Until 'The End'
By Angela
Sam smiled down at Lily. She lay across his lap, her head lying on the armrest with her legs sprawling down the length of the couch. Sam held her hand, his thumb rubbing against hers. He laughed,
“Lily, what do you mean Stephen King is only ‘passable’? He’s a master of the craft! All authors defer to him when in search of an idol, a hero. He’s the go-to man of horror.”
Lily shook her head and said,
“I don’t know Sam. What about Poe?”
“Lil, honey, Poe is dead. He’s been dead for a while. I’m sorry to have to break to the news to you like this. King, however, is still alive. So why don’t we say last man standing wins?” Lily sighed and smacked Sam lightly on the arm,
“Fine. But is Poe were alive, he would give King a run for his money.” A silence descended around the couple. Rain pattered on the roof and window. The silence endured. Lily’s eyes slowly transferred from a laughing look to a more serious serene cerulean. She said quietly,
“Sam, how do you feel about children?” Sam leaned down, kissed Lily, and pondered for a moment. Uh oh, thought Lily, kiss and a pause. Not good. After much consideration, he replied,
“I’m not totally opposed to the idea of children. It would be nice to have one or more someday, but I want to really experience and enjoy life before I settle down with a kid.” Lily nodded thoughtfully. Sam said,
“Why do you ask?” Lily brought her free hand up and began examining her nails as she said,
“Oh, no real reason. Just out of curiosity, I suppose.” She winced. But Sam was no fool,
“Lily, are you pregnant?” Her gaze flicked up to him. Lily said reluctantly,
“Maybe…”
“Lil, is that an ‘I-might-be’ maybe or an ‘I-am-but-I-don’t-want-to-tell-you’ maybe?” said Sam. Lily took a deep breath and said,
“The second.” Sam nodded, his gaze travelling up to the wall opposite him. Lily stared up at him, desperately searching for any clues to his thoughts. Sam’s thumb continued to stroke her hand. When the silence became too much for Lily, she pulled her hand from Sam’s and said,
“Say something.” Sam looked down at her. He smiled warmly and his eyes twinkled with happiness. He said,
“It’s wonderful Lily.” He picked her up bridal style and spun her around shouting, “We’re going to have a baby!” Lily laughed, and he joined in.
Suddenly, his eyes filled with worry and he set Lily down, placing his hands gently on her shoulders as he said, “Are you alright? Did I hurt you?”
Lily laughed and said,
“No, not at all. I’m only a month and a half in. I’m just fine, honestly. I’m happy you’re happy for us.” Sam smiled and said,
“Good. Now, Miss Wikowski, there is one tiny issue.” Lily’s face fell as she said,
“What is it? Money? I can take a second job and--,” Sam put a finger to her lips as his other hand fell to hold hers. He whispered,
“No. There is the one issue of… marriage.” The finger over Lily’s lips fell away to Sam’s pocket, pulling out a beautiful dark-blue velvet box. Lily gasped.
Sam fell to his knee beside Lily’s couch and said,
“Lily, I love you. This baby will be a new chapter of our relationship, and I want to be with you throughout the whole chapter, through the whole book until the author of our lives writes ‘The End’. Miss Lily Christina Wikowski, will you marry me?” Sam opened the box. Lily gazed down at the simple ring inside. She tore her eyes from it to meet Sam’s and said,
“Are you sure? Because I don’t want it to feel like I’m pressuring you into this by just springing the baby on you. We can wait a while so you know you really want this--,” For the second time that day, Sam silenced her this time with a kiss. It was a simple kiss, but Lily got the message loud and clear: “I love you. Now please answer my question.”
Sam’s lips lingered on Lily’s, a touch softer than a rose. Lily smiled onto his lips and whispered in a voice like a sigh,
“Yes.” Sam grinned to match Lily and said,
“Good.” And he kissed her again.
