Craig felt warm sunshine on his face, rousing him from a light sleep. He had barely slept a wink the night before, but somehow, he didn't mind waking up at that moment.
Rolling over, he faced Ellie who was still asleep, her hand tucked up under her cheek, her red hair fanned out on the pillow beside her. Craig propped his head up on his hand, staring at her for a while before getting up. He stood up and stretched, staring out the window. The remnants of the sunrise were still visible, a hint of pink lingering above the blue of the new sky. Craig felt his mind flash back to a few weeks ago. He and Ellie had gone on a day trip to a specialty furniture store a few hours away to find some new pieces for their apartment. After having a difficult but amusing time fitting their new coffee table into the car, they headed back early in the evening. Craig had been driving for a while, and felt his eyelids growing heavy. He turned to ask Ellie if she could take over driving but saw that she had fallen asleep. And without even thinking twice, he stayed awake and alert the rest of the drive home. When he was driving along a narrow tree-lined road, he had caught a glimpse of the sunset peeking through the trees. The various colors came through the spaces between the branches creating a beautiful array on the dashboard. And he realized that he was ready. Ready to not only drive the rest of the way home so as not to wake her from Ellie sleep, but to do everything else for her too. Work every day of his life to provide a comfortable life for her. Support her in whatever decisions she makes. Hold her when the unimaginable happens. Just be there every day. He was ready to ask her to marry him.
And then he had whispered, "I love you" to her as he drove slowly through that seemingly enchanted street. He swore he heard her whisper it back even though she didn't remember when he inquired later. But it didn't matter because he knew she felt it. He had just hoped she felt it as much as he did.
And now as he stood in their apartment, he finally had the answer to that question. He basked in the comforting knowledge that he would never be without Ellie again for a minute longer before getting washed and dressed. When he emerged from the bathroom Ellie was stirring in bed. Craig sat down beside her.
"Ellie it's four PM you have to get up now," Craig said in an urgent voice.
Ellie's eyes snapped open and she sat up so quickly, Craig had to move his head out of the way to avoid a collision. "What? Why didn't you wake me up?"
Craig laughed as Ellie looked at the clock. She rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his arm. "Jeez, give me a heart attack why don't you? I have to register for classes at noon."
"It's only eight," Craig said. "Go back to sleep for a little while. I'll wake you up in time."
"I don't think I trust you," Ellie replied wryly. "Besides I'm already wide awake now." She stretched and Craig's heart lurched a little when the light caught the ring on her left hand.
He leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I'm gonna make us a special newly engaged couple breakfast." He went into the kitchen as Ellie got ready. After searching for a little bit, he found a pan and spatula. He rummaged through the refrigerator and took out eggs, cheese, and bacon to make Ellie's favorite breakfast foods.
As the bacon started the sizzle, the phone rang. Craig heard the shower running and hurried to answer it. He managed to snatch it up by the fourth ring but whoever called had hung up.
"We really need to get an answering machine!" Craig called towards the bathroom.
"Or you just need to get to the phone quicker," Ellie retorted.
Craig smiled and shook his head. Just as he was walking back to the kitchen, the phone rang again. This time he snatched it up right away. "Hello?"
"Hey, Craig, it's Joey."
"Oh hey." Craig cradled the cordless phone between his ear and shoulder as he walked back into the kitchen. "Did you just call?"
"Uh, no. Anyway, how'd the move in go?"
"Good."
There was a long pause. "Craig, aren't you going to tell me? Did you ask? Did she say yes? Don't leave me in suspense, please."
Craig laughed. "Yes I did. And yes she said yes. We're engaged."
"Congratulations!" came Joey's elated voice through the phone. "That's great!"
"Yeah, I'm pretty psyched," Craig replied, fiddling with the spatula.
"I knew she'd say yes. You had nothing to worry about. How about I take you two out to dinner to celebrate tonight?"
"Um, sure," Craig replied. "Maybe Ellie can invite her parents too. Kind of an in-law getting to know each other thing. You guys only met that one time at her birthday party last year."
"Yeah sounds like a good idea."
They went through the rest of the arrangements for a few more minutes before Craig finally hung up. He heard the bathroom door open and Ellie came out in a robe, her hair glistening with water droplets. "That was Joey?"
"Yeah. Listen, when you're done can you give your parents a call? We're all going to go out to dinner tonight."
Ellie rolled her eyes. "Um, do you really think that's a good idea? Do we have to do it so soon?" She pulled out a pair of pants from a half empty suitcase. "I mean they have plenty of time to get to know each other."
"What are you nervous about? They got along fine last time they met. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."
Ellie looked at him for a minute, then nodded. "I guess you're right." She paused. "Joey likes me, right?"
Craig nodded slowly. "Yes of course he does, you know that. Why are you so worried about this stuff all of a sudden?"
Ellie shrugged as she pulled a t-shirt over her head. "Because it's just so much more important now, you know? It's just different now. Everything's different."
Craig came to stand in front of her and put his hand on her cheek. "I know. But you don't need to worry. Really." He planted a soft kiss on her lips. "Now, while I take my meds, can you please call your parents?"
Ellie nodded. "Fine."
Craig handed her the phone before going into the bathroom. He filled up a small cup of water then took his pills out of the medicine cabinet and carefully took one out.
After he was done and emerged from the bathroom, Ellie was sitting on the bed with her back to him.
"What'd they say?" Craig came to stand in front of her and saw the phone in her lap, her head down. "Did you even call?" Ellie looked up at him finally and he saw the look on her face. "What happened? What's wrong?"
"It's my mom." A tear slipped out of her eye down her face to her trembling chin.
Craig immediately wrapped his arms around her as she stood up and through her tears she managed to tell him that her mother was in the hospital due to sudden liver failure. Craig promised her he would drive her there as soon as she wanted to. His heart ached for her and with every gasp for breath she took, he wished he could make everything all better and vowed to do whatever he could to help her through the situation.
The arid smell of Ellie's favorite breakfast burning wafted in through the living room as he held her.
Next chapter will be up soon. Please leave reviews thanks!
