Page 50 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

Ohhh the imagery.Not good.

“Woooo Becca!”

“Bye, Sis!”

“Don’t screw this up for me!”

“What’s going on?” she began, looking over her shoulder as they pulled her away from her family and toward the ice rink ahead. She could hear everyone’s cheers, including her family behind her – only to find herself standing precariously on the ice, not two seconds later, in front of Travis, on one foot.

Becca splayed her hands nervously – nearly slipping – and met Travis’ eyes as he yanked off his helmet, dropping it onto the ice beside him.

“What’s going on?”

“You’re out of uniform,” he began and held up her missing shoe before her.

“Bonhomme, do dis’ right…eh, Giroux?” the man with ‘Batiste’ across the back of his shoulders said bluntly, skating past them. The other guy who’d helped her onto the ice was sliding a chair up to the back of Becca’s knees as she collapsed onto her butt. The chair slid sideways about a foot, causing a ripple of laughter in the crowd that surged as Travis knelt before her.

“What is going on?”

“Have I mentioned that I love seeing my name on you?”

“I guess I’ll wear it more often,” she chuckled nervously as the crowd seemed to fade away, staring at the man she loved – and she could see that same emotion shining back at her.

“What do you think of maybesigningit?” he asked softly, not looking away, and her breath caught in her throat at the raw hope and devotion in his gaze. “I know this has been kind of quick between us, but it’s never felt so right. I adore laughing with you, look forward to hearing your voice, and feel my whole soul sigh in happiness when you are near. I love our whirlwind romance – and I never want it to change.”

“I feel the same,” she whispered tearfully, not bothering to hold back.

“I’m really glad to hear that,” he chuckled, his eyes glistening. “I want us to buy that property out by your family, to figure it all out, and make a haven where we can escape everything together in our own little world… a world of love that we’ve created.”

“Oh Travis,” she began breathlessly and heard the crowd roar in delight as Travis suddenly reached down, putting his gloves onto the ice as he slipped her shoe onto her foot slowly, not looking away from her, like some crazy Cinderella story.

“You appeared out of nowhere and caught my eye,” he breathed, not looking away from her. His bright eyes were gazing at hers, so full of promise. “I’ve searched for someone like you, someone who is real, who admires the nerd that I am… and truly cares for me.”

“Chez Girouxis awfully addictive, you know,” she smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek and he chuckled, wiping his own eyes as he held up a ring.

“I really hope so,” he whispered, reaching for her hand. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me, Miss Rebecca Baird? Can I whisk you away, dance with you under the moonlight, and tickle those pretty lips for all the years to come?”

Becca threw back her head, laughing in sheer joy as he slipped a solitaire over her knuckle and let out a soft exclamation of relief as the arena went wild. She could barely hear Travis’ next words.

“Oh, thank goodness it fits – I guessed at the size. Do you like it?”

“Travis, it’s perfect,” she hollered, nodding.

“Does this mean ‘Yes’?” he laughed, cupping his hand over his ear – and to her surprise, the crowd quietened just a bit. It was as if they understood that theman proposing couldn’t hear his girl, and they wanted to know her answer as he popped the question.

“Yes,” she smiled and leaned toward him as he pulled her slightly to her feet before him. Travis leaned down, kissing her tenderly and gave a slight nudge to his feet, pulling her close to his arms as he circled around for a moment before scooping her up. Her arms wrapped around him, slightly concerned he might trip or fall – but his smile was everything as he held her close, and the camera flashes exploded in the distance. Everyone wanted a picture of the proposal, including her.

Becca stuck out one leg, pointing her toe almost in a pose as she threaded her fingers in his brown hair, pulling him close and kissing him in front of everyone. Travis adjusted his grip on her but was still slowly skating in a circle as a whistle blew nearby.

“Off the ice, Giroux,” the referee hollered. “Let me be the first to say, Congratulations, Mrs. Giroux – but your soon-to-be-husband’s two minutes are up, and we’ve got a game to play.”

“Go get ‘em, Travis…” she smiled. “I’ll be watching.”

“I’ll be winning,” he grinned as he skated over to the penalty box so he could return her to the entrance to the rink where she’d been carried onto the ice. “Once more – for luck.”

“For luck,” she repeated softly, smiling as he kissed her again.

“I love you…”

---