Chapter 8: Will you...?
Many a month passed by. Lovey and Archibald had built a wonderful relationship. It was like Lovey had never left a few years ago. Lovey had gotten a job in real estate, which provided an excellent living. They had recently purchased a nice apartment in an lovely neighborhood. Things were going along quite well for both Lovey and Archie. Many dates took place, kisses were shared and laughter was heard. Both of them were feeling very happy about the turn their lives had taken. Especially Archibald. He had never felt happier in his life. He still sometimes couldn't believe how lucky he was. Now Archie felt he had to ask Lovey a very important question. But first he would tell his friends Bob and Larry of what he was going to do. The three met together at a Starbucks café' "Wow," said Bob. "You're gonna ask Lovey to marry you?" "Yeah." Archie said blushing. "I'm so nervous though." "I bet." said Larry. "You're not helping." said Archibald. "Don't worry about it." Bob said. "Everyone goes through this when they're about to propose. Ask any guy." "Besides, you only have to spend this much money once in your life." Larry said. Archie just gave Larry a glare. "Sorry." said Larry. "So when are you going to ask her?" Larry asked. "Tomorrow." said Archibald. "It'll be her birthday. I'm going to take her on a picnic date." "Oh." said Bob smiling. "That's nice." Archie smiled, said his farewell, and started to leave "Good luck pal." Bob said. "We'll be praying for ya."
The next day, Archibald paid a little visit to Lovey's apartment. He gulped and knocked on her door. And of course Lovey answered it. She beamed with happiness. "Archie," she said. "It's so nice to see you." "Happy birthday." said Archie. He then gave Lovey a kiss on her cheek. Lovey smiled. "Oh, you remembered." she said. "Of course." said Archie. "How could I forget?" "If you had amnesia?" Lovey said with a giggle. Archie heartily chuckled. Her laugh was infectious. "So do you have anything special planned?" Lovey asked. "Actually, I do." said Archie. "I was thinking a picnic lunch by the lake to celebrate." Lovey smiled. "That sounds wonderful Archie." she said. "Let me just go get my sun hat and we can get going." Archie nodded. As Lovey went inside to get her hat, Archie took out a small box wrapped in silver wrapping paper. He smiled. "I hope everything goes well." he thought. When Lovey came back, Archibald hid the box in the picnic basket he brought. Lovey came back with her sun hat. "I'm ready." She said with a chipper smile. "All right then." said Archie. Then the couple went to Archie's car and were on their way to the lake. They arrived at the lake, a beautiful large blue body with a host of happy picnickers enjoying themselves along its shores. Archie and Lovey had found a nice private spot to have their picnic. "It's lovely." Lovey said. "Thank you for bringing me here." "You're welcome Lovey." As the two got their picnic set up they were unaware that they were not alone after all.
"Move over Larry." said Mr. Lunt. "I can't see anything." Larry just rolled his eyes. Mr. Lunt shifted to get a better view. "That's better." The cucumber and gourd heard a voice. "What are you two doing?" asked the voice which happened to belong to Pa Grape. "Uh, nothing." they said innocently. "Doesn't look like nothing." said Pa. Larry and Mr. Lunt laughed, trying to look innocent. Pa Grape just stared at the two. Larry gave in. "Ok..." he said. "You caught us. You see, Archie said yesterday that he was gonna pop the question to Lovey." "You're joking." said Pa. "Nope." Mr. Lunt said. "We ain't joking." They both gulped, hoping Pa Grape wouldn't be angry with them. Pa just laughed. "Make some room." said Pa. "I've gotta see this."
Back with the couple, Archie began to feel his stomach do back flips. Lovey was just content being with Archie. "Um, Lovey, there's something important I need to ask you." said Archie. "Yes," said Lovey "What is it?" "Well before that I have a gift for you." Archie said taking out the box he had before. She smiled widely and thanked him vigorously. "Open it and see what it is." Archie said with a grin. Lovey did so. Inside the box was a lovely golden locket. It was large and shaped like a heart, with a cross entwined with a rose on the front. The locket gleamed like a jewel in the sun. "Oh my goodness," Lovey said with awe. "It's so beautiful." "Open it." said Archibald. When Lovey did that, inside was an engraved Bible verse it read:Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Lovey smiled. "Oh I love it, thank you." She said, kissing Archie.
"I think he's about to do it." Larry whispered in the bushes. Archie took a deep breath. "Lovey, there's something important I need to ask you."
"I think you're right." whispered Pa Grape.
"Lovey," he paused for just a bit, "will you...?"
Larry gasped. "He just about to her." he said. "Where'd Mr. Lunt go?" Pa Grape asked. Soon there was a scream. Mr. Lunt ran out screaming. He was being chased by a goose. Larry and Pa jumped out of the bushes to help their friend. Archibald and Lovey saw this. "What on earth!?" Archie shouted. "Oh my." Lovey said. "What are they doing here?" "Apparently spying on us." Archie said annoyed. He sighed, then he gave out a loud whistle to get Larry. Lunt, and Pa's attention. It worked. They all stopped and crashed into each other, including the goose, which walked off. "Uh-oh." said Larry. "Busted." said Mr. Lunt. "May I ask what you three are doing here?" Archibald asked sternly.
"Oh umm...we..." the three uttered. "We were just relaxing by the lake." Mr. Lunt said. "Yeah, relaxing." he smiled innocently. "You three were spying on us weren't you" He said, anger in his voice. "Maybe." Larry said in a little voice. "How could you!?" Archie shouted. "I can't believe you would do this to me!" Larry, Pa, and Mr. Lunt looked and felt so ashamed. "We're sorry." Mr. Lunt said. "We just wanted to see." said Larry. "Well I forgive you, but I doubt that Lovey will say 'yes' now." said Archie looking down. They all hung their heads with him. "Archie," said Lovey coming towards him. Archibald looked back to her. "what won't I say 'yes' to?." she asked. Archie felt he had no choice, even with no privacy he looked into Lovey's eyes. "Lovey," he said. "I've been meaning to ask this for a while now." He said. "I'm not sure how to say, except straight up." Lovey looked at him listening to his every word. "Will you, marry me?" Archibald asked.
Larry, Pa, and Mr. Lunt were all thinking the same thing. "Say yes, say yes..." A tear came to Lovey's eye and she smiled warmly. "Yes," she said "I will." Soon Archie's eyes had tears in them too. The others smiled widely and cheered. Archie and Lovey embraced. "I love you." Archie whispered in her ear. "I love you too." Lovey whispered back. Archie leaned in close. Lovey followed suit, and they locked into a deep kiss. "This is just too sweet." said Pa Grape. "Yeah." Larry replied. Mr. Lunt sighed happily. Archie and Lovey ignored them, instead focusing on each other's loving gaze. At that moment the wind decided to pick up, as though God were sending his blessing down upon them as they embraced. Knowing that soon they would be together, they shared another kiss.