Don't Make This Easy

“You really think he's gonna propose to her soon?” I asked my dad quietly as we sat at the table playing chess. He grinned and nodded.

“I know he is.” He said excitedly. “He came by on my lunch break earlier this week and asked for my blessing, showed me the ring, and asked me to help him plan something special.”

I laughed at how excited he was. He was like a teenage girl that just heard the juiciest gossip at school.

“Is that why you put all the fairy lights up out back?” I asked. He nodded eagerly. “And why all of her friends are here?” He nodded again, grinning from ear to ear.

“Am I the best dad ever or what?” He whispered happily as he made a move. “Checkmate, by the way.” I looked down at the board shocked.

“No fair! You distracted me!” I said. He just chuckled and started putting the board away.

“Go grab the charcoal, I'm gonna get the food cooking.” He said.

I grabbed the charcoal and went out back. All of Kate's friends were outside laughing and talking, Mom was playing with Max, and Grams was walking around muttering something about being overrun by hooligans and delinquents. Dad got the grill fired and up once it was up to temperature he started cooking. He filled me in on the plan, and gave me my job for the night. A few minutes later we saw the Kate's car pull into the driveway. She came out back looking confused.

“Okay, I know it's not my birthday, so what's going on?” She asked my dad and Matt suspiciously. While she was preoccupied I snuck away and found Vic.

“Hey, go grab your guitar out today the car.” I told him.

He nodded and snuck out without Kate noticing. A couple minutes later he came back, guitar in hand, and started playing. Kate noticed but shrugged it off. It wasn't unusual to have jam sessions in the back yard. I ran inside and grabbed my camera out of the living room and came back outside. I gave Matt a thumbs up, then he grabbed her hand and brought her over the archway in the yard.

“Can I have everyone's attention please?” He yelled. Everyone quieted down and turned their attention to him.

“Today, is a very special day.” He started. Kate raised an eyebrow at him. “Four years ago today, I met the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. I was sitting in Sociology class with Vic, first day, very beginning of my freshman year of college, board or of my mind, trying not to fall asleep, which I failed to do might I add. So class was ending, and this girl comes up to me, drops her textbook on my desk, scaring the living shit out of me, and tells me, in the most unimpressed tone I have ever heard, that we’re partners on our first project. So we exchanged numbers, and over the next few weeks we did our project, and I could feel myself falling for her with every word she said. She didn't return the feelings though. She was not easy to get. She's got a fiery personality, and more sass than I have ever seen in one person. Katelynn, it took me a year and a half of bugging you to get your to finally say yes to going on a date with me. And it was probably the worst date ever, I had no plan at all, so we drove around until Vic told us about a small local show that was going on, so we went. Little did we know, thanks for the info by the way bro,” Vic laughed and shook his head but continued playing

“Little did we know that it was a metal show. I'm sure you remember that night very well Kate, because we got separated and you got dragged into the pit and game out with a black eye and I got crowd surfed out of the venue.” Everyone just laughed, including Kate, who I could see was remembering that night vividly. I made sure to get a picture of that.

“I don't know why, but you agreed to go on a second date with me, and we've been together ever since. Now here we are, three and a half years later, still together, and I have never been more in love with you than I am right now. You are an amazing person, my favorite person actually. You're beautiful and witty and sassy, but also sweet and caring. You are everything I have ever wanted in life, which is why we're here tonight.” He said as he got down on one knee, pulled out a black velvet box, and opened it to reveal a beautiful ring. Kate gasped and started crying. I snapped a few more pictures.

“Katelynn Jean Merrick, will you make me the luckiest man in the entire universe, and be my wife?” He asked. Kate nodded quickly and dropped to her knees and hugged him tightly. I got a picture of that, and one of when they stood up and he put the ring on her finger. She kissed him and hugged him tightly again.

Vic stopped playing and put his guitar down, then went over and congratulated them, hugging them both. Kate came over to us a moment later and hugged our dad.

“Matt said you helped him plan this whole thing?” She said, wiping the tears from her eyes. Dad nodded, grinning from ear to ear and Kate just hugged him tightly.

“I love you daddy.” She said. That hit my dad hard and he started crying too.

“I love you too Princess.” He said, kissing the top of her head. She let go of him and then hugged me too.

“I know you were in on this too, so thank you.” She said. I laughed and pulled away from her.

“Only at the end.” I said. “I think they all know I can't keep a secret. But I got some great pictures for you so you can remember this forever.” She smiled and hugged me again and then went back over to Matt and her friends.

Notes

I know this chapter seems like it's more about Jacie's family, but there is a reason for that. You'll find out later. Thanks for reading, I'll update soon. :)