Inception (7 page)

“Sassy, if this is purple, eat it,” Skylar says and without fail, Sassy eats the piece of purple cereal.

“What?” Mira asks, confused.

“Sassy can tell colors.  She’s a genius dog.  Watch.  Sassy, if this is yellow, eat it.”

“Dude, you’re just telling her to eat it.  She doesn’t care what color it is.  Dogs are color blind,” I laugh.

“No.  You’re wrong.  I’ll prove it.  Sassy, if this isn’t red, eat it.”  Sassy gladly eats the blue piece of cereal.

“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing,” Mira says, getting closer to Skylar and Sassy. 

“I know right?  She’s the best,” Skylar says.  I don’t know who’s dumber right now, Skylar for thinking his dog can tell colors, Mira for thinking Sassy is a genius like Skylar or me for sitting here listening to this nonsense.

“Okay, Sky.  Of all the dogs in the world, Sassy is the only one who isn’t color blind and understands human talk.”

“Dude, don’t hate
that my dog is smarter than you. Isn’t that right Sassy?” Skylar rubs Sassy behind the ears.

Laughing, I walk toward
the front door.

“Hey
, you’re not leaving are you?” Skylar asks, looking panicked.

“No, I’m just running to the car to get the gifts.  I think we should do an earlier exchange so Mira and I can get home before my mom gets there.  Go back and play with the genius dog and I’ll be back in a minute.”

I walk back in the house, carrying presents for the entire McBride clan, and find Mira and Skylar sitting in the living room.  The tree is decorated beautifully and all lit up.  The fireplace is lit, casting a romantic glow in the living room as the sun is setting.  I wish I had a fireplace at my house.  I might be kind of jealous that Skylar gets to experience this with Mira and I won’t.  Not until we get our own place with a fireplace. 
What?  Shit.  There I go again, getting ahead of myself.  Calm your shit, Danny.

We decide to open presents before dinner this year, which is a first for us.  Skylar’s parents got me the typical pr
esents that I get every year; cologne, clothes and a few gift cards.  I got them the typical stuff too; fishing gear for Skylar’s dad and a few romance novels and a gift card for his mom.  I used to just get her the books, but ever since she got a kindle, she found a whole new world of Indie authors and you can’t buy their books at the bookstore.  She has a recent obsession for biker romance novels written by some author she describes as “kick ass”.  I don’t hear her swear very often, but when it does, it cracks me up.

I got Skylar a new helmet; o
ne he’s been whining he wanted for weeks.  I made him not buy anything for his bike, but wouldn’t tell him what it was.  I found a guy on campus that sells helmets cheaper than the stores.  Skylar got me a pair of riding gloves and a camera to attach to my helmet so I can video while I’m riding.  I’ve wanted one for years and I’m a little pissed that it’s winter and I can’t go test it out just yet.

Finally getting to Mira, I
hand her a box similar to the size of Skylar’s helmet box.  When she opens it, the smile that comes over her lips melts my heart.  I picked out a helmet for her.  She’d been saying she wanted her own helmet that was girly and not like the all black one she wore when we went out.  When I saw the black helmet with a hot pink pinstripe and small pink stars, I knew it was made for her. 

She kisses me on the cheek and thanks me for knowing exactly what she would like.  I can’t help but feel prideful knowing that I got her something that she really wanted.  As we’re getting ready to stand up and head to the table for dinner, Skylar hands Mira a small black jewelry box.

“What’s this?” Mira asks.

“Just a little gift from me.  I wouldn’t forget you, Sweets.”

“I know, but this is so thoughtful, Sky,” Mira says as she opens the box.  When it’s fully open and she looks inside, she gasps.

Inside the velvet box is a necklace.  It’s a thin silver chain with
a charm dangling from it.   I can’t make out exactly what the charm is, but it looks like a heart inside of wings.  Mira runs to Skylar and pulls him in for a tight hug, thanking him over and over for such a wonderful gift.  Apparently, Skylar and Mira had gone shopping a few weeks ago and they stopped at a tattoo parlor so Skylar could get his eyebrow pierced, when Mira saw a design for a tattoo she fell in love with.  The design is very similar to the charm.  My stomach turns a little but Mrs. McBride calls us in for dinner and all is forgotten.

