Chapter 2.53 – The Proposal

Yasmine and Ami had become fast friends – again.  Even Cole’s parents had been enamored by his girlfriend. But it was late and they needed to leave. They were both pretty jet-lagged and emotionally drained.

He pulled his mom to the side to talk privately.  “Hey, listen, I will sleep on the couch and Yasmine can have the guest room. I don’t want her to have to get a hotel.”

She looked at him for a minute chewing her bottom lip and Cole got nervous. Finally she spoke. “Cole, I am going to make an assumption that since you two are together, and Yasmine came all this way to be here with you, that you have slept in the same bed more than once. You guys can stay together in the guest room.”

Cole felt the heat run up his neck to his ears and face. “What about Ami?”

“She’s 16. She knows about Tiramisu – thanks to you. And by the way,” she said with an evil grin, “Dad told me you know about the security cameras.”

Cole wanted the ground to swallow him up. “Damn. He said he wouldn’t tell.”

“Haven’t you heard? Paybacks are hell,” said his mother, and laughed quietly. “Seriously, why don’t you two go ahead and get settled in. I will let Dad know. Maybe you can take Ami with you guys.  She’s been stuck up here with me for two days.”

“Mom, what about you?” asked Cole.

She shook her head. “Not leaving as long as Dad is here. If you take Ami, they will let me go in and sit with him and Kaitlin. You guys go on.”

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“Yasmine…come see my room. I have a signed poster of James Sanderson from the Heartthrobs!  Can you believe it? Aubrie and I went to their concert when they were in San Myshuno and hid out by the back door! James is so dreamy, but nobody talks about Nathan. He’s secretly my favorite, even though James DID sign my poster!”

Sixteen year-olds and boy bands, thought Cole, rolling his eyes. “Go ahead,” he said, “I’ll unpack us.”

They walked into Ami’s room. “See!  It’s even life size!” squealed Ami.

“Nice. You are lucky. He doesn’t sign much. It might be worth something someday,” suggested Yasmine.

“Oh, you think? Cool!” replied Ami. “Hey, are you gonna sleep in my room?”

“No. I’m going to stay with your brother. Is that okay?” she asked.

Ami blushed. “Yes. Did mom say okay?”

“We have her permission,” said Yasmine gently.

“Mom would never let …..” said Ami frowning.

Yasmine smiled sympathetically. “You are 16 sweetie. And I know, trust me, that 16 feels grown up.  But Cole and I are 22,” explained Yasmine, “Bad things can happen if you are too young to deal with the responsibility of being with a boy. You want to be very careful so you don’t find yourself in trouble. Keep yourself safe Ami.”

Yasmine noticed the ballet posters on Ami’s wall and quickly changed the subject. “Ohhh. I love your ballerina wall!  Those are amazing.”

“Oh yeah! Laney got those for me …. um … she’s now a prima ballerina and,” stuttered Ami uncomfortably.

Yasmine laughed politely, “It’s okay Ami. I know who Laney is.  She is indeed a very talented Ballerina. She is beautiful too.  And those prints are awesome. Listen, I’m really tired. It was a long trip and tomorrow will be an early day.”

“I know. You want to go be with Cole. He’s really a good brother. I miss him. But don’t tell him I said that.”

“He is a good brother. And I know for a fact that he misses you too. Night sweetie.”

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Cole quickly shut down the computer when Yasmine walked in.  He looked up at her and smiled.  Poor thing, she looked exhausted.  He was too, but not so tired that he didn’t have enough energy left to buy a diamond engagement ring for her.  He had just hit send to have it shipped to Brindleton Bay when the door opened.  “I was just getting ready to go rescue you,” he said.

Yasmine flopped down on the bed. “You didn’t need to. Ami’s sweet. But she’s a typical 16 year-old.  She thinks she’s a woman, and technically, she is. And a very pretty one at that. But still not quite there yet, you know. She wants to be grown up so bad, but still has a little of that child like innocence about her. And I’m pretty sure she worships you.”

“Worship huh? Well, she’s a handful – especially when her and Aubrie get together,” agreed Cole. “Come on. Let’s get to bed. I am exhausted and I know you are too.”

