I Don't Believe In Fate

I ducked behind the couch in the large living room, not liking that I wasn't backed up to anything due to Shannon's design. I then heard the door open and I put my hand over my mouth to keep from giggling. He had obviously gotten my note.

"Claire?" Shannon called out. "Babe? Where are you?"

I remained silent, knowing he was trying to lure me from my hiding spot. At this point, I knew him pretty well and could almost guarantee that he had the nerf gun I had left for him on the porch with the foam ammunition I had also graciously provided. He wasn't going to win that easily.

"Oh, really?" he continued. "Not even gonna come out for me? Your super hot and amazing boyfriend?"

I rolled my eyes before I could help myself at his attempt to cheat at our game. It was becoming customary for him to get home on Friday to something new and fun for us to do. Most of the time it had been pretty tame, but tonight I decided I was going to play a little game to decide who made dinner. I knew we'd both end up the kitchen together anyway, but with how much he'd been working lately it would be nice for us to unwind. I cocked the plastic gun in my hand and stood up quickly. He had his back to me and I was able to get one clean shot at him before disappearing again.

"Fuck," he said. "Where the hell did you go?"

I crawled on my hands and knees, making sure to stay out of his line of sight and keep as quiet as possible. Shannon walked dangerously close and I wondered if he saw me for a second before he went in the direction of our bedroom. I couldn't help the giggle that left my lips that time and he turned around when he heard me. I slapped a hand over my mouth and he headed right back toward me.

"Who knew my girlfriend was such a sneaky little thing?" He said, chuckling as he stood over me and shot me a couple of times.
I took off running through the house, clutching my fake weapon, laughing loudly with the sound bouncing off the walls. He was right on my heels as I rounded a corner and ended up in the formal dining area.

I stopped, realizing he was across the table from me and would catch me no matter which direction I tried to run. Pointing the bright orange and blue gun at me, his lips curled into a sinister smile. "I got you right where I want you, hands up!" Sure that he would be victorious, he grinned. "Did you really think that you'd get away from me?"

I dropped the toy to the floor and raised my arms in the air. "Yes, I did. You wouldn't really shoot me, would you?"

He laughed, "Depends, what are we playing for tonight?"

Cocking my head to the side, I winked at him. "Probably not what you're thinking, perv."

He lowered his gun and frowned. "How do you know what I was thinking? Maybe it was something innocent, like a back massage or breakfast in bed tomorrow morning."

"Actually, it is. The loser has to make dinner for the winner."

I slowly walked toward him, unarmed and with my hands raised to chest level. Once I was close enough, I pushed the nerf gun away, so that it wasn't aimed at me. Sliding my arms around his waist, I nuzzled his neck with delicate kisses.

Tingles of desire spread throughout my body as he raised one hand and cradled the back of my neck. Tilting my head upward, I knew that he was totally unprepared for what was coming next. I snatched the toy gun from his hand and backed up.

"You forgot one thing Mr. Cocky, never let your guard down." I said with a laugh. Shooting a styrofoam bullet at him, I arrogantly declared victory. "I won and you lost! Get that sexy ass in the kitchen and make my dinner!"

He shook his head and scratched his chin. "You cheated and I will get you back." He promised, walking into the kitchen.

"It wasn't cheating. I was just using all the weapons at my disposal." I answered, following behind him and leaning against the counter.

"So, you're just gonna sit there and watch me? Like a lazy bum?"

"First, wine. Then yes, I'm gonna be the laziest bum you've ever seen."

He laughed as I walked toward the wine fridge. As I bent down, he gave a playful tap to my butt as I bent over to pick out my favorite. I pulled it out, inspecting the label, and gave him a look before heading back to the counter.

Shannon had his tongue out slightly as he concentrated on adding the different ingredients to his signature dish. I smiled as I watched him carefully, unable to tear my eyes from his gorgeous face.

When I noticed he was almost done, I headed to the table to set it for two. I placed all the appropriate silverware around the plates and headed back to glasses just as headed toward the room with the food. I came back with the crystal and found him already eating.

"Wow, babe, couldn't even wait, huh?"

He smirked at me and rolled his eyes before pointing for me to join him. I did so quickly and moaned appreciatively at the food. He smiled at me, mouth full of food, before swallowing hard.

"Listen, I need to ask you a question... or tell you something. No, ask," he stuttered.

"Shannon, you okay?" I asked, giggling at his nervousness.

"Yeah, umm, I wanted to ask you if... Well, I know that we didn't start off on the best terms and I know for a while, you didn't really know where you stood and I didn't either and..."

I reached my hand across the table with one hand and took a sip of my wine with the other. Whatever the was trying to get out was hard for him, but I knew whatever it was we could handle together. I nodded my head for him to continue and he didn't look like he wanted to at first.

"Babe?" I asked.

He held his finger up and started to pull something out of his pocket. I gave him a questioning look, trying to see what he was looking for. He finally put his closed hand on the table between us both, slowly opening it up. I gasped when I saw a tiny, velvet box there. I looked into his face to verify I wasn't imagining it.

"It's not an engagement ring. Not yet," he corrected my assumptions. "I want you to know, though, just how much I love you. How much I need you. I don't want to lose you."

He took a deep breathe as he kept up his speech. "Now, I don't think either of us is really ready to get married yet, but I will be. One day. And I want it to be you. Nobody else."

He propped open the little box and inside was a simple silver band. He pulled it out and held out his other hand for me to put mine in. I placed my shaking hand in his as he slipped the promise ring on my finger.

"I love you," I blurted out.

"I love you too, babe," he chuckled.

-The End-