With You
February fourteenth. The day seemed to radiate with love as couples around the world shared sweets, gifts, flowers and cards with each other. Schools were filled with children eagerly displaying home made mailboxes to store their crepe paper valentines so carefully made inside. Offices were decorated with shiny hearts that gently swayed if near an air duct like kites on a fresh spring morning. In the midst of this love-filled day, anxious men around the world waited for the perfect moment to ask the woman they loved to be their wives.
Syaoran was no exception to this.
For weeks he had been scheming with Eriol and Tomoyo about this night. This was the night he would ask Sakura to marry him, and he had to make it absolutely perfect. He had all the specifics worked out, and Sakura didn't have a clue as to what was happening. Syaoran sat in his office, grinning as he talked to Eriol on the phone. His gaze fell upon the portrait of him, Sakura and Cadence on his desk, and his eyes softened.
"Eriol that is so cheesy. . . yes, I know Sakura will love it, but I was thinking. . . uh huh. . . one word. . . . CHEESY! No, we're not going to do the whole cake thing, it's been done too many times in the movies. It's going to be the way we first came up with. She'll love that. . . no, tell Ahndreya not to worry about a cake, because we're not doing the ring in the cake thing. . . I know Tomoyo thinks it's adorable, so save it for your own proposal, k? I have to go, there's work to be done. See you after six." Syaoran said, hanging up and sighing.
"Could I be any more nervous?" Syaoran said quietly. The phone rang again, and he picked it up.
"It's going to be fine, trust me. Do you honestly think she'll say no?" Eriol said on the other end, and Syaoran laughed.
"Thanks, Eriol." He said, hanging up the phone once again as he shook his head.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Tomoyo were watching television as they folded laundry. Cadence played in one of the big yellow baskets, her mop of curls occasionally bouncing up as she jumped and 'scared' her mother.
"So what are you and Syaoran doing tonight?" Tomoyo asked nonchalantly as she reached into her basket and pulled out some towels. Sakura neatly put another of Syaoran's shirts on his pile and shrugged.
"Probably staying in with the baby. We can't find a sitter to save our lives!" Sakura replied, smiling weakly as she folded some of Cadence's little socks. Tomoyo's violet eyes sparkled ever so slightly as she feigned innocence.
"You know, Eriol and I were planning on staying in tonight, we could watch Cadence while you and Syaoran went out." Tomoyo suggested. Cadence, at the mention of her name, poked her head out of the basket, making Sakura giggle.
"I can't let you do that. It's Valentine's day, and you would want to spend some alone time with Eriol, I'm sure." Sakura pointed out. Tomoyo put down some socks she was folding and looked at Sakura devilishly.
"Cadence won't be up all night, you know." Tomoyo said slyly, making Sakura's cheeks turn red as her jaw dropped.
"You're bad!" Sakura cried, throwing some socks at Tomoyo, who dodged them and stuck out her tongue in triumph.
"So you'll go out?" Tomoyo asked, tilting her head slightly. Sakura thought about it for a moment, her eyes moving from her child's face to Tomoyo's 'you-know-you-wanna' stare.
"I don't think so. I have nothing to wear." Sakura said, making another excuse. Undaunted, Tomoyo got up and went into her room, coming out later with a little pink dress.
"Did you make this for me, Tomoyo?" Sakura asked with a smile. Tomoyo nodded, handing the dress to Sakura with a pleased look on her face. It was short, probably not even reaching halfway to Sakura's knees, with two straps about two inches wide. The hem was embroidered with dark magenta flowers, giving it just enough elegance for the occasion.
"I designed it when you were pregnant, and thought Valentines day would be the best day for you to wear it." Tomoyo said proudly, watching her friend look at it happily.
"I can't take this. . . I can't let you sacrifice your night just for me and Syaoran." Sakura started, but Tomoyo crossed her arms and sat down. Sakura's emerald eyes flashed a look of defiance, but Tomoyo knew she had won out.
"Do you think mommy and daddy should go out tonight, Candence?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura's green eyes met the same green eyes belonging to her child, who bounced up and down in the basket, squealing and laughing.
"It's settled then. Two against one, in my favor. We win!" Tomoyo said triumphantly, scooping up the giggling baby and looking at Sakura with delight. Sakura glanced at the clock; Syaoran would be coming home soon, so she didn't have much time to get ready.
"I guess I had better get ready then!" Sakura said, grabbing a freshly folded towel and heading off to the bathroom to grab a quick shower. Tomoyo set Cadence back in her basket and handed her a toy.
"This is going to be the best night ever, little girl. Your mommy and daddy are going to get married!" Tomoyo whispered, being careful to make certain Sakura wasn't in earshot. Cadence bounced in her basket, throwing socks into the air and giggling as they fell back onto her head.
Syaoran and Eriol came home to find their apartment immaculate. At the table, there were two place settings and Cadence's high chair. Candles were set all throughout the room, unlit at the moment. Eriol walked in with roses in hand and called for Tomoyo, who came out of her room with Cadence balanced on her hip.
"You got me roses!!" Tomoyo said gleefully, taking them and inhaling their sweet scent. The baby imitated Tomoyo, smiling after she took a loud sniff. Syaoran noted the surroundings, mainly the kitchen, and began to worry that Sakura had been too stubborn, and they would be staying in. His mind was already coming up with alternate plans of action.
