The summer months came in hot and sunny. Everyone started taking up their usual summer activities, like hiking, camping, and fishing. Bill and Mia celebrated their one year anniversary of being together, ignoring the small period of time when they weren't. He was so grateful she never held that grave mistake against him, as much as he completely deserved it. But that was also one point his therapist would remind him of...it's okay to make mistakes and then let them go, because you learn from them. He was trying to let all of his past mistakes go, because they had helped him become the type of person he was wanting to be.
For the anniversary of their first date, Bill insisted they go to Chez Pierre again.
"I know you think it's too expensive," he said, "but tonight is really special, don't you think?"
"All right, fine. Let's go!"
Mia wore a black dress that had a bit more give in the stomach, and Bill wore a plain gray button down shirt and black slacks with shiny black dress shoes. He did his best to look as nice as possible. When they got to the restaurant, which was bustling with a fancy dinner crowd, the maître d' led them through the sea of crisp tablecloths and high polished wood to the same table the two of them had sat at one year ago.
"Déjà vu," commented Bill as he looked around.
Mia looked over the menu. "You know, I really was set on trying something new here, but all of a sudden I really think I want the parmesan chicken again."
"I was thinking the same thing."
The server took their food and drink orders, with Bill foregoing a glass of wine out of solidarity with Mia, and he hustled back to the kitchen.
Mia positioned herself more comfortably and got down to business. "Alright, so, think back to one year ago, when we were sitting in this exact same spot," Mia instructed him.
"Okay. I'm there."
"What did you think about me then?"
"That you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen," Bill answered matter-of-factually.
Mia rolled her eyes.
"Okay, but for real."
"I am being for real. I really did think that. I still do, of course."
She smiled at his earnestness.
"Fine, fine. Looks aside, what did you think?"
"Hmm…" he pretended to be deep in thought which made her laugh. "I liked that you were interested in me. You actually wanted to know about me. You seemed impressed by me, maybe. It made me feel pretty good about myself." He looked into her brown eyes, which were brightly looking into his. "I thought you were very special. I knew even then I would fall hard for you."
She blushed a little at how sincerely he spoke. "You're so sweet. I didn't realize what an impression that made."
You have no idea, Bill thought to himself. "What did you think of me?" He wondered if he should even ask.
"Well, I thought you were handsome. Charming," she added, "You wanted to actually talk to me and get to know me, not just sleep with me."
"I was too nervous to even think about anything like that."
"I really had a lot of fun that night. And every night with you since. It's so crazy to realize it's been a year already. It feels like much longer…"
Bill nodded. "I used to be so worried about moving too fast... but it all felt natural, it didn't feel fast…"
"I know," she nodded, "Heck, even having a baby already doesn't seem all that out of place."
Bill agreed.
He was extra attentive to her that night, making sure several times she was comfortable and happy and having a good time. He also kept complimenting her and staring at her, which was flattering, but noticeable.
"What is going on with you tonight?" she asked, amused.
"Just enjoying our time together," he responded casually.
After their dinner, which was just as good as it was last time, they strolled out into the warm evening air. Mia made to go to the car, but Bill tugged her hand in the other direction.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," he grinned.
He appreciated when Mia held his forearm when they went through the crosswalk.
They walked together down the streets of downtown Arlen, admiring the bright lights and pretty storefronts. The city looked so much different at night, so much more magical and romantic.
Mia suspected she knew where Bill might have planned to take her, and as they rounded the corner of Vine Street, her suspicion was proven correct.
"Slaussen's Gelato!" she delighted, "Just like before!"
"I really liked it here. But maybe I'll try a different flavor this time."
Mia settled on pistachio, while Bill asked for strawberry.
"I know a great place we can go sit," he suggested facetiously. Mia was certain she knew where.
They crossed the street to the shrubbery lined park, the same place as where they went on their first date. It was empty of anyone else, quiet and tranquil, no sound among them except from the arcs of water flowing from the fountain.
The light of the moon shone over them with an ethereal light. It was like this on their first date, too, Bill remembered… The moonlight gleamed on Mia's smooth skin and sparkled in her eyes the same way it did one year ago.
"You sure can plan a nice date," Mia told him. They sat on the same bench together as they did last year, this time with their legs touching.
Bill spoke in a low tone. "I remember, back when we were here last… I was still nervous, but not as much by the time we came here. By this point in the night I was feeling more comfortable with you. And I figured if you wanted to get away from me, you would have done it by now."
Mia laughed lightly in disbelief.
"I still can't believe you were that nervous around me. You seemed so confident and self assured. I never would have thought otherwise." She kissed him sweetly on the cheek. "I remember hoping that you didn't think I was a dork."
"What? I would never think that."
She smiled as she wrapped his arm around her and leaned into him. They sat quietly with each other, watching the fountain. Mia felt at relaxed and peaceful.
Bill, however, felt on edge.
"I can't wait to set up the baby's room," Mia said thoughtfully.
"We should get the crib soon. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Yes, and maybe we can get paint for the walls, too."
Mia continued to talk about her vision for the nursery, and things she wanted to do before the baby arrived. Bill was doing his best to respond with sincerity, but his mind was hectically working through what he needed to do. He wondered if the right moment was now.
"Mia," he said suddenly, unintentionally interrupting her debate on a rocking chair or a glider chair for the nursery.
"Wha-" she began to ask, but the word stopped dead when Bill lowered himself in front of her on one knee.
She knew what was about to happen… And yet, her mind still remained stuck in a loop, unable to process any further.
"Mia," he said again, looking up at her beautiful face, into her wide, brown eyes.
Her lips were parted slightly in surprise as she looked back down at him, noticing his hand hovering over his pocket.
Bill had it all rehearsed in his head, or at least he thought he did, but when it came down to it he was struggling to string together anything coherent.
"I, um, well, I know it's still pretty early," he said shakily, "But, we're going to have a baby soon... and I love you. I love you so much…" he fumbled at his hip, drawing out a little velvet box. "I want to spend the rest of our lives together." He pried it open and held it out to her, and the light of the moon casting over them gleamed unmistakably off of that small diamond nestled in the center of the velvet cushion.
"Will you marry me?"
Mia sat completely still, her face unchanged. For a moment, just for a flash, Bill wondered if he had made a mistake...maybe he should have waited, as he had been debating himself over for the past few months…
But then a single tear slid down her cheek, and she nodded.
"You will?" he asked. He was unsure if he was reading her reaction properly.
She nodded again, more fervently this time, and more tears were falling as she gasped back a small sob. She was grinning and crying, both at the same time.
Bill sprang to his feet and gathered her to his chest, sweeping her off the bench into a joyful embrace. He started to feel his eyes prickle with tears, too, as he tried stifling back a laugh.
They pulled apart and Mia wiped her tears away and sniffed, gathering herself together long enough for Bill to slide her gorgeous engagement ring onto her finger.
"I love it," she said with a watery smile, her hand flexed out to see her ring from every angle.
"I'm so glad. Jackie helped me with it."
Mia couldn't help but chuckle a little. "I had no idea. I had no idea you were going to do this…"
Bill drew in a breath. "I wasn't sure if I should have waited...I mean, I know it's only been a year but-"
"It just feels right," Mia finished easily, "Right?"
"Exactly," he agreed, "And with the baby, maybe I'm too traditional...but I thought it would be nice for his parents to be married…"
Mia smiled and kissed him.
She was going to be his wife...
