I was still excited about the whole engagement when I woke up in the morning. I woke up with a huge smile on my face.
"Baby." He called when I kept smiling at my hand where my ring was placed.
"Hmm" I answered not looking up.
"We need to talk" This, caught my attention.
"Is something wrong?" He shook his head No, "Everything is great we just need to make some decisions before the dinner tonight." He explained.
"Ok. What is it?" I asked.
"When do you want us to get married?" He asked me.
"I honestly don't care. Anytime you're ready" I answered honestly.
"Tomorrow then?" He said. I laughed.
"Really? Jake" I was still laughing.
"Just kidding. I just want to make you my wife so fast. I can do it now if possible." He said. "Pick any date you want it to be."
"How soon?"
"I already told you love" I faked a frown at him.
"Be serious" I narrowed my eyes at him in an attempt to appear more intimidating.
"Ok, ok. Next month? Is that enough time to prepare?" He asked. I nodded.
"Yes." I answered.
"Good" He pulled me into a hug. I pushed him away from me.
"You hurt my fragile heart, my love," He said dramatically. I rolled my eyes at him. I stood up from the bed.
"Pancake?" I asked on my way out.
"Yes please." He replied.

I made breakfast-pancake and orange juice while he took his with cofee and we ate. I had my bath and decided to get ready for the day. I was about to start a chapter when I got a call from Joe. I ignored the call because I knew she wouldn't let me get any work done if I picked. She called again and I did the same thing.
"Can you pick up her call, please" Jake screamed. I groaned laughing.
"Fine" I answered. I picked up my phone and dailed her number.
"You didn't want to talk to me" She queried immediately she picked up the call.
"Not exactly," I said truthfully.
"Whatever. Tell me about it"
"He proposed I told you already," I said.
"Were you reading?" She asked.
"No" I answered.
"Writing?" She continued.
"Yeah" I mumbled.
"Should have told me that"
"I guess"
"You know what? Let's meet at the cafe. We should meet" She told me. I liked the idea of seeing her so I immediately agreed to meet up with her.
"I'll be there in ten," I said excitedly.
"I love you."
"I love you too." I said back to her leaving my phone on the couch, going to the room to change my cloth.
"What was that for?" Jake asked with a confused look on his face as he picked up the top from his face.
"I felt like it." I told him with a wink and screeched, running to the door as he jumped out of the bed to chase after me.
~~~~~~~
At the cafe ten minutes later.
"Oh.My.God this ring is fab!" wailed Joe when I sat down in the booth she has already booked prior to my arrival. She took my hands swinging it about, adoration clear in her eyes.
"I know right?" I winked at her, my face morphed into a smile.
"Girl, I'm super happy for you right now," she surged, her facial expression eliciting laughter from me. I sampled the ring in front of her, still reeling from excitement myself.
"You know what, let's toast to this" she teetered, looking about until she saw the waiter and waved him forward.
"Two cups of vanilla cappuccinos__"
"Mine should be chocolate" I chipped in, not in the mood for vanilla.
When the waiter left to attend to our orders she faced me "This brings us to our next most important thing right now" she swished her hands about informing me that it's not going to be good.
"What?" I cocked my head at her, my brow tipped to the top of my hairline.
"The wedding plans, Munchkin!" she went on gesticulating, affecting my train of thought. “We have to plan everything, ranging from wedding gown shopping to date of the wedding, venue and all that. It's a lot” she was bouncing her head in emphasis.
"Oh, yeah," I smacked my hand on my head thoughtfully, the entire thing becoming overwhelming "I talked about it with Jake, and we agreed next month."
She seems to think about it "Next month? Why not in two weeks, exactly your birthday?" Her suggestion hit a nerve earning my focus head-on.
I flickered my fingers on her face "Trust me, Joe, in the entire hectic moment of my life putting up with your ass, this is close to the best thing you have ever said to me"
"Ouch! I'm hurt" she feigned pained, cupping her chest. We both broke out laughing.
The waiter soon returned with our orders, dropped them, and scampered out.
"Do you like the idea?" she quizzed further, sipping into the tasty hot brown substance.
"I love it!" I exclaimed, making her blush crimson, flapping her shoulders in conceit.
"Cool, let's get to other plans then___"
"Wait, Joe" my countenance fell, the consequences of everything finally creeping up on me. What if it's impossible to plan a wedding in two weeks? What if something goes wrong?
"What is it, Munchkin?" she asked, her face falling immediately at my tone. She slammed her cup back to the table, reaching out to touch my hand that was wrapped around my coffee mug.
"The truth is that, even though I'm keen about this proposal and all that...Within, I can't help but feel...afraid" I said the word with so much force, that I actually meant it.
