EMMA's POV :
Racing towards the art classroom, I was smiling from ear to ear. I pushed the door open with both hands and my eyes lit up as soon as I saw what was inside.
Ian was standing in the middle of the room. Behind him were eight canvases, each had a letter painted of them and together they spelled: M A R R Y M E ?
"Ian..." I gaped breathlessly. Somehow the air escaped my lungs and I couldn't breathe. Maybe it was because of all the running, or maybe it was because of Ian. Suddenly my vision was blurred. Tears pooled around my eyes. My brain went to overdrive and I could think. All I could do was stand there, frozen in shock.
"You found me," he said triumphantly and strode towards me with a smile.
My eyes darted to the letters behind him again and it finally registered in my brain, he had gotten my family and friends involved so that I could be standing here.
"So... all of this was...?"
"For this. Because I wanna do it right this time," standing right in front of me, he bent down on one knee and pulled our old engagement ring.
Taking my shaky hand in his, he said, "You know that we belong together. You know that there's no one else in this world for me but you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I wanna go on adventures with you. I wanna raise a family with you. I wanna be the guy gives you the world, because you gave me mine," he paused for a moment to take a deep breath, and finally he said, "So, will you please marry me and spend the rest of our lives together?"
"Yes..." my voice cracked. Tears were streaming down my face. "Of course, yes, a million times yes!"
Ian put the ring on my finger and I pulled him by his face to kiss him. I kissed him so deep and so hard. I was so happy. I was beyond happy. There were no words to describe what I was feeling.
It was happiness times infinity. The best moment of my life. Ever.
"Congratulations you two!" and then I heard loud cheering, clapping, and whistling. Ian and I turned around instinctively and we saw Tiff, Carrie, Mark, and Tyler all standing there by the doorway.
"Oh my gosh!" I gaped at them. "Guys... you all...?"
"Ian called us up the other day and asked for our help," Tiff explained.
"We brought the boys in it too. But don't worry about them, they know and they understand," Carrie added.
"Mark... Tyler..." I shot a look at them.
"Congratulations, Emma, Mr. Hayes-I mean, Ian," Mark said awkwardly.
"Thanks for the help, guys," Ian replied.
"You know, I've always had a hunch..." Tyler said, pausing for a beat before continuing, "I'm kidding. I had no clue,"
I let out a dry laugh and turned back to Ian. I still couldn't believe he got my parents and friends involved in all this. How did he manage this without me knowing? And how long did he plan this for?
"But I'm really happy for you, Emma. Seriously," Tyler said again. "A little bit shocked at first, but I'm your friend and I'm happy if you're happy,"
"Thank you," I smiled at him. I smiled at everyone. "I am very happy and I'm very lucky to have all of you as my friends. You guys are the most wonderful and understanding people, we owe so much of our relationship to you all,"
"Awww," Carrie and Tiff squealed and ran over to hug me. Mark and Tyler looked at each for a second before smiling back at me.
"I call dibs on bridesmaids!" Tiff exclaimed suddenly.
"I call dibs on bridesmaids too!" Carrie added.
"Can I call dibs on the bridesmaids?" Tyler asked playfully, and we all laughed.
I glanced at the ring on my hand and then at Ian. He smiled at me when our gazes met. His smile made everything in me explode and melt. My heart was so full, I was overflowing with this sense of unbeatable joy.
This is so going in my diary! I'd dedicate a special page just for it.
"Thank you for doing this," I whispered to his ears. "I love you so much,"
"I love you so much too," he whispered right back.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
- - - - - One Week Later - - - - -
"Can't you stay for another day?" mom pleaded with her best puppy dog eyes. "I still miss you so much, honey,"
"Mom, we've been here for almost two weeks," I laughed and hugged her again.
"Still," she sighed. "Time flies so fast,"
Time did fly very fast. After Christmas, I spent all my days hanging out with my family and Ian, or with my friends and Ian. It felt so great to be able to spend time with everyone and Ian at the same time. This was new for us. For the longest time, we couldn't tell people about who we were because we were afraid of what they'd think. Tiff and Carrie knew, and that was it. But now, we didn't have to sneak around behind their backs anymore. Everything was out in the open. Well, not everything. Mom and dad still didn't know about the whole teacher-student thing, but hey, details don't matter. What matters was that they love us together now.
And soon, we're all gonna be one big happy family.
"I wish I could stay, mom. But, Diana wants me back in the office the day after tomorrow and I still have work to do," I said to her. "And then I have all this wedding planning to do..."
"That's right. Congratulations again, baby. I'm so happy for you," mom smiled brightly. Tears were pooling around her eyes again. This happened every time the topic of me getting married came up. She was still so emotional. But the good kind. "Ian seems like a great guy, and he really loves you,"
"I know," I replied simply. "I picked a great one," I said as I smiled knowingly in his direction.
Dad and Ian were moving our bags from the car's trunk. Mom and dad drove us to the airport this morning as we were leaving back to New York City. It was so cute to watch Ian and dad bromancing, chatting away as they moved the bags. I didn't know what happened to them but they seem to be hitting it off great. They even went to watch a college basketball the other day, just the two of them, while mom and I went post-Christmas shopping.
And every time I heard my dad called him 'son', my heart tripled in size.
"We're really gonna miss you two," dad said as he walked over to me and handed me my carry-on bag. "Take care of her, son,"
"Yes, sir. I will," Ian replied firmly and took my hand.
