Page 50 of After Him, There Was You
I’d already been in talks with Tara’s mom, Beverly, to ensure her and Tara’s dad, Thomas, would be picking up Jaedan and Raegan as soon as I picked Tara up, in order to meet us there. I already had it made up in my mind to make an unnecessary trip back to my house under the pretense of me forgetting something so I could buy us a little time.
The entire day I found myself doing my best to stay preoccupied so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the anticipation I held for the night, and for the most part, it worked. I’d even visited my mom’s gravesite and talked to her about what I had planned.
Although I knew she wasn’t necessarily at the gravesite, there was something therapeutic about sitting there and talking to her where her body lay at rest. While visiting my mama, I expressed how I couldn’t believe I was at a point in my life where I had the chance to propose forever to the woman of my dreams.
Honestly, Tarana had been the woman of my dreams since high school.
In my heart, I knew she would accept my proposal, but I was aware there was the small chance she could reject me for one reason or another.
Checking the time on my Rolex, I realized I had an hour to spare so I decided to go on a jog around the neighborhood before getting myself ready for the night.
The light exercise cleared my mind and calmed my nerves, and the anxiety I’d been feeling for the majority of the day had thankfully dissipated.
As I stood in front of the mirror in my walk-in closet, I was more than pleased with my appearance. Titan did a hell of a job on my lowly faded haircut, and my minimal facial hair was lined up to perfection. I had a blind allegiance to my barber, and Tight Cutz was the only place in North Brooke Port I would go to for a haircut.
Making my way out of the door, I momentarily stopped to confirm the ring was in my pocket before smoothly walking out of the front door, sliding in my car, and making my way to Tara’s house.
When I arrived at her front door, Jaedan answered and acted as if he didn’t have the slightest idea what the night held. While Raegan was none the wiser because of her inability to keep a secret, I had asked Jaedan for his permission to ask Tara for her hand in marriage.
Ultimately, before I came back into the picture, he had held the position of the man in her life, and I respected him for it. With that, I wanted to get his blessing before moving forward, and after he made me promise to always respect and do right by his mom, he gave me the blessing I was looking for.
I knew for him, he didn’t want to witness anyone disrespecting Tara the way Jason had, and if it came down to it, I would take my last breath before I treated her like anything other than the queen she was to me.
A few minutes passed of me waiting patiently for Tara to make her way to me so we could leave, and when she finally graced me with her presence, it was well worth the wait.
Dressed in a fuchsia cocktail dress with matching high heels and gold accessories, her unmatched beauty left me speechless. The curls adorning her hair, framed her face beautifully, and the light traces of makeup coating her skin only added to her splendor.
“You look… wow,” I stated, struggling to find the words as my nerves went from cool to frantic in the blink of an eye.
“Thank you, handsome,” she countered. “You didn’t let me know where we’re going for our date, so I hope I’m dressed appropriately. I picked this up today while Eva and I were shopping. Do I need to go change?”
“No. You look absolutely beautiful,” I disputed, pulling her into me for a well overdue kiss and hug.
As planned, after leaving her house, we circled back to mine so I could grab my wallet which I had to lie and say I didn’t have although it was in my pocket. While I was in the house and Tara waited in my car, I called Beverly to confirm she was grabbing the kids. To waste a little more time, I took a shot of whisky as a pre-celebratory drink before rejoining Tara.
On the drive to King of Hearts, I did my best to act normal and carry conversation without her being suspicious of anything.
I parked the car, helped Tara out, and we made our way into the restaurant hand in hand, walking straight into our closest family and friends who I wanted to witness the momentous occasion.
Looking around, everyone who mattered was there: Tara’s parents, her sister, Jaedan, Raegan, Eva, Zeke, Zuri, and Trevor, who was subsequently Zuri’s new boyfriend, a few of my cousins, and a few teachers from North Brooke Port Academy who Tara was close to.
As Tara surveyed the room, I took the time to get in position.
When she turned to face me and realized I was on one knee, her hands automatically went to her mouth.
“Oh my God!” she animatedly screamed out, making everyone laugh.
“Tarana, when I came back to North Brooke Port, it was to be with my mother. I never imagined it would lead me backto you, but I am so glad it did. You are my light, my life, my love, my smile, my joy, my patience, my understanding, and my peace. When I think about living life and moving forward, you are always there. There is not a future I see for myself without you in it. So,” I stated, opening the ring box, “will you make the rest of my life worth living and do me the honor of being Mrs. Tarana Simmons?”
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” Tara repeated.
“Girl, answer the man!” Eva called out.
“Yes! Yes, Zane, I will marry you!” she agreed as the room erupted in applause, and I slid the ring on her finger.
“Thank you,” I conceded, placing a kiss on her lips.
“Oh, my God. You really want to do this thing called life with me. Why?” Tara questioned with tears of joy in her eyes as she surveyed the ring adorning her finger.
