Chapter Two

"Mel, will you marry me?"

I could not believe what was happening. One minute we are standing in Jared's room for our lunch break and the next we are having a romantic date in the game room. And now he is proposing to me.

I could feel my lips trying to answer him, but I was in such shock that no words would come out. I just stared into his eyes for a few moments, catching my breath.

When I was younger I always pictured myself getting married; ever since I was on the run I had lost hope. Now here is the guy of my dreams in front of me down on one knee.

"Yes," I said as I sat down the puppy on one of the pillows. "Yes, Jared I would love to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I sounded so excited.

We both stood up and closed the small gap between us. My legs started to shake as Jared slid the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly.

"It's beautiful Jared," I said as I touched it with my hand.

"Just like you."

"I can't believe it. I'm getting married! I can't wait to tell everyone!" I started to jump around, and picked up the puppy again. "And you my darling can be my flower girl."

"Uh sorry Mel, but that's a boy puppy. I asked Wanda to get a girl German Shepard, but apparently they were all gone. So we are stuck with this little fella," Jared said, petting the puppy.

"Aww it's okay, he can just be the ring carrier then. Kinda like what he was today," I grinned as I said this. "Oh Jared I am so excited. There is so much to do! I have to decide who my brides maids are going to be, I have to have to get a dress, I have to decide on what foods I want, and somehow we are going to have to get music for the ceremony!" I was talking so fast it Jared laugh.

"Whoa Mel, slow down," He said as he came and hugged me. "There will be plenty of time to plan the wedding. Let's just enjoy the rest of our date."

Jared kissed my forehead. He took the puppy out of my arms and set him gently on one of the pillows. He took the two steps back over to where I was standing.

"May I have this dance?"

"But there isn't any music." I looked confused.

He looked into my eyes and started to sing, "Baby you know that dreams they're for those who sleep."

I was shocked. I had no idea Jared could sing. He had such an amazing voice!

He put his arms around my waist and pulled me in close. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stared into his gorgeous eyes.

"Life is for us to keep, and if I choose the one I'd like to help me through," Jared continued singing while we danced around the room. We moved slowly and carefully as to not step on any of the candles.

It took me a while to realize what song he was singing, but I figured it out at the perfect moment.

I started to sing with him, "I'd like to make it with you."

I didn't have the best singing voice in the world, but he didn't seem to mind one bit. He smiled with me and continued on by himself.

"I really think that we can make it girl."

"I know we can," I replied as we kept slow dancing.

"Me too babe."

"Did you ask her yet?!" A voice from somewhere to our right. It caught us both by surprise.

We stopped dancing and looked to see who owned the voice, it sounded like it belonged to a young boy. Sure enough Jamie walked in the room, followed by Wanda.

"Jared! Sorry, I told him to wait in his room until you guys were finished but he was too impatient," Wanda said out of breath. "I chased him all the way here, but he is very fast."

"It's okay Wanda, thank you for keeping him busy," I replied, dropping my hands from Jared's neck. He still kept his arms around my small waist.

"Weeellllll? Did you ask her?" Jamie said as he rushed over, but he suddenly stopped as he noticed the puppy. "You did! What did she say? Our we going be step-brothers?" He sounded just as excited as me.

I turned to face Jared and whispered, "You wanna tell them or should I?"

"Let's tell them together," He whispered back.

We turned back to look at Jamie and Wanda whose eyes were searching ours for an answer.

"We're getting married!" We shouted at the exact same time, with huge grins on our faces.

"I knew she would say yes!" Jamie exclaimed, running over to us. He ran into me, almost knocking me over, and hugged me. He grip was so tight I could barely breathe. After he let go he looked back at Wanda who was still standing by the door. "Well don't just stand there, come over and join the celebration!"

"Yeah Wanda, we want to share the joy with you too! You are like a sister to me, my best friend." I smiled as she walked over.

"This is so awesome!" Jamie said as he started jumping up and down, almost smashing the puppy.

"Jamie man, be careful!" Jared practically shouted as he picked up the puppy. "You don't want to kill the poor thing on it's first day with it's new mommy."

