Chapter 20

Damon

We got back from Disney World and got back in the groove of schoolwork. It's Friday evening and Elena's dad is leaving this Sunday morning to go back to Kuwait. I know she is going to have a hard time with it, but I want to be there for her as much as possible. We didn't get into Columbia but we both received acceptances for NYU. She got hers when we got back from Disney, but I got mine this week. We get to live together and I'm overly excited about it.

I sit at the island contemplating calling Lena's dad. I'm spinning my phone on the counter when my mom walks through the door.

"Uh oh" she says walking up to me. "What happened?"

"Huh?" I ask dazed.

"Is Elena pregnant?" she asks covering her mouth with her hand.

That is her first thought. Of course. I laugh and her eyes grow large. I shake my head trying to form a sentence. "No, she isn't pregnant."

"Oh" she says dropping her hand.

"Are you disappointed that she isn't?" I ask through a snicker.

"Well…I'm not answering that. It's just you're all" she trails off waving her hand around. "So, what is it?"

"Stop. Back up a second. You're not answering that?" I ask my brows shooting up.

"Nope. I just got a little emotional at you know.…"

"You know?" I question. I know. I just like fucking with her. I want her to say it.

"Athavingagrandbaby" she speaks quickly turning around.

"I'm sorry what? I didn't hear you." I grin.

She groans and turns around to face me. "I may have gotten a little emotional at the thought of a grandbaby."

I grab my stomach laughing. "I know. I heard you."

She walks over to me and cuffs me on the back of the head.

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" she asks again.

"I'm contemplating calling Elena's dad to have a conversation with him." I shrug my shoulder.

"Huh?" she asks lost.

"Okay. So, you know how when I turned 18, I got access to my trust fund Grammy set up?"

"Yeah" she says with a slow nod.

"And you know that her dad is in the Army; getting ready to go back overseas?"

Mom makes a motion with her hand for me to continue.

"Well you never know if god forbid something might happen and I…." I trail off looking at the home screen of my phone. It's a picture of Elena and I lying in bed. I'm cuddling behind her, arm wrapped around her chest and peering over her shoulder.

"Are you going to finish?" mom says gaining my attention.

"How young is too young for you to think about marriage?" I ask looking at the picture.

My mom gasps. I look at her; palm on her chest and tears welling up in her eyes. "Really?" she whispers.

"I love her mom." I whisper back emotional. "I'm so in love with her. She is it for me. My forever."

My eyes burn and I rub them. I look back at my mom and see a tear slipping down her cheek. "Ma" I choke out.

She steps up to me. Wrapping her arms around my neck and rubbing the back of my head that's buried in her neck. I look up at her and my vision is blurred. She swipes her fingers below my eye, and I know that I cried.

Like a fucking toddler. I haven't cried in forever. And I'm crying over this.

"Do it. You should ask her father for permission. If and only if you get it, then ask her."

"You think so" I say with a raspy voice and I clear my throat. She nods her head.

"Here." she says taking a pen and paper out of her purse. She writes down a number and hands it to me. "This is Miranda's number. Call her and ask to speak with him. The last thing you want is to call Elena and ask to put him on."

I laugh because that's exactly what I was going to do.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" she asks with a bounce.

"Okay. Here goes nothing." I say dialing the number.

I push call and the phone rings. I tap my fingers on the island and on the 4th ring; it is finally answered.

"Hello?" a woman says.

"Mrs. Gilbert?" I ask.

"Yes, this is she."

"Oh good." I laugh. "It's Damon."

"Oh, hey Damon. Is Elena not answering?"

"No, that's not it. I'm actually wondering if I can speak with Mr. Gilbert."

"Oh yeah. Just a second."

I look up at my mom and hold up a finger. I hear Miranda call out for Grayson. She tells him that I'm on the phone for him.

"Hello Damon." he says. "What's up?"

I freeze and look at my mom wide eyes. She shakes her head and mouths do it.

"Hello? Damon are you there?" he asks me.

"Yes sir. I'm sorry about that."

"That's fine. What do you need?"

"I was wondering if I could speak to you in private before you leave Sunday."

"Hmm" he hums into the phone. "I'll tell you what. Why don't you meet me in 30 at The Grill? Do you want Elena to join?"

I quickly shake my head but say; "No please. Sir."

"Okay" he says slowly. "Good thing I said The Grill. I have a feeling this conversation warrants alcohol."

"Well I hope not but" I trail off. "Yeah I will meet you there."

"Sounds good. I'll see you soon."

"Soon." I say back and hang up the phone.

"Change your shirt." mom says pulling me to stand. "Wear that light blue polo I bought for you."

I nod my head and go to my room to change. I dress quickly. Polo, dark blue jeans with my black belt. I pull on my black leather boots and tie them. I scrub my face with my hands and pull on my hair.

"Mom" I call out to her. She comes into my room and looks me over. I spin around slowly, and she claps her hands. I run my hand through my hair. "I'm sorry. But I'm fucking nervous."

Mom nods her head and hugs me again. "I'm not a guy, so I've never been in your position. But look on the bright side."

"What bright side?" I ask raising my hands.

She laughs. "If you think you're nervous now. Just wait until you ask Elena. You have to get her to say yes."

I shake my head. "Thanks a lot ma."

She shoves me out my door. "Go. Now."

I groan but quickly walk to the front door. "Good luck!" she shouts as I head to my car.

I make it to The Grill with 10 minutes to spare. I walk into the bar and grill; looking around.

"Damon" Tom hollers from the bar.

I walk over to him. He directs me to sit on the stool beside him. The bartender comes over and I ask for a sweet tea with lemon.

"So, what's up son?" he asks as I take a sip of my drink.

