He walked across the room and stood in front of the moonlit window. The cool breeze swayed the curtain around his bare back, making him shiver from the light touch. The stars glittered brightly in the clear fall sky. On the trees, the leaves had already turned bright gold, burgandy and orange.
He walked away from the window lightly, his feet sinking into the plush carpet. She stirred slightly in the satin sheets. It wouldn't be long until she realized he wasn't there. He walked out into the dark kitchen. The clock read four thirty a.m. He couldn't sleep. He was too nervous. She didn't know what he was going to do. She had no idea, but, he had to do it soon. Even if he had to wake her. His stomach did flip flops.
He smelled the roses that sat on the counter. It was their one year anniversary. He read the card again. He must have read it 20 times over.
Jessica,
I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you are in my life. You are the most important thing to me. I love you. I always will. Happy anniversary.
Love, JC
He remembered the expression on her face when he gave them to her. It was like she never received flowers before, even though he gave her a bouquet once every month. Her eyes lit up like the sun. She was so happy. He knew because of the tears in her eyes. Whenever she was happy, her eyes became glassy. He loved her that way. He loved every bit of her.
She rolled over and patted the empty bed. She leaned up and looked at the clock with squinted eyes. She flopped her head back down before she stood up and walked out to the dimly lit kitchen. She readjusted the long t-shirt she had on and gathered her dark hair back into a ponytail.
"JC?"
"Hey," he turned around quickly. "I'm sorry. I was just coming back."
She walked up to him and put her hand on his bare chest. "Is something wrong?"
"No." he paused. "No, nothing's wrong. I just couldn't sleep."
"Why can't you sleep?"
"I just have things on my mind, that's all."
She turned around and grabbed two mugs and set them on the counter. She turned on the hot water and put two tea bags into the mugs. When JC had things on his mind, she knew it was going to be a long night.
"So, what's on your mind?"
Subconsciously wanting the tea, he grabbed his mug and put the water into it, making it himself.
"It's nothing too important."
"It's not important but yet you can't sleep?"
He sat down at the table. "Ok." he paused. "It's about us."
She looked at the vase full of roses and wondered what possibly could be wrong. A bad feeling rose to the pit of her stomach. "Am I missing something here?"
"No. Don't worry it's nothing bad."
She left out a sigh, like the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She stirred her tea noisily as JC pretty much chugged his. "Were you thirsty?"
He laughed. "Not really."
"So, what's been on your mind that has to do with us?"
He shifted nervously. "You know, I'm really getting tired. Maybe we should talk about this later."
"Well, if it's keeping you up then maybe you should get it off your chest." she stood up, grabbing their mugs and putting them into the sink.
"I don't know if now is the right time."
"Nothing right now is the right time. I should be sleeping." she laughed lightly.
"Then go to bed hun. I don't mean to keep you up." he stood up and put his hands around her face.
"Ok." she yawned. "Are you coming too?"
"In a few." he replied bluntly as he lifted the back of her shirt up and ran his hands around her behind.
"Hey now, none of that!" she laughed and wiggled away.
"Oh well. I tried." he replied as she walked back down the hall to the bedroom.
A few minutes later he entered back into the room. He grabbed a lighter and lit one of the candles that sat on a dresser.
"What's that for?" she opened her eyes.
"You're awake?"
"Well, I couldn't sleep without you here beside me."
He smiled. "I think I want to tell you."
She sat up quickly and looked into his sparkling eyes. "What do you want to tell me?"
He looked away before he replied. "I love you."
"I love you, too." she leaned over and kissed him. "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
"Kinda."
"So, what's up with the candle?"
He looked back at the white taper candle. "It goes along with what I wanted to ask you."
She looked at him strangely. "Which is?"
He opened the drawer of the night stand beside the bed and grabbed a small velvet box. She couldn't see his movements in the dimly lit room or what he had in his hand until he presented it to her.
"Jessica?"
She looked down. "Yeah?"
"Will you marry me?"
The flash of light from the moonlight's reflection off of the one carat diamond set in platinum blinded them for a second and caught them off guard. He took the ring out of the case and placed it onto her finger. Her eyes were illuminated by candle light as she looked at him. The glassiness had arose, making JC teary eyed. He knew exactly how she felt and what her answer was just by her expression. He knew everything about her.
"Oh my God, JC. It's beautiful!" she gasped at the sight once more before looking back up at his impatient expression. "Of course I'll marry you!"
His nervousness released from his body. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. Emotions flooded their bodies, making the room spin. He could feel her love within him more than he ever had before.
He placed her back down onto the bed as they continued to kiss. He ran his hands underneath her shirt. She didn't push him away this time. Instead she welcomed him with her own soft caresses.
Outside, the moon slowly faded, away from the awaiting dawn. She stars became dim. The trees continued to lose more leaves. And, the cool autumn night air continued to interrupt the heat that permeated inside the small candle lit room.
