I open the second and third containers to find apple and pecan pies nestled perfectly inside their boxes. Cole has been right beside me, watching as I open one box after the other. He usually likes to tease me about my obsession with Carla’s pies, but he’s being awfully quiet.
When I get to the last box, there’s a noticeable difference in the weight of it when I lift it out of the bag. Based off the heaviness of the other boxes, there’s no way there’s a pie in this box. I turn to look at Cole and he’s gone slightly pale, he runs a hand through his hair, then clears his throat like he’s about to make a confession, his blue eyes intently fixed on where I’m holding the pie box.
“Oh, no. Did something happen to the cherry pie? Did they forget to give it to you? Was it not ready yet?” I know Carla is a stickler for details and she’d never leave me hanging without a cherry pie. Maybe it got dropped and there were no back-ups?
“Brooke.”
“I could probably run out and grab one from the store. It might be frozen if the bakery is out of fresh. It won’t be as good as Carla’s pie but it would be better than no cherry pie at all.”
“Brooke.”
“What?”
Cole shakes his head, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Just open the box.”
I lift the lid and although I’m not surprised there isn’t a pie inside, my eyes do widen with excitement when they land on the small velvet jewelry box. My birthday’s not until March and although these pies are putting me in the holiday spirit, it’s still a month until Christmas. Is this what I think it is? I reach for the velvet box, telling myself not to be disappointed if it’s earrings. Earrings are nice. If Cole picked them out for me, they’ll be more than nice. But then I turn to find Cole on one knee in front of me. Okay, it’s definitely not earrings.
“Brooke Elizabeth Ryan.” Cole takes my hand, the one that isn’t clutching the jewelry box. I can see the emotion in his eyes and it makes me tear up, too. Murphy, on the other hand, takes the visual of Cole kneeling on the ground as a sign that he’s available for pets and jumps up onto him. Good naturedly, Cole rubs behind Murphy’s ears to calm him. “Hey, buddy,” he says quietly, “I’m excited, too, but we haven’t even found out if she says yes.”
Murphy quietly lays down on the kitchen floor and Cole turns his attention back to me.
“Brooke, I’m crazy in love with you. Will you marry me?”
I’m crying, and nodding, then Cole stands up and I jump into his arms.
“Yes!” I finally manage to say when I’ve stopped sobbing. “I love you so much.”
Cole takes the ring box from me and seconds later a sparkly cushion-cut diamond is on my finger. Then, Murphy’s back in action, trying to climb our legs as Cole and I embrace again.
A minute later, Cole bends down to pick Murphy up, and moves to leave the kitchen.
“Where are you going?” I call out.
“To get the cherry pie out of the car.” He winks, and I can’t help but laugh. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have found Cole. He’s the best plan I never made.
Five months later…
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
JAMES MICHAEL MATTHEWS
Born on April 19 at 9:30 in the evening
7 pounds 11 ounces, 21 inches long
Proud parents,
Cole and Brooke
THE END