"I know what you're thinking Syaoran, but you're wrong. Eriol and I are playing house tonight as planned. Your cherry blossom is in your room finishing up as we speak." Tomoyo said, calming Syaoran's already fraying nerves. Never in his life had he been so worried about one simple thing, and here he was about to tear out his hair. He heard soft footsteps and looked up, his jaw falling at the sight of Sakura standing before him.
She wore the pink dress, which really did just reach halfway to her knees. Her light hair was worn down, the ends curled softly around her shoulders. Her bangs were swept to the side, secured with a silver butterfly pin. She wore very little makeup, but it didn't matter to Syaoran because in his eyes she didn't need it. Strappy pink sandals finished her ensemble, the heels giving her just enough elegance, but not enough to overdo it.
"You. . . look amazing." Syaoran breathed. Sakura blushed and thanked him politely.
"Syaoran. . . go. . . change." Tomoyo said quietly through gritted teeth. Syaoran couldn't move, all he could think about was how gorgeous Sakura really looked. Tomoyo nudged Syaoran and softly laughed as he stumbled back to his room and closed the door, emerging moments later in black slacks and a white button down shirt.
"Ready to go?" Syaoran asked as he walked back out into the living room. He took Sakura's white pea coat and slipped it over her before putting his own coat on and opening the door for Sakura, who walked down the steps toward Syaoran's car.
"Thanks, you guys." Syaoran whispered.
"Good luck!" Tomoyo and Eriol chorused back, smiling as Syaoran closed the door and met Sakura at the car in time to open her door for her. Tomoyo and Eriol watched from the window as the couple drove away toward the restaurant. Eriol turned to kiss Tomoyo, then laughed as he saw Cadence pout, her tiny pink lip sticking out just slightly.
"Oh you want one too? Ok, Cadence." Eriol said with a smirk, kissing the little baby on the cheek and making her giggle.
"So where are we going?" Sakura asked as they drove down the busy streets. Syaoran pulled the car into the same burger place he had taken Sakura a year prior and smiled at her confused look.
"I thought burgers sounded good." Syaoran said, opening the door and immediately taking Sakura by surprise. No longer was it the patron filled greasy mess of a restaurant she had always known. Now it was spotless, the smell of roses and carnations filling the air. The lights were out except for one hovering over the same booth she and Syaoran had shared on their last visit. Syaoran took Sakura's coat and walked her over, watching her muse over the elaborate flower arrangements.
"Oh Syaoran. . . this is beautiful! How did I not know you were doing this?" Sakura asked in awe.
"You never asked." Syaoran smirked, and Sakura smiled and put her hand in his. The owner of the restaurant walked out with two plates and a bottle of champagne, then quickly walked back into the kitchen with the staff and watched eagerly.
"This is my favorite. . . how could you remember my favorite order from being here one time a year ago??" Sakura cried, watching Syaoran look at her with love. He poured a glass of champagne for him and Sakura, then held it up in his hand.
"What are we toasting to?" Sakura asked, and Syaoran met her gaze evenly with his amber eyes.
"To life. And having someone we love with all our hearts to live it with." He replied with a smile. Sakura felt the warmth of his hand on hers and felt herself smile back at Syaoran before letting her glass softly touch his.
After they finished their dinner, Syaoran reached into his pocket and clenched a tiny ring tightly in his fist, then took Sakura's hand with his free hand. He looked into the heaven that was her eyes and let out a nervous sigh before collecting his thoughts and taking a deep breath.
"Sakura I have to tell you something, and I'm afraid that if I don't tell you right now I might never have the courage to try again. I. . . I am helplessly in love with you, Sakura Kinomoto. Ever since you came back into my life I have known nothing but happiness. You make the sun shine even when the worst storm is over me. You make waking up in the morning all the more worthwhile. You are my everything. You take my breath away every time you look at me." Syaoran said softly, his eyes never leaving Sakura for a moment. She could see he meant every word he was saying, and her heart was pounding in her chest.
"Syaoran I-"Sakura started, but Syaoran cut her off by getting down on his knee and looking up at her through his messy chocolate hair.
"Marry me, Sakura. Make me the happiest man on this planet." Syaoran suddenly asked, and Sakura cried out in shock as he unfurled his hand and revealed the ring he had picked for her. Sakura began to cry, crystalline tears spilling from her beautiful eyes as she nodded her head and let Syaoran slip the ring onto her finger.
"Now I know why Tomoyo was so insistent on us going out tonight!" Sakura sniffled. Syaoran stood, bringing Sakura to her feet with him, and kissed her passionately. The kitchen erupted with applause as the owner and the staff walked out to congratulate the newly engaged couple.
Syaoran wiped the tears from his fiancee's face and smiled down on her. Sakura hugged him close to her and kissed his lips, then pushed some of his dark hair from his amber eyes.
"So when do you want to do this?" Syaoran asked, and Sakura thought about it for a moment, then smiled.
"October sixteenth. The night we met at the convenience store." Sakura replied, and Syaoran nodded in approval.
The end for now.