"Come visit us again soon," mom said as she kissed Ian good bye.
"We will," he said. "Or maybe you two can visit us in the city?"
"That'd be great!" mom beamed at the idea and turned to dad, "Wouldn't it, Bill?"
"Sure," dad replied.
"Don't worry, you guys. We're getting married in six months. You'll be seeing us again very soon," I told them.
Eek! Did I just say that out loud?
I couldn't help the smile forming on my face. I still couldn't believe the fact that Ian and I would be getting married in just six months. We talked about it and we decided on a small, intimate wedding in New York in the summer. We were thinking maybe the Hamptons or Montauk... Maybe a garden wedding... or by the beach... or at a lighthouse...
Oh my god, I'm so excited, I can't!
"I'm so excited for you two!" mom squealed as if she could read my mind. "It's gonna be a great wedding, for sure. And you'll have such a great time in Italy,"
Another reason why we wanted to do the wedding early this summer was because Ian and I would be leaving for Italy in June. Ian couldn't pass on the opportunity to work for Sergio Rossi. I still had to talk to Diana about taking some time away from the office, but I was certain I could go for at least a month.
I'm getting married to my soul mate and we'll be together in Italy for a month. What could be better than that?
"I really hope your boss is gonna let you work remotely," Ian said to me.
"Me too, but I highly doubt it," I sighed. "But still, a month with you in Italy would be amazing, and even if we have to be apart for two months, it's gonna be worth it," I said reassuringly.
Before this, I was wary about doing long distance with Ian again, but since the proposal, something changed. With a ring around my finger and Ian's declaration of his love for me, I felt confident that our love was strong enough to handle anything.
"It's almost 10. You two should go inside," dad reminded us. Our flight was leaving in an hour and we still had airport security to go through.
"Please take good care of my baby for me," mom said to Ian. She smiled a sad smile and pulled me in for another hug.
"I absolutely will," Ian replied. He gave my mom a hug and shook my dad's hand. "Good bye Joanna, Bill,"
"Bye mom, bye dad," I said as I hugged them both.
"Safe flight, honey," mom said.
"Call us when you land," dad ordered.
We nodded to the both of them before turning towards the gate. I took another look at them and waved goodbye. They waved back, mom was crying and smiling, and dad had a stoic look on his face, but there was a little glint of a tear in his eyes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You did it. You made my parents adore you," I said to Ian as we settled into our seats on the plane. He looked a lot more relaxed now compared to when we were on our way to Georgia.
"I don't know about adore, but Joanna and Bill are pretty cool," he replied.
"You guys are on first name basis now, and I still can't get over the fact that my dad kept calling you 'son',"
Ian let out a soft chuckle and smiled meaningfully.
"What did you say to him?" I asked him.
"Nothing much," he shrugged. "Just how much I love you and that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me,"
I couldn't help but smile at that. He said the sweetest thing in the most nonchalant way possible.
"So, was this why you were so nervous about coming here? Because you were planning on proposing?"
"Oh yeah," he laughed. "I was so damn scared, you had no idea,"
I laughed when I remembered seeing how jittery, anxious, and sweaty he was when he first met my parents again. Now I knew what was up with that. Ian was always a confident and in-control kind of guy, so to see him nervous like that was honestly very adorable.
My hands reached up to cup his cheeks. Our eyes met and we just smiled at each other for a little while. I was marveling at the sight of him, he was so gorgeous and his eyes were so beautiful, and I felt so darn lucky that my hands could hold him like this. He smiled softly as his eyes bored deeply into mine.
Maybe he was feeling the same thing I was feeling.
And with that thought, I leaned closer and locked our lips together. I kissed him softly and gently. Just a little sweet kiss. Just a little taste. When I pulled away, Ian sighed in disappointment. He grabbed my face with both hands and quickly closed the distance between us again. He kissed me deep and hard.
We were embracing each other and I returned his kiss with the same amount of fervor. I inhaled his intoxicating masculine scent and I felt shivers up and down my spine. Parting my lips open for him, our tongues began to twine nimbly and he let out an appreciative groan.
Kissing Ian was always and will always be my favorite pastime.
We pulled away finally when we were out of breath. He stared at me with those gorgeous dark brown eyes and my stomach did a somersault. Even after all these years, his gaze still had this effect on me. God, I hoped it always will.
"How are your nerves now?" I asked him in a playful tone.
"Oh, I feel amazing. I have a feeling it's gonna be smooth sailing from here on out," he smirked at me.
And as if on cue, we then heard the flight attendant's announcement over the PA, "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome abroad American Airlines flight 710 bound for John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. We will be taking off shortly. Please make sure that your seat belt is securely fastened. Thank you,"
The plane's door was closed and the engine was getting louder and louder. We were about to take off and return to our life in New York City. I dreaded going back to work, for obvious reasons, but I was excited to be back and start planning the wedding. I couldn't wait to pick out flowers, cakes, a dress, but most of all, I couldn't wait to be able to tell people that Ian Hayes is my hubby.
Hubby. Eek!
Ian saw the excitement in my eyes and maybe he knew what I was thinking. Lacing his hand with mine, he gave my hand a gentle squeeze and said, "Are you ready for this, Mrs. Hayes?"
"With you? I'm ready for anything, Mr. Hayes,"
- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -