by A'zayler
“Oh my God!” Rain squealed and held the box close to her chest. “My baby is about to propose!” She smiled at all of the clothes in his closet.
She was so high, she couldn’t think of anything else she wanted to do at that moment, but smile. She sat on the floor staring at the ring for another few minutes before it dawned on her to try it on. She wiggled it out of the box before sliding it on her finger.
“Ooooo my God!” she yelled.
It looked even better on her finger than it had in the box. Rain jumped to her feet and took off running down the stairs. She grabbed her purse from the floor and ran back to their room. Instead of sitting on the bed like a normal person, Rain ran back into the closet and sat down in her same spot. She pulled her cellphone out of her purse and dialed Summer.
“Bitccchhhhhh!” Rain screamed, as soon as Summer answered.
“What girl? What is wrong with you?” Summer’s tone was urgent.
“Call Alex on three way, so I can tell y’all at the same time.”
Summer sucked her teeth. “I need to punch you in the mouth, yelling like that. Had me thinking something was wrong with you. Hold on.”
The attitude in Summer’s voice was so funny because Rain could understand why she was angry. She hated when people called her phone like it was something wrong. It always got her worked up for nothing, and she hated that. She laughed to herself when she thought about how Summer must have felt.
“Rain?”
“Yeah?”
“Okay. He on here.”
“Didn’t I just drop you off?” Alex asked.
“I’m getting married y’all.”
They all screamed at the same time.
“Love in the Club asked you to marry him?” Alex asked.
“Well, no, not yet. I was hanging his clothes up and found the ring in his pocket.”
“Oh my goodness. You’ll ruin anything.” Summer laughed.
“Shut up. It ain’t like I went looking for it. I was cleaning up and it fell out.”
“I bet you got it on too, don’t you?” Alex made Rain scream again.
“Yes, bitch, I do!”
“Well, congratulations prematurely, since he hasn’t really asked you yet,” Summer chimed in.
“Man, whatever. He ain’t got to ask. I’m about to call him and scream yes as soon as he answers.”
Alex cut her off. “Oh Lord. Don’t do that. Let the boy ask you.”
“Nope. We already talked about it before. I told him yes then, so he should already know.”
“You are so tacky if you mess up that boy’s proposal.”
Rain rolled her eyes at Summer. She really rolled them at her and Alex because they were killing her excitement. True enough, he hadn’t really asked yet, but he was going to. They were already halfway down the aisle, in her opinion.
“I should have never called y’all.”
Summer sighed. “Rain, we’re not telling you not to be happy. Hell, we’re both happy for you. All we’re saying is let him ask you. He might have something extravagant planned, and you’re going to mess it up.”
“Has he asked y’all to help him already?”
“No,” they both said.
“Well then, it can’t be too extravagant. I’ll call y’all back in a minute.”
“Please tell me you’re not about to call that boy?” Alex asked.
“Well then, I won’t tell you. Bye.” Rain hung up on both of them and dialed Love’s number.
In another world where she hadn’t just stumbled upon the prettiest ring she’d ever seen intended for her by the man of her dreams, then she probably wouldn’t have called, but this wasn’t that world. Right now she was excited and all she wanted to do was talk to him.
“What’s going on, baby doll?”
“Yes, Dakota! Yes! Yes! Yes!” She was sure to burst his eardrum as loud as she was yelling into the phone.
“Yes, what, Rain?” Love was laughing.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He was still laughing. “Man, I ain’t even asked your ass nothing yet.”
“You don’t have to. I found my ring, it’s on my finger, I love it, and I’m going to marry you.”
“How you find it?”
Rain scooted down on the floor so that she was now lying on her back, and held her hand up in the air so she could admire her ring.
“I was cleaning up and it fell out of your pocket.”
His tone was calm and nonchalant. Rain was glad she’d called him. Summer and Alex didn’t know him like she did. He was always so laidback. She had known before she called that he wouldn’t be mad at her for ruining his surprise.
“So you gon marry me?”
“Yesssssssss,” she sang happily.
“I can’t believe you called me and said yes when I ain’t even asked you yet.” he laughed. “This some crazy shit, Rain, baby.”
“I know, but I feel so happy. I just want you. I want you right now. Like just to be here with me. I love you. This is the best I’ve felt in weeks, and it’s because of you. It’s always you, Dakota.” Her voice was much quieter now as she thought about him.
“It’s always you too, baby. Always.”
“Good. So when we getting married?”
“Damn, you ain’t playing, huh?”
“Nope. I would say let’s go today, but I know you have to work.”
She could hear movement on his end before she heard his voice again. “Give me a time and place, baby.”
“As soon as you leave the fire station in the morning. Let’s go to the courthouse.”
“You don’t want a wedding?”
Rain shook her head. “No. I just want you.”
“Then I’ll be there, baby. With a fucking sign around my neck.”
Rain giggled in excitement. “Oh man, I love you so much.”
“I know you do. Send me a picture of your ring on your finger.”
Rain told him to hold on while she snapped the picture and sent it to him. She knew he’d gotten it when he started laughing again.
