Hawthorne Copper

Hawthorne let out the breath he had been holding. It was probably silly. Ridiculous even. But there it was. He had been nervous that she would find his words ... over the top perhaps or unwelcome at worst. He held her small hands in his own and nodded appreciatively. Did she just say she loved him? Had anyone ever said that before? No. They had not. “I .... don’t know what it means to love someone Skye so I can’t say if that is what I feel but I know that I never want to be apart from you. That I want to know about your heartbreaks as much as I want to share all your joys. If that is love then .... yes.”

“I’m glad that you like it as well. I wanted somewhere special where I could give you this.” Hawthorne replied softly before reaching into his jacket pocket to withdraw a small box. “I know officially we are already engaged but I thought perhaps this would be an acknowledgement that we both wish to be wed and not merely because we were obliged to do so. I .... “ Hawthorne stumbled as expressions of caring were generally challenging for him. “I care for you very deeply, more than anyone else and I wanted you to have this.” He murmured before setting the small box on the table before her. His hands shook every so slightly, revealing that he was far more nervous about this than he let on.

[contents of box below the cut]

Hawthorne’s lips quirked into a small smile at her compliment. He enjoyed Skye’s appreciation for the stunning garden. “One of my classmate’s grandfather’s own it. I was mentioning my regard for the flora in New Orleans so we walked over one day after classes. I asked if I could borrow it for an evening.”

“I believe you would grow terribly sick of me should I be around you twenty-four seven .... also .... I am not at all sure I would be able to keep my hands off of you and you may grow very tired of such constant attentions.” Hawthorne teased in his serious manner. “And you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”  Then he stopped and smiled. “We are here. Come.” He tugged her in through a small pathway to a gate. He pushed it open and then held it for her to step through into the gorgeous garden. Lush blooms drooped from heavy branches and the air was heavy with the natural flora. In the centre of a small patio was a beautiful laid table. “For you. Please. Have a seat.”

“Oh good. I know you have been looking for a new cook for a while. Were they able to start right away?” He asked with genuine interest. He loved the wonderful normal of Skye’s life. She took care of her business and employees. She treated her customers well and then she even took the time to make lovely meals for them. “Good. I found a small job, just a few hours a week at the university and enrolled in a summer class. Should be engaging and mean I won’t bothering you too much.”

It amused him that she already kept a vase ready for his arrival. “Wonderful.” Hawthorne’s hand engulfed her smaller one and he lead her outside and down to the street. He did not get behind the wheel though. The place they were going was not too far and they could walk. “How are your day?”

She looked beautiful, small little flowers woven into her hair and such a pretty little dress on. Unable to resist, he leaned in to catch her lips with his own, deepening the kiss before breaking it slowly. “I am well thank you.” He passed her the bouquet, “For you of course. Are you ready to go?”