The weather in April was particularly chilly. The couple held hands as they walked towards Justin's new home. It came as a surprise to Claudia when she arrived from work one day and was whisked away by him.
He had talked about moving out, but she never expected him to buy a huge 2-storey building equipped with an indoor pool, a mini-gym, and a basketball court. There were 6 rooms with a bathroom each.
She had told him it was too expensive upon seeing it, but he just smiled at her.
"Does your mouth still hurt?" He asked carefully as he opened the door.
"Not anymore. I just can't chew on hard food." She had an oral surgery about 2 weeks ago.
"Still taking the antibiotics?"
"Yeah. Last dose is tomorrow."
Justin smiled craftily and said nothing more about it.
"I cannot miss today," he murmured to himself. His plan to wed her had to be flawless and well executed. He wasn't going to give her a chance to retreat.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked. He had been behaving weird all day.
"Why did you ask?"
"Because you are a lot more careful today than any other day, way too attentive, and you've been talking to yourself."
Justin moved his eyes around awkwardly.
"Maybe I'm a little too excited tonight about announcing my promotion."
Claudia nodded but still felt it was odd. Justin hardly ever got excited. She brushed it off and paid no more mind to it.
He heaved a sigh of relief seeing how she no longer asked. They were holding a small get-together to announce his rank promotion to Major general. At least, that's what Claudia thought.
***
"Congrats bro! That's the first one tonight. I hope I get to say it the second time today," Kevin whispered to Justin.
He laughed at his brother who was too nervous to crack a smile.
"If she turns you down, you still have me," he comforted.
"Get behind me satan," Justin said as he smacked his troublesome brother on the head before walking away.
Behind him, Kevin laughed until his stomach hurt. He didn't know the next time he'd get to see his iceblock brother this way.
"I want to say thank you to everyone present for your well wishes. There's one more event tonight."
Claudia who was right beside him couldn't help but turn towards him with a confused look on her face.
"Claudia Winter James," he said softly.
"Do you have the 5th letter on you?" Confused Claudia couldn't keep up with his thoughts, but she nodded slowly. She didn't open the 5th letter since he made it home before then, but she always carried it around.
"Go get it."
She walked towards her purse and retrieved the letter before returning to his side.
"Open it."
While she was focused on unsealing the envelope, Justin had gradually lowered himself on one knee while holding a small black velvet box.
Claudia was stunned when she read the words on the paper.
"My dear Winter, if you're reading this, that means I made it back to you in one piece.
We've spent so much time apart, and I can't stand it anymore. From now on, I would like us to sleep together and wake up next to each other everyday of our lives. I no longer want to live in a house. I'd love to live in a home, our home.
It's not home without you babe.
Marry me.
Love J."
She withdrew the letter from her face and found Justin on his knee in front of her. It all felt too sudden. Her brain couldn't take it all in at once. Fortunately her heart was true and a sweet feeling spread through her.
"My dear Winter, will you do me the honor, the greatest honor, and be my bride?"
Without giving him time to be nervous, she jumped into his embrace making both of them fall to the ground and rained kisses all over his face.
"Is that a yes?" He asked for confirmation as soon as her kisses stopped.
"Yes," she nodded happily. A round of applause came thundering down at the couple.
Justin retrieved a silver ring with turquoise stones embedded along its circumference. He gently placed it on her ring finger before drawing her into an embrace.
"I love you babe."
"I love you too."
They topped up the proposal with a long lasting kiss.