Page 49 of Tempting Tessa

“They are all beautiful,” I tell her. “Can you tell me the difference in these rings?” I ask the saleswoman.

“Yes, this first one is part of our Love Story collection. It’s 2 carats total weight with a ¾ carat center stone. It is on sale for $5,000.00. The second ring is 1 carat total weight with a ½ carat center stone. It is priced at $2,500.00. The third ring is part of our Tacori collection. It has a total carat weight of 1.75 with the center stone being 1 carat. The diamonds along the sides are channel set. This ring comes in either 18K gold or platinum. This one is the gold option and is $4,000.00.”

I look at Caroline and just shake my head. I didn’t really understand anything the saleswoman told me when it comes to the details of each of these rings. But the more I look at them, the more I can see one of them on Tessa’s finger.

“I think I like the third one the best. What do you think Caroline?”

“I think that’s a perfect choice. She is going to love it, Jake!” She excitedly claps her hands together and pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you so much for helping me pick one out. Let me get it paid for and then we can discuss my plans for up at the cabin.”

The saleswoman takes the ring to go have it boxed up and I head to the register to pay. I knew jewelry was expensive and I was hoping to get out of here spending under 6 thousand dollars and I was able to accomplish that just fine.

Now that I have the ring, I need to finish the rest of the plans. I’m hoping that Caroline has some ideas, as all I really know is that I want to pop the question while we are all hanging out at the cabin. My tentative plan is to do it after dinner on Friday night.

Caroline and I head down the street to a coffee shop to discuss our plans. She thinks that we can pull off the proposal on Friday night since we will all head up that afternoon. I don’t want anything super crazy, but I do want it to be special. I leave the coffee shop with a calm about me, knowing that everything is going to be perfect. Caroline is taking control of making sure we have some champagne to toast with after I ask her, and she insists she is going to decorate a little bit as well. She thinks it will look cool if we string up some white Christmas lights above the patio area. She said she can pass it off by just giving us some light for when we are out there after dark. I am going to just trust her lead and let her take control.

I run home to hide the ring and then head back to work. I confirm with our parents that things are a go and that everyone can still make it for the weekend. They are all so excited and happy for us. Now I just need to keep everything a secret until next weekend.

The day has arrived, we are headed up to the cabin in just a little bit. Tessa, once again, got us all packed. I pulled out her ring this morning when I was leaving for work and stashed it in my truck. I couldn’t risk her finding it in my bag. I am calm but nervous inside about being able to say everything I want to say to her without becoming so overwhelmed with emotion that I can’t get it out or mess it up. I’ve been writing and rewriting what I want to say to her for the past few days and just can’t wait to get it over with.

We make it to the cabin, Caroline and Luke, my parents, and Tessa’s parents all beat us here. Her brothers and their wives should be here soon. Caroline and our mothers have already strung up the twinkly lights and they do look good and will be nice for at night when it’s dark out.

Once everyone has arrived, we start grilling for dinner. Everyone except Tessa is aware of what’s going on tonight. They are all in on it with me and will be taking care of filming and taking pictures of tonight. The plan is after dinner when we are all just hanging out, I will bring out a round of drinks and when I come out I will have the ring with me.

The time has arrived, I head inside and grab a couple of drinks and the ring. I quickly look over my speech and take a few deep breaths to help calm myself down before I head back outside. I hand the few drinks out to those that requested them.

“Tessa, can you help me with something please?”

“Sure, babe, what do you need?” she asks as she stands up and steps over to me.

I grab her hands in mine and lean down and kiss her.

“Tessa, the first time I saw you, you took my breath away. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I realized early on that you were a very special woman that I would do just about anything for, and quickly realized that you would make an impact in my life. You have been there for me through my continued healing process, and have handled my PTSD issues with grace and love. You have picked me up when I was down and shown me what it means to be loved and love someone else with everything I can. Your kindness and positive outlook on life are inspiring and challenge me to be a better man each day. I love you so much, Tessa.”

She has caught on to what’s happening by now and is crying. I drop down to one knee and pull out the ring holding it out to her. “Will you marry me?”

“YES!” she yells and pulls me up so she can jump in my arms. Holy shit, that was nerve-racking and amazing all at the same time.

“I love yousomuch,” I tell her between kisses.

Our whole family is cheering and offering up congratulations.

“Here, let me put this on you,” I say to her as I slip the ring on her finger.

“Jake, it’sbeautiful! I love it!” she tells me as she lifts up again to kiss me.

My mom recorded everything and one of her sisters-in-law took pictures for me. Everything went off perfectly. We make our rounds, getting hugs from everyone, and of course all the women wanted to see her ring. While we were doing this, Caroline snuck in the cabin and brought out the champagne for us to toast with.

After the proposal and getting the kids to bed, we all gather out on the patio. Both Tessa and I are still floating in the clouds of excitement. I’m so glad that it’s all over with. But holy shit, I have afiancée.

The rest of the weekend is perfect. Tessa pretty much stays in a blissful state all weekend. I overheard her and Caroline and our mothers talking wedding plans already. I told her on Friday night once we were alone in our room that I want her to plan anything she wants- just tell me when and where to show up and I will make it happen. I want her to have everything she can dream of. This woman has come into my life and turned it upside down and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I never thought I would find someone to love but she sure has made it easy. I’m excited to marry this woman and expand our family.

Tessa

7 Months Later

Today I am marrying mybest friend. The man I see myself growing old with. These past seven months since he proposed have beenamazing. We have continued to grow closer. Ty is still his amazing self. Some days I can’t believe how big he is getting. He is becoming such the little man. He loves Jake so much and Jake loves him as if he is his own. One of my wedding gifts to Jake is adoption paperwork for him to legally adopt Ty. He has been his father figure since we got together and I am ready to make it legal. I know it will mean the world to Jake and it is something I talked to Ty about to make sure he is ok with it. He knows that his daddy loved him and that Jake will never replace that, but he is stepping in to help since Matt can’t be here to do it himself.

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