her attention back on Evie, and I. “What the actual fuck?” She asked, with exasperation.