We finish dinner at record pace.  We say our goodbyes, grab my keys from Skylar and head back to my house.  My mom is getting snacks ready when we walk in the door.

The rest of the night is perfect.  Mira and I cuddle up in my dad’s recliner and we both pass out watching the movie.  As my mom is walking upstairs to go to bed, I hear her say something from the bottom of stairs.  It sounds like she tells us goodnight and to embrace the love we share, we don’t have forever.  I pass out without questioning her. 

The next morning, I wake up before Mira.  She’s still sleeping soundly on my chest.  I carefully maneuver her off of me so I can get up to get her gift.  I
quietly run up the stairs, and into my room, I grab my overnight bag, and throw it on the bed.  Before I dig in to find it, I go into the bathroom to relieve myself.  Washing my hands and walking out of the bathroom, I run smack into my mom.

“What are you rushing around for, Daniel?”

“I wanted to give Mira her gift in private, that’s all.  Is that okay?”

“Yeah, baby boy, that’s perfect.  I’ll take a shower and meet you downstairs.”

“Great.  Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her on the cheek and go back into my bedroom.

As soon as I have the box in my hands, I can feel my chest tighten.  The whole reason I went with a watch is because I didn’t want to be cliché.  Watching the way she reacted to Skylar’s gift has me second guessing myself.  Taking a few deep breaths, I calm down enough to get over my petty ass fear. 
This isn’t a competition with Skylar
.

I hit the bottom of the stairs and see that Mira isn’t on the chair anymore.  I look in the kitchen and she’s not there either. 

“Mira?” I loudly whisper.

“I’m in here,” Mira responds from the guest bedroom.

I walk in the bedroom and find Mira sitting on the bed, holding a small box with a blue bow on top.

“I wanted to get your present,” Mira says, blushing.  Her blush has to be one of the most adorable things about her.  The girl will make a complete ass out of herself when out in public
, but put her in an awkward situation, she instantly turns pink.

“I got yours too.” I walk over and sit across from her on the bed.

“Will you open what I got you first, please?  I’m really nervous,” Mira says.  If this girl only knew the mini panic attack I almost had upstairs.

“Yeah, Pea, that’s fine.  Hand it over.”  I put my hand out, reaching for my gift, which she slowly puts in the palm of my hand.

Taking my time, I take the bow off and open the lid of the box.  Inside, I find a small pendant of an angel.  It’s beautiful.  Mira must have taken my silence for something else, because she starts rambling.

“You hate it.  I’m sorry.  I thought it was perfect.  It’s a little thing I found at Hallmark.  You’re supposed to put this angel on the inside frame of your bike and she’ll always protect you.  It was a really sweet story the woman told me about her husband who wrecked and the bike was totaled but he walked away without a scratch.  I thought of you.  I thought if you wrecked and something happened, I would be devastated.  I just wanted to get you something special,” Mira finishes, putting her head down to look at her lap.

“Mira, this is the most amazing present anyone has ever given to me.  As soon as we get back to Ann Arbor, I’m putting this angel on the cruiser.  I love that you worry about losing me.  Well, not that you worry, but to know how deeply you would be affected.  I would lose my mind if anything ever happened to you.  I love you, Pea.  This is the most perfect gift.  Nothing else would have been more perfect.”

Mira jumps forward, crashing her lips to mine and showing me exactly how much she loves me.  As she’s reaching for the draw string on my pajama pants, I remember we’re at my mom’s house, in her guest room.  I slowly pull back, immediately missing the way she feels in my arms.

“Don’t forget about your gift.  Here,” I say, pushing the box toward her.

She accepts the gift and wastes no time ripping into the paper to expose the box that the watch is nestl
ed inside of.  Looking up at me through her lashes, she smiles and pulls the lid off the box.  When she pulls the watch out, she looks at it, tears forming in her eyes.

“This is beautiful, Danny.  I love it.”

“Turn it over and read what it says.”

