"Chris, we're obviously going somewhere really nice. Why didn't you tell me?" Larissa said as he pulled his suit from the backseat.
"Because it's a surprise," he drew out. "Now scoot," he swatted her butt playfully with his free hand. "Mind if I join you in the shower? No offense, but I smell like diner now. No funny business. I promise."
"Pff. Welcome to my world," she mumbled as she walked up the steps to her house.
"Babe, baby," Chris managed to grab her shoulders just as she reached the front door. "Relax," he felt her gradually untense as he rubbed the tension from her.
"What should I wear?" Chris felt like he had heard her ask him that a thousand times before.
"I knew you were going to ask that and I already have it under control...So long as I have permission to go through your closet." Larissa raised an eyebrow at him, but waved her hands at him, signaling it was ok.
"I'm getting in," she replied as she closed her adjoining bathroom door.
Chris got to work. First and foremost, he snuck the ring back into her jewelry box that he had borrowed for sizing. She clearly hardly ever got into the thing. It had been missing for nearly two weeks.
Next, he quickly rifled through the dresses hanging up in her closet.He almost settled for the black one that she had worn on their first formal date until the one hanging next to it caught his eye. He'd never seen her wear it before. It would be absolutely perfect for the occasion and look fantastic on her, though. Chris neatly laid it on her bed, next to his suit.
Last, but not least, he made sure both his wallet and the ring box were secure inside his suit jacket. He got undressed and joined Larissa in the shower.
"I know I promised no funny business, but damn," he growled in her ear as his hands caressed up and down her arms.
"I know, baby, I would love nothing more, but let's wait. I know we're behind. Don't tell me we're not," she sunk back against Chris' chest, letting her head rest on his shoulder for a long moment.
"I know, I know," he tried to keep the whine out of his voice."Let me at least wash you," he soaped up her loofah and began washing her back. "You know. Get you all hot and bothered for later," he teased.
"You're terrible," she giggled.
Their dinner at By the Seashore was delicious and the restaurant quickly became one of their new favorite places to dine at. Best of all, the crowd had started dying down by the time they arrived at8:30. As promised, the maitre d' from earlier in the day had a table waiting for them.
"Are you up for a walk on the beach?" Chris asked as they left the restaurant.
"Mmm," she thought. "As long as we do more sitting than walking. My feet and legs are hurting a little."
"That's fine. Stay right here," Chris held a finger up. "Let me grab something from the car." He jogged off and returned a minute later with a picnic basket carrying a blanket, two candles, a lighter, a bottle of Larissa's favorite Cabernet, two wine glasses,and a bottle opener.
"What's all this?" she asked, looping her arm through his and taking her shoes off as they reached the edge of the sand.
"You'll see soon enough," he looked down at her and kissed her forehead.
Chris and Larissa picked a spot just far away enough that they weren't too close to any other evening beach dwellers and the foot traffic walking along the sand. Chris laid out the blanket from inside the picnic basket and knelt down to set everything else up.
"Sit down," he patted the blanket next to him when he realized Larissa was standing and staring at him.
"What are you up to?" she raised an eyebrow.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd8mJzxJvT
"Don't be difficult. Come sit. I know your feet have to be killing you by now."She finally obliged as Chris opened the bottle of wine and poured two glasses, guided only by the candle light.
"Seriously, Chris. What is all this?" He knew he had to move fast. She was starting to suspect something.
"Cheers," he replied and clinked his glass against hers.
"Are we celebrating something?" Larissa questioned. "Oh! Did you get a new part?"
"I hope so, but no. No new part yet. I did want to ask you something, though."
"Chris?" she cocked her head to the side, confused.
"Larissa," Chris propped himself up on one knee and took her hand in his. "It's only been a few months, but I knew from the moment I met you, you were the one. You're smart, you're funny, you're loving,and beautiful and I can't see myself with anyone else for the rest of my life. You have no idea how much I love you, but I want to spend the rest of my life showing you. Larissa Michelle Olsen, will you give me that opportunity and marry me?" He pulled the ring box from inside his jacket pocket, presenting her with the small gold and white gold ring with a simple heart at the center.
Tears were already rolling down Larissa's cheeks by the end of his short speech. She finally removed her hand from covering her mouth to hold it out for him to slip the ring on.
"Yes," she practically whispered, nodding her head vigorously to make sure he understood. Chris felt a warm wetness stinging the corners of his eyes as he slipped the ring on her shaking hand.
"Whew!" Chris tried to joke to fight the tears off. "That was scary!" They both laughed. He pulled Larissa into an embrace and held her there until the shaking from her shoulders subsided. "I love you so much," he whispered and kissed her forehead. She finally looked up and met his gaze.
"I love you too," she held his face in her small hands. "Is this real?" Larissa spoke quietly, laughing nervously.
"I don't know. I'm starting to wonder that myself since you said 'yes'." Larissa pinched him hard on the stomach through his dress shirt. "Ouch! Ok, ok. It's real!" He grabbed her suddenly,running his hands through her hair and meeting her lips to his own.After who knows how long, a minute or so, probably, in all actuality,one of them realized they were still at the beach.
"Take me back to your house?" Larissa spoke into his mouth.
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