A couple more years passed. I had just celebrated my twenty fifth birthday. Mother stopped by with my favorite cake from our bakery. Jason stopped by the next day and handed me my favorite meal. He said he made it himself. I have to admit, I've never eaten any of Jason's food before now and it was quite impressive. Honestly, the best meal I've had since I moved out. Of course, I know how to cook, but Jason became a chef so he knows what works together really well.

Sahara and I have been on multiple dates after that one at the lake. I'm sure she likes me back so today, I actually plan on proposing. I told father and he gave me a few tips on it. He said he closed his eyes and said the words so fast that he had to say it again. I'm not sure if saying those words really fast would help. He was probably nervous so they didn't come out right.

I think closing my eyes would work though but, I want to see her reaction when I ask her. I don't want to miss it. I need to talk to Sahara first, but I need a sneaky way to do it.

My phone buzzed again. I looked at the screen to see Sahara's name on it again. Now's the perfect time. I have to sneak it into the conversation. I answered. "Roland!" she exclaimed.

She had a question about her car so I answered it for her. Before she hung up, I asked her a question. We traded questions for a while. "So, what about traditions?" I asked.

"Traditions?" she checked. "Like what?"

"Like...Christmas traditions," I tried. Please work. If this works, I can drag the conversation into a blessing. "Hmm, I like my Christmas traditions. We always wait until after brunch to open gifts and we usually have the whole family over."

"That sounds like mine!" I said. I need to change the tradition. "You know those movies when the man proposes to the woman but ask for the father's blessing before? What about that one? What do you think?" That wasn't the smoothest but it'll do.

"When the groom asks for a blessing? I kinda like that one, sometimes. It depends who the parent is."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, Juliet's family. Then was an acceptable time not to ask for a blessing so he shouldn't ask them. Let's say for my parents." Good, it's going great. "My father wouldn't let anyone marry me if I have to be honest. He doesn't even like me so it's not a good idea to ask him...if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I get it."

"What do you think?" Sahara reversed.

"Honestly, I have to agree with you on that one. "I dragged out the conversation a little longer so she wouldn't get suspicious. She catches on things quickly so I have to distract her. "I have to go now, Roland," Sahara said, breaking the conversation. "Talk to you later!" And with that, she hung up.

I assumed Sahara would rather I talk to her mother, but I had to check with her. I sighed. Now I need to contact my parents. This is not what I was looking forward to. If any of my siblings are there, they're going to tease me. My mother would start crying. And who knows what father will do. I can only hope for the best.

I picked up my phone. Okay, here it goes. I waited for someone to pick up on the other end. Before it stopped ringing, someone answered. "Roland!" mother's voice cried from the other side. "How have you been? It's so quiet without you and your other siblings here!"

"Yeah, I bet it is," I said. "Mom, I actually have something to tell you and dad. If you don't mind getting him there too."

"Oh, it sounds serious. I'll go get your father." She walked away from the phone for a minute and came back with father. "Okay, we're both here. What is it?"

I took a deep breath. This isn't asking Sahara to marry me. So why am I so nervous? Why is my heart beating out of my chest? "Mom, dad...I want to...I want to propose to Sahara," I said, trying to ignore the beating.

"You do?" mother asked. "You want to marry her?" She sniffled. "Oh, Roland! I was waiting for this day! I'm so proud of you!" Mother started crying, just as I guessed. "Did you get her parent's blessing yet?" father asked.

"No, I just finished talking to her."

"Does she know you want to marry her?"

"I hope not," I replied. "I kind of wanted it to be a surprise."

"A surprise proposal?" mother asked through her tears. "That's lovely! That's just how your dad asked me!"

"Do you have the engagement ring?" father asked over mother's crying.

"Yeah, I do. I got it yesterday."

"Good. Just go talk to her parents and get their blessing and then let us know how the rest goes."

"Yeah, I will, dad. Thanks." I hung up. Okay, that didn't go as bad as I expected it to. Thankfully, none of my siblings were there.

Okay, now I have to talk to Sahara's mother. Let's go. It's not that hard. I'm just asking for a blessing. I hopped into my car and drove to Sahara's house. In the phone call I had with Sahara, she sounded like she finally got her car to work. Before I asked her about the blessing, she got in her car. So I know one thing for sure...Sahara is not home. This is the perfect chance to ask her mother.

I pulled up to her house, after double checking for a car. The only car there is her mother's so I'm safe. I closed the car door and knocked on the house door. I waited for her to answer. Right before I knocked again, she answered. "Oh, Roland! What a surprise!" she exclaimed. She smiled when she saw me. "If you're looking for Sahara, she left twenty minutes ago."

"No, actually, I want to talk to you."

"Oh! Well, come in then!" She opened the door and stepped aside for me to enter. "Thank you," I said, entering. Her house is small but nowhere near as bad as Sahara's classmates described. She has a small mirror by the door and a picture of her family on the mantle of the fireplace. There is a small couch near the corner of the room, and an entry way to another room next to it.

"Please, sit down," Sahara's mother said, inviting me to the couch. I accepted her invitation. "So, Roland, what is it?"

"Well. It is about Sahara. I...I want to..." my voice cut out. Come on, Roland! Just ask her! "I want to ask for your blessing, to...marry Sahara." Finally, it's out!

"Oh? My blessing?" I just nodded. She paused for a minute. She smiled, breaking my nerves. "Yes, Roland. You can marry Sahara. I would love to have you as a part of this family!"

"Really?" She smiled. "Of course, Roland. You can marry Sahara." Every doubt I've had just vanished with her answer. Instead, they were placed with feelings of joy and exclamations. I stood up from the couch from excitement. "Thank you, Ms. Mint!"

"Of course, Roland. You are a very good young man and Sahara would be very lucky to have you."

I thanked her a few more times before I left. I can't believe it! She said yes! Sahara is going to be my wife! Next step: actually propose to her. The hard part. I can do this.