"We're here,"Nick said as the limo came to a halt.
"Where are we?"Jessica asked, gazing out the window. "It's just a dock. I've never been here."
"I know, but we've been somewhere like it,"Nick said, getting out of the limo, taking her hand and helping her out. "We passed it going to the venue the other day and it reminded of some place we were at a few months ago after Bri and Leigh's weddding. Remember Jess?"
Jessica stepped out of the limo, her heels clinking on the cement ground that led to the wooden dock. "Where we broke up..."
Nick noticed the sad look in her eyes and shook his head rapidly,"NO. I mean, yes but that's not what we're here for this time."
Jessica shook her head. "You're strange Nick."
He grinned,"Yeah I know." He patted his jacket pocket and then went over to the passanger seat of the limo, pulling out his acoustic guitar.
Jessica looked at him curiously,"What are you doing?"
"Getting out my guitar,"Nick told her with a smile.
"Yes I can see that smart ass, but for what?"Jessica said as Nick slipped his hand in hers.
"I'm gonna play you a little song,"Nick smiled and led her out to the dock.
They got situated and both took off their shoes as they sat down on the dock.
"Could've warned me so I would've been more prepared Nick,"Jessica said, referring to her dress and heals.
"I know, but that would've ruined the surprise wouldn't it?"Nick said, placing his guitar on his lap. "Ok I've been working on this for a while. Since we broke up a little while ago. You're everything to me Jess and I just want you to know that."
Jessica melted at his words and gave him a smile as he set up the guitar. He looked nervous and Jessica could tell,"Don't worry Nicky. It's just me."
"That's why I'm nervous. I want you to like it,"Nick said with a small smile.
"I'll love it no matter what,"she reassured him, rubbing his arm as they sat cross legged with their knees pressed up against eachother's on the dock.
"Ok here it goes,"Nick said and took a deep breath and started playing the pretty melody. "I wake up in the mornin and I live to see your face. Nothing can change the way I feel about you baby. Jess, I live for your smiles and I need your embrace. It's been years and still you're here by my side.
Coz I love you, I need you, I miss you when you're not here. My heart's complete, I'm at my knees, you're the only one I'll ever need. Only you can make me feel like I can fly. Only you.
I loved you since we were kids and I've needed you for years. You're the only girl I want to be with honey. I've tasted heaven through your kisses and I'm so glad that you're mine. No one compares to you Jess and I just have this to say.
I love you, I need you , I miss you when you're not here. My heart's complete, I'm at my knees, you're the only one I'll ever need. Only you can make me feel like I can fly. Only you.
And when I see you smile I can't believe this beautiful person's mine. I want you in my life for now and for all time. Oh yeah, only you.
I love you, I need you, I miss you when you're not here. My heart's complete, I'm at my knees, you're the only one I'll ever need. Jessica-will you marry me?"
Tears were streaming down Jessica's face. They had been since he started the song. Nick put down the guitar and pulled out the ring box. Jessica cried harder and her hand went to her mouth.
"I mean it Jess. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. This is what I want. I'm ready for everything that comes with having you as my wife. I could never be with anyone else, ever. I brought you here because last time we were at a place like this our relationship changed. Now I want it to change again but for the better. I'll always love you. Marry me Jess."Nick said, opening the ring box to reveal the antique ring he'd bought from the woman. It was the most original ring he'd ever seen and it represented them completely.
Jessica was now bawling and she tackled him and threw her arms around his neck,"Oh my god YES. Of course I'll marry you!"
"Yes? Oh god you said yes? We're engaged. We're going to get married,"Nick said from his spot under Jessica when she tackled him to the dock. His smile widened.
"We're going to get married,"Jessica concurred and grinned, kissing his lips lightly, still crying. "That was the most romantic, the sweetest, the most thoughtful thing you've ever done Nick. The song was amazing and the ring is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"You're dripping on me,"Nick joked, referring to her tears.
Jessica laughed through the tears and wiped her eyes,"I can't believe that you just proposed to me."
"I can't belive you just said yes,"Nick grinned, kissing her lips which tasted salty with her tears.
"I could never love anyone else Nick. My heart belongs to you, for always,"Jessica said seriously, tracing her finger down his cheek.
Nick held her gaze and took her hand, lacing her fingers with his and with a small smile said simply,"Ditto."
Jessica smiled and Nick picked up her small left hand, kissing each finger gently. He slowly took the exquisit ring out of the box and slid it onto her slim finger. "Perfect."
