CHAPTER SIX
Jody looked at Charlie and then at Galina, who was nodding and smiling at her. She looked back at Charlie and down at the ring. "Oh wow." Jody began. "Charlie-"
Charlie snapped the box shut before Jody could finish. He stood up and glared down at Jody. Ten he left the apartment.
Everyone looked at Jody, who was sitting there speechless staring at the door. "Why did he just do that?" She asked to no one in particular.
"Maybe he thought you were gonna say no. Were you?" Eva asked.
Jody shrugged. "I don't know. I was just gonna go with whatever came out my mouth." Jody said softly and began to cry.
Erik sat down next to her and gently hugged her. Jody rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at everyone. They were all looking at her sympathetically. She slowly began to stop crying and whipped her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~
Charlie walked up and down the same street seven times, forcing himself not to cry. Why did Jody always have to do this to him? She said she loved him, but then… oh well. Charlie decided he should be talking about commitment considering what happened……… at Sergei's bachelor party.
He walked back into the apartment. Sergei and Galina were making out on the couch, apparently unaware of Erik, Eva, and Jody talking in the corner. Charlie sat down on the couch. Everyone except Jody turned to look at him. He waved and looked down at his feet. Sergei and Galina went back to kissing. Eva and Erik continued to talk, but now Jody just stood there.
Sergei was rubbing his hand everywhere on the couch and he accidentally placed his hand on Charlie's lap. Charlie sprang up, knocking Jody to the floor. Everyone turned to look at Jody lying on the floor. She looked up at Charlie and rubbed her thigh.
"Ouch." She said.
Charlie held out his hand. "You okay?"
Jody took his hand and he helped her to her feet.
"Yeah, I think so."
Charlie dropped Jody's hand and turned to go back to the couch, but Jody grabbed his and again. She dragged him into his room and shut the door.
She sat down on the bad. "Why did you just leave like that? You didn't give me a chance to finish."
"Because I don't want to hear some long version of why you're saying no."
Jody just starred at him.
"You were saying no right?"
"I'm not sure. I know I love you, but I'm not ready to get married."
"Just because we're engaged doesn't mean we have to get married right away."
"Yeah, but I'm really not ready. I mean, like not for a few years! So unless you wanna be engaged for a long time…"
Charlie pulled out the ring and got down on one knee again. "I don't care how long it takes us to do this. I can wait a lifetime if you want. But I love you. Jody Sawyer, will you marry me?"
Jody looked down at the beautiful gold ring and up ant Charlie's happy eyes. "Yes!"
Charlie slipped the ring onto Jody's finger and kissed her hand. He picked her up and spun her around. Jody giggled and kissed Charlie's nose. He put her down and kissed her softly.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Charlie yelled.
All four of their friends walked in. Charlie stood behind Jody and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on her shoulder and looked up at everyone.
Eva looked at them. "What happened?"
Jody smiled and held out her hand. "We're engaged!"
Everyone started screaming and hugging. After a while they took their little party out into the living room.
"Charlie, I just realized something."
"What?"
"I love in California! You live here!"
"Well… we could always try the long distance thing."
"I guess. I mean, what over choice do we have?"
Charlie shrugged. "Well, I come from Cal, so I could always move back with you."
Jody looked at him. "You can't! You live here with your two best friends! You dance here!"
"So? You are my best friend! And I dance everywhere, especially with you. I dance better with you anyway. And remember I told you how I always wanted to go to the San Francisco Ballet?"
"Yeah. So are you, can you really?" Jody smiled.
Charlie smiled back. "Sure."
"Yes! Thank you so much!" Jody screamed as she hugged Charlie.
"What now?" Galina teased as everyone turned to them.
"Charlie's moving to California!" Jody exclaimed.
Eva and Erik looked at Charlie, who nodded.
"Sorry guys." Charlie said to hi roommates.
"That's ok, this is great. Congrats!" Erik said.
Charlie smiled and put his arms around Jody.
~~~ 2 Weeks Later In San Francisco ~~~
Jody sat on her bed, facing Charlie.
"My parents just called. They want me to visit for a few days. I haven't seen them in almost a year."
"So?"
"So, do you wanna come? I know my Mom would love seeing you again, she loves you."
"I'd love to come. When do we leave?" Charlie smiled.
"3 days. They already made the air plane arrangements."
"Ok. Let's go pack then. How long are we staying?"
"About a week. We have to miss work for a little more."
"Oh, too bad…" Charlie said.
Jody hit his arm playfully. He grabbed her waist and pulled her down onto the bed and tickled her. Jody laughed and pushed him off. He let go and kissed her.