I cough when it goes down the wrong pipe. He called me son. Holy. Shit.

"You okay?" he asks

"Yes. I'm okay sir." I rasp out.

He nods his head and turns to face me.

I sit up straight and look him in the eye. "Well sir, you're leaving Sunday and I wanted to ask you this before you leave." I take another drink.

He nods. "I'm aware of when I leave" he says with s chuckle.

He knows I'm nervous. I think he likes it.

"Well first I want to let you know that I have money. Because of my Grammy, I will never have to want for anything."

He raises his brow.

I quickly add; "But that doesn't mean I don't want to make my own money. As you know I plan on attending NYU in the fall. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in social work. I would love to work with kids."

"Okay. That's great. And Elena told me that the two of you will be sharing an apartment in the city?" he asks questionly.

I give a curt nod. "Yes sir. That's the plan."

"That's fine. If that's what you wanted to talk about." he says taking a sip of his drink.

"Actually, that's part of what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Alright" he says slowly.

"I love your daughter. I know we're only 18 but I've also had to grow up fast not having a father around."

He narrows his eyes at me.

"I am in love with Lena. She means everything to me. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her."

"Okay" he says clenching his jaw. "What are you getting at Damon?"

Oh fuck. I'm back to Damon. Oh shit.

"I want to marry her." and I say quickly. "I want to ask her to marry me sir."

He sighs under his breath and faces forward. I watch as he scratches the side of his face and rubs his hand over it. He looks back at me; shaking his head and faces forward again.

No? Did he tell me no. Seriously?

"Look Mr. Gilbert. I know we're both only 18 but she told me the story of how you met Mrs. Gilbert. And your marriage seems to be working out. I mean you all look happy." I say quickly. Nervously. Defensively.

He grips my forearm. "Damon." he says, and I quickly shut my mouth.

"Marriage takes work. It doesn't matter if you're 18 or 43 like me. There are fights. Sometimes you wonder if it's worth it. It can be really fucking hard."

I nod. I feel like I'm going to shit my pants.

His grip tightens. I'm going to bruise. I know it. "But let me make one thing clear. I love Miranda. She is worth it."

I nod again. Clenching my jaw. That's exactly how I feel about Elena.

"I will warn you once and only once." he grinds out facing me. He let's go of my arm but grabs my shirt collar instead. He yanks me forward, so he is in my face.

If he wasn't her dad or an older guy, I would fucking knock him out.

"If you hurt her. I will fucking kill you."

"Yes sir." I groan out.

He nods. It's a small nod, but it's still a nod. "Whenever you're ready. I'm behind you all the way" he says releasing my shirt.

The bartender comes over and places his hands on the counter. "Everything okay here?"

I nod but Grayson answers. "Just giving this young man a talk about my daughter." he grips my shoulder and shakes it. "Soon to be son in-law actually."

My brows fly up. Holy shit. "Thank you, sir," I say gravelly.

He puts money down on the bar and I do the same. He grips my shoulder directing me to the door. "I don't advocate for high school engagement or marriage, but if you would do it before I leave then I would be grateful."

I nod and he gives me a bro hug; patting my back. "Now good luck getting my daughter to say yes."

I laugh. "Yes sir."

I make it back home and shake my head taking my keys out of the ignition. I can't fucking believe her gave me permission. Holy crap. But now the pressure is on. I want to propose either tomorrow or Sunday. That was his only request. Fuck.

I enter the house and my mom is standing there tapping her foot. I shake my head at her, and she frowns. I fist pump in the air and shout "Yes!"

"Really? He said yes?" she asks excitedly.

"Grammys ring is a size 5, right?" I ask checking my phone for messages.

"You want to give her that?"

"Yes. Elena is different in the best way possible. Can I have Grammys ring?"

She nods and leaves the room. She comes back a few minutes later and places the ring in the palm of my hand.

I pick it up and stare at it. It's a sliver ring with a rose-colored diamond in the center. It's surrounded by a cluster of small diamonds.

"Why do you need it now?" she asks as I place it inside my pocket.

I laugh. "He threatened me. I felt like I was going to crap my pants."

"Sounds right." she says giggling.

"He had one request." I say holding up one finger. "He wants me to ask her before he leaves."

Her brows fly up. I laugh. That's what my reaction was. "Wow."

"I know." I say looking at my phone. "Tomorrow night, right? I don't want to do it Sunday."

"Yes, tomorrow night." she says grabbing 2 waters from the fridge.

She hands me one and I open it. I call Violi's and make a reservation for 7pm. "Okay. I'm going to take the ring to Zale's tomorrow. I want it cleaned and I want to get it engraved."

"What are you having put on it?" she asks me.

"Forever" I say grinning. "I've told her a couple of times that she's my forever."

Mom clutches her chest. "Awwwwww!"

I growl at her. "I know. I'm cheesy." I shake my head. "Who would've thought."

I head to my room to pick out my outfit for tomorrow. I plan on taking her family and my mom to Violi's. I want to propose in front of everyone. I know she doesn't like public displays or to be put on the spot; but this is important. I grab a dark blue long-sleeved dress shirt and black slacks. I hang them on my door. I text Elena after calling to confirm our reservation time with her mom. They plan to meet us at the restaurant.

Me: Hey Lena. What are you doing?

She sends me a picture message. She is taking a bubble bath.

Me: Beautiful

Elena: Just relaxing

Me: Reservations tomorrow night at Violi's

Me: Your family, my mom and I

Elena: Yeah, my mom just told me

A couple minutes go by.

Me: I'm going to head to bed. I will see you tomorrow. I love you.

Elena: I love you. Good night.

I lay my head on my pillow and close my eyes.