Part 5: Thinking about the Future
Our two first years of common life went by as a dream. Jess found himself a job in the first days that we were in the appartment, which is well payed, actually. I got my diploma from Yale with a mention. The job offers were now coming from everywhere: the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, a lot of famous magazines...Today it's our third anniversary of dating. Already three years...
Tonight is the night. The ring is bought, the restaurant is reserved. The least I have to do is to wait for the good moment. I've been waiting for this for a week. A week of torture and intense stress...Ok, let's not think about it for now. I'll begin by enter then I'll just let the events happen at their rythm. So I open the door and come in. Rory's sitting at the table with her job offers. Poor her, I wouldn't like to be at her place...I smile and come near her.
Hey beautiful, I say before I kiss her.
Hey, she answers. How was your day?
Oh, quiet for once. I gave me time to breathe.
Good.
Still thinking about which one you'll agree to?
Yeah. I can't decide.
You know what you need? Distraction. Our date of tonight will do you some good, you'll see.
I tend to agree with you. I'm going in the shower.
Ok. 'Later.
'Later.
She kissed me for a moment then goes to the bathroom and closes the door behind her. She gets out about 30 minutes later, simply beautiful with her beige blouse and brown skirt that stops above her knees, her hair loose and her light make-up. I smile and she smiles back. I go to her.
You're beautiful, I say before kissing her.
Thanks. You don't look bad either.
Thanks. You ready to go?
Yeah, let's go.
I make her put on her coat, I put on mine, we put on our shoes, she takes her purse and me my keys and we leave. We walk slowly to the restaurant, which is not far away from our appartment. When we enter, the hostess comes immediatly to us.
Good evening, she says.
Good evening, I say. I have a reservation. Mariano for two.
She looks on her list.
Jess Mariano?
Yes.
Follow me.
She leads us to our table, give us two menus and leaves. I make Rory sit down and I sit in front of her, taking her hand.
I like it here, she says.
Glad to know it.
She smiles.
Can you believe that we've been together for three years? she asks me after a moment.
I have to admit that it's kinda hard to believe, I answered.
Why?
Because you and me, we're completely different. You, you have ambition, dreams, but me...the only dream I had, it's already realized. As for the ambition...that's another story. I won't go far in life without my high school diploma.
If you wanted, you could have it. I'll help you, if you want.
I know that. But...what will I look like in a classroom where there are only 17 years old people when I'm 21?
She smiles.
That's what disturbs you? You know, you can do it by correspondance...
Oh, yeah. I hadn't thought about it. This way I could continue to work. I think that's what I'll do.
Great.
She lets go of my hand and looks down at the menu...to then lift up her eyebrows, seeing the price of the meals. She lifts up her head.
What wrong? I ask.
Have you seen the price of those meals?
I know, that's a little expensive, but I don't mind paying that price for you.
Oh, ok.
A few minutes later, a waitress comes and we order, then she leaves. About 30 minutes later, our meals arrive and we eat, talking of one thing or another. When we finish our dessert, the waitress comes with the bill, I pay and we leave the restaurant. We go to a park near there we walk there for a moment, in silence. I think the moment has come...but how do I bring up the subject? I guess I' ll with the moment's inspiration.
Ror?
Yeah?
Hum...there's something on my mind.
What is it?
Us, do you think it'll last?
Well...yes. Why? You doubt?
No, no, I don't, it's just...I wanted to know if my hopes were the same for you 'cause I love you Rory. You're the most precious thing to me...
I love you too, Jess. But what do you want?
Let me continue, ok?
She nods.
I have beeb thinking about it for a long time and more I think about it, more I think it's a good idea. I know we're probably still young, but you and me, I want it to go further.
I put a knee down on the ground and Rory puts a hand on her mouth.
Oh my god...how didn't I see it coming...now I understand what he means when he says ''I want it to go further''.
Lorelei Leigh Gilmore, do you want to be my wife?
What do I do? Think fast! Do I want it?
Yes Jess. Nothing would make me happier.
He gets up quickly and hugs me. I hug him too, as happy as he could be. After a moment, he lets go and reaches in his pocket. He gets out of it a little red velvet box, which he gives me. I take it and open it: it was a gold engagement ring with a blue stone on the top. He takes it and puts it on the right finger.
I took the blue stone because of your eyes. They're hard not to notice with that kind of blue. That's even the first thing I noticed from you and I couldn't erase your look from my memory.
That's so beautiful what you said, I say, tears in my eyes.
We smile at each other and we kiss, but with so much passion that I want to end that date...home...We stop a moment to breathe.
What about we go home? I say, meaning something.
Hum...I love that idea, he answers, understanding what I meant.
So we head back home and in not time we're in front of our door, reaching for our keys while kissing. Jess finally finds his keys, he opens the door, we enter and, when the door was closed, we continue to kiss while going to our bedroom (details are personnal!)...What's more great than waking up next to the man you love after a night spent to...but where is he? I sit up in the bed, putting a sheet on my breast and look around the room: he's not there. Don't tell me he ran away! Why would he, actually? I didn't do anything bad, as long as I know...So I get up, make a dress with the sheet and get out of the room. Who do I find in the kitchen cooking breakfast? My wonderful fiancé Jess. Why was I worrying? No clue. I approach and circle his bare shoulders with my arm. Surprised, he turns around and kisses me.
Hey beautiful, he says before going back to the stove.
Hey beautiful Apollo, I answer. You slept well?
Very well, and you?
Very well too. You'll think I'm and idiot but when I woke up, I panicked when I saw you weren't there.
He turns to me.
Why did you panick?
I don't know. I suddenly thought that you had ran away. Why you would have done that? No clue.
That wasn't the first time I was getting up before you.
I know. That's weird.
Don't worry, I don't have the intention to leave you. If that was what I had wanted, you'd already be alone.
Mmm...I know that too.
Great.
He kisses me again and goes back to the stove. A few seconds later, he turns the stove off and put the eggs, which was what was cooking, in two plates, that he puts down on the table, and he shows me chair to make me sit down. He then sits down at the end of the table and we begin to eat.
That's delicious, I say after tasting.
Thanks. I like it when you wear this.
That's nice, but don't get used to it.
Mmm...so sad...
We laugh.
So I'm an Apollo, he says after a moment of silence.
Well I couldn't think of a greek god that was ugly, so...
You know I was teasing you, huh?
You know that me too?
We smile.
I love you, he says.
I love you too.
If I could, that girl, I would keep her for muself. Every time I see her is a new crush. I would do anything for her. She told me once that Lane had told her that we might be soul mates for having so much trouble being accepted by the others as a couple and being together when I finally got her. It was now 4 years and a half ago. I've always thought that the timing was part of the problem...but now I think Lane was right.
The End
