Chapter 111 The Proposal
JASON'S POV
I was standing in a jewelry store looking at engagement rings and trying not to panic. There were so many options. So many different styles and cuts and prices. How was I supposed to know which one Caitlyn would like?
"Can I help you?" a salesman asked. He was an older guy with glasses and a friendly smile.
"Yeah," I said. "I am looking for an engagement ring. But I have no idea what I am doing."
"That is okay," the salesman said. "Most guys do not. Let me ask you some questions about your girlfriend. What is her style? Does she like simple or flashy? Modern or classic?"
"Simple," I said. "She is not really into flashy stuff. She likes elegant things. Timeless."
"Okay good," the salesman said. "What about the stone? Do you know her ring size?"
"No," I said. "I have no idea what her ring size is."
"That is okay," the salesman said. "We can resize it after. What is your budget?"
I told him and he nodded. Then he started showing me rings. Some were too big. Some were too ornate. Some just did not feel right.
Then he showed me one that made me stop. It was a simple solitaire diamond on a platinum band. Classic. Elegant. Perfect.
"This one," I said. "This is the one."
"Good choice," the salesman said. "This is one of our most popular styles. Simple but beautiful. The diamond is of high quality. Excellent cut and clarity."
"I will take it," I said.
"You do not want to look at any others?" the salesman asked.
"No," I said. "This is perfect. This is exactly what she would want."
I paid for the ring and the salesman put it in a small velvet box. I put the box in my pocket and left the store. My heart was pounding. I had just bought an engagement ring. I was going to propose to Caitlyn.
I called Marcus. He was one of my guys from the crew. Older. Married for like twenty years. He would know what to do.
"Marcus," I said when he answered. "I need your help."
"What is up boss?" Marcus asked.
"I just bought an engagement ring," I said. "I am going to propose to Caitlyn. But I do not know how. I do not know when. I need advice."
"Congratulations man," Marcus said. "That is great news. When are you thinking of doing it?"
"I do not know," I said. "Tonight maybe? Is that too soon?"
"There is no such thing as too soon if you know she is the one," Marcus said. "Do you know she is the one?"
"Yes," I said. "I have known for years. She is it for me."
"Then do it tonight," Marcus said. "Do not wait. Do not overthink it. Just do it."
"But how?" I asked. "Should I take her somewhere fancy? Should I plan something elaborate?"
"No," Marcus said. "Keep it simple. Keep it personal. Make it about you and her. Not about impressing her or putting on a show."
"Okay," I said. "So what do I do?"
"Make her dinner," Marcus said. "Something nice. Light some candles. Put on some music. And then when the moment feels right you get down on one knee and you ask her."
"That is it?" I asked. "That is the plan?"
"That is the plan," Marcus said. "Trust me. She does not want a big production. She wants you. Honest. Vulnerable. Asking her to spend the rest of her life with you."
"What if she says no?" I asked. The fear had been eating at me all day. What if I proposed and she said no? What if she was not ready? What if she did not want to marry me?
"She is not going to say no," Marcus said. "That woman loves you. Anyone can see it. She is going to say yes."
"You think so?" I asked.
"I know so," Marcus said. "Now go. Make dinner. Propose. Make her your wife."
"Okay," I said. "Okay, I am going to do it."
I hung up and drove to the grocery store. Bought ingredients for Caitlyn's favorite meal. Pasta with vodka sauce. Garlic bread. A salad. I also bought flowers. Red roses. A whole dozen.
When I got home Caitlyn was taking a nap. She had been so tired lately. The baby was taking a lot out of her. I put the groceries away quietly and started cooking.
I made the sauce from scratch. Made the pasta. Made the garlic bread. Set the table with candles and the good plates we never use. Put the flowers in a vase in the center of the table.
By the time everything was ready Caitlyn was waking up. I heard her moving around in the bedroom. Heard her come out to the living room.
"Jason?" she called. "What is that smell? It smells amazing."
"Dinner," I called back. "I made your favorite."
She came into the kitchen and stopped. Looked at the table. At the candles. At the flowers. At me standing there nervous as hell.
"What is all this?" she asked.
"I wanted to do something nice for you," I said. "You have been through so much. I wanted to make you feel special."
"Jason," she said. She looked like she might cry. "This is beautiful. You did not have to do all this."
"I wanted to," I said. "Now sit. Let me serve you."
We sat down and ate. The food was good. Not as good as a restaurant but pretty decent. Caitlyn kept smiling at me. Kept looking around at the candles and flowers like she could not believe this was real.
"This is so nice," she said. "I cannot remember the last time someone made me dinner like this."
"You deserve it," I said. "You deserve to be treated like a queen every single day."
"You are going to make me cry," Caitlyn said. She was smiling but her eyes were wet.
After we finished eating I cleared the plates. My hands were shaking. The ring box was in my pocket. It felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. I could feel it every time I moved.
"Jason are you okay?" Caitlyn asked. "You seem nervous."
"I am fine," I said. "Just give me a second."
I went to the kitchen and took a deep breath. This was it. This was the moment. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box. Held it in my hand for a second. Then I walked back to the dining room.
Caitlyn was still sitting at the table. She looked beautiful in the candlelight. Her hair was down. Her hand was resting on her stomach where our baby was. She was perfect.
I walked over to her and got down on one knee.
"Jason," Caitlyn said. Her eyes went wide. "What are you doing?"
"Caitlyn," I said. My voice was shaking. "I have loved you for as long as I can remember. When we were kids I loved you. When you were with Hayes I loved you. When I thought I had lost you forever I still loved you. You are the only woman I have ever wanted. The only woman I will ever want."
"Jason," Caitlyn said. She was crying now. Really crying.
"I know we have been through hell," I said. "I know the past few months have been the hardest of our lives. But through all of it, the one thing I have been sure of is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to marry you. I want to raise our baby together. I want to grow old with you."
I opened the ring box and showed her the ring.
"Caitlyn Harper," I said. "Will you marry me?"