I know it has been a while, but here is chapter three. I hope I made up for the wait with its length? This took me way literally ages to write and I am going to make these shorter in the future. This is just too long! But yeah, I hope you enjoy.
This one-shot follows Eden and Tyler on their second trip to New York (a city they both love), the whole holiday has been arranged by Tyler in celebration of her completing her Psychology Major and he thinks that this is the perfect time to ask her a very special question…
My deep sleep is disturbed by a hand gently shacking my shoulder.
"Go away" I mutter, still in my sleepy trance. I wrap my hands around the arm of whom had tried to wake me, snuggling into them and leaning myself on their shoulder.
"Babe, I think you're gonna want to get up?" The intruder insisted, once again to my annoyance.
I groan and hear his soft laughter in reaction, "where are we?" I said as my eyes flutter open.
He leans forward to my ear and whispers, "Were in New York Eden" his breathy voice making the skin down my neck tingle. Suddenly, I am wide awake.
"What!" I scream. Some of the other passengers on the plane send us amused and concerned looks, and I turned a dark shade of red; embarrassed by my outburst.
"Relax" Tyler says with a smug smirk as he stands up from his seat and goes to grab our luggage. "Don't tell me you forgot!" Tyler gasped in mock horror. I roll my eyes and get up to help him. "How could I forget" whisper, I look at Tyler, the love I feel for him reflecting in his own eyes. A uncontrollable desire to reach my arms around his neck and kiss him came over me, and I could sense Tyler felt the same way, I leaned in only to be confronted with the rather unpleasant sound of a baby crying (or should I say screaming) and I was soon reminded where we were. I kissed Tyler's cheek instead and grabbed our hand luggage before getting into the long and tiresome queue to leave the aircraft.
The baby sound that once interrupted us came back, I turn around to see a girl, maybe a few years older than myself, with a screaming newborn in her arms.
"I'm so sorry! She really is stubborn, and I can't seem to find my husband anywhere?" she scans the area with pure panic in her eyes. I follow her gaze and watch it land on a man struggling with a rather huge amount of luggage.
"Oh" the girl said with a sigh "I should probably go and help him" she tells me. She starts making her way over only for her sweet baby to start another crying fest. A look of utter exhaustion crosses of her as she huffs in defeat.
"I can take her if you would like?" I offer, reaching my arms out. The girl looks startled and surprised by my offer and I instantly regret it as my cheeks heat up, "Sorry, sorry, never mind. That was none of my business!" I explain in a flustered hurry. However, I then find her smiling at me.
"Oh no, that was so rude of me! I'm new to this whole 'parenting thing' you see. I guess I've became kind of overprotective" she tells me awkwardly, "I'm Anna" she continues "and this is Rose" with that she holds out her arms to me. I take Rose and smile gratefully at her mother, "I'm Eden, it's lovely to meet you both! And don't worry I'll be right hear". Anne nods and runs off to help her husband.
"Hi little Rosie" I whisper as I gently rocked her back and forth in my arms, "mummy will be right back." With that Rose smiles up at me and I feel my heart swell. I used to never be the biggest fan of children, but I have such a soft spot for them now, I can't deny the occasional whim I have thinking of myself as a mother, starting a family with Tyler. But no, I wasn't ready for that yet (and Tyler clearly wasn't to, weren't even married). At that I cringed even further, Tyler's the one that surprised me with this trip, the one that is paying for it; an incredible present for me completing my psychology major. And what was I doing, complaining.
"Um Eden, have you stolen a baby?" Tyler comes up to me with his arms crossed in concern and hand luggage on the floor beside him.
I feel myself turn red, "No! No, of course not. This is Rose" I explain. "Her mother is just coming" I say as I point Anne out in the crowd.
"Oh, ok" Tyler says, his voice sounding off as he looks down at Rose with some sort of wonder in his green eyes, thinking about it I wonder if Tyler has ever even held a baby?
"Can I, can I-" Tyler begin, only to be interrupted, "You can hold her if you'd like?" Anna says from behind us, hand in hand with her husband. "This is your boyfriend I presume" she continues, a smile on her face as she introduced herself to Tyler. I'm aware we are the last few on the plane, but I don't want to take this moment from him. He looks down at Rose with a look of amazement in his eyes as he rocks her back and forth.