The tears that are sitting in the corner of her eyes start to spill down her face.  She reads the words and clutches the watch to her chest, looking at me, smiling.

“Do you like it, Pea?”

“Danny, I love it.  I feel the exact same way.  I think to myself everyday that I’m so lucky to have you and to
have met you so early in my life.  Not a lot of people get to find the kind of love we have and to find it so young is a blessing.  You being in my life makes me so happy.  You’re not just my boyfriend, you’re my best friend.  And I love this watch so much.  Every time I look at it, I’ll think of this moment and how much you love me.”

Mira unclasps the back of the watch, immediately putting it on and I realize she’s not wearing the necklace from Skylar yet.  The box is sitting on the dresser in the guest room.  The fact that she couldn’t wait another second to wear my gift while Skylar’s is sitting here, untouched, makes my heart flutter.  She really is mine.  I don’t have to worry about
anything.  This girl loves me and belongs to me.

“This is the best Christmas in a long time.  Thank you,” I say.

“Danny, this is the best Christmas ever.  I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life and here you are, giving me the best present ever.  I’m so happy.”

Chapter Ten

Since Christmas, we’ve been inseparable.  Mira basically moved into the house that I share with Skylar.  There wasn’t much point in her staying at the apartment anymore, especially since the majority of our senior year we have the same classes.  It makes studying a lot easier.  It’s kind of like our little group -- Mira, Skylar, Kylee and me -- have become a family. 

Mira and I both decide to sign up for six week classes at the end of our last semester to give us extra brownie points, just in case we decide on going to grad school.  I haven’t thought much of it, but Mira is strongly considering it.  She sent an application to the University last week. 

They say the whole point of dating is like an interview process, to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.  I know in my heart that Mira is that person.  I can’t imagine not being with her, marrying her, having children with her and starting a life with her.  I want to leave the University being engaged to her, I just have to find the perfect time.

Skylar and I have been talking a lot lately about what we’re doing after graduation, which is quickly approaching.  I have a few leads, thanks to one of my professors, at an accounting firm in Ann Arbor, which will work out perfect if Mira decides to
stay for grad school.  I can get us a house or apartment in town, close to school for her and work for me. 

It’s funny when you’re so deep in love tha
t everything you do or plan for revolves around your partner. 

I told Mira, very early on, that I was going to marry her one day and she made me promise.  I guess it’s high time I make good on that promise.  I skip classes today and go back to the same jewelry store I bought her watch from a few years ago.  I don’t expect them to remember me, but when they do, I know it’s a sign that I’m doing the right thing.

“What can I help you with?” the woman behind the counter asks.

“I’m looking
for a ring.  An engagement ring for my girlfriend.”

“The same girl you purchased the watch for?”

“Yes, the same girl.”

“Well, I might have something that will match that watch perfectly.  Does she still wear it?”

“Every day.”

“Wonderful,” the woman says, clasping
her hands in front of her face like an excited child. “Come over here and look at this beautiful ring.  It’s a similar style and if she loved the watch, she will love this too.”

I
t was perfect.  It was beautiful, simple and classic, but something is missing; I can’t put my finger on it.  The simple diamond -- less than a carat but looks like something she can be proud of -- sits on a thin white gold thin band.  The band of the ring strongly resembles the band of the watch.  Since they will be worn on the same arm it’s important they match, the woman tells me.

I waste no time agreeing to the purchase.  Before the woman takes the ring to package it up and get me an invoice, I take a picture with my phone and send it to Skylar.  I know it’s not his girlfriend, but he’s been such a huge part of
our lives that I want his approval.  Within seconds, Skylar texts back with exactly what I need to hear.

Skylar:  It’s beautiful man.  She’s gonna love it.  Get it.

Me:  I got it.  Thanks man.

Skylar:  I got dibs on best man.

Me:  There’s nobody else I would have.

S
kylar:  Settled.  OK buy your ring and get that girl to say yes.

I almost forgot I’m going to have to ask her.  Shit.  My palms start to get sweaty just thinking about having to ask her.  I can’t just catch her in the hall at
school; I have to make this perfect.  My mom used to go on and on about her engagement to my dad and how wonderful it was.  I need to give Mira a memory like that; something she can tell our kids about one day.

