"I can"t believe I found the perfect ring for Mel at one store." Nick said walking to his car. He and Brian had looked for about ten minutes and spotted the ring. The ring was white gold with three princess cut diamonds in the front with five emerald cut diamonds along the sides. Nick thought it fit Melissa perfectly. It was elegant and exquisite, just like her.
"Do you know how you are going to ask her?" Brian asked as he got into the car.
"Yeah, I do, but there are some things I need to do first." Nick said reaching for his cell phone.
"Who are you calling?"
"Mel"s parents, I want to ask them for her hand in marriage." Brian sat quietly as Nick talked to Melissa"s parents. He could tell by Nick"s facial expressions that her parents had given him their permission.
"Good news?" Brian asked once he was off the phone.
"Yeah, they welcomed me to the family. All I need to do is now talk to Jules and Jonathon."
"Jules and Jonathon, why?"
"They are Mel"s family too; I want them to know before I ask her."
Nick started up the car and headed back to the park to get Brian"s car. Then Brian followed Nick back to the beach house. They parked their cars and entered the beach house. It seemed like no one was around, but then Nick saw Melissa asleep on the couch. He stopped and just watched her sleep. His brown-eyed angel. Soon if everything went the way he hoped, she would be his fianc"e, then his wife.
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don"t I tell the gang about your plans and you stay here with Mel. Enjoy some alone time with her."
"Are you sure?" Nick asked not taking his eyes off of her.
Brian smiled at his friend. "Yeah, I"m sure. Brian patted Nick"s shoulder. "You"re a lucky man!"
"I will be if she says yes."
"She will Nick, she loves you so much. She wants a future with you or she wouldn"t have come to opening night." And with that Brian left to tell everyone about Nick"s plan.
Nick walked over to the couch and carefully sat down on it. He watched her sleep as her chest rose and fell. He gently picked up her hand and kissed her palm. Melissa slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him.
"Hey, you"re home." She stated sitting up.
"Yeah, I"m home." Home, a home with his angel that sounded so good to him. "What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"Well, I got tired from all the fresh air and water, so I came over here to get some rest. Plus it didn"t help that someone wore me out last night." She stated grinning at him.
"You started it!" Nick replied.
"And I finished it!" She said with a smirk. Nick laughed at her and pulled her into his arms.
"Did you get all your errands done?" She asked resting against his chest.
"Yeah I did and that reminds me. Don"t make any plans for tomorrow night and the next day."
"Okay, but why?"
"You and I are going away for a little bit. I haven"t had much time alone with you, so I"m going to make some time." He stated kissing her temple.
"You won"t hear any complaints from me!" Nick chuckled and then held her tighter.
"MEL! MEL! OH MY GOD! MEL!!" Nick and Melissa could hear Julie yelling as she came up the stairs. Melissa quickly got off the couch and ran to her. Julie was out of breath when she reached her.
"Jules, what"s wrong?" Julie looked at Melissa then at Nick and back at Melissa. She just hugged Melissa. Brian came up behind them and gestured to Nick he was sorry.
"What"s going on Jules? Is something wrong?" Melissa asked pulling away from their hug.
"Nothing"s wrong Mel, Jules is just excited about tomorrow." Brian replied trying to cover for Julie and Nick.
"What"s happening tomorrow?"
"There"s a big carnival down on the North pier, I thought it would be fun if we all went." Brian stated looking at Nick.
"Yeah, it sounds like so much fun. Don"t you think Mel?" Julie asked hoping she didn"t blow Nick"s surprise.
"Yeah, sounds like fun. Gosh Jules you got me so freaked out."
"I"m sorry, but it has been so long since we have gone to a carnival."
"Yeah it has been a long time. I think the last time we went was our senior year of high school."
"Alright then we are going to the carnival." Nick said feeling relieved that Melissa didn"t think something was up.
"Brian, come over here and give me a hug!" Melissa said to him. Brian smiled and gave her a big hug.
"What brings you here?"
"Well I ran into Nicky here and I told him about my idea""
"So I told him that he should stop by and tell everyone about the carnival." Nick finished.
"I"m glad you stopped by." Melissa said. Nick saw his opportunity to talk to Julie while Brian and Melissa talked.
"Jules, you almost told Mel about my proposal."
"I"m sorry Nick, it"s not everyday that my best friend gets engaged."
"I have to ask her first Jules."
"I know, I"m really sorry."
"It"s okay, besides I wanted to ask you and Jonathon something."
"Sure, what?"
"I called and asked Mel"s parents for her hand in marriage and they gave me their blessing. But you and Jonathon are Mel"s family too and I want your blessing also."
"Nick, you don"t even need to ask. You have Jonathon and mine"s blessing."
"Thank you Jules."
"Take good care of her."
Nick looked over at Melissa and saw her laughing at something Brian said. "Don"t worry, I will."
