Climbing into the back of the Taxi cab and hit by the odor of cheap vinyl, among other smells, I glanced over at Brynn as I closed the door behind us. Her eyes sparkled like hazel diamonds, anticipating what my so-called surprise could be. I didn't say much, I didn't want to slip any details before ever leaving the hotel room.

"545 9th avenue please," I announced.

"Aren't you going to give me a little hint?" her eyes narrowed.

"Just wait. You'll see."

Soon our driver pulled up in front of the shop. Opening the car door, you were instantly greeted with the scent of cookies and cake. Holding Brynn's hand we walked up to the window, gawking at the rows of colorful pastries screaming at my sweet-tooth.

"Are we going to grab a few treats here?"

"Even better," smiling, I opened the door.

The air inside was that much sweeter. It was so strong you could taste it. Catching sight of one of the bakers, I politely waved knowing she was the person I talked to earlier.

"Welcome to Cupcake Café. You wouldn't happen to be Harry, would you?" The older woman came from around the counter.

"Yes, Ma'am…and this is Brynn, the aspiring pastry artist."

"Ooh I like that introduction," Brynn smiled back.

"Hello, I'm Michelle. So Harry tells me that you want to open your own bakery some day?"

"Yes, well, a dream for now..." her shoulders shrugged.

"Well, Ann Warren opened this café back in 1988, and like all businesses it takes a little while. But her amazing skills, artistic background and education made her pastries standout from the rest. So you have to think, how will your business and taste be unique?"

Nodding slowly, Brynn's eyes were roaming across the room, from the display cases to the handwritten menu boards behind the register.

"Michelle agreed to have a one on one session with you," I added.

Brynn stood taller and eyes wider while squeezing my hand in quiet excitement.

"Yes, I'll be teaching you some of our signature techniques. Not focusing so much on the realistic but artistic touch. And other decorating tips."

"Oh this is amazing!" Turning towards me, Brynn gave me a short yet tight hug.

"I'll see you ladies later then," I said as I stepped outside, all I had left to do was wait.

Strolling down the street, people watching and fiddling with Brynn's engagement ring in my pocket, I hoped nothing would go wrong. I replayed the phone conversation I had with Michelle earlier; we arranged for her to have a previously made cake with the words Will You Marry Me? frosted on top. Then Brynn would be asked to observe the window display as she would showcase the cake they'd made together, while I'd kneel behind her waiting for her to turn around.

Seemed easy enough but I couldn't get rid of this gut-wrenching feeling. Interrupted by a text alert, which I assumed was Michelle, my head jerked back. A picture of Brynn popped on my phone's screen, taken from the side row during the conference, and it left me wondering who had shot it. It certainly wasn't me! The number was unknown and there was no message below.

Maybe it was a friend of mine that had forgotten to add a comment. I took a closer look. Brynn had an amused gaze, attentive eyes and satisfying grin; proving that I had to be giving my presentation at that moment. My watch read close to noon; it was time to head back to the shop.

A tiny bell rang when entering, a sound I had missed the first time around. The girl at the register called for Michelle once she recognized me. Within moments their voices were heard coming from the back room. Brynn came holding a masterpiece of blue, violet and gold frosted flowers on her cake.

"Brynn, you must show off your creation. Place it carefully there in the window display," Michelle insisted.

"Are you kidding?" Brynn gasped.

Nodding, Michelle then turned towards me and signaled me to the other end of the store. Already confused, as she didn't follow the steps we had discussed, I still followed.

"Hey, I thought we were going to display the proposal cake like we talked about?" I whispered, like we were old friends.

"About that…I don't think it's the wisest idea to propose right now."

What could she possibly know about us…or timing? One hour and she had the right to make that judgment call?

"Listen, I appreciate your input, but we had an arrangement," I said scowling.

"I know. And there is nothing I enjoy more than watching proposals but I'm telling you it's not the right timing. One of the other girls was finishing a bridal cake and that got us to talking, about marriage. I was thrilled about it, knowing your plans, but she insisted on not being ready for that commitment yet…I'm sorry."