"So how long have you been dating?" Anna's husband asks, his strong New York accent coming through.
"Eight years" Tyler tells them with a contempt smile. I blush at how he chooses to include those three years we weren't even properly together, yet still in love. Us both terrified by the truth. Taking Rose back and thanking us again for helping them out they then leave the aircraft. I watch them, there little family, and I find a surprising longing for a family like that of my own.
Tyler new better than to book me an early morning flight, resulting in our arrival showing us New York in darkness. Well, I say darkness, New York is as bright as ever with all its illuminations on show, filling the city with an unforgettable exhilarating aura. I snuggled in Tyler's arms, my head on his chest and wrapped in his soft sweater. I watch New York pass by through the windows of the yellow Taxi, making our way to our accommodation for our blissful weeklong trip. I still have no idea where we're staying, this whole experience being a surprise from Tyler to celebrate me completing my degree. It still feels surreal that I've been at Portland state for 6 years, finishing my bachelors and Maters degree in psychology, and it's all over. The old Eden would now be at home worrying about the next stage of her life, what on earth she was going to do now, but for now all those worries had been pushed away.
"First time in the city?" the taxi driver asks, his accent exactly that of what you would expect of those who live here.
"I lived here for a bit" Tyler replies, smiling kindly at the driver. Tyler's New York accent that once diluted his voice now long gone, that was 7 years ago.
Through the course of the rest of the journey I feel myself starting to drift of, the fact it's past twelve and I'm struggling with jetlag is not a good combination. I drift off to Tyler's voice, the warmth of his arms around me and the bustling sound on New York I've been craving for so long.
I wake up with my head on a soft pillow and silky sheets surrounding me, the sun is shining in my eyes and I turn around to escape its rays. Here I collide with a stiff, chiselled chest. What I think. I sit up and rub my eyes, when they have recovered from the light, I take in the sight surrounding me. Thin white curtains drape down over the floor to ceiling windows that spread the vast length of one side of the room, the two grand doors on the wall to the left of the bed a lie in are wide open; giving me a view into a modern and spacious bathroom. I slowly get up and realise I am in my night gown, wow I must have really crashed out last night, I don't remember any of this! I slide on my slippers before getting up to explore. I head to the arch way in front of me, this leads to a sofa, chair and coffee table with a flat screen TV resting on it, not that it is necessary since the view behind it is all the entertainment you could need. I head over to the coffee table to find a stack of brochures: discounts at the spa for the next two days, advertisements for the infinity pool, the five star catering services available on the ground floor (the list goes on). I walk up to the windows and pushed the delicate curtains away, there I stand paralysed, leaning on the glass and taking in the sight. I can't believe how lucky I am, to be treated like this, to have someone so loving and caring in my life like –
Tyler wraps his arms around me from behind, his face in the crook of my neck. "Good morning" he whispers, I feel him sigh against my skin and it send little shock waves through my body. I'm not patient enough for this whole slow, romantic gesture as I spin around in his arms and bring my lips to his. He seems startled by my intimacy towards him, how desperate I am to be close to him. But he's not complaining. Quite the opposite.
The food here is exquisite, I haven't eaten things that good in ages, there are some disadvantages to the vegetarian diet (I had to admit) but I would never regret it. My heart warms at the thought of passing our vegetarian morals onto our children. Uh, there it was again the whole family thing. You need to get a grip Eden!
It's mid spring weather but still lovely warm, the perfect combination of having hot sun but a cool breeze, it reminds me of a mixture of the Santa Monica and Portland climate; that too makes my heart swell. A perfect mixture of Tyler and I. I get dressed (making extra effort to look nice, knowing I would be sending the photos I took today to literally everyone in my contacts) before heading out. We walk hand in hand around the city, admiring new sights and old. Tyler hadn't been too keen to go down a touristy route for the trip – him having lived here and me already visited the city before – but Tyler being Tyler changed that as soon as he saw my longing to explore the city just like we had when we were 18, young and reckless. Wow that made me sound old, I think with a chuckle. Making our way through the city I of course want to take photographs of everything I see, loving the idea of looking back at them in the future, but I knew it was annoying Tyler, so I calmed it down (a bit).
