“When he said he was bringing a good friend over, I didn’t believe it for one second. He usually says a friend or acquaintance. I thought he was sending me a message. Little did I know he brought the surprise that beats them all…”
Amy sighed as she finished talking.
“Mama, you don’t need to talk. Rest up, please. We are here.”
“You are so beautiful, Caroline. So pretty. I have been having this incessant dream about a girl exactly like you that comes into my son’s life… Ever since his father died…” Amy slowed to take a breath and wipe her tears.
Caroline noticed Jack hadn’t said much about his parents. A reserved man.
“When they brought the news of his father’s passing, Jack was a little boy. Never once I imagined I would have to raise him alone. My whole world collapsed around me. He grew up so fast. Supporting and encouraging me, wiping my tears… His father would be mighty proud of him. He wanted his son to get into the military as well. I couldn’t let him. I just couldn’t lose him in all these senseless wars. His father died protecting the freedom for my son to pursue his God given talent…”
“I am so happy to meet you, Mrs. Reiner. I am lucky to know Jack. He is such an incredible gentleman.”
“Aren’t you lovely yourself? So, you two know each other for long?”
“Mama, can we hold off on the interrogation please?” Jack intervened.
“You know what I told him last time?” Amy whispered to Caroline as Jack walked out the bedroom. “I told him not to bring any random girl and raise my hopes high for nothing. I know his heart. He must think highly of you…”
“Thank you, Mrs. Reiner. We like each other very much.”
“Call me, Amy, please.”
“Ever since his father passed away, I have been praying for someone to come into his life that would protect and love him. You are exactly the daughter I have been dreaming about all these years. Did he tell you about my condition?”
“Yes, he did. I am so sorry this happened to you.”
“My biggest worry had been I would go without seeing him settle down. He works so hard to be good at what he does. I had this tremendous fear… This fear that the time would pass him and he would attract the wrong person…”
“Don’t you worry. He won’t be alone.” Caroline said, feeling awkward about the situation.
“Still going at it, mama?” Jack asked, bringing glasses of water with him and setting them on the side table.
“What is so terrible about getting to know one another? Such a lovely girl she is…”
““Well, mama, you will be happy to know, I have asked Caroline…” Jack looked at his mother first and then Caroline. “I have asked Caroline to marry me, and she has said yes.”
“Oh thank you, Lord!” Amy screamed. “I knew it from the moment I saw her, darling. She is unlike any girl I have seen. Congratulations, so happy for you!”
“I haven’t even officially proposed to her like other people do it. I kind of got carried away telling her about you and your condition…”
“I’m sorry, darling! I know it was putting a lot of pressure on you. I wanted for my own selfish anxiety…” Amy couldn’t continue talking. She cried, trembling in place. “I don’t mind if the good Lord takes me now. John is waiting for me. I know it. He will be happy to know as well. Here, take it, darling. This is my present to you. It has been passed down from my great, great grandmother. Give it to your bride!”
The three of them embraced each other and spent long minutes sobbing. Tears of joy and relief. Caroline had imagined many permutations of how her proposal would be like. This she didn’t expect, taking a sneak peek at the sparkling diamond on her finger.
“No more crying then. We have a wedding to plan. Can’t waste any moment!” Amy said with laughter.
“You aren’t about to do anything, mama. You are going to rest and be beautiful. We will take care of everything.” Jack said, kissing them both on their cheeks.
“I need to make a call,” Caroline said. “I need to tell mom and dad I am getting married,” she said wiping tears off her face.
~~~
