A Life Plan Without You.

by Christine Wood

  “I just hope they didn’t hear us angel, we were a little erg vocal, but I really, really loved everything we did, I love you Sam, so much.” He smiled and scooped me into his arms.

  “Your mine Michelle, all mine forever, I loved everything we did and I get the feeling how your feeling, is exactly how it should be. Both of us happy and I can honestly say that felt like my first time too, I’m a loved up fool and feeling the happiest I have ever been, I feel amazing and so damn lucky to have you and I mean to have a heck of a lot more of you. I felt so close to you, as I took your gift and taking you was amazing, but I’m sure you lied Mi cielo I hurt you didn’t I?” I smiled and held his face in my hands he leant down for a kiss, whoosh the feelings that shot through my body can you have a cold and a hot sweat at the same time? The tingles as his lips touched mine, his hands around my waist and kissing me.

  “Yes Sam it did, if you knew how much angel you would have stopped, it was the worst pain ever, but as we carried on it was unreal the feelings were out of this world. I loved every single minute of what we did and I will always remember it angel, always. It was better than anything we have ever done, had done or will ever do again, memorable and wonderful, do you know how much I love you, how much I will always love you?” He kissed me again as I sobbed into his shirt, like a bloody big girl. He laughed and kissed me then wiped away the tears.

  “I knew it was hurting you. I love you; I know I tell you all the time, but I can’t live without you. Not now, not ever, your mine and I’m yours and wow that sounded so, over the top but it’s how I feel. I will kill to keep you and die without you Michelle you are perfect in every way for me. Can we go back to bed? Have you recovered enough yet?”

  “No, my doodah is still sore it may need some cream for rubbing in it you may have broken it.” He laughed.

  “I may have broken something and I’m not sure if that’s repairable, but umm rubbing in creams. That sounds like it could be fun.”

  “Sam, hells teeth your incorrigible, when did they get home and how much did they hear?” He was checking his wallet and smiling.

  “They had a lot to drink last night and they came in about five, together and falling all over the place, apparently they went to a party with Jenny. Jimmy said it was at a caravan park. When I looked in on them, they were fast asleep and snoring, before I woke you again. It looks like they had a good night and it turned out to be quite an engagement party of sort’s Mi cielo.” They had been to a gathering at Dah’s, an honour, indeed.

  “You have to ask Dad if you can put a ring on it.” I laughed at the thought. He kissed me again to stop me talking. He looked so nervous. “Don’t worry we can elope if he says no.” He still looked pale.

  “It’s going to be fine he knows I’m asking you, I just figured do it right. I told him when you had that flip out with Fat Pat that I intend to ask you to marry me, when I told him we had decided that this weekend would be the one, I hadn’t broken my promise, though I still half expected my legs broken, but he said you knew what you wanted and it was up to you and me to decide. I did prove we were serious by asking him Mi cielo, but now actually asking him and it’s finally happening, it makes me feel sick thinking that he will say no.”

  “Sam you will be fine, stop worrying he actually likes you a lot. Come on let’s get this damn perfect ring found fiancé, does it have to be expensive?” I pulled him up, kissing him, I let out a sigh as he pulled me closer my arms flaying at my sides, as if it was our first kiss again...

  “Damn expensive Michelle, expensive and jaw dropping but only one that you like. Stop worrying if I couldn't afford it I wouldn't be buying it.”

  “You can change your mind now you’ve had your wicked way with me. I promise I will pick one that I like and whatever the cost, whether it be cheap or expensive you let me have that one, deal?” I didn’t want him to dump me not after last night, no I wanted more lots more, every step I took reminded me of what we did last night and I smiled. He was grinning and looking pleased with himself. He had every reason to smile. He did as he always says, he rocked my world last night and well he did change my world last night.

  “Oh really fiancée? I may need to think about that option, now I have had the best sex ever with the girl I have loved for months. Let me think about that for a while.” He ordered a taxi and as we waited for it, Kim came in.

  “Afternoon, are you two off somewhere? You look very nice in that dress by the way Michelle.” She was still very drunk from the night before.