We get out of our taxi, finally arriving at our designated lunch spot for the day. The waiter takes our orders and then our menus before heading off to the kitchens, passing on his information. I look around me, everywhere everything I see makes me smile, the people, the buildings, the culture, this city really is magical. And Tyler, Tyler most of all. As I come out of the bathrooms, I see him texting someone with a concerned and panicked look on his face, staring down at the screen in great concentration and urgency. He's acting weirdly; he'd been acting rather odd all day thinking about it? For months, there has always been something in the back of his head he can't seem to get rid of. Some secret he has been adamant of me catching wind of.
"Hi", I say as I walk up to him and kiss his creased forehead. He quickly powers of his phone, the screen transitioning into a simple square of black. But I can't forget what the screen had once portrayed, a string of messages. I didn't catch the name they were addressed to, but I did see the big "X" that he had most recently sent. I feel my face turn pale, but try not to think too much about it I go to my seat and act oblivious, it was probably Ella or his grandma? Tyler reads the thoughts that are going through my head and his cheeks reddened, a wave of anger and embarrassment going over him.
"That was my mum" he tells me awkwardly as he takes my hand and squeezed it tightly. I of course believe him and regretted that short second of doubt that had just went through me, Tyler would never ever do that. He leans forward to give me a quick kiss (aware of the sideways looks we're receiving) and sits back down.
"So, Times Square next?" Tyler asks, a huge smile on his face, ever since our arrival I had been exited to see this landmark again, I think of the selfie I have saved in my phone from our last visit, five years later I was eager for another one to add to the collection.
"Yep", I reply as I tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. "Have you got anything you want to do, any plans you want to tell me about?" I ask jokingly, however Tyler's reaction isn't the one I expected; he turns a dark red and clams up.
"Um, not really." He coughs before continuing "Well…I do have one surprise that I can share with you", I raise my eyebrows, intrigued "Let's just say the Yankees are in town" he says with a wink, "I wonder if they'll another home run?" I kick him under the table and hold my head in my hands, trying to hide the colour building in my cheeks.
"What?" Tyler asks through his laughter.
I once again tell him to shut up, but he still can't wipe that smirk from his face, even when our food arrives, or for the majority of the meal.
We first get the subway (it cheaper and quicker than getting a taxi, the New York traffic worse than ever) and then walk hand in hand to Times Square. At the begging of our public relationship I hated the looks girls would send him; I got it, Tyler clearly stood out from the crowd, but they really got to me. I always knew me and Tyler would never have to doubt one another, we had gone through more as a couple (and as family) then around four relationships combined, but every wink and sideways glance someone would send him would knock my self-esteem down a peg, could people not see me walking beside him, holding his hand? Perhaps they took one look at me and just presumed I wasn't and couldn't be his girlfriend, maybe we were cousins or siblings or something? That being ironic with Tyler actually being my stepbrother. But as always, I would over think thing, and bring everything down to my weight.
My mental health in that department was an endlessly changing topic, some days I would be doing great and some quite the opposite. Two years ago (mid-way through my masters) things just kept on going downhill Tyler finally convinced me into therapy (it being the changing point in his life back when he first ran off to Portland) and I am now the Eden I have always wanted to be. Not thinking about every carb and calorie I earn or loose but happy just being me. So now, as I walk, my hand interlocked with Tyler's, I don't care whoever looks our way; if anyone dares, they know they have no hope, me and Tyler just can't be broken.
Times square was crazy, just as busy and hectic as I remembered (and just how I loved it). We took in the sights and I took another selfie,
"Say cheese!" I shout loudly, struggling to be heard over the noise.
I quickly go onto my settings and make it my background – replacing my photograph of Tyler, his grandparents and I in Spain, standing on the beautiful veranda of their family home (something I had been surprised and delighted to discover).
We spend the next morning hunting our surrounding area for the best coffee shop we can find, in the end we settle for somewhere good enough and I order my all-time favourite but rare Vanilla latte with a shot of caramel (or two). Ever since Tyler's part time job in our local coffee shop I had been delighted to discover my boyfriend now being a coffee making master (mix that with the professional coffee maker I was given last Christmas, Tyler and I barely have to leave the flat!)
We find a bench to have our drinks and admire the view,
"So, have we got any plans for tomorrow?" I ask, "When's the baseball game?"