~~~ 3 Days Later In Indiana After A Long Flight ~~~
Charlie and Jody walked up the path to her parent's door. Charlie was carrying their two bags, so Jody knocked. Her mom opened the door and immediately wrapped Jody in a hug. Her father rushed and hugged her two. Suddenly Mrs. Sawyer noticed Charlie standing there.
"Charlie!!" She exclaimed and hugged him tightly.
Charlie smiled at Jody and she laughed. He hugged Mr. Sawyer and took their bags inside. They all went to sit down in the living room. Jody's parents sat on their fancy chairs and Charlie and Jody sat on the couch. He put his arm around Jody and smiled at her parents.
"So, Charlie! It was such a surprise to see you again. Are you just friends or are you two back together?"
"We are back together mom. And we're engaged." Jody said, proudly holding out her hand.
Mrs. Sawyer's eyes widened. "Oh my! Congratulations! When did you two get back together?"
Jody looked at Charlie. "About a month ago." She said.
Mrs. Sawyer raised her eyebrows. "How long after did Charlie propose dear?"
Jody looked at her feet. "2 days."
"2 DAYS?!?!?" Both her parents yelled.
Charlie grabbed Jody's hand and squeezed it.
"What's wrong with that? We never stopped loving each other when we broke up, so what's wrong with it?"
"2 DAYS!!! You had broken up for a year and you see each other and propose after 2 DAYS!"
"Mom!" Jody stood up. "I love Charlie! And if you have a problem with this, we can leave now!" She went over to her bags.
Charlie stood up. "Look, Mrs. Sawyer. Jody and I are engaged. But we don't plan to get married for a long time. Jody says she not ready and right now, I don't think I am either. I don't know if you know this or not, but I proposed before. When we broke up the last time, a year ago, that's why. I proposed and Jody said no. She said she was-"
"Charlie!" Jody stopped him. He looked over at her and she shook her head.
"Sorry. I just mean, I love her and I would like nothing more than your blessing." Charlie walked over to Jody and put his arm around her waist and held her close.
Mr. Sawyer smiled. "I think this is wonderful. Kate, can't you see how in love they are?"
"Shane! Don't side with them!"
"Why can't I? My only daughter is getting married to a great guy that she loves more than you can see. Besides, you used to love Charlie."
Mrs. Sawyer sighed.
"I for one give them my blessing." Mr. Sawyer said.
Mrs. Sawyer sighed again. "Ok, maybe you're right. I'm sorry Jody. If you love Charlie, then go a head, marry him. He makes you happy."
Jody smiled and hugged her parents. Charlie watched and smiled to himself. They all sat back down.
"Now Charlie," Mrs. Sawyer began, "What is this about you proposing before? Jody told me you two just broke up."
"I just didn't want to get into it. Because I still loved him and I really missed him. It just hurt to talk to him."
Mrs. Sawyer nodded. "But when did you propose?"
Charlie closed his eyes and thought about that. "July 26th. That was 2 years ago… I think."
"Why so early?"
"I loved her."
"You were 22! How could you know what love was?"
"Easy. It was only with Jody. I loved her ever since I met her back in ABA. When you met me that night, she had just asked me out, after blowing off Cooper Neilson. I said yes, because I loved her. I had loved for a few months then. I had never been happier, except when she was going out with Cooper during ABA and then when she said no 2 years ago. But now I have her back and I can't stop smiling."
"You went out with Cooper?" Mrs. And Mr. Sawyer asked their daughter at the same time.
Charlie sunk into the couch. "Oops."
Jody shifted. "Yeah, but only for a while. He… uh… wasn't very good to me and he was sorta mean. But then he dumped me and I was really sad. And you should have been there. Charlie was so nice and he helped me so much. That's when… I fell in love."
Charlie looked at her and smiled. "Really?"
Jody smiled back. "Yeah, really. No one had ever done that to me before."
Charlie turned back to Jody's parents and smiled.
"I've heard of Cooper Neilson, Jody, and I heard all he does is-"
"Mom!" Jody blushed and looked down at her sneakers. Charlie tensed up and sunk even more into the couch.
Mr. Sawyer shook his head at his wife and she shut up. "Why don't you go unpack in Jody's old room?" He said.
Jody ran up the stairs. Charlie grabbed their bags and followed her. When he reached the top, she wasn't there.
"Jody?" He called.
"In here!" Jody called from down the hallway.
Charlie shrugged and checked every room along the hallway. He reached the last room and stuck his head in the door. Jody was lying across the bed. He ran inside and shut the door. He dropped the suitcases and smiled at Jody.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jody asked.
Charlie smiled. "No reason. I'm sorry about all I said downstairs. I didn't realize the didn't know."
"That's ok. Will you stop looking at me lie that? What's wrong with you?"
"You just look so beautiful."
"Thank you!" Jody said.
Charlie said down next to her on the bed and began to kiss her.
There was a knock on the door.