“I’m really sorry about your grandfather. Your family is really taking it hard. You’re all so close.”

“Yes, I guess,” he said as they climbed into his bed together.

Cole turned out the lights and drew Yasmine into his arms, then kissed the top of her head. “Thank you for coming with me,” he whispered as he slowly stroked her hair, “I know you didn’t really want to. But having you here means everything to me. It truly makes it easier. I love you. Don’t forget that.” He was pretty sure she was already asleep before he finished what he was saying.

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Leroy’s surgery went smoothly and he was scheduled to be released from the hospital in a few days.  The atmosphere had gone from foreboding to party like, especially once Leroy was able to get out of bed and sit in the chair – in his own pajamas. Everyone was smiling and telling jokes instead of being somber and reflective.

After it was clear Leroy was going to be okay, Cole brought his Dad into the waiting room and told him about his plans to propose to Yasmine.

Ben got sentimental and told Cole the story of his three proposals to his mother and had him laughing.

“Do it right the first time,” said Ben. “It’s much easier that way. I like Yasmine. I hope she makes you as happy as your mother has made me. You know, I am very lucky that I had not one, but two amazing women come into my life. Otherwise, I don’t even want to think about where I might be today.”

Cole was curious about what he meant by that. Maybe his grandfather was right. One day, he and his dad were going to have a long talk. He wanted to ask him about his childhood and his first mother. All he really knew was that he grew up in Twinbrook. But right now, he was ready to collect Yasmine and get back to Brindleton Bay. And propose.

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The flight home was so much fun. Now that he had a clearer plan for his future, and his grandfather was doing well, the stress had been lifted.

They had a couple of drinks and talked about Ami’s obsession with the boy band, laughing about the posters on her wall.  Then she admitted she had done exactly the same thing and would lay in bed at night and dream of kissing her favorite band member. Cole loved hearing about some of her happier times as a young girl.

Yasmine also asked Cole, more than once, about Avery.  She wanted to know why they were such good friends.

Maybe she was jealous,  That made him sad and happy at the same time.  Or maybe it was because Yasmine didn’t really have real friends, and even though Avery had pissed him off, he still considered her a good friend. He knew she was just concerned about him getting hurt. She had said as much.

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Since they still had another two weeks before their final semester of classes began, Cole decided to do what Blake had suggested and rent a hotel room in the city for the weekend.  He went online and booked a room and made a reservation at a nearby restaurant.

With his plan in mind, he gave Yasmine her gift. “Merry Christmas, Love,” he said.

“You got me a present?”

“Well, it will benefit both of us. Open it.”

“Now I’m scared,” she said and proceeded to unwrap the gift.

“Is this for real? And it’s for THIS weekend?” she asked. “God, I hope Blake doesn’t have plans.”

Cole almost choked. “Ummm…it was supposed to be for us ….”

Yasmine busted out laughing. “You sweet, sweet man. The look on your face was priceless. Of course I know it’s for us. I love it! And I can’t wait.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him making a big ‘mwhaaa’ sound at the end.

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The hotel was awesome. As soon as they got to the room, Yasmine pulled Cole down onto the bed with her.  Cole had never seen Yasmine so full of life and happy.  She was relaxed and having a good time. It thrilled him to see her smiling so much. Maybe meeting his family, and the acceptance they gave her, helped her understand him a little better.

He hoped so, because he had never been so nervous as he was that night.  The restaurant was perfect, and as they sat there, he couldn’t help but watch her. She looked especially beautiful tonight. Breathtaking even. And he wanted to always remember this day.

She caught him looking at her and smiled. “Cole, you’ve been so good to me. I totally don’t deserve this. But it’s fabulous. Thank you.”

“Of course you do. You charmed my parents. And Ami thinks you hung the moon and the stars.”

“Ami’s adorable and very pretty. In fact your whole family is attractive. Your parents are so young still.”

“Yes. Dad was only 20 when I was born, so he’s just 42 now.”

“Well, there is a lot of love in your family and it shows. That’s probably why you are so sweet and trusting,” said Yasmine.