"Fear?" she queried, exiting her chair to sit close to me on mine, her arms wrapping on my hand and drawing it into her lap "There is nothing to fear Munchkin. Believe me when I tell you that this is the best decision of your life. Yes, there are loopholes in marriage, yet, the rosy part outweighs the cracks. By the way, there is your love..." she drawled, earning a relieving smile from me "I have been in this, so take it from me when I say, it's not that hard" she was bobbing her head now.
"Thank you very much, Joe. This means a lot to me. I have been putting up a brave front since the proposal but now, I think I'm a tad bit settled" I pinched my fingers together in gesture, and we both burst out cackling, my initial fears, totally forgotten.
"So about that dinner tonight, have you made plans for it, like wears, makeup, hairdo___"
"I'm not going to let you do that," I pointed at her "I have a dress for the dinner, plus, I don't need all that makeup and hairdo stuff" I displayed my hands on my face, picking up my cup of coffee to sip.
We chatted a bit about other stuff and then decided to leave and prepare for the evening dinner.
"Maria!" a voice yelled when we came out of the coffee shop and made our way to our cars "Is that you, oh my God. I can't believe this" she banged her car door, walking towards us.
I blinked severally still shocked at seeing her_ Hardy. Is that even possible? Hardy used to be a close friend back in high school, we were in the same Literature class throughout highschool so we just kind of clicked, until we gained admissions to separate colleges and eventually lost contact.
"Oh, my God it's you!" I screamed and went to crush myself against her. "Where the heck have you been?" I flipped my hair out of my face to properly skim through her.
"You look amazing."
"Not as amazing as you, look at that hair, still glimmering!" we chuckled until I got my manners and turned to Joe who stood at the back looking abandoned.
I waved her forward "Hardy, meet my close friend Joe, Joe meet Hardy. We used to be close pals back in high school" I made the introduction and they both shook hands.
"Wait! Is that a ring I spot on your fingers or..."
"Yes, it is..." I sang, flapping my fingers on her face "You are lucky to be on time. The wedding is yet to come"
"Maria...this is beautiful. Look at that rock! Must be about ten-carat gold!" the ever vain Hardy. I mused, rolling my eyes inwardly.
However, I maintained my charming smile, still bobbing my head "Of course, it is. My Jake never goes easy in the wallet...and you are highly invited" I flipped away my hair cheekily, with my alluring smile still on.
"Girl, I would have loved for us to continue on this chitchat, but I have to run. Here is my card please send me the invite, I wouldn't want to miss it for anything in the world" we exchanged hugs before she left on her ride.
"Can we go now?" Joe asked, skybaying me back from my drift watching Hardy's car pull away. It has been such a long time that I'm still amazed at her physical changes.
"Ye.. yea, see you at the dinner tonight" I blew Joe a kiss and hurried to my car.
~~~~~
That evening
"Honey, this looks stunning on you," Jake complimented my dress as we worked to the car. This would be like the umpteenth time he is saying it, making a host of butterflies run amock in my stomach.
"Thanks, you look exquisite yourself" he pecked my knuckles in thanks and helped me inside the black G20 Chevrolet packed out in front.
It wasn't long, we arrived in the mansion and as usual, he aided me down from the car, and with my hand neatly secured in the crook of his, we made our way to the door.
"Here you are" clamored Jane when she saw us, her sequin velvet gown smartly clinging to her smooth physique, giving her a youthful stance.
"Good evening, mom" returned Jake leading me to a chair, while I nodded my greeting to her. she appeared very enthused at seeing us. The house was filled to the brim with our families and friends, and we all exchanged adequate pleasantries. I went to my kids immediately I entered the house, I've missed them so badly.
Not long, the dinner proceeded, with everyone seated in their positions, their eyes wandering around the table, and me, shuffling in my seat in anxiety. Joe kept throwing me mischievous side glances, that I had to avoid meeting her eyes, to retain my poise.
After dinner, forged on family discourse. Then, Jake stood and picked his sharp glass of champagne with cutlery, tapping at it to produce a clinking sound, all targetted to get everyone's attention. My family was watching us on a video call.
My heart leaped in what? Anxiety, apprehension? I don't know, maybe excitement.
"I just want to use this opportunity to announce to everyone that___"
"You are engaged to Maria" finished Jane, a broad smile plastered on her face.
Everyone had huge smile on their faces as congratulations were passed around. My mom literally screamed from the phone before she started wailing.
"Mom!" We all laughed at her tear streaked face.
"I'm so sorry." She chuckled as she cleaned her tears, "I'm just so happy for both of you!" She squealed.
"Take care of my daughter Jake." My dad said.
"I will." He gave him a small nod and then glanced at me with a huge grin on his face.