"Oh my god,"she breathed, staring at her hand. "It's so beautiful. Where-"
"Lemme tell you a story Jess ok?"Nick cut her off, and picked up both of her hands. Jessica looked from the ring to him and nodded. "Ok there was a girl named Jocelyn. She met Nolan when she was 10 years old. They became friends and when they were 16 they fell in love. Their love was stronger than most loves. Some said they were soulmates, like their souls were connected. They understood eachother like nobody else could. Everything was great until Nolan got drafted for the war and he had to leave Jocelyn. Jocelyn knew they would see eachother again and promised him there would be nobody else ever. Nolan left her, but before he did he proposed. He didn't just give her a ring, he gave her a ring that meant something and stood for everything their relationship was. It came from his heart. On it was 3 main stones, surrounded by smaller stones. The ruby to the left stood for their past, he told her. From the time when they were 10 years old up until they fell in love. The center stone was the diamond, which stood for their present and a relationship that was rare. The ruby to the right was their future and the relationship that would grow and build into a family, he promised her there would be one. The small rubies around the three stones were every significant point in their relationship, which he pointed out each one to her. On the inside of the ring their initials were engraved. N loves J forver, it said and then Nolan left. Jocelyn didn't see him again for 8 years and after a while the letters started to become less and less and eventually stopped, but Jocelyn knew that he was still alive. She knew he was because her heart still felt the same. She knew he was out there and that he'd be back. The 8th Christmas that he was away there was a knock on Jocelyn's door. It was Nolan. They were married a few months laters and lived a beautiful and fulfilling life together until Nolan passed away 52 years after they were married. That was when a piece of Jocelyn's heart died. But she wouldn't take back her years with Nolan for anything and she knew he'd always be with her."
Nick stopped talking and couldn't believe he'd just told her that whole story. That was pretty good if he said so himself. He had been so...romantic. This was a rare occurance for him. Nick knew he couldn't be that romantic for just anybody. Jessica was crying once again and slid the ring off her finger. On the inside was engraved N loves J forever.
"Oh Nick,"she bawled. "Was that story true?"
"Yeah Jess it was,"Nick said, smiling at his emotional fiancee, which he found extremely endearing in her. Fiancee. He liked the sound of that and found himself grinning, only like Jessica could make him grin. "I met Jocelyn's great granddaughter when we were in California. I read about it online and wanted to meet her because I knew that ring was perfect for us. It is us Jess. The past, present, and future. Everything about that ring signifies our relationship because it's so rare. Just like Jocelyn's and Nolan's relationship was. She knew it too and sold me the ring. She said it's what Jocelyn would've wanted. I was planning to ask you to marry me on your 22nd birthday but then I heard about the ring and I knew I couldn't pass it up. Everything was perfect about it, even the initials. Plus it's almost 3 years. Three years since we've been together. Not counting the couple of months we broke up. But we won't talk about that. I can't see myself with anyone else. You know me better than anyone. Did you hear me tell that story?? Jesus, even I'm surprised I was that romantic. No one knows that side of me Jess except for you." He took her hand gently and kissed it.
"You're so much more than people know Nick and I love every single part of you. This was just incredible. I can't believe we're going to get married. It's like a dream, but it's meant to be I know it is,"Jessica said, tears still rolling down her cheeks as she wiped them off with the back of her hand.
Nick cupped her face and kissed her softly and tenderly.
"Did everyone know about this?"she asked almost accusingly, staring at him with a smile.
Nick laughed guiltily,"Yeah they all knew."
Jessica bursted out laughing and gave him a light shove,"That's why they were acting so creepy."
"Yeah I coulda killed them all,"Nick said, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry about what I said to you tonight. I was out of line and I didn't know what was going on. I was just confused and afraid I was losing you,"Jessica said, looking down and suddenly upset.
"No, I'm sorry. I was trying to make this a surprise and I was screwing up with you at the same time. And I'm not goin anywhere. You've got me Jess. Whether you like it or not I'm here to stay,"Nick teased her and wiped a stray tear off of her flushed cheek.
"Ditto,"she replied and let out a little laugh.
Nick pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she leaned her foreheard on his sweetly.
"I love you the future Mrs. Carter,"he whispered.
"I love you too the future Mr. Donovan,"she joked.
Nick laughed loudly and kissed her,"What would I do without you?"
"Be totally completely lost,"Jessica kidded with him.
"Ain't that the truth,"Nick replied and leaned in for another kiss with his future wife and the love of his life.
Chapter Nine