Again, an awkward feel passes between the two of us. "Or are we doing something else?" I add, trying to change the weird and surprising atmosphere.
"Something else", Tyler tells me; I decide not to ask what that 'something' could be.
We have lunch at a local open-air food market by the river before returning to the hotel where, we take full advantage of all the extras it has to offer, the highlight of these having to be the couples massage. After dinner we head to bead, another blissful day in the city of my dreams.
The next day things feel different. From the second I wake up everything's just, perfect? Whether it's the freshly brewed latte on my bedside table, its delicious smell filling the air, the fact the curtains have already been drawn open (the view on full display) or maybe that I feel the whole rooms been tided in the time I was asleep? It's practically neater before we first came and invaded! I get up and notice Tyler isn't beside me, yet I can hear his humming in the other divided part of the room. I slip on my nightgown and briefly tidy my appearance before getting into the snug warmth of my slippers and grabbing my coffee, I blush at the heart woven delicately into its thin foam.
I walk into the living room / entrance area only for it to have changed. The sofa and living chairs have been pushed back and rearranged only for a small, round dining table to be in its place. Two dining chairs sit on either side and a vase of lily's lies in its centre. Tyler turns around as he hears me come in and I just stand there, dumbstruck and confused. A huge smile lights up his face as I ask him in deep confusion (and excitement) what this is all about.
"What, am I not allowed to simply treat me girlfriend?" Tyler asks as he wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on the top of my head.
"So, this whole vacation, this hotel wasn't a big enough treat?" I question.
"Shh" Tyler whispers, "We haven't even got started yet."
We eat what just happens to be an array of all my favourite breakfast treats before getting ready for the day. I felt no urge to spend today at the hotel, us spending all our vouchers and using all its features the yesterday. I'm still so confused on what's happening, had I forgotten something? I mean this obviously wasn't our anniversary, we always celebrated that as the fourth of July, nor was it one of our birthdays, so what could it be? Well it had to be something special. I decide that whatever this strange occasion may be Tyler clearly has put a lot of effort into it, so I take extra care on my appearance.
It's an extremely sunny day today so I pick out my latest (and favourite) purchase that is a dainty summer dress (despite it being spring I can get away with it). I match it with a pair of high heels though regret it the second I stand up; I would rather not have to remember this trip as the time I broke my ankle roaming around New York. I take a pair of flats that complement the outfit nicely and then get to work on my hair, curling it and tying it up in a woven bun with delicate whips hanging out of its sides. I hear room service knock on the door and say our taxi has nearly arrived, so I quickly do my makeup and grab my shoulder bag, making sure to first check for its essentials: phone, wallet, room key and the emergency makeup supplies. I turn on my phone for the first time today and scroll through my messages that I decide to reply to in the car journey, I smile as I see my newly added screen saver of Tyler and I two days before.
Tyler is already in the vehicle and I slide in next to him and give him a quick kiss. As the journey goes on my confusion only grows, where we are going? I turn my head to the boot window, wondering if there was something significant I missed along the way, only find it neatly piled with suitcases. I quickly whip my head back at Tyler and send him an urgent glance.
"Where are we going!" I exclaim, my voice high pitched.
Tyler laughs softy and squeezes my hand "don't worry, I packed everything, and it's a surprise; a good one I promise." He leaves it at that as I lean into him and wait to discover whatever this could be.
The car pulls up and parks in front of a tall building block, it's hight so vast I can't see what lies behind it. We take our luggage and get in the lift,
"Tyler –" He interrupts me and tells me just to wait and see, a smug smile on his face. The lift goes up floor by floor until finally its "pings" and the doors slide open.
Three doors appear in front of us, each with an allocated flat number. Tyler takes a key out his back jeans pocket and slides it into the door to the left.
"Close your eyes" he says, his smile coming through in his voice. I laugh and ask him why but eventually I just go for it. I hear the key go into place and the locks click open, he then puts his hands over mine, making sure my eyes are properly covered and he guides me inside; when he tells me it's ok, I look and see what all the fuss is about.
