Okay...so...I'm terrible guys. I'm so sorry it took so long for this update, but here it is! I hope you enjoy it and I'll try to update again soon! Thank you so much to my readers for nearing with me!
Beautiful… That was the only word that came to Paul’s mind as he stared at the young woman across the table. She smiled brightly as the couple engaged in conversation over dinner. Though Sunday was speaking, Paul had to admit he had no idea what she was talking about. All he could think about was how truly blessed he was to have this amazing woman in his life, as well as what the future may hold…that is, of course, if she said yes.
Paul reached into his pocket, feeling for the small black box that he had slipped in only moments before leaving his apartment. He had purchased the ring merely a week after the cruise with Sunday, not giving much thought to it. He loved Sunday with all of his heart and he wanted to be with her forever…but did she feel the same about him? Of course he knew she loved him. Heck, she moved all the way to Ireland from Tennessee to be with him. But did she want to marry him? God, he hoped, no, prayed she did.
“Paul?”
The sound of his name brought Paul out of his thoughts while an embarrassed smile crept across his lips. “Yes?”
“Are you okay over there? You’re awfully silent, Hun.” Sunday questioned. Her brows were furrowed in concern. She reached across the table, placing her small hand over Paul’s larger one.
“Of course. I’m fine, Darling, Perhaps a little tired, is all. Nothing wrong though.” Paul smiled, threading his fingers with Sunday’s, his gaze once again falling on his girlfriend’s eyes. He swallowed nervously, his thoughts returning to the question he couldn’t seem to shake from his thoughts, yet he couldn’t seem to bring himself to ask it. “It’s not the right time..”
“It isn’t the right time? For what?” Sunday questioned. “Paul?”
Paul’s eyes widened slightly as realization of what he had done hit him. The words had unknowingly left his thoughts and had escaped his lips. “Uh, um…n-nothing, Love. Just thinking aloud, I suppose.” Paul removed his hand from hers slowly. “Are you ready to go?”
Sunday stared at Paul, her eyes filled with confusion as well as suspicion. “Um..sure.” She replied, standing from her chair after Paul paid for their dinner. What on earth was he up to? Why was he so nervous all of a sudden? And silent! This wasn’t Paul…Something was up, and Sunday was determined to figure it out.
Paul smiled a bit, taking her hand in his once again and exiting the restaurant with her. The short walk to the car was silent, neither of them knowing what to say. The air was thick with a tension that had never been present between the two of them before, and Paul could tell Sunday was not thrilled.
“So, where to now, Darling?” Paul asked before opening the car door on the passenger side. He watched as Sunday slipped in the car, shrugging her shoulders.
“We’d better get home.” Was her reply, barely meeting the blue eyes of the tenor. “It’s been a long day…” She added, her voice barely reaching above a whisper.
Paul bit his lip, his eyes scanning over Sunday’s expression. Her eyes held confusion in them…and hurt. The pained expression on her face was enough to make him feel as though a ton of bricks had been dropped on him. He had hurt her…Unintentionally, yes, but still…he had hurt his Sunday and the very thought almost killed him.
Sighing, Paul shut her door and rushed to the driver’s side. Once he had slipped in and started the car, he drove toward the direction of their apartment complex. The silence still hung in the air as he drove, neither of them wanting to speak up.
Paul noticed that Sunday sat in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest and her gaze directed outside of her window. Only the sound of their soft breathing could be heard in the car.
“Are you alright, Love?” He asked after a few moments.
“I’m fine.” She replied, not offering to say much more.
Paul sighed, his mind going back to the small box in his pocket. “Come on,
Byrom…ask her. Stop being a child and ask her.” He thought. But could he ask her now? Should he? It wasn’t exactly the right time… He glanced over at Sunday once more before finally making his decision.
Without hesitation, Paul, slowed the car and pulled to a stop on the side of the road. He glanced over at Sunday, who possessed a bewildered look on her face.
“What on earth are you doing?” She questioned, watching the tenor slip out of the car and hurry to her side. He opened the door and took her hand in his, practically pulling the young woman out of the car.
“Paul Byrom…what are you doing?!” She asked once more, irritation evident in her voice.
“Do you trust me?”
“Well,I..” Sunday started, but was stopped by a pair of lips capturing her own in a soft kiss.
“Do you love me?” Paul whispered, his lips only centimeters from hers.
“Of course I do, but…” Sunday stopped mid sentence, her eyes widening in shock as her boyfriend knelt down on the dusty dirt road. He took her hand in his, staring up into her beautiful green eyes.
“Sunday..” He said, not once looking away. “I love you, so very much. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you…and I never will.” Paul bit his lip, the nerves beginning to set in, though he quickly fought them back. “Sunday, I know this isn't the most romantic or ideal time or place, but I can't go another moment without knowing...” He stopped, taking a deep breath of air before finishing. “Will you marry me?”
Sunday allowed a few tears to slip onto her cheeks in streams. Was she dreaming? Had he really just asked her to be his wife? On the side of the road in the middle of the night? The expectant look on his face confirmed the question in her mind. He had, and he was waiting on her answer. “Yes...” She answered, smiling through her tears, “Yes, I will marry you.”
Grinning, Paul slipped the small diamond ring on her finger before standing to his feet and pulling her into his arms. Soon, his lips found hers, kissing her as he spun her around. She had said yes, and nothing could stop him from being as happy as he was at that moment.
“I love you, Sunday.” He whispered after the kiss had broken. His gently ran his fingers over her cheek, his blue eyes gazing into her green ones.
“And I love you, Paul.” She replied, pressing a light kiss to his lips.