“I can’t believe you dun took your ass and proposed to your own damn self.”
They shared a brief laugh as they both looked at the ring on her finger; hers in real life, while his was a picture.
“So? I was just helping you out.”
“Well thank you. I wish I could get me a kiss right now or something to seal the deal.”
“Me too, but I’m carless.”
“Have your boy bring you up here. I want to see you.”
Rain got quiet. Every time she thought about going to his job, she thought about her accident and losing her baby.
“Aye, you dun fucked up my proposal, so you owe me.”
Rain rolled her eyes. “I guess. Let me call him and see what he says.”
“Hurry up before I send one of these fire trucks after your ass.”
Rain was in pure bliss as she hung up with him and called Alex back. When he answered and told her he was on his way, she jumped up to get dressed. She threw her little dress back on and brushed her hair again. It was still wrapped in her ball, but she was cute. She was so anxious to get to Love that she was out of the house and sitting on the porch before Alex even got there.
Rain was up and halfway to the truck before he could tell her to come on. She hopped into the front seat and pushed her hand into his face.
“Oh shit. I see why you had to hurry and call him. This ring is bigger than your whole body.”
“I told you. He said he’s going to meet me at the courthouse in the morning.”
Alex turned in his seat. “You’re not going to have a wedding?”
Rain shook her head. “No. I just want him and that’s it. Nothing else matters.”
Alex playfully held onto his heart. “Aww.”
Rain told him all about her conversation with Love as they drove. All of his feedback and enthusiasm about it only made her even more excited. By the time they pulled into Love’s job, she was j
ust as hype as she had been when she’d first found the ring. Her smile was a mile wide as she checked her face in the mirror.
“Do I need to wait on you?”
“No. I’ll just drive his truck home.”
Alex stretched his arms out to hug her. They embraced tightly as he told her how much he loved her and how happy he was for her. Rain kissed his cheek and told him to wipe his eyes before exiting his truck. She was out and walking up the sidewalk when she saw Love coming from the back of the building.
She couldn’t even stop herself. She took off running and hopped on him. He caught her and held her up. Rain’s long legs were wrapped around his waist as he hugged her to his chest. It was as if neither of them cared that she was wearing a dress. Although Love’s hands were pressed against the thin lace of her panties and lightly brushing against her skin, her dress was the last thing on his mind.
“You ain’t even tell me you was coming.”
“I forgot.” Rain squeezed his neck tighter.
Love walked them to the outside of the building and tried to stand her up on her feet, but she held on. Her head shook from side to side as she maintained her position wrapped around his body.
“You want to stay like this?” he spoke into her neck.
“Forever.”
Love leaned her back against the outside wall of his fire station and held her up by her butt. “I dun fucked around and made your ass fall in love.”
“Yep, you have.”
He laughed. “Well, I can understand all of that because I’m a lovable ass nigga. But you’re going to have to get your ass down. I’m at work. You got your legs wrapped around me and shit. Got people riding by looking like we’re running some kind of good time show or some shit.”
Rain’s forehead fell against his shoulder. “A good time house? For real, Dakota?”
Love released her legs and slid her down the front of his body. “Yeah, for real. Your fast ass out here jumping on me in this dress.”
“Whatever.” She pushed his face softly away from hers.
He leaned right back down and kissed her eyes, before kissing her lips. He grabbed her chin in one hand and lifted her head so that her mouth was waiting for his. A moan escaped her lips as he gripped the side of her body. Her tongue intertwined with his as the passion they felt for the other swirled between their mouths.
Rain’s eyes opened slowly as she pulled away from him. “All of your co-workers are going to think your wife is a hoe.”
Love shrugged and kissed around her neck. “So. She my hoe.”
“You play too much.” Rain was all smiles as his hands held onto both sides of her body. “So, does that kiss seal the deal?”
“Hell yeah. As far as I’m concerned we ain’t even got to go to the courthouse now. We already married.” Love grabbed her hand and held it up.
Rain smiled again when the sun caught her ring and it shined. She squealed in excitement and he laughed at her.
“You wilding the fuck out, girl.”
“Nah, that’s you. Proposing to me and stuff.”
“Actually, you proposed to yourself, but I agreed, so fuck it.” Love’s freshly twisted hair and smile had Rain feeling like the luckiest woman alive.
“I am so in love, boy.”
“Me too, girl.” he mimicked her wording.
“How long you staying?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I just figured until I was ready to leave. I mean I know I can’t stay all day, but I was going to chill for a minute.”
“Come on. That’s cool.” Love grabbed her hand and pulled her into the building behind him.
Rain looked around, smiling at everybody as they walked to the back room. She was familiar with the route they were taking because she’d taken it so many times, but for some reason this time felt different. Maybe it was because she was his girlfriend that time and now she was practically his wife.
“Sit right here. I’m about to go let these niggas know that I’m about to be married as fuck.”