  “Thank you and Kimbo where have you been? You’re a tad late in getting back. We are going to shop for an engagement ring.” She laughed.

  “Nick knows how to party. Mother? You have lost weight and wow you look like our Michelle too. What your actually letting him buy you one? Oh, I must be drunker than I thought. Wake me up and show me what you picked, I’m off tomorrow for the festival season, so I will see you when I get back and you better pick a nice one, he can afford it and you there better be a proper knee drop Samuel or I will be angry, and I want details, all of them the good the bad and the mucky, you two finally did the thing didn’t you?

  Both of you were doing my tree in… I thought you would never get it done, but no you two are all about bloody drama, still makes for some good tales to tell the kids. I need you to have loads seeing as I’m never having any, work on a couple for me to spoil, oh my head. Expensive ring and jaw dropping Michelle, and something to match those eyes, and shush he can afford it, he’s dead rich…” She laughed said goodbye and went to bed. The taxi was here and we got in.

  “Drop us of at the top cinema please. I’ve thought about it and no you’re just mine Mi cielo, just mine and for oh I don’t know? How does always and forever sound, too long? It's a deal with the ring too, whichever you want from the jewellers I pick.” We headed for Distinct Jewellers; damn he’d picked this jeweller because none of their window jewellery had prices on them. Very clever Sam, but that also meant that this was a very expensive jewellery store. My other ring was in the window too how much had he already spent on me already?

  “Right rules are Michelle, it has to be a ring you really want, as there are no prices on the rings, so you pick the ring you like.” I must be the only girl in the world who doesn’t want an engagement ring. I loved the one I had.

  “Alright, but nothing really big or I don’t look.” We window-shopped first and I saw a nice one and I pointed to it. He noted the tray number and we went in, holding me tightly. Smiling as he looked at the assistant.

  “Nice to see you again Sir, what can I do for you today?” Had everything he got me come from here? I looked around, as Sam was about to tell them the tray number, my locket was how much? Shit this was an expensive store, I suddenly felt ill, and Sam saw my face and held me tighter.

  “Can we look at the rings on tray twelve please?” I reluctantly looked at the one I liked and two others, both nice and to die for. The choice was between these three. I had my finger measured and the one I liked initially was the one that would fit. Fate had decided which it would be.

  “Congratulations you have excellent taste, Madam. This is a stunning piece, it really is, it’s a deep blue cushion cut sapphire, surrounded by pave set diamonds, oh what a ring. The pave diamonds are wrapped in platinum, and descend to each side of the ring, its slightly elevated here, to complement the snug fit to any additional rings you may need to wear against it, it’s truly a beautiful ring.” The sales assistant smiled as he described it. “There is a haze of lilac, which also runs through it. This is a rare sapphire and a quality gem, an heirloom any family would welcome into their collection.” I smiled. Sam said it matched my eyes as I picked it, it was a beautiful ring and it looked so very nice on my finger, as soon as Sam slipped it on I fell in love with it; damn the cost this was a stunning ring and it was mine.

  I took it off, giving it back to the assistant as I did I smiled. Then he hit Sam with the price and I died who was I kidding saying damn the cost, oh heck?
Sam was busy paying for it and smiling at my choice, I nudged his arm and signalled to the seat outside, I went to get some air that had cost a small fortune and he didn’t flinch. I needed to sit down, I wanted the one I had on already, which was now been relegated back to the other hand, with Emma’s ring. I watched through the window, as he handed his card over and paid for it. He was in there a while longer, he was looking at other things in there and his card was handed over again, he came out smiling.

  “What else did you buy Sam?” He got down on one knee and opened the box. A beautiful pave set diamond and sapphire eternity ring. It perfectly matched the ring I had chosen and was in the same platinum as my engagement ring. It took my breath away, everyone was watching in the square.

  “Will you please marry me Michelle Welles?” I nodded my head and he got up kissing me.

