Prologue
My palms are sweaty,and I wipe them on my jeans to dry them off. It doesn’t help. Now my jeans have sweat streaks. This is not going how I planned. It’s insanely hot today, and the arboretum is teeming with people. I should have picked a weekday to visit, but Tonya has been busy helping her mom at the real estate office, and my mom can’t take off during the week. I couldn’t do this without them here.
Tonya is pushing the stroller ahead of me, taking her time looking at all the flowers and plants that grow here. It’s beautiful and the perfect setting for the question I want to ask her. We are halfway through the gardens when we come to a beautiful waterfall. There are trees surrounding a small man-made pool. A brick ledge separates us from the water, but there is an expanse of lawn right in front. “This looks like a good place to have lunch.”
“Sounds good,” Tonya chirps as she unbuckles Layla from the stroller. “There’s a tree right over there that would be perfect for the shade.”
The wagon I’ve been pulling behind me is about to get a little bit lighter, at least. The main reason we brought it is to carry the picnic lunch we made at Tonya’s this morning. It was a great investment, and I can see us getting years of use out of it as Layla gets older. I pull the light blanket out and spread it across the green grass. While I get the food out, Tonya gets Layla set up with her tummy time mat. She’s not ready for the sandwiches we have packed, but I packed bottled water and the formula I keep at my house. I can’t wait until she hits those milestones when she can eat and run around. She’s not much younger than my nephew, and I have a blast with that kid.
I never imagined I would have a family at such a young age. But I’m grateful for the day Tonya fought me over that art project. It gave me a chance to get to know her, and fall in love with her. Pregnant and all. I wouldn’t take back the last seven months for anything. These two ladies complete me in a way I don’t completely understand, but I plan on making that permanent.
Layla is cooing on her mat, tiny fists reaching into the air trying to grab the toys hanging above her. Tonya’s chatting with my mom about baby stuff as usual. I don’t think anyone besides Tonya’s parents are as happy to be in Layla’s life as my mom is. Ok, well, maybe Cami. Having her best friend live with her is the best thing ever. She’s the one who helped me plan this excursion. I’m shocked she’s kept it quiet this long. She doesn’t keep any secrets from Tonya. At least, not anymore. Since she’s stepped away from her crazy ass parents, she’s been a lot more open with Tonya. It’s definitely a good thing, because my girl was worried about her bestie all the time.
I’m so busy watching the amazing relationship she has with my mom that I don’t hear Mrs. Burgess talking. “I’m sorry, what?”
She leans in and whispers, “Are you ready?” Nodding her head at Tonya a big grin takes over her face.
Of course, she knows, I did things the old-fashioned way and asked Mr. Burgess for his blessing. He still had his reservations. Mostly because he didn’t believe my intentions were pure when it came to dating his daughter. But he sees how in love I am with Tonya. He knows there’s nothing that could turn me away from her. He may have also been impressed when I stood up to Jake that one time in their yard. But that’s a whole other story. One I’m working on being okay with. Him being a part of Layla’s life isn’t my decision, but I’m glad he’s finally stepping up to the plate. It’ll be better for her if she has all parents on the same page.
I shake thoughts of Tonya’s ex away. Nodding at Mrs. Burgess, I try to grab Tonya’s attention. “Can y’all watch the princess while Tonya and I take a walk?”
“Absolutely,” both of our moms say at the same time. I can see how hard it is for them to hide their excitement, so I hold out my hand to Tonya before they give everything away.
She grabs it, happy to get some us time for a little bit. Even if it is for a short walk. She tries not to ask her parents to babysit too often. In her eyes, she’s the one who had Layla, so she’s her responsibility. Her parents try nudging her to just leave her with them, but she doesn’t always give in. Their reasoning… “she still needs to go out and live.” I agree with them completely, but Tonya can be stubborn.
I double check my pocket to ensure the ring is there before we walk off. Getting down on one knee without the ring would be pretty damn embarrassing. My hands are sweating again and I’m worried she’ll pick up on how nervous I am. Maybe she’ll just think it’s the heat, and not say anything.
“Thank you for bringing us out here today.” She leans into me, pulling her hand from mine, and wrapping her arm around my waist.
A part of me wants to pull away because it’s hot and I don’t want to get sweat all over her, but I quiet that thought. Instead, I pull her closer, reveling in the fact that she’s all mine. “Absolutely. Flowers aren’t really my thing, but I knew it would make you and our moms happy. Besides, we can get some adorable pictures of Layla with all the bright colors.”
She smacks her forehead. “I didn’t even think of that. We’ve wasted all this time with the first half of the gardens.” Shaking her head, she continues, “Now, I feel like we need to go back so we can get pictures.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of flowers in the remaining gardens.” I chuckle. She gets so worked up about the tiniest things. It would annoy some people, but I think it’s adorable.
“You’re right.” She gives me a quick side hug and we continue walking.
“I wonder if there are any fish in that pond,” I muse. I’m trying to find a reason to get her over there. We need the perfect backdrop. Mom and Mrs. Burgess are slowly getting closer to where we’re standing. Layla pulling my mom’s hair. “Look, I think I saw something ripple the water.” I need her to not pay attention to our moms.
As she leans over the brick wall, I use the distraction to dig the ring out of my pocket. I should have put it in a pouch or something. Small pieces of lint hang off it, and I do my best to pull them all out before she turns back around.
“Reaf,” she says, still eyeing the pond. “I don’t see any-” Her words die on her lips when she notices I’m no longer standing beside her, but down on one knee.
“Tonya.” Her name is stuck in my throat. Now is not the time to be nervous. Gah, I sound like a teenager whose voice is still cracking. Clearing my throat, I hope there are no more mishaps. “I know we haven’t been together for very long, but what Idoknow is that I want you in my life every day for years to come. I want to wake up to your beautiful face every morning, and shower you with the love you deserve.”
“What the hell are you doing, Reaf?” She whispers, frantically. Good, I’ve caught her off guard. She had no idea this was going to happen. Score one for all the people who kept it quiet.
I shrug, and watch her nose scrunch up at the simple gesture. “Um, I’m trying to propose to you if you’ll let me finish.” She waves her hand, wanting me to continue. “Where was I? Oh yeah, I want to shower you with love. I want to be the person you lean on when you’re having a bad day, and the one who celebrates all the successes you have along the way. And, one day I’d love to have babies with you, and grow our family.” She snorts at that. “Will you marry me?”
She doesn’t say anything. She stares at me, and then looks at our moms watching on the sidelines with their phones out. Shit. I’ve done the wrong thing. She’s not ready for this, and I screwed everything up. “I’m sorry, it’s too early to profess my undying love for you.” I begin tucking the ring back into my pocket.
Tonya’s hand whips out grabbing mine before I can put it back, almost knocking the ring out of my hand. “Why are you putting it away? I never answered.”
“Which is why I assumed the answer would be no.”
“You know what happens when you assume, right?” She smirks. That’s a good thing…I think.
“Yeah, yeah. It makes an ass out of you and me.” I grab her hand with my free one. “So, are you going to answer?” I hate the uncertainty in the question. But I fear rejection even more.