Title: Silent Promise (1/1)
Author: DarkJaina
Rating: G
Summary: Finally, a C/J!!! It's
Valentine's Day, and Jake has a surprise for Cassie . . .
Timeline: Definitely pre-49,
probably pre-45, too. Anytime before then.
Spoilers: None, really.
Category: Romance
Archive: Yes to anyone if you ask
me first
Disclaimer: Jake, Cassie, and any other characters mentioned in this story do not belong to me. They are the property of K.A. Applegate, Scholastic, and each other.
Author's Note: Yes, my first J/C
fic, woohoo! ::wince:: Be kind? Please?
~*~*~*~*~
Silent Promise (1/1)
By Jenni "Jaina"
Kissinger
~*~*~*~*~
"I guess the meeting is over," said Jake. "Everyone go home, get some sleep."
The others nodded, relieved that nothing important would have to be resolved the next day. It wouldn't be a good day to fight.
The meetings had been moved to night. The risk of being followed in the daylight had become too great. Everyone pretended to adjust well, but they looked forward to tomorrow's rest in eager anticipation.
The night passed. The morning shone in radiant brilliance, the sun peeking over the mountains like a child looking at a present before Christmas.
Except it wasn't Christmas.
School was uneventful for all involved. Classes were a mere distraction, which did not captivate their minds from wondering and worrying. It could not end soon enough.
* * * * *
Jake stands on the porch of Cassie's house, tightly grasping the bundle in his arms. He takes in a deep breathe, then presses the doorbell.
After several moments, she opens the door, shooting one last confused look at the algebra in her hand. She glances up.
"Oh, Jake. . . ."
He holds out the brilliant red roses, 24 total. A slow smile creeps across his face to see her warm brown eyes widen and shimmer as she accepts the gift.
She gestures for him to come into her home. "Thank you, so much, Jake, I—"
He raises the hand he had kept hidden from her sight. Her eyes dart back and forth between his sweet face and the small box.
"Open it," he says softly.
She obeys, and is unable to force sounds through her throat.
The black satin box contains a simple gold ring. Set onto it are two, intricately detailed dolphins, both silver, crafted into leaping positions.
She finally manages to choke through the lump in her throat. "Jake . . . I just don't know what to say. . . ."
"I know how much you like dolphins," he answers, "and after everything we've been through, well . . ." He looks down, afraid to finish the statement, then looks back to her eyes.
"I love you, Cassie. I love you so much, and I thought this could be a sort of promise. You know, until we're old enough . . ."
The tears in Cassie's eyes will not stay there as she silently orders them to. Jake gently reaches up to brush a tear away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"I do, I mean, I will, I . . . I love you, Jake. I can't imagine anyone else in my life; I can't imagine life without you. I will marry you, Jake. Whenever you want, you have my promise. I will be your wife."
Joy and love for each other well up in their hearts. He slips the ring onto her finger, then lifts her up and twirls her around. After all the fighting and horror of the past year, for this moment at least, they can be children in love.
He sets her down then, their noses almost touching. Their eyes locked, he whispers:
"Happy Valentine's Day, Cassie."