Falling For The Man I Married

"Guess what boys!" Aunt Cindy squealed excitedly.
And we all turned our heads to her. We were all seated and were about to start eating.
"What is it?" Uncle Jhon asked his wife and Aunt Cindy's smile widened
"Can you guess who made the cheesy pesto chicken and veggie-stuffed spaghetti squash for our lunch today?" All the boys
shared glances and then suddenly Gabriel sitting next to me shouted his answer.
"For sure that's Nancy, Aunt Cindy."
He said out loud and chuckled which also earned laughter from the boys.
But Nancy just raised an eyebrow and winked at me. She didn't get affected by her brother's bully.
"Nope. Gabriel, you know Nancy can't cook, what are you talking about?" Nancy and I chuckled at him. But he playfully glared at
Nancy.
Because the boys were already at the picnic area, they actually had no clue about Aunt Cindy's question.
"Then who?" asked of confused yet excited Phillip.
"Who else---" she didn't finish her sentence when she was cut off by Justine.
"You?"
"No. It's Madi. She made this delicious lunch for us." she said clapping her hands. And then suddenly all eyes were on me.
"Whoa! You cooked this, Madi?" I bit my lip and then smiled at Uncle Jhon.
"Yes, and she also baked the chocolate liquor cake." Aunt Cindy proudly answered for me.
"Wow! You know how to cook, Madi?" Mr Wilsons asked me.
"Yes, Dad," I answered awkwardly.
I can feel everyone's stares at the table, but there is a pair of eyes which made my feet sweat and that person was just right next
to me.

He held my hand under the table and I looked at him. He's smiling at me. I was about to open my mouth when suddenly he
cupped my face with both his hands and the next thing I know... he's kissing me... in front of everyone.
He bit my bottom lip when I didn't respond to his kiss, so I kissed him back and put my hand on his waist, tugging his shirt.
When he pulled back, he still has the same smile before he kissing me. If I have to judge it with my own eyes, it's a smile of
proud.
"I love you."
My breath stuck in my throat when he said those three words. Why do I feel it was true? Why do I feel this is real? Or it's just my
heart... assuming it could possibly happen?
"I love you too." I smiled at him. The smile which wasn't fake or just an act. It was a real smile that came from my heart.
Then he kissed me again. And all the people watching our little act, clapped their hands and the boys let out a whistle. But when
I thought that, that little act will end there, well, I was wrong. Suddenly he stood up, kissed my forehead and then walked over to
the microphone stand. Yes, there's a microphone and entertainment set because their family is a fan of music.
We all watched him as he stood in front of us with a microphone in his hand. And then he began his speech. At first, I was in a
state of confusion but then I remember what we talked about before we got here.
"I've been thinking of this so many times before...."
He started looking at everyone. I got my lips wet because they suddenly went dry.
"I've been in my worst part of my life before and I know you all know it, even Savahna and Christian."
He paused and then smiled. All eyes were focused on him, waiting for his next words.
"I wanted to start a new life, a new beginning and a new chapter. But I think, I can't do it without this woman in my life. Without
her by my side." My heart started pounding inside my ribcage when our eyes met. "This woman who stood by me and made me
realize the word 'second chances' in life. She created this new version of me."
With his words, I couldn't help shaking my head and closing my eyes. How I wished all his words were true and how I wished
they were all really for me, but no. These are just lies. We are just lying in front of these people who really believed that he's the

new version of himself, who wants to start his new life with me, but the truth is that he's just doing it for one person and just for
one reason... to claim her back.
"I want you guys to know how thankful I am for having her in my life. How lucky I am for having someone like her to loved and to
be loved back."
I bit my lip as a single tear flow down my cheek. Then it was followed by another and then by another until I could no longer
control it. Everyone witnessing my tears, thought it was because of love and happiness. Well, half of it was true but the other half
was mixed feelings of hurt, conscience and sadness.
He walked over to where my seat, made me stand and pulled me in front of everyone as he held my hand.
"Madielyn Davis, I want you to know how much I love you. How much all the things we shared meant to me. I want you to be part
of my life forever."
I gasped as he suddenly knelt on one knee and took a small red box on the back of his pants.
"I was really trying to think of a clever way to say this. I tried to think of something romantic way to make it special and come up
with a poem or a song because I know you also love music. But nothing came to my mind, so I'll just say it. Madielyn Davis, love,
I love you with all my heart. You make me happy, you complete me and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" He
opened the red box and there is the ring with a huge white diamond In the center.
Even how many times I tried to swallow the lump inside my throat, I still couldn't control the tears that keep flowing down my
face. This is the next level. Am I really sure of this? Am I willing to help him up to this level? Am I willing to be his wife just to help
him or will I have to decide right now to end this game?
All of them were cheering yes and please in the air. I looked at them one by one and then back to Gabriel. His face held his silent
pleas... waiting for me to cooperate.
I gulped.
"Yes. I will marry you."