The Proposal

John nervously walks up to Katelyn's porch. Straightening his blue tux one last time, he knocks on the door. His stomach tightens in one hard knot as he waits for someone to answer. I can do this. Taking a deep breath, he anxiously knocks again. Tonight is the night he's going to ask Katelyn to marry him.

He has the evening planned out, the candlelight dinner on the patio, the soft music, the best champagne that his budget can afford. It's taken all of his money and countless hours of overtime, but John figures it'll be well worth it if she says yes. Katelyn is his one true love, his soul mate, and he doesn't want to spend another day without her by his side.

He realizes her illness is going to make things difficult, but he's willing to accept all of its challenges; as long as it's her face, he sees the first thing in the morning and the last thing he sees before he drifts off to sleep.

"Honey, John is here," Madeline says, opening the door. Stan steps up beside her.

"Mr. Mrs. Howard," he replies, glancing towards the stairs.

"You'll be calling us Mom and Dad before long, son." Stan winks.

"I hope so, sir." He'd thought it was only proper if he asks her parents for their blessing. John recalls the talk in his mind. How nervous he was facing her parents.

~~~

"I love Katelyn with all my heart, and I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy."

"I know you'll do right by her, son," Stan says, patting him on the back. Stan really wasn't concerned about her happiness. He was just glad to get the tyrant out of his house because he believes she's the root of his problems. Stan thinks she's the reason for his faltering marriage, why he hasn't had a raise in years, the reason they're deep in debt. Of course, his wife, being the doting mother, doesn't see it that way.

"

You've been a blessing to all of us, John. I don't know what we'd do without you," Madeline says, teary-eyed. She starts thinking about all of their struggles before John came into their life.

Katelyn was expelled from three different schools. If she wasn't locking herself in her room because someone was supposedly after her, she was being hospitalized for her fits of rage. John calmed her down, talked her into taking her medicines despite the side effects. He's the one who got her to agree to therapy when no one else could and the one who kept her out of trouble.

"So is that a yes?" he anxiously asks, glancing between the two.

"Welcome to the family, son," Stan says, shaking the boy's hand.

~~~

Glancing up the staircase, he sees his beautiful bride-to-be gliding elegantly down the stairs. She is wearing a long blue gown that hangs just off her shoulders, with a dainty pearl necklace dangling around her neck. The gown's lacy waistline expands outward, cascading elegantly to the floor. Her chestnut hair is pulled into a tight bun at the top of her head. Two tiny curls hang down either side of her face. A little whip of bangs hangs delicately across her forehead.

"You look gorgeous, Katelyn," he says, offering his hand. His heart skips a beat when she places her hand in his.

"Thank you," she timidly replies, walking down the remaining steps.

"My baby is all grown up," Madeline sniffles. Taking her handkerchief, she quickly dabs her eyes.

"These are for you," John hands Katelyn a dozen beautiful long stem roses.

"They're lovely," She sniffs the crimson flowers.

"They're not half as lovely as you."

Her cheeks quickly turn the color of her flowers. Sniffing them again, she hands them to her mom.

"You kids have fun, stay out as long as you like," Stan says, winking at John.

"Where are we going?" she asks, walking to the car.

"Someplace very special." He smiles, opening the door for her.

They pull up to the elegant restaurant a few minutes later.

"Le Stick Nouveau, this place costs a fortune."

"You are worth every penny," he says, opening the door for her. The two stroll arm in arm across the parking lot.

"I feel like royalty, being taken to such an elegant restaurant by a handsome prince like you," she says, stepping through the door.

"We've been expecting you, Mr. Logan. If you'll follow me, sir."

"He knows you by name?" Katelyn whispers.

John smiles.

"Here's your table, sir, on the veranda like you requested."

John glances around." It's perfect, thank you, sir."

"Your waiter will bring your Champagne shortly."

"Champagne, but...."

"It'll be alright, honey, I promise," He winks at the owner.

Katelyn glances around. She sees red roses bordering the entire balcony, with white candles in between, white clematis above their head. "It's absolutely gorgeous."

"You haven't seen anything yet." As if on cue, the violinist walks over to their table.

"This song was playing when we first kissed."

"I know." He smiles, reliving the night in his mind.

~~~

Having a day off, the couple decides to go to the state fair. They spend all day eating deep-fried foods, playing games, and enjoying the numerous attractions.

"We have time for one more ride before we have to go," John says, glancing at his watch.

"Let's go on the Ferris wheel again, now that it's dark." Grabbing his hand, she drags him towards it.

"Hold on, let me get the tickets." He laughs, reaching in his pocket.

"Come on, slowpoke," she says, climbing on the seat.

John hands Carnie his tickets.

He shakes his head. "This one is on the house." Leaning over, he continues, "I'll be sure to stop at the top." He winks.

The ride goes around a couple of times before stopping as promised.

"Aren't the stars beautiful tonight?" she asks.

"They're only half as beautiful as you." Reaching over, he brushes the hair from her face.

I can get lost in there forever, John thinks, gazing into her almond eyes. "I love you, Katelyn."

"I love you," she softly replies. She feels something stir deep in her soul as she stares into his baby blues.

John's heart races as he leans in closer. "I fell in love with you the day we first met," he says, brushing his lips against hers.

She feels her breath catch in her throat as he presses his lips against hers.

Firecrackers explode in the distance, but the couple is too caught up in the moment to notice.

~~~

She's more beautiful now than she was then. Standing up, he walks to her side. Smiling, he bends down on one knee.

Realizing what he's about to do, she tears up.

Taking her hand into his, he gazes into her eyes. "Katelyn Rose Howard, I love you with my heart, body, and soul. You're my one and only true love, my soulmate. Will you do me the honors and be my wife?"

"Yes, oh yes," she cries.

The couple enjoyed the fine dining and dancing until the wee morning hours.

"This has been the best night of my life," Katelyn says, tottering across the parking lot. Katelyn hiccups and then laugh.

"It's not over yet." He smiles, helping her inside the car.

"There's more?"

"Our celebration is just beginning, my love."

"What about my curfew?" She giggles.

"Your father said we could stay out as long as we want."

"He's in on this too?"

"Your parents helped put it together."

"That's why mom was so teary."

Chuckling, John pulls onto a dirt road.

"Why are we going out here? Wait, this is where you took me on our first date."

"We're not going to get rained out this time." He smiles, glancing up at the starry sky.

She sees an RV parked off the main road, dim lanterns hanging around the site.

"Someone has a romantic weekend ahead."

"Yeah, us," he says, pulling alongside the camper.

"You did all of this for me?"

"Do you like it?"

"I love it, John." Hopping out of the car, she looks around.

"Why don't you change into something more comfortable while I start a fire?"

"I didn't bring anything with me."

"Check the back of the car."

She sees a few of her outfits folded neatly on the back seat. "You thought of everything."

"I hope so."

A few minutes later, Katelyn steps out of the RV completely naked.

"Didn't the clothes fit?" he asks, adjusting his growing bulge. He's been wanting to make love to her for quite some time, but after her experience with an overzealous orderly, he didn't push the issue. I figured she'd tell him when the time was right.

"I thought this is more appropriate," she says, lying on the blanket beside him.

"Are you sure, honey?" he asks, now painfully hard.

"I haven't been surer about anything in my life."

"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" he asks, gazing into her eyes.

"I love you, John."

"I love you. You are and always will be my one and only love." He gently kisses her.

"And you're my one and only true love." She feels his hardness rub against her inner thigh when they kiss again. This stirs a yearning between her legs, something she's never experienced before. "Please, John, please make love to me," she begs.

~~~