Believe It, Angel
Kenna
Still no word from Jake. My parents assure me I shouldn’t worry, that men need space as much as women.
We are having dinner at my grandparents’ tonight, and I’m thankful for the distraction.
We arrive promptly at six, and for some reason, we have to go in the front door, which isn’t typical. We usually enter through the side door at the garage. I don’t remember the last time my grandparents used the front door. They don’t even have a working doorbell. My pop says front doors are for salespeople, charity cases, and those boys on bicycles in suits trying to hand out pamphlets on religion. Family knows to just walk right in the house through the back doors.
Jake has always laughed at me and my family because we don’t lock any doors except the front. Living in a town where most everyone knows everyone, it gives you a sense of security.
My grandma has made my favorite—beef stew with homemade mashed potatoes, green beans from their garden, and corn bread, drinking our sweet tea in a mason jar, of course. My grandparents don’t own real cups. Everything you drink is in a canning jar. I savor the moment and the memories of doing this so many times before.
Dinner is every bit the comfort food I need, followed by my grandma’s pound cake. Everyone is rather quiet, but I’m so consumed in thoughts of Jake that I’m thankful for the silence.
After cleaning up the kitchen from dinner, everyone sits around the living room, relaxing. Not in the mood for small talk, I decide to head out to the dock behind their house. Extending the invitation to my parents and grandparents to join me, I’m silently glad when they decline, thankful to be alone.
Approaching the dock, I hear someone clear their throat and, as I look up, my heart swells.
Oh my, Jake is here, flowers in hand, wearing khakis and a black polo, looking sharp.
***
Jake
She takes my breath away as she walks toward the dock with the gentle breeze blowing through her hair, causing her blue sundress to dance around her curves. The tears immediately come down her face when she sees me, leaving me wondering if she is crying for happy reasons or sad.
Am I too late? Have I lost her for good?
Man up. Time to do this.
Before I can speak, she has her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest. I wrap my arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
“I love you, Jake. I’m sorry.” She begins to say more, but I cut her off.
“Shh, angel. It’s okay. I love you beyond forever, baby. I missed you.”
I give her a moment because she seems utterly shocked that I am here. Then she leans up and kisses me ever so gently, and I want to deepen the kiss, but I know I need to focus on what I came here to do.
Completely at ease with my decision about our future, I know I am ready for the next chapter with Kenna. With this on my mind, I take her hand, leading her to the end of the dock.
“Kenna, I have a lot I want to say. I had this all planned in my head, but when you’re here, in front of me, my brain shuts down.”
She puts her hand up to stop me. “Jake, it’s okay. I understand now. This has all been ridiculously selfish of me.” She takes my face in her hands. “Baby, I love you. I just want to be with you. No need for the wedding and all that baggage. Me and you, beyond forever.” The tears are still coming, but she’s smiling.
Without thinking any further, I drop to one knee in front of her. “It’s taken me way too long to get over myself and go for what’s been in front of me from the very beginning. Kenna, we can do this. We will make it. I love you, and I want to share a last name. I want to be your provider, protector, lover, best friend, biggest cheerleader, and I want it on paper. I want to see you in a white dress, walking toward me, committing with me, joining together as one for the rest of our lives.”
I pull out the tiny velvet box that’s been burning a hole in my pocket, opening it for her to see. “I bought this ring while I was deployed. The thought of calling you my wife prompted me to order it. I should’ve stuck with that very instinct and done this before now, but I got all twisted in my head.
“I love you. You were made to be my angel, to save me, to love me, and to be my wife. I’m here, asking you to be just that, to share love and life with me beyond forever. Will you marry me?”
She says nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I slowly rise to my feet, willing her to react in some way.
“You bought this ring before everything?” she finally asks.
I nod, unable to speak. I’m choking on my heartbreak from not having an answer yet.
“Do you really want this?”
I nod again, words not forming.
“Did you ask my dad?”
I nod again, knowing I really need to let her in on the fact that her family is glued to the back door, watching and waiting.
When still no words come from her mouth, I drop my head in defeat.
Just as I’m about to close the ring box, Kenna takes my hand, and I look into her beautiful face as she whispers, “Yes, a million times, yes.”
My nerves are shot. I’m shaking so badly I almost drop the ring and box into the water. With trembling hands, I place the ring on her finger, breathing a sigh of relief and happiness.
I am at home with her.
I lean down and kiss her with every emotion inside of me. By the time we stop kissing, I look up to find her parents and grandparents standing together at the dock’s edge.
“They knew?” Kenna asks, finally seeing them standing there.
“I told you I asked your dad. He helped me organize everything.” I smile at her. “Thank you for making this the happiest day of my life. I love you.” I kiss her again to cheers from her family.
Heading back inside the house, I feel completely ready to marry this woman tomorrow.
Kenna’s parents are ready to leave for the night, and to be honest, I have been ready to spend some alone time with my fiancée.
Kenna looks to me inquisitively. “How did you get here? Where are you staying?”
I laugh. “My truck is in your grandparents’ garage. I’ve been staying here with Pop and Grandma, but tonight, we are going to a hotel.”
She gives the biggest smile. “Y’all have been sneaky today,” she says to everyone as she takes my hand to lead us out.
We get in the truck, heading out for a passion filled night. Oh yes, I plan to love every millimeter of my fiancée’s body. Besides, I have a new tattoo to show her.