"Did you REALLY think I was going to leave you like that?" he repeats.
Ashley was in complete shock. She couldn't believe he was standing on her front porch and had been waiting for her.
"I…I…" She couldn't quite get the words out. She tries again. "I thought…you…had to meet someone?"
"I did, and I'm looking at her," he smiles. "Now come over here," he says reaching his arm out to her.
She walks to the steps and he reaches for her hand.
He puts one arm around her and places the rose in her hand with the other. "Here, this is for you," he says.
She smiles and melts into a puddle. "OK, you're being really sweet right now, and I can't believe you did this."
"Ya well, I wanted it to be a surprise," he says.
"Wanted what to be a surprise?" she asks.
"Me showing up here looking all SEX-AY…and maybe something inside too," he hints.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she asks curiously.
"You know because I have clean clothes on, I don't smell AND I brushed my hair!"
"The something inside part, you idiot" she says.
"Hey now, no name calling. I'm being charming."
"All right, then let the charm continue and tell me what's inside."
He holds up a key.
"What's that for?" she asks.
"You'll see."
"How do you have a house key?"
"Your mom let me borrow it."
"I'm so confused right now."
"Well then just come inside with me already," he says with a big grin.
"I don't know what you're up to Craig Manning."
"Just trust me."
He unlocks the door and they walk in together.
"Everyone's gone, it's just you and me," he says.
"Why are they all gone?"
"Because I asked them for a favor."
"OK I don't believe for one second my mom was aware of what was going on here."
"It was kind of her idea, actually."
Just then, Ashley looks up and sees a huge banner that says 'Welcome home Ashley!'
Craig sees her staring at it. "Everyone signed it…even Toby."
"Aww, that's so nice. Did you come up with that?" she asks.
"Actually that was Ellie's idea. I have something else for you."
He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out an envelope. It says 'Ash' across the front. "OK here, take this. I have to go get something from upstairs, but don't open that until I'm up there."
"Um, OK."
"I'm serious. Don't do it until you can't see me."
"I said OK," she says.
Craig kisses her on the cheek and walks up the stairs.
As soon as Craig disappears around the corner, Ashley opens the card. It was a plain cream-colored card, with his handwriting inside. It reads:
The first day I saw you, I knew there was something between us. I knew if we gave it a shot, we could be something special. And we were. You understood me like no one else could. You were there for me whenever I needed you and most importantly, you always loved me. Even when I screwed things up, you still came back to me. But all of that stuff is in the past. I want us to start over. But I don't want to forget everything that's happened, because it has only made us stronger. We have both learned from our mistakes and we're better people for it. We've grown up.
Ashley, you mean the world to me. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you again. When I think of the future, you're what I see. You're who I want to come home to. You're who I want to start a family with. You're who I want to be with for the rest of my life. You're my 'one.' And I was just wondering…can I be yours?
Craig
P.S. Please come upstairs now.
Ashley began to cry. She knew deep down Craig was a romantic at heart, but this was the most beautiful thing she had ever read. It meant even more to her, knowing that Craig rarely expressed his feelings. She bit her lip and wiped away the tears of happiness. She walked upstairs and noticed a trail of roses leading to her room. She smiled and opened her bedroom door.
Candles were lit and placed everywhere throughout the room. There were flowers scattered everywhere. Craig was sitting at the end of her bed with his hands in his lap looking up at her. He thought about sprawling out across her bed in nothing but his boxers, but he didn't want to assume anything.
"Just when I think you've outdone yourself, you go and do this," she says closing the door behind her.
Craig smiles and stands up. "So you liked it?" he asks.
"Ya I liked it," she says while walking over to him in a very seductive way.
Craig gulps.
She grabs him by his pants pockets and pulls him near. She puts her hands gently around his neck and moves in for a kiss. As she gets just within touching distance of his lips she turns her head.
"Tease," he says.
She giggles and moves her hands to his waist. She kisses his neck and uses her tongue to guide her way to his ear and nibbles at the end. Craig about passes out right then and there.
Ashley can tell he's getting antsy and moves back to his lips, this time touching them. But this was not just any kiss. Craig has had his share of kisses, but this was beyond comparison. This was something they both wanted, something they both needed. He had waited so long for this moment, but he realized it was well worth the wait. It was the best kiss he had ever experienced.
He was about to speak when Ashley puts her finger to his lips. "Shut up," she says and pushes him onto her bed. Craig was certainly a tad shocked. Ashley was never the aggressor, but he wasn't complaining that's for dang sure.
They spend the rest of the night lying in each other's arms.
"You're so beautiful," Craig whispers into her ear.
Ashley turns and kisses him sweetly on the lips. They stare into each other's eyes for minutes without saying a word, until Ashley frantically sits up.
"Oh my god, my parents. Oh my god, Toby."
"Relax, it's fine. They're not gonna be here anytime soon."
Ashley gives him a look.
"I told you, I took care of it."
Ashley didn't know how and she didn't care to find out. All that mattered is that she was with Craig and everything was perfect.
She glanced around the room and couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" he asks.
She points to the corner of the room.
"It never fails," she says referring to the pair of jeans thrown over the top of the lamp.
The two look at each other and immediately start laughing.