I stand in a studio apartment, it's one room holding a double bed, small kitchen/dining area and sofa. A door beside me leads to what I presume must be the bathroom. However small the space it is perfectly designed, every item filling its cute aesthetic. But to be honest that's the last thing on my mind as I stare at the vast view in front of me. Floor to ceiling windows line the wall, light floods the room and causes shadows and reflections to bounce of every surface. But that still isn't the real beauty that I am fixated by. I put my hands on the glass and look down at the fields and fields of green in front of me, Central Park. Five years later it remains my favourite place in this vast metropolis.
"Tyler!" I exclaim, I'm mortified to find myself feeling emotional and my eyes starting to sting. A wrap my arms around him, my tears dampening his shirt.
"Why are you crying?" Tyler asks, kneeling down to be closer to my level where we he wipes a falling tear from my cheek.
"I love you so much, know, that right?" I say, finding myself smiling in my sadness.
"Yeah I know" Tyler replies as he pulls me tightly into his arms, before kissing me.
We arrive in the grounds of Central park around thirty minutes later (after the tiresome task of unpacking) and I squeal in delight as I take it all in. I would be lying if I said I hadn't been exited for this destination all along, but I had kept it quiet, not wanting to interfere with Tyler's carefully arranged plans. He guides me to a café/restaurant on the parks border that he has reserved a table at, the food is lovely and most importantly the view is breath-taking.
I'm so grateful the sane part of my mind opted out of high heels due to the terrain we are now walking over and exploring hand in hand. Tyler subtly leads me in a certain direction, I try not to dwell on why his hands are clamming up and expression sombre.
I gasp as he comes to a halt and I take in were we are. We stand on the edge of central park's carefully mowed baseball fields; memories instantaneously come flooding back of when Tyler first took me here! I remember getting embarrassingly competitive and obsessed with the game, though despite the exhilaration of the sport my head was really going haywire over Tyler. Us still too embarrassed and confused to admit our feelings again to one another. Scared of getting hurt.
He seems obviously relieved and almost reliant on that reaction, I kiss him quickly (even though there were very few around us) and run out onto the pitch, dragging him by the hand not being able to stop me joyful laughter.
"Eden!" Tyler says, finally getting me to calm down.
"Are we practising again, you know for the upcoming Yankees game?" I ask, looking around for the equipment, however there is none.
"No", Tyler tells me, "but I do have something to tell you", he puts a hand around me waste and guides me forward. As he walks beside me, he whispers in my ear, "I love you Eden, so, so much. More than anyone and anything." And he goes on until suddenly I notice him stop. I look around; we still stand on the pitch yet under a bright pink cherry blossom, its petals falling of its branches and dancing in the air. There is practically no one around but the faint sound of children laughing still fills my ears. It's beautiful, perfect. I turn back to Tyler, wanting to thank him for this incredible spot, only to see him down on one knee. I feel everything freeze around me and my breath hitch in my throat, all words have escaped me.
"Tyler", I whisper, my voice small.
"Eden", Tyler repeats, so much emotion in his voice.
I feel myself start to tear up, I can't believe this. Is Tyler really, really going, going to propose?
He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a velvet bound box that he then holds up in his hands, now I really am crying (to my utter embarrassment). I can sense people watching, but I don't care. Tyler opens the box to reveal a dainty ring, a small diamond embedded into it, its subtle yet beautiful and everything I imagined. I can't believe this is happening, I can't, I can't –
"Eden, you are my everything, I didn't know it was possible to feel like this about someone. Sometimes it scares me everything want for you, feel for you" I gulp, trying not to let more tears spill.
"And these pasts phew months I couldn't be prouder of you, how much you have achieved. It blows my mind just thinking of it", he pauses, flashing me an emotional smile, "but all I want now is to call you more, call you more than just my girlfriend but call you my –"
"Yes" I exclaim, "Yes, yes, yes Tyler. Please." And I feel the ring slip onto my finger, me pulling him into my arms, and his lips meeting mine. Because now, Tyler and I truly are forever.
Like I warned you, that was long! I guess you readers like that, it just took a while for me. I am sorry if the ending was at all cheesy, I think it was cute though? In Estelle's writing she mentions how Eden 'felt embarrassed on how quickly she slipped the ring onto her finger' I think I replicated that? Also, I have never been to New York, it sounds amazing, but still… I hope I did it justice?
Anyway, I have the next chapter prewritten and I will be publishing it a week today. So… yeah! All help with the story appreciated (following, adding to favourites, reviews. All that cool stuff) xx :D