Page 30 of Lovesick
I stared in that direction but didn’t see anything. I looked back and noticed his nose was all wrinkled like he was going to sneeze or something. “What is up with you? There’s nothing there.”Could pollen be a problem for cancer patients?It didn’t seem too bad right now…
“No, just…just look… over there.”
This time, his expression was mischievous.He’s pushing my buttons…But, I got up and leaned on the railing, searching for the thing that had him so excited. “What is it?”
“Oops. It moving. It’s over here.”
Thoroughly confused but also laughing a bit, I turned to see what was “over here now.”
For a second, I thought the object in its tiny box sitting in the corner of the porch on the floor was a piece of the sun. When I looked closer, I realized that I was an idiot and the luckiest girl in the world and that it was a diamond ring.
“Magnolia Fontenot - my love, my life, and my heart - will you marry me?”
I became the definition of the word ‘blank.’ I just… Nothing. Too surprised to be surprised. Too overwhelmed to be overwhelmed. Unable to think, move or breathe.
When he started to look worried, the emotions flooded back. My love for him soared in my heart, my happiness threatened to explode, and all I could do was fall on my knees next to his chair, touch as much of him as I could, and say “Yes, yes, yes,” a dozen times.
* * *
Marty’s mom came to visit the next day. Of course, we hadn’t told her anything yet. His mother had been working extra hard in Marty’s absence, and we were determined to give her some great news.
The ring pressed into my palm as I made my left hand into a fist opening the door, hiding it and trying not to bubble like a waterfall and give everything away early. “Hi, Mrs. Ellen! Hope you had a safe drive.”
“I did, thanks, Honey.” She gave me a quick hug and turned to Marty, who was laying on his bed at the moment. “How are you doing today, Marty?”
“Well-” We shared a secret smile, not trying to hide it from his curious mother. “I’ll let Maggie tell you.”
Mrs. Ellen turned to me, confused, but clearly not worried, thankfully. “What’s he talking about?”
I didn’t say anything. I just held out my hand, letting the beautiful engagement ring flash in the light.
“Oh, my - oh, Maggie!” She flew at me, and I ended up on the receiving end of the most robust, heartfelt hug I had ever felt in my life. “Marty!” He got a slightly more reserved hug. “Really? You’re engaged? Really?”
Marty and I shared one more smile, this one open, wide, and deliriously happy. “Really really.”
Chapter Fourteen
Marty
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Maggie asked as she opened the passenger door for me.
“Definitely. It feels good to get up and get out.” I took a deep breath, using it to fortify me as I took my time getting out of Maggie’s car. I had another chemo treatment tomorrow, May 8, and my last one had been on May 1, which meant that right now, I felt about as good as I was going to for several days. Today was the perfect one for a party.
My mom had called me a few days ago to congratulate me again and tell me that she wanted to throw an engagement party. She had already called everyone - my brother Joshua, Maggie’s two best friends, and her family…and she had written down all the dates they were available to see how and when we could get everyone to the nursery at the same time.
“All that’s left is to make sure you feel as good as you can,” she had told me. I could hear the spring working as a pen clicked in the background.
As it had turned out, May 7 was perfect for everyone. Maggie, Zoe and Abigail had already walked at their graduation a few days ago, and the date worked for everyone else too.
So, here we were. After an exhausting several weeks, my own two feet were finally back on the gravel parking lot near the nursery. It felt so good to be home. “Let’s go. Come on!” Laughter echoed from behind the house, and lots of cars were already parked. “We must be the last ones here.”
“Not quite. My mom just texted me that she’s on her way with my grandma. But maybe everyone else is here,” she conceded reaching for my hand. I readily took hers. “Shall we?”
“Certainly, my beautiful fiancée.” I wanted to reach up and push back a strand of hair that fell over her pink cheek, telling her not to blush, because it was true. Her bright sundress could be woven from the softest flower petals, and her curly hair managed to look messy and perfect at the same time. She had chosen a pale pink lipstick that didn’t really pop on its own, but when paired with her smile…beautiful, as I had said.
The laughter and chatter grew louder as we walked together on the stone path around the side of the house. Something smelled incredibly good, and I could hear a furious sizzling - if I knew my dad, he was probably grilling a dozen different kinds of meats.
Then, we rounded the corner, and we both kind of stopped in our tracks, not sure who to greet first.
