Proposal Preparation
Jack hurried through the streets of New York, dodging the multitude of people as he ran towards his destination. He only had a limited time before Jess would notice his absence; she still expected him to be selling. She had gone off with Allie and Kara for a "girl's day" leaving him with Racetrack. After they had finished selling, Racetrack had not had a problem with letting Jack leave while he went to the track for the afternoon.
"Please be home," Jack muttered as he knocked on the apartment door.
"Ah Jack what a surprise!" Brain Denton exclaimed as he opened the door. "What can I do for you?"
"Hey Denton," Jack said with a nervous smile. "Can I talk to you for a minute if you ain't busy?"
"Of course come on in," Denton smiled and allowed Jack to enter the room.
As Jack sat down at the small table in the center of the room, his thoughts drifted back to only a few months when he had sat here plotting the end of the strike. He couldn't believe how much had changed since that day.
"Now Jack, I know it's the middle of the selling day which means you had to rush selling to get here. Because of that, I'm guessing you don't want Jessica to know you're here. What's on your mind, boy?"
Jack took a deep breath and swallowed. "Well, Denton, you're right that I don't want Jess to know…yet. You've gotta know how much I love her, right?"
Denton smiled knowingly as he leaned back in his chair. "I have some idea."
"Right…well, ya see…I know three months ain't a long time and all, and I know I ain't no perfect guy, but I love her more than anythin' else in the world. We're settin' up a house now so we can be together without the boys buggin' us, but we ain't livin' together yet."
"Jack…" Denton sighed. "Just ask me what you came to ask me."
Jack swallowed again. "Well, sir, I want to ask Jess to marry me, but I know you're supposed to ask permission first. Like I said, I know I ain't the ideal guy to give your daughter to, but please…she's my world, and I can't imagine bein' without her."
Denton stood up and began to pace in thought. "Jack…I understand how you feel about her, but in return I expect you to understand that she is my only daughter and what that means."
"I do, sir, and I would never want to come between the two of ya," Jack replied hastily.
Sighing, Denton turned back to Jack. "Come with me, Jack." He led Jack into his bedroom where he began pulling open drawers and looking for something.
Jack strained on his toes trying to look over Denton's shoulder to see what he was looking for.
"When I was just a little older than you," Denton said without turning around. "I met a woman and fell hopelessly in love with her. At the time, I was completely broke while trying to get a job at any paper in the city. Still, I loved this girl so much that I asked her to marry me. I didn't have a house, or money, or even a ring for her…she said yes anyway. So, we got married and I got a job not long after. It was only after we got married that I finally had the money to buy her a ring. I always felt horrible that she had no ring while we were engaged, and I don't want that to happen to Jess, so…" He turned back around with a small black box in his hand.
"Is that her mom's sir?" Jack asked.
"It is," Denton replied opening the box. "I want you to have it for Jess when you ask her."
Several emotions flittered through Jack's mind in very quick succession. First, relief because Denton had said he could ask Jess. Then worry again because he didn't know how to refuse the gift. "Sir, I really appreciate you lettin' me ask Jess, and I ain't tryin' to be mean or nothin', but…I kinda wanted to buy Jess a ring myself."
"Jack engagement rings are very expensive," Denton warned. "Jess won't even know the difference; she was too young to remember this as her mother's."
"Maybe," Jack said with slightly more confidence, "but I'll know. You said you always felt guilty because your wife didn't have a ring when you asked her to marry you; well, I'll always feel guilty if the ring on her finger ain't mine. I want to take care of her, and what kind of husband would I be if I couldn't even spare some money to buy her a ring?"
Denton beamed at Jack as he replaced the box in the drawer. "Jack Kelly…you are the most perfect boy for my Jessica, so don't you ever doubt it again. You have my blessing to ask her whenever you feel the time is right."
"Thanks so much, sir," Jack grinned.
"You're welcome, my boy. Now, you'd better get back before my daughter misses you and forces you to lie to her."
"Or beats me up for scarin' her," Jack laughed.
Denton laughed with him as they walked back to the door of the apartment. "Good luck, Jack."
"Thanks Denton," Jack smiled shaking his hand. He turned and hurried out of the apartment.
Once outside on the street, Jack leapt in the air and cheered, ignoring the stares of all the people around him. He had done it; he had asked Denton permission to marry Jess. Now came the harder part: asking Jess to marry him. Planning that would take some time and maybe some help from the guys especially Davey. But for now, he knew that he had to get back to Manhattan before Jess got done for the day. He had promised her dinner that night at Tibby's as it was Saturday and they had the next day off.
He carefully let himself into her house and hurried into her bedroom so he could surprise her. He sat down on her bed and waited patiently to hear the sound of the door. After only a few moments, he heard the front door open and Jess's footsteps on the stairs.
