"Alright class! That's it for today! I'll see you tomorrow!"
The class of 8-year-olds who are in their 3rd grade all smiled and said, "Thank you, Ms Ong."
Jasmine smiled as she waved good-bye to all of her students as they filed out of class. She let out a sigh of relief as she turned to face her table to tidy up all the worksheets her students submitted.
"Um, Ms Ong, you forgot my worksheet."
She turned around expecting to see an 8-year-old boy but instead, a tall, physically well-built man dressed in an army uniform with the name Stuart Bennett sewn in to his left pocket, was what she saw. She smiled as did he before she practically leapt into his open arms.
"Stu! What are you doing here?! I thought you won't be back till next week!" Jasmine said
"The training ended early so I came back a week earlier." Stuart said
Jasmine looked at his slightly tanned face from the time he spent in Iraq and leaned into kiss him.
He brushed her fringe to the side of her face and said, "You still look as beautiful as I remember you."
She blushed a little and he smiled as he pulled her close to him with his arm around her waist. They stayed in each other's embrace for a while, replenishing each other's need to hold one another. They broke apart after a while as Jasmine tidied up her desk before heading off with Stuart.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back early? I could have gone to pick you up." Jasmine said, as the two of them walked out of school, hand-in-hand.
He squeezed her hand lightly and said, "I wanted it to be a surprise."
Jasmine smiled as he flashed that adorable smile she loved and knew so well. They finally reached Stuart's truck, which was parked in the staff parking lot of the school.
"Have you been driving my truck to school everyday?" Stuart asked
"Yeah. Only way to not miss you so much." Jasmine replied
He smiled and kissed her on the lips before she passed him the keys.
"I believe you'll be driving now." Jasmine said
"You got that right." Stuart said
She chuckled as the two of them got into the truck and he started up the engine.
"So… Where are we going?" Jasmine asked
"Somewhere." Stuart replied
He merely smiled at Jasmine just as he drove out of the parking lot. She couldn't help but smile as his teasing was one of the things she missed about him. Expecting to be at a restaurant or diner not far from their home, she was surprised to see him take a different route; one that led up to the hilltop.
"Stu… Where are we going?" Jasmine asked
Stuart just kept quiet as he kept on driving till they reached their favorite spot on the hilltop, where the view of the city and sky were free from trees blocking the view. Many memories surrounded this place. They first met up on this hilltop when Jasmine decided to take her grading of papers up to this hill and Stuart had just finished hiking up the hill. Their first date and first kiss happened here too which only made this place a lot more special to them.
Stuart cut off the engine and pulled out the keys before getting out of the truck. Jasmine did the same and stood for a second to take in the view before turning to face Stuart who was on the opposite side of the truck.
"Okay, what are we doing here?" Jasmine asked, her hands on her hips.
Stuart merely smiled as he walked over to Jasmine and picked her up to sit her on the top of the truck's bonnet. He held both of her hands in his before looking at her.
"What's going on, Stu?" Jasmine asked
"When I was in Iraq, I did a little thinking. I was thinking… What would I regret most if I suddenly died here from an enemy's sneak attack? And the only thing that I'd regret most would be not asking you to marry me. So, it gave me the motivation to quicken the training process so that I could come home to get you this." Stuart said, taking out a silver ring with small diamonds encrusted in it.
Jasmine had tears in her eyes as she looked at the ring in between his thumb and index finger.
"I know it's not much but I can promise you that I'll love you forever and give you everything you need, even if I may not have enough money to give you a comfortable life." Stuart said
Jasmine shook her head and cupped Stuart's face with her hands, "Why would I need a comfortable life when all I need is right here in front of me?"
Stuart smiled and said, "So… Will you marry me?"
Jasmine smiled back, "In a heartbeat."
Stuart's smile widened as he put on the ring for Jasmine before leaning in to kiss her.
"I love you." Stuart said, "Forever and always."
Jasmine smiled, embracing him, "Ditto."