Chapter 22

Now that Rita and I have finished university I was thinking that this was a good time to pop the question. Tai and I had gone to pick out a ring the other day and I think that I found the perfect one. Tonight was going to be special and I had planned the perfect day. The two of us were going to go for a walk down a road that is full of cherry blossoms that will lead to a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant. After that I am going to take her to the school at the place where I told her that I loved her for the first time. Tai by that time will have the place lit up with lanterns and then I will ask her to marry me. I am not going to lie I am really nervous; not about her saying no but I just want it to be perfect. I was sitting in the living room waiting for Rita to get ready… is it just me or do all girls take this long? "Sorry I took so long, you ready to go?" Rita said as she smiled at me wearing a beautiful black dress. "Wow, you look so beautiful…" I blushed as Rita placed a kiss on my cheek. "You look pretty good yourself," we both laughed as we then left our apartment.

"So where are we going?" Rita asked as I continued to cover her eyes. "You will see when we get there, don't worry it will be worth it." I reassured her, "I know it will but I want to see already." Rita sighed as I faced her in the center of the road full of cherry blossoms. "Okay you can open now," I spoke as I released my hands from her eyes. As soon as Rita saw the view her eyes just lit up. "Izzy it's just so beautiful, what an amazing sight," Rita smiled as she reached out her hand towards mine. "So let's go," I grinned as I led her down the road filled with beautiful pink flowers. After a lovely stroll we then arrived at the restaurant. It was a 4 star Italian restaurant; Rita wasn't big on Japanese food but she loved Italian. "This pasta is amazing, I think I found a new favourite restaurant," Rita grinned as she continued to stuff her face with food. I have no idea how she can eat that much yet keep her figure. "You sure do love to eat," I laughed as Rita's face turned as red as the tomato sauce in which she was stuffing her face with. "You told me before that it was healthy to have a good appetite," "I know I did, I still mean it, I just find it funny how much you can eat," I continued to chuckle. "Psh well we only live once so why not eat to our hearts content right?" Rita asked as she continued to eat. All I could do was just smile; she always had a way to bring a smile to my face no matter what mood I was in, although for the rest of my life I want to be the one who makes her smile. I want to make her the happiest girl in the world because she really deserves that. "Something wrong Izzy?" Rita asked with her usual look of concern. "No nothing I was just thinking of how much I love you," I blushed a little myself. "Oh Izzy, you have always been that way, and I am so grateful for that," Rita reached out her hand and intertwined it with mine. We continued to have a memorable dinner, though all I could think of was what would come after. My heart was pounding so hard I felt as though it would pop out of my chest. I hope Rita didn't have a clue to what was going on, thank goodness for her being dense.

After the two of us finished our dinner at what I would have to say was for sure the best Italian restaurant in Japan; we then took a walk to our old High school. "Wow it sure has been a while since we have been here," Rita spoke as she looked to the school with nostalgia. "Yeah you want to go check it out?" I asked, "but Izzy we aren't able to get in," Rita stated. "True but I never said we had to go in," I replied as I took her hand and walked over to the field where I told her my feelings for the first time. As we came across it, that very spot was lit with lanterns. Tai and Mimi had come through for me as usual; Rita stared in amazement as the combination of the falling cherry blossoms and the lanterns made the ideal romantic setting. "Izzy it's so beautiful… did you to all of this?" Rita asked as she turned to me. I smiled and then took her hands. "Rita, do you remember this very spot?" I asked as Rita gave me a gentle smile. "This is where we first told each other how we felt and we have been together ever since," "Rita ever since I met you I knew that I had to have you in my life. I loved you from the first moment I saw you and since you have been with me I have never been happier. I promised you on your 18th birthday that I would place a beautiful ring on your finger one day and I want that day to be now," I smiled as I then bent down on one knee. "Izzy I…" Tears started to fall from Rita's eyes. "Rita will you marry me? I promise to spend the rest of my life making you the happiest woman on the planet," I spoke as Rita then dove into my arms. "You already have… And yes, yes of course I will." Rita continued to cry as I placed the ring on her finger and pulled her into a kiss. "I love you Rita, you are everything to me," "I love you so much Izzy; you have made me happier than I ever thought I could be." I continued to hold her in my arms as time went on; I just wish this moment would last forever.

When the two of us returned home we opened the door to a surprise. Tai, Mimi and all the others were there, and as soon as we walked in a whole bunch of confetti was thrown in our face. "Congratulations," everyone cheered. "What are you all doing here?" Rita questioned as she hugged Mimi and Tai. "We wanted to surprise the two of you after the proposal." Sora replied, "yeah we are all so happy for you two," Kari smiled. "I guess Izzy must have told you all," Rita smirked. "Actually the only ones he told were Mimi, Tai, Sora and myself but as you know Mimi she just couldn't keep it in." Matt laughed, "oh well can you blame me?" Mimi smiled, "thank you all for coming," I smiled as Tai and Matt came up to me patting me on the shoulder. I was happy to be able to spend this moment with my friends. "Rita I am so happy for you," tears streamed down Mikumon's face. "Thank you Mikumon," Rita cried as well as she pulled her partner into her arms. "Izzy I am so very proud of you," Tentomon spoke as I swear a tear fell from his eyes. "Hey buddy thanks," I bent down to hug him. I remember thinking to myself that night that we have the best friends in the world; thank goodness they would be here for the next part. I never knew how hard it was to plan a wedding.