Ian's POV
**Song Suggestion: The City Lights by Anthony Lazaro**
Moulin Rouge had ended at the same time she had run out of sour gummy worms. Thankfully, the nausea she had felt earlier had not stuck around and after some food and pain medicine, she seemed to feel more like herself. I had not left her side except for once to use the bathroom. I rubbed her feet and fetched her food and drinks, as well as medicine. Trying to make her feel loved, I would give her gentle kisses on random spots of her body.
She stared at me as the end-credits music played on our TV. She was admiring me when I turned, catching her staring. I smiled at her, only causing her to take a deep breath as if she were calming her swooning heart.
"Revealing hearts?" she asked me, seeing me nod as my blue eyes now stared at her. "Marry me?"
This woman, I swear. I had a whole plan- a very romantic and sweet proposal for her- and she beat me to it. She was perfect, even with her impatience. My lips curled into the widest smile that had ever crossed my face. Her eyes captured the light of the setting sun perfectly, causing them to shine brightly as she stared at me, waiting for my answer. She wasn't kidding; she had asked me, in two simple words, to spend the rest of my life with her.
"You are so impatient, I swear." I squeezed her feet over my lap, seeing her furrow her brows. "Hold on."
Carefully moving her aside, I got up, heading straight for our room. Opening my sock drawer, I pulled out the small black box I had shoved inside a rolled pair, knowing she would never look in there. Hailey hated feet with a passion, thought they were the nastiest things on the planet, and, as such, would never go in my sock drawer or fetch me my shoes if I asked her. She was cute the one time she did it, holding my shoes out like they were a shit-filled diaper.
"Ian?" her sweet voice called to me from the doorway, again unable to wait. She looked at me with uncertainty, unsure what I was doing or why I hadn't answered. Already on my knees, I turned to face her, holding the little black box out for her.
"I was waiting until you were better to ask you. I had already asked your father and he gave me his blessings. I guess I answered all those random questions to his liking."
In this moment, one that was just too much like us to be wrong, her face transformed into the most radiant smile I had ever seen. It was a smile that lit up the entire room- a smile that seemed to hold the power to brighten even the darkest corners of the world. Her eyes crinkled at the sides, forming delicate wrinkles that spoke of a lifetime of joy and laughter.
That smile consumed her whole face, transforming her into a vision of pure happiness. It was as if every worry, every doubt, and every fear had melted away, leaving only an overwhelming sense of bliss. Her smile was a beacon of light, illuminating the love that filled the air and enveloping us both in its warm embrace.
She was more beautiful than ever before. Her smile radiated a glow that seemed to come from within, a reflection of the sheer happiness that danced in her eyes. It was a smile that spoke volumes, expressing a resounding "yes" without the need for words.
I couldn't help but be captivated by that smile and by the sheer joy and love that it conveyed. It was a smile that etched itself into my memory, a reminder of the profound connection we share. I knew that our journey together was just beginning and that her smile would forever be a source of light and happiness in our lives. It was her smile that called to me- that made me fall for her when we were only pretending to date.
"So that's a yes, then?" She stepped towards me, looking at the small rose gold, milgrain halo engagement ring with an emerald-cut diamond in its center. It had an antique feel, which I knew Hailey would like, as confirmed by the way her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Only if it's a yes from you, too."
"Yes! A hundred times, yes!" She yelled at me, her excitement taking her over as it took over me, too.
Quickly jumping up, I wrapped my arms around her waist, embracing her tightly. She laughed happily as I spun her around, only remembering that it was a bad idea when I put her down and saw how dizzy she had gotten.
"Sorry."
"Forget it. Just put that ring on me already!" She smiled again, holding her hand out for me to delicately place the ring on her slim finger. It slid on easily, only being the slightest bit too large.
"We can get it sized tomorrow." Hailey let out an excited little squeal as she held her hand up to her face, inspecting the ring with a smile. "Be ready, Hailey, because I still plan to go through with my proposal. You're just going to have to say yes all over again."
She nodded, prying her eyes away from the ring and showing me the joy she was feeling deep inside. "Can't wait."
"It's going to be okay," I assured her as I drove us back to the OB office. Hailey had to have her blood drawn today to check that her HCG levels were going down as they were supposed to. She had cried this morning, mourning our loss once more. The scene was heartbreaking, seeing her on the edge of the bed with her face in her hands. I held her close and promised her everything would be fine. "I am right here with you, Mi Luz."
She nodded her head but stared blankly out of the windshield. I had a plan to cheer her up after this, knowing she would wallow in her sorrows all day otherwise. Her grief was warranted. I still feel it myself, but I know we can't dwell on it to the point where we can't continue with our lives. Today would be her day again, as every day in our lives will be. She is the most important person in my life, and I will always place her needs above my own. Hailey has proven she feels the same way, as I have found her at times worrying about me instead of herself.
When we entered, Hailey let them know that she was here for a lab appointment and they took her back shortly after. She reemerged with gauze wrapped around her elbow in a neon green with a sour face.
"I hate needles," she murmured under her breath with a slight pout on her lips.
"I am sorry, Mi Amor. Did they say when you would get the results?" I asked her as I placed my hand on her back, guiding us back to the car.
"The nurse should call tomorrow and let me know."
"Okay, good. How about some lunch?"
"I am not hungry."
"You? Hailey Medina, not hungry?" I teased her, knowing it was a lie. She loves food too much not to want to eat after having skipped breakfast.
"Shut up. I don't eat that much." She rolled her eyes at me as the corner of her mouth twitched. She was trying not to smile.
"So, what do you want to eat?"
"Tacos, but like actual tacos," she admitted with her arms crossed, as if she didn't like that I was forcing her to eat.
"I know just the place."
I took us to where the New York Birria Food Truck was stationed today. Hailey's eyes widened and her mouth seemed to water as she licked her lips. As if on cue, her stomach began to growl, causing us both to laugh. She rolled her eyes, hating that I was right.
"I still don't think I eat that much," she argued as we got out of the car.
"I am not complaining about it. I love that I can always find you munching on a snack or eating some kind of dessert when we aren't having breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You're so cute when you're hunting down a snack in the cabinet or popping gummies in your mouth while you design over your portfolio. I will say the pickles drive me crazy, just because you can finish a huge jar in like three days and leave me none." I grabbed her hand, taking our place in line, feeling her eyes on me.
"Oh my gosh, I really am always eating."
She said it as if she had never noticed it before. Perhaps she really hadn't, seeing as she did it absentmindedly half the time.
"You really are," I confirmed with a smile.
She laughed again before we placed our orders, being greeted by a few friendly workers. The service was great and the food was delicious, so much so that Hailey almost wanted to lick the container.
"Okay, you clearly have a plan, so what's next?" she asked me as she wiped her fingers with a napkin.
"You know me too well now." I smiled at her, winking to be playful. "We are going to go see a buddy of mine for some tickets."
"Tickets?" she asked with her brow raised in curiosity.
"Yes, tickets. Now let's go."
I was happy to see Hailey start to get out of the depression she was in earlier today. I knew it was still eating at her inside, but I felt giving her a distraction would be the best thing to do. Let's just hope she enjoys it as much as I think she will.
"Are you serious?" she asked me with a wide-toothed grin and large eyes.
"Yeah." I nodded, feeling arrogantly happy, knowing I got it right. "I know how much you love their music, so I had Hank keeping an eye out for tickets."
"This is amazing! And we're going there now?"
"Yup, right now."
Hailey squealed excitedly, kicking her legs quickly for a moment. "Nacho and Chino! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it!"