(Jim gets out of bed and goes for a shower then dresses and goes downstairs to start the coffee. The ring sets on top of his copy of The Shipping News which is in his bag that he's left unzipped and wide open)
Outside on the porch I see our new friend is still here; eating the remains of his supper. I sit in one of the chairs and wait while I drink my coffee and watch the forest, teaming with activity. A family of deer walk by, followed shortly thereafter by a fox. Its been about an hour and a half and I can hear movement inside; I guess Sara is getting up. Now its only a matter of time.
(Minutes pass by and Jim hears a loud thud. He jumps up and runs inside to find Sara on the floor of the loft, passed out)
Well, shit. This is great. She definitely found the ring. Its still in her hand as she lays on the floor. Carefully, I pick her head up and place it in my lap, stroking her cheek and running my fingers through her hair till she comes to. After a few second her eyes flutter open and her pupils are wider than I've ever seen them. She looks disoriented a bit and I try my best soothing voice to help her compose herself. She doesn't move, but just looks up at me and smiles, setting the boxed ring on the floor. I ask her if she's ok and she just smiles again. Is this a good sign or is she just do out of it that to smile is all she can do? I won't ask her about the ring, I'll let her mention it.
After a few minutes on the floor, she gets up and calmly picks up the clothing she'd dropped when she fainted. Her shower is longer than usual, maybe she's thinking things over. I dare not go into the bathroom, though. Last time I went in when she was in the shower she was high-fiving herself and it was a most awkward moment. Don't get me wrong, our sex life is great, but I guess sometimes she just needs some "alone" time. In the beginning it was kind of painful. We'd have sex and make love day and night and after the first week I found it difficult to walk at times. Before Sara it had been some time since I'd been with anyone, so it took a bit of getting used to, but now things have settled down a bit. We make love three or four times a week...sometimes, every day for a week and then a two or three day break. She's great in bed...very imaginative and resourceful. I remember one time we were caught in the parking lot at the lab and it was poring down rain. We were about an hour early and she turned to me and suggested we rock the Brass mobile to pass some time. We climbed in the back seat and, I swear, she rode me like there was no tomorrow. Thank God no one spotted us...that would have taken some explaining. But as it was, no one saw us, or maybe they did but they're keeping their mouths shut. I swear, before that night I never knew you could use a seat belt like that, but now I have a healthier respect for automotive restraints.
As I make breakfast, I leave the front door open in case our new friend decides he wants in, but he seems happy on the porch, so I refill his food and water and go back to making breakfast. Half an hour later she comes downstairs and heads right for the java and sits on the front porch, looking out at the tree line. By the looks of things, I can tell she's thinking hard about something. As I step out and stand next to her, I hand her a plate with a veggie omelet and buttered toast for which she promptly thanks me.
I'm not much of a breakfast eater, so I go back upstairs to think in private. Seated on the edge of the bed I can see her bag is open and there's a letter with my name on it. I'm curious as to what it says but given my luck I'd pick it up and read it and Sara would come in and catch me. I can hear her washing her dishes downstairs and she calls up to me that she's going for a walk and that she'll be back in a bit. I get up and see her walk into the woods followed by the dog and as soon as she's out of sight I rush over to her bag and snatch up the envelope. Its sealed, but there are ways around that. I run downstairs and boil a pot of water to steam the flap open. Once that's done I can read the letter. Holding it in my hands, I'm shocked.
"Dear Jim. I know we've grown close these past months and I've been thinking that I'd like to take the next logical step. I think I know how you feel; I know you love me and I love you like no other. What I want out of life is a family and a partner or husband to share myself with. I hope this doesn't scare you off. I know you haven't had the best of luck in the love department, neither have I, but together, I think we're better and stronger than we are apart. I hope you meditate on my words and come to a decision that will benefit us both. I love you, Jim. I don't see that changing anytime in the future. I love you enough to spend the rest of my life with you and I hope you feel the same. Please think about it. Love Always, Sara."
My God, its like she was reading my mind. This must be why she passed out when she saw the ring. This is a good sign. I quickly replace the letter and reseal the envelope then place it back in her bag.
Downstairs I take an inventory of our food stuffs and make a mental list as to what I'll need for supper. I'll leave a note on the kitchen counter telling her that I've gone to market for stuff and that I'll be back soon.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Wandering the aisles I find what I need for a magnificent feast and on my way back to the cabin I stop by a florist and pick up some flowers. I know she's not much into flowers, but they're an integral part of my plan for tonight.
XxxxxxxxxxxX
Supper has been finished and as we sit on the couch eating, she smiles with every bite she takes of her eggplant parmesan and Greek salad. When we finish I get up and clear the table, returning with a single red rose. Handing it to her, I see her smile and my heart warms immensely. She takes a sniff of it and when she opens her eyes, she nearly faints again. I've placed the ring in the centre of the petals of the rose so that she'd see it.
Her eyes begin to tear as she looks over at me and wraps her arms around my neck and through tear strained voice, whispers into my ear that she accepts my proposal. Right now, I think I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. I've got a fiancée and we're going to have a family.
I'll be a better father this time around, of that I'm certain. I've got twenty years on the job, so maybe I'll stay at home with the children. Money isn't a problem. I've got my bonds, stocks and other investments. Truth be told, neither of us HAVE to work another day if we don't want to, but knowing Sara she'd continue to work so she'd have something to occupy her time.
I never thought I could feel so much joy as I'm feeling right now. The woman I love is now my fiancée and we're on the road to family.
God, I love her so much.