2 months later
Sara walked into her apartment and headed upstairs. She threw her jacket on the couch, heading for the kitchen. As she grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she saw the light blinking on her answering machine. She twisted the top off the bottle and walked over to the machine. She pressed the button and waited while the tape rewound. It clicked, then she heard Jake's voice.
"Sara its me. I'm running a little late but I should be there by 8:15. Hope you're hungry. I have something special planned for us."
Sara looked up and saw that it was nearly 7:30. She set the bottle of water on the counter and headed for her bedroom. Jake had called her earlier at work and told to dress up for a night out. She opened her closet door and began looking through the clothes. Finally she pulled out a knee length black dress.
Turning away from the closet, she walked over to the bed and laid the dress down. She walked into the bathroom, dropping her clothes along the way. Turning on the water in the shower, she waited until the water warmed up, then slipped behind the curtain.
Fifteen minutes later, Sara slipped out of the shower, wrapping her robe around herself. She wrapped a towel around her head and began squeezing the water out of her hair. Dropping the towel on the counter, she ran a comb through her hair, then braided it so it laid flat against her back. She applied some light make up and headed back into her bedroom.
Checking the clock, she saw she had about 10 until Jake was due. She dressed quickly and slipped on a pair of dress shoes. She walked over to the mirror, checking her appearance.
Perfect.
Glancing at the clock, she saw Jake would be arriving any second. She walked out of the bedroom and headed for the living room. As she was about to sit down, someone knocked on the front door. She stood slowly and walked to the door. Looking out the peephole, she saw Jake standing on the other side.
She unlocked the door and pulled it open to find Jake standing outside, holding a bouquet of red roses. He held it out to her. She took them, raising the bouquet to her nose, inhaling the heavenly scent. Slowly, she lowered them and smiled.
"They're beautiful Jake."
She set the roses on the table and moved forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wrapped his around her waist, drawing her closer. Slowly he leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes and whispered
"We should go."
"All right. Just let me put the roses in some water."
"Okay."
Sara picked up the roses and walked into the kitchen. She filled a vase with some water and arranged the roses carefully. Turning to him, she said
"Let's go."
He held out his hand to her. She crossed the room and took his hand. He opened the door and led her out of the apartment. They walked downstairs and out to his car. He opened her door and waited while she until she slipped inside before shutting the door.
He walked around to his side of the car and opened the door. Sara looked up as he slid into the car and started the engine. Reaching over, he opened the glove compartment. He shut the glove compartment and turned to her.
"Would you mind if we stopped by my apartment?"
"Why?"
"I…I bought tickets for a concert but I forgot them on my table. It will only take a few minutes. The concert doesn't start until 9 so we have time."
"Okay."
Jake started the car and pulled away from the curb. As they drove through town, Jake seemed distracted. When he pulled up in front of the building, he said
"Would you like to come up?"
"That's all right. I'll wait down here."
"Come on Sara. We've been dating for alomost three months. You've been up there before."
"And if I go up there, we probably won't make it to the concert tonight."
"I promise to be good."
"All right."
They opened their doors and climbed out of the car. Jake opened the door to the building and led her upstairs. He unlocked his door and turned to her.
"Just give me a second. Want to make sure its cleaned up."
"Okay."
He slipped into the apartment, closing the door behind him. A few minutes later, he opened the door, letting her inside. Sara stepped inside the darkened apartment. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw a single candle burning on the table. Slowly she moved forward. Next to the candle was a card. Picking up the card, she read:
Go to the next candle
Looking ahead, she saw a candle burning on a table. Picking up her candle, she moved forward to the next table, where she found another card. Picking that one up, she read:
Go in the living room
She walked into the living room and a gasp escaped her throat. The entire room was lit by candlelight. In the center of the room was a table. On the table, between the candles was a vase with a dozen red and white roses. She moved forward towards the table. On the table was another card. Picking it up, she read:
I Will Be Here
by Steven Curtis Chapman
If in the morning when you wake,
If the sun does not appear,
I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
I will be here.
I will be here,
When you feel like being quiet,
When you need to speak your mind I will listen.
Through the winning, losing, and trying we'll be together,
And I will be here.
If in the morning when you wake,
If the future is unclear,
I will be here.
As sure as seasons were made for change,
Our lifetimes were made for years,
I will be here.
Sara felt tears well up in her eyes. She started to read again but this time a voice filled the silent room
"They say poetry can express things that we sometimes cannot say."
She turned around as Jake emerged from the shadows. He moved forward, taking her hand in his. Slowly he led her towards the center of the room
"Sara I love you more than anything in the world and at times I know you didn't believe that."
"Jake I know you do and I believe you…"
Jake pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.
"Sara Pezinni, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I never want to risk losing you again."
Still holding her hand, he dropped down to one knee. Reaching in to his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a diamond ring.
"Sara, will you marry me?"
Sara looked from the ring to Jake.
"Yes." She whispered.
Well instead of beginning a sequel (which I am not totally opposed to) I decided to add one last chapter. The poem in the story does not belong to me but to Steven Curtis Chapman. I was helping a friend study for a Lit Class when I came across it. It stuck in my mind and when I started writing this, the poem was still fresh in my mind, so I borrowed the book and looked up the poem.