  “Yes, yes, yes, oh definitely yes Sam. You normally give these when you actually get married or have children or something special. What are you like?” He smiled, as half of Stockton had seen him on his knee asking me. I quickly pulled him to my lips again kissing him.

  “You gave me that something special last night. The best gift ever, you gave yourself to me baby and this means always and forever to me, your mine for an eternity Michelle.” I cried and wrapped my arms around him.

  “You are without a doubt the best thing ever in my life, and you are spoiling me Sam and you don’t need to, really you don’t need to but thank you these are really beautiful.” He put on my engagement ring and then my eternity ring. They looked nice together. He smiled and I cried.

  “Well, we just need the other ring and we’re done. Michelle let’s get a drink to celebrate and then I go ask your dad’s permission.” I’ve been his since the first kiss, who was he trying to kid? I’m also thinking he will need more than one for that bit. We were having our drinks in, The Frog, when Zoë and Andy walked in he was grinning and she had a smile all over her face.

  “We have had a great day. Michelle, Sam you’ll be the first to know, we are getting married.” She flashed her ring at me; they had got engaged too, given the chilly reception at the family meal, their engagement came as a big surprise to me and judging from the look on Sam’s face his too.

  “Aw that’s really nice, very pretty.” I kissed her and got up to kiss Andy, in doing so I hid my rings from Andy. Sam noticed what I’d done. I leaned over and kissed him, telling him I didn't want to upset Zoë. “Mine are a lot nicer, and they got in first.” He laughed and gave me a kiss, as we listened to their plans, we were still in loved up mode and we were both on a sex craved high and wanting more.

  “We are going to elope to Gretna in a few weeks.” I laughed and Zoë looked upset.

  “No, no, Zoë, it’s just Sam is asking Dad’s permission today and if he says no, we joked about doing the same first thing this morning, really we did.” I excused myself I needed the toilet and Zoë came with me.

  “Sorry that sounded rude laughing at you, but we did actually say if Dad says no were doing it anyway.” She caught a glimpse of my rings and grabbed my hand.

  “Michelle they are lovely, why did you hide them and why have you got two?” I blushed.

  “Well, you came in with your good news, and I didn’t want to spoil your special day. I got the other ring because, well Sam said we were going to be together for always and forever, I said that it sounded like an eternity so, well he bought me an eternity ring too he’s such a soppy sod.” I wasn’t that into her knowing we had spent a whole night having mind-blowing sex, and it was his thank you gift, in exchange for my gift. We got back to the table and I was ordered to show my rings to Andy!

  “Welcome to the family little sis, did you put out then Sam, because that grin you both have is not just a we got engaged look, that’s a we’ve done the do look?”

  “Andrew Todd, you shouldn’t say things like that! Fancy asking if we had mind blowing sex straight out like that and trying to embarrass your little sister, but yeah he got over those obstacles he had and more than made up for the wait, didn’t you angel?”

  “Oh hell you didn’t just tell my brother what we did hell I listened and I know you did, you two drive me potty, and yes thank you we had a very nice time Andy a very nice time indeed! Now I have to go ask for permission for her to wear the rings she picked out, oh hell excuse me please?” After Sam threw up yet again with the worry that was eating away at him we left them to it and went to get the task done. We were outside my house in what seemed no time at all.

  “Right, he’s not in so we will ask tomorrow. Please don’t worry either way I’m marrying you.” We walked in to be greeted by Gramps.

  “Hello you two where have you been? We got here yesterday and expected to see you this morning.” I kissed Gramps.

  “I would have come home, if I’d have known you were coming. We’ve had a couple of days at Sam’s Auntie’s house, what are you doing here then?” We went to sit in the front room.

  “We came for a look at a few more houses and to tell your Dad that Faye’s, getting married at Christmas, and we have been asked to go. I want to go, but Grandma doesn’t want to fly and I don’t want to sail, not all that way.” I explained to Sam, that Faye was one of my three cousins in Australia.

  “They emigrated when I was little with my Uncle James and Aunty Hannah and my other cousins, the twins Hayley and Louise. So why don’t you want to fly Grams? I’ll come with you if she doesn’t go Gramps.” She shuffled off into the kitchen.