Rain fell over on the sofa smiling. She pulled her phone from her purse and was scrolling to Summer’s number when the loud bell went off throughout the building. Rain covered her ears and jumped from the sofa. She grabbed her purse and was heading out of the door when she bumped into Love’s chest.
“You got to go, baby.”
“I know. Where are your keys?”
Love walked past her and to the counter behind the sofa. He grabbed his key ring and tossed it to her before running back past her.
“I love you. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
Rain stood in the door with stars in her eyes. Her man was so sexy with his life saving ass. With the keys in her hand, she walked past all of them, headed for his truck. Once she was settled in, she sped off and headed for Summer’s house. It was a little after five in the afternoon, so she should have been home for a while now.
Wind blew through her hair as she drove with the windows down. The light breeze blowing against her skin was just what she’d needed. She hadn’t driven herself anywhere since her accident, and surprisingly she felt all right. Music flowed in her ears as she looked around. She gathered all kinds of simple inspiration for her next book as she made her way to her sister’s house.
Rain was so caught up doing nothing that she hadn’t even thought to call Summer to make sure she was home. Though she should have been, ever since Jacorey had gotten his surgery she would go to his house to make him dinner before going home. Rain had no idea why Jacorey hadn’t gotten enough sense to make Summer his girlfriend yet, but whatever.
When Love’s truck turned into Summer’s apartment complex she saw her car immediately. Rain breathed a sigh of relief because she would have been too mad had she driven all the way over there for nothing. She parked Love’s truck right next to Summer’s car and killed the engine.
Rain was up the stairs and knocking on the door in no time. She could hear Summer yelling for her to hold on. When she opened the door she was in some shorts and a tank top. Her hair was all down with the front pushed back.
“What you doing here Mrs. Love in the Club?”
“I came to show you my ring, of course.” Rain held her hand up as she walked in the door.
“Ooohh bitch! I see why you couldn’t wait to put it on.”
“Ain’t it big?”
“Honey, big ain’t the word. Firefighters make money like that?” Summer’s eyebrows were frowned as she observed her sister’s ring.
Rain laughed and pulled her hand away. “They make good enough.”
“Clearly, bitch. Clearly.” Summer’s sarcasm was obvious as she walked back toward the kitchen.
Rain followed her, sniffing the aroma of the food. “You cooking?”
“Yeah. Jacorey’s on his way over here.”
“I should have known. Your ass has been acting like Aunt Jemima since he had that surgery.”
“I got to make sure that fool eats right. If not, he might kill himself, and I don’t have the time.”
“I know that’s right. Because we all know you’re the first person he’s going to call when they cart his butt off to the emergency room.”
Summer nodded. “Bump that, I’ma be the first person he calls period. He’ll call me then I’ll have to call the ambulance for him.”
Rain and Summer laughed as Summer took the baked fish from the oven. “He called me earlier talking about what’s for dinner?”
“You got him spoiled, Summer.”
“I know, and the sad part about that is the nigga don’t even belong to me.”
Rain scooted down in the chair. “Yeah, he kind of does. You know y’all friend zone ain’t like everybody else’s.” Rain made air quotations with her fingers.
Summer couldn’t even do anything but smile. She knew Rain was right, just like she knew Jacorey was spoiled.
“So when’s the big day?” Summer fixed two plates and brought them into the dining room.
“Tomorrow. We’re
going to the courthouse as soon as he gets off from work.”
Summer stopped in her tracks and looked at Rain. “You for real?”
Rain nodded.
“What made you want to do that?”
“Because all I want is him. Everything else is cool, but he is seriously like the only thing that I want. I don’t care about no wedding or nothing else like that. Just him and me.”
“Awwwwwwww Rain.” Summer plopped down in the chair next to her. “I want me a husband.”
“You have to get you a boyfriend first, my girl.” Rain closed her eyes as she stuck the fish and rice into her mouth. “Oh my God, Summer. I was starving.”
“You’re welcome.” She began eating too. “So Love wasn’t mad that you ruined the surprise?”
“No, he was laughing actually. I keep trying to tell y’all he’s so laid back, nothing really bothers him. I knew he wasn’t going to be mad at me. I went to his job, we kissed and everything. I’m so happy.” Rain cheesed.
“I am too. You deserve it, especially after all this mess that’s been happening. You need to just enjoy your man and let him enjoy you.”
“That’s the plan… what time Jacorey getting here? I don’t want to intrude.”
Summer wiped her mouth. “Oh you’re about to stay here. He’s going to see that ring before you go. I ain’t about to keep playing this friend game with him.”
Rain high fived Summer. “I know that’s right. Put some fire under that nigga’s ass.”
They sat together eating and talking for another thirty minutes before they heard Jacorey knocking at the door. Rain stayed seated while Summer answered the door. As soon as she opened it, he pulled her to him for a hug. He held onto her tightly, walking them into the house. He was still holding onto her and kissing all over the side of her face when he kicked the door closed with his foot.
Rain watched as Summer laughed and giggled from his affectionate playing. Before letting her go, he placed a big sloppy kiss on her cheek that she wiped off as soon as he moved.