I laughed as I as giving Wanda a big hug.

"Sorry, geez. Can I hold him?"

"As long as you promise you won't strangle him to death." He laughed and handed the puppy to Jared.

"Congradulations Mel. I'm so happy for you both," Wanda said joyfully as we let go of each other. "When's the big day?"

"We haven't decided yet. All I know is there is going to be so much to do!"

We sat down and watched as the boys were running around with the puppy who randomly got a burst of energy. He looked as though he couldn't be weigh than four pounds and had soft light brown hair.

"He is so cute isn't he? Thank you so much for getting him," I said to Wanda. She just smiled. "So I know it's so soon to ask, but do you think you could help me plan my wedding?"

"Oh Mel I don't know, I've never planned a wedding before. Actually I've never been to a wedding before so I would have no idea what to do. Why don't you ask Sharon or Trudy?

"Aw Wanda, come on, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could do it. And get real, Sharon or Trudy? I want a beautiful, romantic wedding. Like this." I pointed to the room with the candles and daises everywhere.

"Geez this little guy has some sharp teeth!" Jaime said as he covered his ankle with his hand.

"Then maybe you should run faster," Jared replied as the puppy was chasing him.

"Oh shut your mouth Jared, just wait until he catches you," Jamie was still crouching on the ground. "Aw man it's bleeding!"

"You okay Jamie?" I got up and started to walk over to were he was. "Let me see it."

"Aw come on Mel, I'm fine. It's just a little scratch. Nothing big," He got up and started to run around again. "And besides, I'm old enough to take care of myself."

"Okay, but you should probably go wash it off. And be more careful."

I sat back down next to Wanda, with my arms around my knees.

"So where were we? Oh yeah, you said you wanted to plan my wedding."

"What? No I didn't! I said I di-"

"I know, I was just joking Wanda! Don't have a heart attack on me," I replied as I started to laugh.

"Oh."

"But in all seriousness I think you would be a fantastic wedding planner."

"Well I guess I could try. Maybe Ian could help out too." Wanda looked at me and then at the boys. "When are you planning on telling the rest of the caves?"

"I hadn't thought about it. I guess I could do it tonight after dinner."

"Whew," Jared sighed as he sat down next to me, puttin his arm on my lower back. It sent shivers up my spine. "That puppy wore me out. He looks like he is going to be one heck of an addition to our family." He kissed my cheek. "I'm gonna go get some water. You two want anything?"

"No, we're fine. Thank you hunny." I said, this time kissing him on the cheek.

He got up and walked over to the door, "Jaime, you want anything?"

"Yeah, get me a water, and you should probably get something for this little guy too!"

Jamie ran over to where Jared was standing and fell to the floor. The puppy was right behind him and stopped to chew at his shoes.

"Stop it! These are my favorite shoes!" He screamed as he pushed the puppy away. The puppy walked over to Jamie's hand and laid down. "That's better, little guy. I think he's worn out too!"

"Haha, that's a good thing."

Wanda and I watched while they both pet the puppy. Jared got back up and Jamie followed suit, picking up the puppy along the way. They all left the room to get water.

"Any ideas for what you are going to name him?"

"Not yet. But I need to think of something soon. I hate referring to him as the puppy, you know?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you'll think of something soon."

We sat in silence for about five minutes before the boys returned. Jared came and sat down next to me, puttin both arms around me this time. Wanda took this as her cue to leave as she stood up and exited the room.

"Well this has been one of the best, if not the best, days of my life."

"Same here. Jared I love you."

"I love you too Mel."

He leaned in to kiss me as we laid down. The floor was getting cold, so I scooted closer to him to keep warm.

"Hey guys, sorry to bother you, but I was told to come down here and announce that dinner is ready," Someone said by the door. It sounded like Jeb.

"Alright, thanks Jeb. We'll be there in a minute," Jared said as he stood up, pulling me with him.

We started to walk out of the room as Jared took hold of my hand and squeezed it. I felt the ring on my finger and that's when it hit me. I'm getting married. To Jared, the love of my life.