  “She will go she will love it just book and she will go. Especially now that I’ve said I’ll go.” He laughed because he knew I was right.

  “You can come too, if you want my love. I was going to ask if you wanted to anyway. I know you write every week to the girls, they’d love for all the family to be there but alas the cost is way more than I can afford, until we find the house, besides your dad is like his mother and doesn’t fancy the flight and your siblings don’t want to fly either!” I looked at Sam, whose eyes rose.

  “Gramps, as lovely as that idea is I'll be busy at university and Christmas is their busiest time in the restaurants on campus; well they were in college, besides I am spending Christmas with Sam and his family this year, especially if you’re not here!” I held on tightly to Sam’s hand, our first Christmas is not being spent apart.

  “Is Dad in Gramps? We have something to ask him.”

  “No, he’s not come back from work yet. He’s doing a bit of overtime and your Mum's just popped to the shop for milk.” He looked over at Sam and back to me.

  “What have you done my lad?” I smiled as Sam looked like he was going to hurl again, was it that big a deal?

  “Sam wanted to ask and do it the right way. I didn’t know you would be here to ask too. Sam went pale and rushed to the toilet again; heck it seems it is a big deal for poor Sam! “He seems to think Dad’s going to say no, he’s already said it was up to me.” He smiled, poor Sam knew he would be all right, but it was the actual asking was killing him.

  “I think it’s a lovely ring Missy.” He was looking at it when Grandma came in, and she nearly fell over her tongue when she saw them.

  “My word that lad spends money on you girl.” She looked a little puzzled about the eternity ring though.

  “He said if I married him it was for always and forever, an eternity, so he bought me this one too.” Gramps looked at me and smiled as she fingered the truly beautiful pair of rings sat proudly on my finger. I think I'm going to have to explain the reason for having two rings a lot.

  “Does he love my little girl, as much as she loves him, then?” Sam came back in, as the question was asked about him, his arms locking me to him and kissing my neck he at last smiled, he knew Gramps didn’t look too worried.

  “I love her and more than I can explain in just words, but I can promise you to look after her forever. She means everything to me and I promise she will want for nothing, Mr Welles.” I smiled, because Gramps was shaking his hand, Sam didn't know it, bu
t he had been pre-approved.

  “Good enough for me that lad, I need to know she’s going to be looked after. She is very important to me, I think you can call me Jim or Gramps whichever you’d prefer. It’s a bit formal Mr Welles lad.” He told Gramps he would do everything he could to make me happy, as if he didn’t do that already. Mum came back from the shop with milk.

  “Argh your back, we were beginning to think you’d left home for good.” I smiled at her, sooner than you think mum.

  “I told Becky I would be back today did you not remember Kelly is having her party tonight?” Grandma was busy pointing her finger at mine, towards mum.

  “Oh and I have been given these by Sam. We’re here so he can ask Dad again now I have said yes.” I showed her my rings.

  “Sam, those are very pretty and so nice. Michelle, again he’s spoilt you. Dad won’t object at all he likes Sam.” I smiled everyone likes Sam. Mum put the kettle on and we sat talking about Australia. Dad rolled in about half an hour later. He’d actually been working.

  “Hello you, decided to make an appearance then, phone you’re Aunty if you’re not coming home please?” I smiled as dad roughed my hair up.

  “We have had a busy couple of day’s Dad, I’m sorry but I told Becks I would be home today so did she not tell you?” He shook his head, that little cow I will kill her. He sat down and mum brought him a drink, Sam’s hand was clammy and he was coughing after which Sam asked dad straight out.

  “Michael, do you think, I erg we, hell… Do you think I could ask you if it would be all right to marry Michelle, please?” Dad smiled.

  “Can you provide her a home and see to her needs? I need to know you’re financially sound and she will be safe.” I gave my dad the dirtiest of looks.

  “I can actually, and we are looking at a place Monday, near my Aunts. She will want for nothing. If she needs it she will have it.” He looked over to Gramps.