It's been too long since I last updated this story so I decided to finally do so.
Chapter 2 - Baby Be Mine
"Joe, you know how much I hate surprises," I reminded him while we stood in the hallway waiting for the elevator to come up.
He laced his fingers between mine and reassured me with a kiss, "I know. You never let me forget it," he chuckled, "but I promise, you'll love the one I have in store tonight."
The bell chimed as the elevator opened and we stepped inside. There was a short, but comfortable silence between us on the way down, but once we stepped off and walked through the lobby approaching the exit of the hotel, I noticed there was a long, black vehicle parked by the curb on the street just sitting still. "Wait...is that a limo?"
"Yep. Our limo." Joe stated with a smile.
"Our limo?" I questioned as I turned to look him straight in his eyes hoping he would let me in on the secret. "What are you up to?"
"You'll just have to wait until we reach our destination to see for yourself, baby girl.."
"Okay," I said blowing out a nervous breath. "I trust you."
"Good." He says happily as he grabs my hand and leads me over to the limo. Once inside, I slowly turned around allowing the blindfold to be placed over my eyes. I wasn't sure where we were going or what to expect, but I'm sure if Joe's involved everything will be perfect as always.
...
When we arrived to our destination, Joe helped me out of the limo and grabbed my hand to lead me somewhere unbeknownst to me. My heart was pounding a million beats per minute practically echoing in my head. I'd never been so nervous and as we continued walking to our destination, I began a silent prayer hoping that with whatever was about to take place, I wouldn't faint. "Are we there yet?" I asked becoming antsy and resisting the urge to take off the blindfold.
"Actually, yes."
Once he removed the blindfold I opened my eyes to witness a beautiful beach arrangement. Lit Tiki torches formed a pathway where a table for two was waiting for us. In the middle, a tall champagne bottle on ice, and surrounding the table were lit candles snugly placed in the sand illuminating the area. The sun was setting in the background seemingly being swallowed by the watery depths of the royal blue ocean that stretched for miles. Pink clouds and shades of lavender, coral, and gold grace the sky, meshing together into a work of art, like a canvas come to life. The sight of it all was breathtaking. All I could do was smile, and I could tell that Joe was satisfied with my reaction to the set up.
I turned around and wrapped my arms around him lovingly. "This scene is absolutely beautiful! Did you plan this all by yourself?"
"Sort of, but I had a little help from a couple of people. Why don't we head on over?"
We walked over and Joe pulled out my seat before taking his own. "I'm impressed. Everything is so perfect. I love it!"
"Then that means my job is done. I'm glad you appreciate it."
I was so into Joe and all the special attention he was giving me that I almost didn't notice it when someone walked over to our table. I turned my head and saw one of the twins - Jey, I believe it was - dressed in a waiter's attire.
"Good evening fine, young people. My name is Jey, and I'll be your waiter this evening."
I tried to hold back a giggle, but it escaped somehow and I received a glare from the younger twin. I didn't mean to laugh, but the outfit, the persona, it was a lot different than what I was use to seeing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that I wasn't expecting all of this."
He chuckled and shook his head to show that he understood where I was coming from then pulled out a notepad. "So.. what can I get for a pair of fine people such as yourselves?"
"I'll have the New York Strip." Joe said closing the menu in his hands. I glanced down to my own menu and opened it, but for some reason there were only two options; the New York Strip and asparagus that Joe ordered, and a Lobster platter with broccoli and cheese and corn as sides.
"I think I'll try the Lobster." I said handing the menu to Jey.
"One New York and one lobster coming right up..."
I turned in my chair to watch our 'waiter' walk into a building far from where we were seated, though I could still see it a bit. I bit my lip before turning my attention back to Joe. "This just got interesting. Who else is back there?"
"You'll find out soon," he told me with a wink.
For the next fifteen minutes or so, Joe and I discussed our opinions on different topics until Jey arrived with our meals. Tagging along behind him was his brother, Jimmy. I should have known - one hardly travels without the other. Each of them were carrying a silver tray and sat them on the table in front of us both. I greeted the other twin before thanking them as did Joe before we turned our attention to the meals and the twins walked back to what I assume, was the kitchen.
Suddenly I heard Joe's voice cut through and he asked, "So, are you enjoying yourself?"
I nodded with a blush similar to that of a school girl who'd just been recognized by her long time crush. Somehow he always managed to have that affect on me. From time to time I would curse myself for being so shy around him, but I knew he was understanding of it.
