I Asked her Hand, Thrice
Once upon a time, we lay together, imagining our future.
I laid out the foundation of a beautiful white apartment, with a cat and a dog to welcome us home. I'd set off to work in the morning, and you would give me a smooch on the lips. Later in the day, you'd set off to your work, something to do with the children you love. Perhaps a nursery, a kindergarten.
Later that evening, I would return home to prepare dinner, and clean any leftover mess. I'd set a romantic table, candles alight, and our chairs pushed close together. When you got back from work, I'd welcome you into my arms, with a heartfelt kiss, and serve your dinner aussitôt séance.
We'd eat, legs pressed against one another, and complain about our days. Warming in our companionship with one another, giving each other sloppy kisses to tease.
Finishing my repertoire of a day in our lives, I asked you then, if one day, possibly, you might marry me. You smiled, laughed a little, and said maybe.
***
It was cold that night, when we sat on the stairs. Tears had dried on the skin of your cheeks, and my sniffles became background accompaniment.
We'd just finished another marathon crying session, where I was sulking at you, and you sulking at me. And we cried and made up. And cried again, and kissed again. And hugged till we wouldn't let each other go.
I forget, as I always do, the topics that we cried about. All of them are overshadowed by the happiness in our lives. All I remember saying that night, was our wedding vows.
Will you marry me, Gill?
For richer or poorer,
In sickness and in health,
Through the laughter and the tears,
When there are ten screaming kids in the way,
For both of us to learn and live,
Will you hold my hand,
Till death do us part?
You said 'I do' then, to our mock ceremonial wedding. We laughed, and called one another wife. But was it real? Or were we playing as children doth play? Was it to ease the pain of our hearts, and re-affirm our love? Or a true commitment, between my heart and yours? I know my heart burst with joy, when you said 'I do'. But back then, I couldn't be sure how yours felt.
***
And now, a few months later, you've been my fiancé for a week. I don't even know how to use that word, but I know this. I am promised to you, as you are promised to me.
I rolled over in bed, and lay on top of you to ask, "Will you marry me?"
You took a minute to look into my eyes, search my soul as only yours can. And with all the seriousness and joy in the world, your eyes sparked, the corners of your mouth turned up, and you said "Yes".
When we are richer, we will buy a twin set of diamond rings. One for you, and one for me. I love you Gill.
-Jacqueline
I laid out the foundation of a beautiful white apartment, with a cat and a dog to welcome us home. I'd set off to work in the morning, and you would give me a smooch on the lips. Later in the day, you'd set off to your work, something to do with the children you love. Perhaps a nursery, a kindergarten.
Later that evening, I would return home to prepare dinner, and clean any leftover mess. I'd set a romantic table, candles alight, and our chairs pushed close together. When you got back from work, I'd welcome you into my arms, with a heartfelt kiss, and serve your dinner aussitôt séance.
We'd eat, legs pressed against one another, and complain about our days. Warming in our companionship with one another, giving each other sloppy kisses to tease.
Finishing my repertoire of a day in our lives, I asked you then, if one day, possibly, you might marry me. You smiled, laughed a little, and said maybe.
***
It was cold that night, when we sat on the stairs. Tears had dried on the skin of your cheeks, and my sniffles became background accompaniment.
We'd just finished another marathon crying session, where I was sulking at you, and you sulking at me. And we cried and made up. And cried again, and kissed again. And hugged till we wouldn't let each other go.
I forget, as I always do, the topics that we cried about. All of them are overshadowed by the happiness in our lives. All I remember saying that night, was our wedding vows.
Will you marry me, Gill?
For richer or poorer,
In sickness and in health,
Through the laughter and the tears,
When there are ten screaming kids in the way,
For both of us to learn and live,
Will you hold my hand,
Till death do us part?
You said 'I do' then, to our mock ceremonial wedding. We laughed, and called one another wife. But was it real? Or were we playing as children doth play? Was it to ease the pain of our hearts, and re-affirm our love? Or a true commitment, between my heart and yours? I know my heart burst with joy, when you said 'I do'. But back then, I couldn't be sure how yours felt.
***
And now, a few months later, you've been my fiancé for a week. I don't even know how to use that word, but I know this. I am promised to you, as you are promised to me.
I rolled over in bed, and lay on top of you to ask, "Will you marry me?"
You took a minute to look into my eyes, search my soul as only yours can. And with all the seriousness and joy in the world, your eyes sparked, the corners of your mouth turned up, and you said "Yes".
When we are richer, we will buy a twin set of diamond rings. One for you, and one for me. I love you Gill.
-Jacqueline
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