After I leave the jewelry store, I stop at a coffee shop just outside the mall.  I pull the ring from my pocket and just stare at it.  If I was Mira, how would I want to be pro
posed to?  I have managed to stay away from anything cliché over the years.  Everything I do is so off the wall it keeps her guessing.  I can’t start off our life being anything less than original.  This proposal needs to be something true to form for Mira and me.

A lot of ideas are coming to me, but nothing seems perfect.  I’ve
thought of waiting until graduation, when all of our families are here, but I can’t wait that long.  This ring is going to burn a hole in my pocket if I don’t put it on her finger soon.  I think of a nice dinner and a very public proposal, but that leads me right back to being unoriginal. 

Finally, as I’m ready to give up and think about it later, the perfect idea comes to me.  Sending Skylar a quick text, begging for his help, I head home.  I used this ploy once before and she fell head over heels.  If I can pull it off again, it will be something special. 

As soon as I pull in the driveway, I get a text from Skylar telling me that he’s got everything I need and he’ll be home soon.  My palms start sweating again as I send a text to Mira.

Me:  Dinner?  The House?  7?

Mira:  Sounds good.  Need me to bring anything?

Me:  Nope.  Just bring yourself.

Mira:  Everything OK?

Me:  Yeah.  See u at 7

Mira:  OK bye love u.

Me:  Love
u more.  Bye

I rush through the house, cleaning and putting things away as I go.  My house isn’t typically dirty but since we’ve been studying a lot lately, prepping for exams, it’s messier than usual.  Pizza boxes and empty pop cans litter every
available space on the countertops.  I called my mom on the way back to the house.  She asked if I needed her help getting everything ready but I told her no.  As much as I want our families to be here so they can share our exciting news, I really feel like this is something that needs to be just us.  I want her to say yes because she feels the same way as me, not because she feels pressured with a huge audience.

With about a half hour to spare, I start cooking our dinner.  I think back to the most perfect meal that Mira and I shared over the years and nothing seems as ‘right’ as the breakfast she cooked for me and my mom on Christmas a few years ago.  I fell in love with her long before then but when I saw her in the kitchen, cooking barefoot,
it was the exact moment I knew that we were going to build a life together. 

I know it seems stupid, but that’s our relationship.  We’re not the everyday cookie cutter couple.  We’re outside the box and do things that feel right to us.  I think that’s why we’ve made it so long.  We don’t fit what people say we
should
do.  We only do things that fit
us
.  And this meal, it fits us. 

Skylar walks in the door carrying two bouquets of
daisies.  He yells to me that there are a few more in the car and wants me to help him. 
Of course I’ll help him
.  I turn the burner off on the stove and go out to Skylar’s car to get the rest of the flowers.  When I come back in the house, both of us start strategically placing the flowers all around the dining room and living room.

“Are you sure about this, bro?
If you’re not, there’s no rush.”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything.  I love her so much and I want her to be my wife.”

“I know you love her.  She loves you back.  I just want to make sure that you don’t feel obligated to propose because you’ve been together for so long.  I’m looking out for you.”

“Sky, we’ve been friends for a long ass time.  Have I ever done an
ything that I wasn’t sure about?  I think about every decision, weigh the pros and cons and then make a decision.  Why would this be any different?”

“I didn’t say that, Danny.  I just want to make sure that this is for sure.  That you’re not going to look back in a few years and think you made a mistake.  I don’t think you will, Mira is amazing and you couldn’t have picked a better girl.  I’m on your side.  I support you through whatever.  That’s what brothers do.”

“I know man, thanks for looking out for me.  I’ll call you later tonight and tell you how it goes.”

“Alright, I’ll see you later.”  With that last statement, Skylar heads out of the house.  I don’t know where he’s spending the night, but we did
agree that he wouldn’t be home so Mira and I can have the house to myself.

Right on time, Mira pulls into the driveway and makes her way up the walkway to the front door.  She looks so beautiful.  Mira isn’t one of those girls that spends hours getting ready or tries to impress people.  When she wears stretchy pants and an oversized sweater she looks just as perfect as when she wears a formal dress. 

