Octavian's POV:
My hands were sweatier than my hands had ever been before and I didn't like it. If I didn't concentrate on taking deep breaths I was sure I would pass out from sheer nervousness. I looked in the mirror of my apartment's bathroom. Hair combed. I recombed it. Shirt tucked in. I untucked it. Belt secure. I redid it just in case. My pants falling down on an important day like so would be mortifying, I doubt I could live if it happened. I brush my teeth for the third time that morning. I didn't know today would be the most anxious day of my life. Makes sense though, since its the most important one.
This is the most important day of my life. Oh my goodness I need breath mints. I was so scared.
When I was done straightening up in the bathroom I went into the living room. A few deep breaths and I picked up the ring box. This is the most important day of my life and if I mess up I could lose Rachel forever. I took another shaky breath and then left.
I felt sick and had to lean against the door for a few seconds before I could make it to my car.
I got to camp and Rachel was waiting for me. She was smiling and dressed in a beautiful white dress. She took my breath away and my hands started to sweat once more. I got out of the car and ran over, almost tripping. She giggled. She had such an adorable laugh. I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her before leading her to the car. We had reservations for lunch. I famished since I hadn't had the nerve to eat breakfast, but I wouldn't be able to eat at the restaurant either. That was where I was going to propose. In a classy restaurant with romantic lighting.
"If she says no your life is ruined." a voice in my head reminded me. I frowned.
"What's wrong?" She asked getting into the car.
"Nothing I was just trying to remember if I have the reservation time right."
"1.00 O'clock. I wrote it on my hand." She showed me. She'd also doodled around it. It was adorable when she said that and for a second I felt out of breath because I was so amazed by her. My smile returned instantly. We got in the car and drove to the restaurant talking about music and the weather and how much we loved each other, because saying that never gets old. She pouted a little about nightmares, I had a few of my own complaints but was mostly just soaking in her beauty. I can't believe I had been lucky enough to end up with Rachel Dare... Today would make or break our relationship. If I had been worried before now I was 100 times more so.
"Are you okay Octavian?" She asked, squeezing my hand. We weren't even inside the restaurant yet but my head was spinning fast and I blurted,
"Will you marry me?!" As if automated my body dropped to its knees and whipped out the ring and she looked... Shocked. Shocked but not angry or upset... Shocked and happy. And her being happy made me happy. It made me so happy my heart felt like it was literally singing and the world felt at peace.
Not a second passed before she was throwing her arms around me.
"YES!" Suddenly we were laughing and crying on the ground of a parking lot of a fancy restaurant. We never used our reservations. We went out for icecream. We talked about wedding. We talked about dresses and colors and everything. We talked about EVERYTHING. It was the best conversation I'd ever had with anyone. We ate more ice cream than we ever had before. We laughed and talked and hugged and kissed it was the best day ever.
But I forgot something until late that evening.
When the sun was setting and I was dropping her back at camp I remembered the ring.
"Hold on." I pulled out the ring, a glittery emerald to compliment her stunning red hair. I took her beautiful left hand in mine and slipped the ring on her perfect left ring finger. I kissed her cheek and went home happier than ever.
Because they are beautiful