"Absolutely. What about yourself?" I questioned curiously.
He popped open the cork of the champagne bottle and proceeded to pour the liquid into both glasses. "Of course, but the best is yet to come."
I quirked a brow. "There's more to this?"
"Yep," he smiled. "But you'll have to wait until after dinner to find out."
I took a bite from the ear of corn on my plate as I listened to his words. "It must be quite the surprise if you went through all of this trouble to set it up."
"It was no trouble at all. I actually enjoyed arranging everything. Because I know the look on your face by the end of tonight will make it all worth it."
"I'm starting to feel bad now, like I should have bought you something as well."
"As long as I get the response I'm looking for tonight, I'll be the happiest man alive."
What could he have been talking about? What answer was he expecting from me? Would I choice right, or would I choose wrong? My mind lingered on this for quite some time as I watched him happily devour the plate of food in front of him. I resume digging into my own meal and once we're both finished, Joe invites me to take a walk with him on the beach. I kick off my heels and take his hand as we stroll across the cool, sandy earth, admiring the last bit of the fading sun until it vanishes behind the vast open ocean and a full moon moves in to replace it. I move towards the shoreline allowing the water to wash over my feet as Joe stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. It was the best feeling ever just to share these moments together - to be held like this. It seemed everything around us stood still, almost as if we were frozen in time, but there wasn't a complaint from either of us. We both knew that we wanted this scene to last forever. I turned around and placed a passionate kiss to his lips and smiled up at him.
"You do know that I enjoy spending time with you, right Aria?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I enjoy our times together too. You're an amazing man, Joe."
He seemed to be pleased to hear this as that handsome smile he always wore spread across his face, melting my heart along with it. "I'm happy you feel that way because there's something important I've been meaning to ask you."
Something important? I didn't know what to think of this, and for a brief minute I felt a little nervous. Despite this, I wanted to know what he had on his mind. "The floor is all yours, handsome." I told him with a smile of my own.
Silence danced around us as Joe seemed to be deep in thought. I stared up at him quizzically as he began to speak once again. "Aria, we've been together for some time now, and every moment we spend with each other is very special to me. I treasure those precious moments dearly, and I'll always keep them close to my heart. I don't know about you, but I would love to have many more of those moments together..."
From a distance I heard a group of people lowly chattering amongst themselves. When I glanced back I saw the twins and Naomi all standing around peeking at us from behind a pillar, but then they quickly dispersed. Joe and I laughed at this, then he continued...
"...that's why I need to ask this now more than ever." He paused, and I watched him begin to fish around in his pants pocket for something before he took a kneel and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal what only could be an engagement ring as he stared deeply into my eyes, then he took one of my hands and placed it into his own. My mouth dropped open as I quickly tried to process the situation. "Aria Lynne McKay, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife forever?"
I was speechless. Words could not express how genuinely happy and emotional I was feeling on the inside. There was so much going through my mind - all of the sorry excuses for boyfriends I dated in the past, the many nights I cried myself to sleep thinking that I'd never be good enough for any man, my journey to the WWE, the day I met Joe, all of the ups and downs we faced together - it all was leading me up to this point. And without those experiences, there's no way I could call myself the woman I am today. All of it made me stronger, molded my future, molded me into someone with a newfound look on life. I had survived it all, and now here I was in the best moment of my life, being proposed to by the very man I thought I'd never have.
It's so crazy how things play out.
"Aria?" I looked down to see Joe caressing my leg with a concerned stare on his face. I gave him a smile through the tears I wasn't aware I had shed and he stroked my cheeks lovingly while wiping the tears away. "What's wrong?"
"I was just thinking of how honored I'd be to fulfill your request. I'd love to become your wife."
Immediately Joe stood up and scooped me into his arms as he made his way back towards our table, enthusiastically shouting, "She said yes!" to which three figures came running in our direction. Naomi, Jimmy and Jey all joined in on the celebration, delighted smiles on their faces. As Joe placed me back down, Naomi and I shared an embrace while the twins congratulated Joe on the engagement.
"This calls for a toast!" Jimmy declared as he poured himself some of the left over champagne and raised a glass, "To the happy couple!" The rest of us copied his actions and downed the liquid, more celebration taking place soon after.
I'm hoping that this chapter was decent even though it's kind of short. Anyways, I'd love to hear thoughts and opinions on this piece so feel free to leave a review if you have any constructive criticism.
