The Promise

By Lucia Widdop

I just knew it was a bad idea, why oh why did I agree to meeting Laguna in this damn field at night?

I look around whilst I'm waiting, it's a nice place here even if I am angry that I'm stuck here.

The grass is blowing slightly in the breeze, it's twilight and the sky is darkening from a light forget me not colour to a deeper midnight velvet.

Stars litter the sky, tiny slivers of ice dotted around glowing, in the moonlight.

I'm stood on a path made of soft, sedimentary rocks, which crumble beneath my shoes.

Then I see him, Laguna.

He has his back turned to me and it seems like he's been there for a while but how could I have not seen him?

His silky brown hair, swirls around his face, and I can picture his face in the periphery of my mind.

Sharp blue eyes which are always crinkled at the corners in a smile, his smooth skin, high cheekbones, crooked smile.

Sometimes when Ellone's asking me questions I wonder if Laguna would ever make a good husband.

Stupid I know.

I walk towards him and he turns to me wearing his slightly crooked smile and I wonder what the hell he's playing at.

I tell him off and he scratches his head like a little schoolchild and I can't help but smile at him even if he is stupid.

He looks like he is trying to say something and I stare at him curiously, then he turns face flaming and walks quickly away.

Not satisfied after waiting I rush after him taking his hand in mine and spinning him around.

What happens next is almost unbelievable.

He turns and takes a simple, gold wedding band and slides it onto my finger.

I stare shocked and he smiles shyly.

"Marry me Raine, I promise I'll make you happy." he says.

I look back at the ring on my finger, now I realise why he took so long to arrive, he didn't have the guts.

"Yes!" I exclaim happily as he smiles.

He raises his hand and I realise that he's wearing a wedding ring too.

I so amazed and gloriously happy I rush towards him and hug him, overwhelmed.

His arms close round me, shielding, protecting and safe.

As he whispers in my ear how much he loves me and asks me if I'm sure I love him, there's only one possible answer I can give.

"Yes I promise."