Twenty/Twenty

"Tally, your silence is killing me. This was the part where I was hoping to hear you say yes."

I hear the nerves in his voice. Something that's pretty unusual for Jackson St. Alban. He moves through the world with such ease. Purpose. Confidence. But not now. He's not moving at all. He's kneeling. Right here in his parent's gazebo. Covered in white lights. Their twinkle reflecting off of the gently lapping lake water. In the distance I hear the party taking place inside. Laughter. Music. Avery.

I resent that she pops into my mind. Right in the middle of a moment I never really thought would happen for me. However, it would be silly to pretend she's not a factor in this proposal. If I say yes I am forever tying myself to a dynamic between them that I still don't fully understand. Then I immediately think of Jax leaving that Christmas party. Just for me. Maybe I don't have to fully understand it. Things are changing. He's choosing me.

And his parents. His sister. There's no denying that it would be an incredible thing to be a part of their little tribe.

I'm going to take the risk. Even though I'm absolutely terrified. What was the point of staying with Jax if not to have a future together? If I hadn't secretly longed for this with him I would have walked away months ago. There's a part of me that's still really uneasy when it comes to Avery but things have been a lot better so, with knees knocking and heart racing, I'm going to go for it.

"Yes, Jax, yes."

There's not space to say anything else. I didn't know he could move so fast but the words barely escape my lips before he's on his feet, pulling me against him tightly. Raining kisses down on my head and then my face as I look up at him. If you're paying to read this story, it's been stolen from the original author, BlueGranite. You can find it for free on 抖阴社区. At some point he remembers this moment comes with an accessory.

"Ah, the ring! Let's see what it looks like on your finger!"

Stepping away just a bit he pulls it out of the vintage ring box. Genuinely stunning me. Made up of a large diamond and surrounding emeralds it actually scares me just a little.

"Jax! It's so unique and beautiful. I was so surprised by your proposal I forgot to look at the ring! This looks like an heirloom. Are you sure you want to entrust me with it?"

His laughter echoes across the yard. "Only you, Tally. Most women in my world base their yes on the ring's appearance. You didn't even notice it. You are unique and beautiful so it's makes perfect sense that you should wear just such a ring. It belonged to my great grandmother and I'm thrilled to place it on your finger. You've made me so happy. I can't wait to start this new year with you as my fiancé.

Before I know it he's clasped my hand in his and I'm racing towards the house with him trying my best to match his long strides. Caught up in the moment. Bursting through the doors he yells, "She said YES!"

The whole room starts cheering and Cece wraps me in her arms welcoming me to the family. It's a glorious kind of chaos for the next few minutes as we're surrounded with affection and excitement. Daphne inspects my ring like she's a professional jeweler in her day job instead of a paralegal. Then pronounces it spectacular. A few family members launch into its history. Honestly, it's all a bit of a haze. In the very best kind of way. I can't remember a time when I felt more joyous.

It's only later that I realize one voice was conspicuously absent. Avery had been at the party when we walked outside to go to the gazebo.

But I never saw her again for the rest of the evening after we returned. Not even to count down into the new year at midnight.

She was just gone. Without a word of congratulations. I could understand her decision to snub me. I'm definitely not her favorite person. However, it's the fact that she chose to ignore Jax that confuses me. He's her co-worker, right? He's her cousin, right? He's one of her closest friends, right? Why wouldn't she want to be a part of such a milestone moment in his life?