“I’m glad you liked them I’m sorry you had to meet under those circumstances. But, you going with me, it meant the world. If anything had happened…”

“Well, it didn’t. And, you looked so lost. I had to go….So, girlfriend huh?” she said with smile.

Cole suddenly got serious. “Yasmine. You know that I love you. And well, we’ll graduate in just a few months.  After last week, I know I need you in my life.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little box.

Yasmine’s face fell.  “Cole…no…”

“Yasmine….please, let me finish. I know you aren’t ready to be married. Not yet. And that’s okay. But when you are, I want to be the one.” He looked at her with as much love as he could muster before continuing. “Take this ring Yasmine, and promise me, that when the time comes, and you are ready, that you’ll marry me. That you will, one day, be my wife.”

Yasmine shook her head slowly. “Cole….I do want to.  But….I don’t think I can. These last few days with you have been amazing. And your family…”

“Yasmine,” he said to stop her excuses. “Do you love me?” he asked pointedly.

She couldn’t meet his eyes for a minute and Cole’s heart sank.  Finally she looked up. “Cole, that’s just it. I don’t know if I know what love is. Or what it means even. I thought I did. What I do know, is that I want to be with you,” she paused and huffed out a small laugh, “and I have this irrational fear of being separated from you. If that’s love, then perhaps, yes Cole, I do love you.”

Cole was extremely relieved and let out the breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He was so afraid she was going to say no. “Then Yasmine baby, nothing else matters. I know in my heart that I love you. I need you, and you need me. So, here, take this ring as a promise to marry me – when you are ready. I’ll be ready when you are, whether it’s tomorrow or 6 years from now…” he paused and smiled. “Although I hope it’s not THAT long. But as long as I know you’re committed to me, that’s all that really matters.”

“I’m afraid….” she said miserably.

“Why?” he asked before he could stop the word from coming out.

“I’m afraid, that one day, you’ll hate me.”

Cole wasn’t about to accept that.  “I could never hate you. How could that even be possible? I’ve already told you, I don’t care what happened before. It’s now that matters. Now and the future. Our future.”

She looked at him, and he could see nothing less than love reflected back to him in her eyes.  “You are offering me the fairy tale Cole. That’s not fair.”

Cole felt himself relax as a smile played on his lips. She was going to say yes. He could tell.  “Well,” he said letting the smile emerge, “I’m a Vet, not a Knight. So not sure how that one ends. But I’m offering you a ‘happy ever after’ with this soon to be unemployed Vet.”

Yasmine smiled and bit her lip, her eyes sparkling now. “Can I see the ring?” she asked, still a little uncertain.

The smile that lit up Cole’s face almost hurt it was so big. He pushed the box to her. “If you don’t like it,” he muttered, “we can exchange it.”

She opened the box and gasped as tears began to run down her face. “You were super serious. This ring is amazing. How?”

“I’m attending school on a full scholarship. I’ve worked for Doc Lewis practically my whole life, saving for college. Obviously, I didn’t need it. So I have a little nest egg.”

When she didn’t say anything, he asked once more. “Will you wear it?”

She finally looked up at him and the look on her face said it all. “You make me feel like Cinderella and you are my Prince Charming. And instead of putting on my glass slipper,  it’s this amazing ring – and that when you slip it on my finger, I will somehow turn into a beautiful princess.”

“Yasmine, you already are a beautiful princess. This ring will just make you my beautiful princess.”

Cole got up and walked around to her chair. He knelt down on one knee and took her hand in his and kissed it, “Princess Yasmine, will you marry me?” he asked softly.

She laughed softly through her tears when he called her Princess. “Yes, I will my handsome Vet,” she said softly and held her hand out for the ring as tears rained down her pretty face.

Cole’s heart was pounding, and he could barely see for the tears swimming in his own eyes. When he finally managed to slip the ring on Yasmine’s finger, he pulled her from the chair.

He kissed her, whispering “I love you,” as their lips met.  Suddenly there was cheering and clapping from the other patrons in the restaurant. He had been so focused on Yasmine, that he had completely forgotten they were sitting in the middle of a crowded restaurant. But he didn’t care. She said yes.  

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