She came into the room and kicked off her shoes before unbuttoning her vest and tossing it onto a chair. Jack slowly and quietly stood up and crept right behind her, but…
"Hello Jack," she smirked without turning.
"Hey how'd you do that?" Jack pouted.
Jess turned with a smile. "I saw you when I came in," she said.
"You spoiled my fun," Jack said sadly.
"I know, Kel, I'm sorry," Jess replied, "but I was gettin' tired of you sneakin' up on me all the time. I had to get ya this once."
"Alright fair enough," Jack conceded before smirking at her. "But I hope you enjoyed it cause you're gonna get it!" He scooped her up in his arms and spun around the room with her. Her squeals of laughter made him smile as he dropped her on the bed and he moved to hover over her. "I hope that gag on me was worth it cause I'm about to get you better!"
"Wha-ahhh!" Jess squealed again as Jack began to tickle her ribs and belly. "Jack…s-stop!" she gasped as she thrashed around under his hands.
"Still worth it, Princess?" Jack laughed as he continued his torture.
Jess couldn't reply as Jack continued to tickle her.
Finally, Jack stilled his hands and leaned in close to her face. "I love you, Jess. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Jack," Jess smiled.
Jack grinned and kissed her lovingly. He felt Jess wrap her hands around his neck and pull him closer. When they pulled away, they smiled at each other before Jack eased himself off the bed.
"Come on, we got dinner plans," he said.
"Just give me a minute," Jess smiled back as she pulled her vest back on and slid into her shoes. "You sure we got the money for this?" she asked anxiously as Jack led her out of the house.
"Jess," Jack sighed as they reached the street. "How many times do I gotta tell ya. I always got money to spend on you."
Jess blushed but continued to argue. "Dinner out's really expensive, and I just-"
Jack silenced her with a quick kiss. "Listen to me, Sweet Dream: I don't care. I like spoilin' you, and it don't matter how much it costs, ya hear?"
"Alright," Jess sighed. "As long as you're sure."
Taking her hand, Jack smiled down at her. "Trust me Sweet Dream, I'm positive."
The next day, Jack called for Racetrack, Mush, Kid Blink, Crutchy, David, and Spot to meet him at Tibby's after work.
"So Jack what's the big secret?" Mush asked eagerly.
"Yeah Jack let us in on it!" Blink added.
"Fifty cents says it's about Jess," Race called.
"SHUT UP RACE!" all the boys replied as one.
"The reason I called ya," Jack said impatiently, "is because I need your help."
"What's up Jackie-boy?" Spot asked as he took a drink from his Coke.
"I'm plannin' on askin' Jess to marry me," Jack said lowering his voice slightly.
"REALLY?" Blink yelled in surprise.
"Hey shut it!" Mush said smacking him in the head.
"Jack that's great!" Crutchy said with a smile. "Jess is gonna be so happy!"
"Did you already talk to Denton about it?" David asked.
"Course I did, Davey," Jack replied. "Went to his place yesterday."
"Ok…so what can we do to help?" Blink asked.
"Well, for starters you can keep your traps shut," Jack said pointedly. "Second, does anybody know anythin' about jewelry?"
"I know a bit," Blink admitted. "I pay attention to what the ladies wear."
"Works for me," Jack said before turning to David. "Dave…you know anything about engagement rings?"
David thought for a moment before nodding. "I think I can help you a little. Between Blink and me, we should be able to help you find the right one for Jess."
"Great!" Jack sighed before turning to the other boys. "Now, you guys are gonna help with the party, alright?"
"Thank God!" Race exclaimed. "For a minute I thought youse was gonna ask me to go dress huntin'."
"Nah that's the girls' job once she says yes," Mush said firmly.
"So when is all this gonna be?" Spot asked. "I wanna make sure Kara don't plan nothin'."
Jack sighed and hung his head. "Unfortunately, I ain't got the money right now for a decent ring. I figure I should have it in a few months."
"A few months!" David repeated.
"Now that ain't gonna happen," Mush said.
"No way we's waitin' that long!" Race added.
"Jack, let us give you some of the money," Crutchy offered.
"Yeah Jack," Blink agreed. "It'll go by much faster if we help ya."
"I appreciate it guys, but I kinda wanted it to be from me," Jack said helplessly.
"So you pay us back later!" Blink said as if it were the most obvious solution.
"You shouldn't have to wait just because you ain't got the money now!" Mush argued.
"Besides, Jack, this is way more important than anything we would use the money for," David reasoned. "Just take it, and buy Jess the ring."
"Ok let's assume for a minute that I take the money," Jack began, "when do I propose?"
Everyone fell silent as they pondered the question. Finally, Race snapped his fingers in triumph. "I got it! Her birthday's comin' up soon…why don't ya do it then?"
There was a murmur of agreement from everyone else at the table, and even Jack seemed convinced.
