“Gold…Everywhere!” Carrie responded, her eyes growing large as though she was imagining the sight.
“Ewww,” Johnathan replied, not the least bit impressed.
Carrie burst out laughing, “My point, exactly, love. Be careful what you say, even to me.”
Johnathan rolled his eyes, “Great! Now I have to be active in the decorations…”
“Yay!” Carrie insisted, genuinely enthusiastic, and returned to asking random questions about the décor options throughout dinner.
After ordering desert, something that Johnathan had missed a lot while he was on sabbatical from reality, he decided that this was a good time to change the subject.
“Carrie,” Johnathan finally insisted, reaching across the table, and grabbing her hand.
Midsentence, about lighting, or a bedframe, or something, Johnathan had far too much on his mind to genuinely be paying attention, she stopped short and stared at him.
“What’s wrong?” Carrie asked, tilting her head to the side curiously.
“Absolutely nothing!” Johnathan grinned, hoping that his nervousness didn’t give anything away.
Inside, he felt his body shaking, but he hoped to God it wasn’t as noticeable as it felt.
He sighed, preparing himself as best as he possibly could.
“Carrie,” Johnathan began, “I know that we haven’t known one another all that long, but the time that we have been together has been extremely impactful on…both of our lives. We have gotten to know one another better in the last few months than I believe many couples get to know one another in years. I have loved getting to know you…And I cannot wait to continue this journey of exploration with you…You have made me a better man then I ever thought I was capable of being. You have raised me up and even though I know I still have a long way to go, I now have the support and assurance that I can get there,” he paused, grinning at her still confused, yet appreciative expression. “I love you, Carrie and since we’re moving into our apartment, I thought it was only right that we did so, with the assurance that we are going to be husband and wife.”
With that, Johnathan slid off the chair, onto one knee, as he grabbed the tiny box out of his pocket.
Carrie was speechless as tears of joy filled her eyes. She screamed with excitement and hugged Johnathan tightly.
“Yes!” She exclaimed, “Oh my God! Yes! Of course!”
At this, Carrie kissed Johnathan ravenously. Eagerly, Johnathan wrapped his arms around Carrie and pulled him into her.
By now, the entire restaurant had figured out what was happening. There were cheers and clapping all around them, making the couple feel as though it truly was a celebration.
When they broke apart from their kiss, Johnathan stood up and placed the ring on Carrie’s finger.
For the first time, Carrie was able to see the ring. It was beautiful; a perfect stone, embedded in a cradle of surrounding diamonds. The band was white gold and the centered stone was encased in its own illustrious clasp, prominently displaying it apart from the rest.
Again, Carrie felt fresh tears start to stream down her face. The proposal completely surprised her, though she didn’t even have to consider her answer.
“I got a little nervous when you started talking about all gold,” Johnathan joked.
“You know me better than anyone!” She exclaimed, holding the ring out so she could admire it against her finger. “It’s perfect!”
Hardly able to believe what was happening, she wrapped her arms tightly around Johnathan, as the wait staff brought out their desert.
“I figured that now, you don’t have to feel like you are doing the same thing,” Johnathan told her as they sat down to enjoy their meal and the eyes of the other guests eased off them, giving the couple back their privacy.
“What do you mean?” Carrie insisted, searching her fiancé’s eyes for further explanation.
“Moving in together. I thought that you might be nervous about it and I figured if it isn’t the same experience, you will have an easier time separating it. Instead of moving in together as girlfriend and boyfriend,” Johnathan raised his glass, tapping it against Carrie’s, “You will be moving in with your fiancé.”
Carrie giggled, made giddy by the word that she had always thought was a long way off, in terms of describing her and Johnathan.
However, after a moment, Carrie lowered her glass and turned serious, “Now, I’m the one who feels the need to clarify…You didn’t feel like you had to do this, did you? I don’t want to rush you into anything. I know how big of a step this is for you too. After all…”
Johnathan stopped her abruptly, “Carrie, when have you ever known this stubborn ass to do anything he didn’t want to do?”