I’m glad I didn’t dress up tonight, because she opted for the black stretchy pants, a hoodie and sneakers.  I can tell she’s wearing a little makeup, but nothing overdone.  Breathtaking.

I let her into the house and her jaw drops.

“What’s going on?  What’s with all the flowers?”

“I wanted to do something special for you.  Do you like it?”

“Oh Danny, I love it.  It’s so beautiful in here and it smells amazing.  You always know the perfect thing to do.  I love daisies.”

“I remember.  Do you remember when I had all the
daisies the day I asked you to go to the first formal our freshman year?”

“Yeah,” Mira says, looking lost in thought, “That’s when I knew that you were perfect for me. 
You remember all the small details that most people forget.  I knew I loved you then, and we weren’t even dating.  How silly is that?”

“It’s not silly at all,” I say, brushing the stray piece of hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear, “I knew that day, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make you smile.  You’re kind of perfect, Pea, and I want you to know it, every day.”

Mira places a gentle kiss on my lips, pushing her hands through my hair.  My hand automatically goes to the small of her back, where it fits perfectly, like her back was made for me to hold.  My tongue battles with hers as I try to deepen the kiss.  I suddenly realize that I need to propose to her right this second; makes the moment absolutely perfect.

I pull Mira by the hand into the kitchen and sit her down at the table.  She looks around the kitchen, awestruck.  I quickly plate the bacon and eggs that might be a little cold, but I’ll make her understand the significance. 

Sitting the plate in front of Mira, she stares at the plate and then looks into my eyes.  I’m catching her off guard and I love it.  The look of surprise on her face is exactly what I want. 
It’s now or never man.

I pat my pocket to make sure I have the ring.  Felling the hard, small box in my jeans pocket, I reach in and pull it out as I sink down to one knee.  The moisture starting to pool in her emerald green eyes tells me I’m about to make this woman my fiancé.

“Mira Rae Anderson, when I met you almost four years ago, I knew there was something special about you.  You changed my life and didn’t even know it.  I was the guy that never got the girl, the guy that always stood in the shadows, the guy that always wanted but never got.  You changed that.  You chose me to be your boyfriend.  You have made me the happiest man on the planet.  Getting to know you every day and learn all your little quirks has been so exciting.  That morning, at my mom’s, when you were making breakfast, I knew you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.  I had images of you cooking breakfast for our children on Christmas and the need to propose to you right then and there scared me a little.  I didn’t want to scare you off.  It’s only been two years, but we were so young.  College has been an amazing experience, mostly because you’ve been by my side, my partner.  I want to graduate with you and start a life with you.  When it’s time for us to grow up and move on from this experience, I want you by my side.  I want you to be my wife.  With that being said, Mira, I love you with every fiber of my being and want nothing more than to be your husband.  Will you marry me?”

The tears are falling from her eyes at record pace.  She pulls her hand up to cover her mouth.  She keeps darting her eyes between mine and the ring in my hand.  Her silence is killing me.  My knee is starting to hurt, kneeling on the hard linoleum floor, waiting for her answer, when she finally breaks the silence.

“Danny, oh my God, I didn’t expect this.  You’re so great with surprises and that’s one of the reasons that I love you.  You’re the perfect boyfriend.  You are always making me smile and making me remember the reasons why I love you.  I would love nothing more than to be your wife.  Actually, no, I would be proud to be your wife.  This is the perfect graduation present.  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  I’ll marry you!”

I wrap her in the tightest hug I have ever given her, picking her up from the chair and spinning her around in the kitchen.  I have never been happier in all of my life.  This one girl has the ability to take a broken boy, who’s missing his father and the life he used to have, and turn him into a man that loves beyond measure. 

“
You’re it for me, Pea, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. We’re going to be so disgustingly happy, our friends are going to hate us
.”

“Don’t I know it! I already see the girls making faces when we’re together. This is going to push them over the edge,” Mira teases, “Do you think we should make a group announcement? Head out on Saturday night, like usual, then BAM, look at my ring, we’re getting married.”