"That might just work, Race!" he said excitedly. "Alright, I'll accept the money, but I's payin' all of ya back!"
None of the boys argued with him as they handed over handfuls of coins and left the shop. When only Jack, David, and Blink remained, Jack began to count the money.
"That should do it," he muttered. "I hope it does, anyway."
"Well come on you two, we's got a ring to find!" Blink called eagerly as he hurried to the door with Jack and David hot on his heels.
The three raced through town until they came to a jewelry shop that wasn't quite high class but certainly wasn't cheap. Feeling slightly out of place, Jack pushed open the door to the shop. A bell tinkled somewhere, and a young man appeared from the depths of the shop.
"Good afternoon!" he said pleasantly. "Now what can I do for…" he trailed off as his eyes swept over Jack and Blink.
Jack's lip tightened as he saw the familiar look of disdain cross the man's features.
"I believe you may have made a mistake," he said with a forced attempt at a pleasant tone, but Jack could hear the scorn dripping from every syllable. "You can't possibly afford anything here: at least, not legally."
David seized Jack's arm to keep him in check. "I promise you our money is honest and just as good as anyone's," David said firmly.
"I highly doubt that, boy," the shopkeeper replied with a sneer. "The door is behind you, if you please."
"No I don't please!" Jack snapped. "I don't care what you think of me, but I ain't leavin' this shop without an engagement ring for my girl! I ain't gonna let a scab like you ruin this for her!"
"What woman would possibly want to tie herself to someone like you?" the shopkeeper asked dubiously. "Unless, of course, she was a gutter rat in which case it makes perfect sense."
Jack snarled, and it took the combined forces of David and Blink to keep him from soaking the shopkeeper. "Don't you dare insult her!" Jack hissed.
The shopkeeper opened his mouth to retaliate, but…
"That's enough, Jared," an old man called from behind a curtain. "I will not have you insulting customers!"
"But Father, this scum is no customer, surely!" Jared gasped. "He barely looks as if he can afford lodgings!"
"Nevertheless, you will go into the back of the shop and not come out until these nice boys have left. Do you understand me?" the old man threatened.
Jared's lip tightened to a paper-thin line before disappearing behind the curtain and back into the depths of the shop.
"I beg you to forgive my son's rudeness," the old man sighed. "I'm afraid he has a rather sharp tongue and a not-so-sharp brain to accompany it."
Jack calmed from his frenzy and looked desperately at the old man. "I promise I didn't steal this money…I just want a good ring for my girl."
"I believe you, dear boy," the old man said gravely. "I too was in love once; I recognize the look in your eyes. Now, let's see if I can't find you the perfect ring for this lucky young lady."
Jack spent the next hour answering all of the old man's questions about Jess. He asked everything from how big her hand are, to what color her eyes and hair are, to what colors she likes to wear. Finally, Jack stood at a counter examining two rings that the old man had chosen. One was a silver band with a simple, small, square diamond in the center. The other was a gold band with a small, circular diamond in the center.
"Which one fellas?" Jack asked anxiously. "I can't decide."
"I like the gold one," Blink offered.
"I was going to say the silver one," David said sheepishly. "Sorry that wasn't much help, Jack."
Jack sighed and stared at the two rings. "I dunno, sir," he said finally. "They're both beautiful, but I feel like somethin' ain't right about them."
The old man smiled knowingly at Jack. "I hoped you might say that, young man. I have something very special to show you, but I had to be sure I was right about you first. Step over here." The old man led Jack over to another counter filled with unique pieces that Jack knew were well out of his price range. However, the old man didn't give him a chance to argue. "Take a look at this one, my boy."
Jack peered into the box, and his jaw dropped in surprise. The ring was a silver band decorated with a simple design with a diamond cut into the shape of a heart in the center.
"Now that's the one, Jack," Blink said in awe.
"I have to agree, Jack. It's perfect!" David agreed.
"I love it, and so would Jess," Jack said, "but I'm pretty sure it's out of my price range, sir."
The old man chuckled and pushed the box into Jack's hands. "As you said before, young man, you just wanted a fine ring for your special girl. I may be an old man, but I remember what it was to be in love when the world thought I didn't deserve it. I can clearly see that you do deserve it, and who am I to get in the way of that? The price is half of what you see."
"I can't ask you to do that, sir," Jack protested. "You've been nice enough already."
"Take the ring, dear boy, and don't think twice on it," the old man insisted. "Just promise me that you will never let anything come between you and this young lady. True love is a horrible thing to see wasted in this world."
"I promise, sir," Jack vowed before he left the shop with the ring for Jess clutched in his hand.
I'm sorry that took so long to write; school has kept me so busy lately! I hope you liked this chapter. Please leave your thoughts in a review and also any suggestions of things you would like to see. I do have a storyline in mind, but I'm sure I could fit suggestions in pretty easily. Thanks everyone, and I hope to see you soon!