Baffled, I scratched my forehead. The ring in my pocket was now burning a hole right through my thigh. Perhaps I was being too impatient, rushing such a huge step. I kept remembering Brenda's words and the possibility of her being right…maybe next year?

Brynn joined in, tugging at my forearm wanting me to follow her. There we stood, staring inside the window. Brynn smiled proudly over her finished product, never knowing her cake was the substitute.
One hand held hers and the other rubbed the platinum band in my pocket, wanting desperately to slip it on her finger. That was my problem, I was too desperate. Understood.

"You did a beautiful job," I said bobbing my head.

"Do you really think so? How cool is it that she let me put it in front of the window, huh?" she began to swing my hand. "We should do something fun tonight to celebrate our last day."

"Of course, whatever you want."

"I wish we could go dancing but I'm not old enough," she frowned.

"Actually…I asked Tony, one of the guys from my crew who lives here in New York, and he told me of a club that his friend is a bouncer at. So if you really want to go, all I have to do is make the call."

"Then..." she said squeezing my hand.

"I guess I'm making the call!"

---

Hard to believe it was our last night in New York. Although things didn't go completely as planned, it was still a great trip. Any opportunity where I spent a few days straight with Brynn was worth every cent and meant more to me than any location.

We managed to sneak in the club after I tipped the six foot five bouncer named Leroy. He was a nice guy with a thick New York accent, just like Tony. It was no surprise that this club would live up to the hype of its reputation. Neon lights, professional dancers on podiums, mad strobe lights and already packed by 9:30pm.

Hoping to find a semi-empty place, for what I thought was an early hour, wasn't likely. Saturday night had more night life than I'd ever seen in the west coast. That's to be expected in the city that never sleeps right? Though no one warned me that this place would explode come midnight.

I trusted myself to have a few drinks but nothing too drastic. The club was wild and all I worried about was Brynn having a good time while remaining safe. On the plus side of dancing on the slammed floor, was my excuse to move even closer with my girlfriend. Electronica and techno beats filtered throughout the place, keeping us going for hours.

Not realizing the fun and exhausting exercise this had become, once it hit 1am, I thought I'd fall over. Being Brynn's first club experience, it was safe to say she would never forget it. And man could she dance! There was this one move that had me eating out of the palm of her hand. Standing with her back against me, she'd glide her hand up the back of my neck and hold it there. While I held on to her swaying hips, her other hand would wave in the air or tease my face. Grrr!

Arriving at the hotel ten minutes past two, we barely made it to the bed. How could I be so tired yet unwilling to sleep? My face fell flat on the mattress, yet somehow Brynn was reluctant to call it quits. She knelt beside me in her sparkling navy blue dress, and began massaging my shoulders; only that was sending me in to a deeper slumber.

"Remember when you used to teach me things?"

Brynn's whisper resonated in my ears as I drifted back and forth.

"Teach you what things?" I said muffled.

"You know…kissing things…" The flirtatious tone in her voice was luring me to awaken.

"Yeah?"

"I miss that too."

"Brynn, are you a little…you know?" I asked amused, turning my head towards her.

"Am I what, drunk? Not too much."

"No. That's not what I'm asking. Are you...how can I put it without actually saying the word? Stimulated?"

"Stimulated?" she giggled. "That's a horrible alternative to whatever word you were trying not to say."

"It's the first one that came up. I was thinking of the definition rather than a synonym. But what I really meant to ask, was if you were…aroused?"

"No, I think you really wanted to say horny. Didn't you?"

"Yes, but…now I know just how buzzed you are because you would never say that word being sober."

"That's true. I'm feeling pretty good. So, going back to those interesting lessons…"she smiled.

What a mystery this girl. Feeling pretty carefree and realizing that her state was one to take advantage of, I wondered if she'd remember everything tomorrow. I slugged on over and began tickling around her stomach.

"So tell me, why are you so afraid to make the big commitment?"

"Big commitment…what? Like marriage? I don't know…maybe because my mom keeps warning me to wait. I think since she got married too young and lost my dad, she still had to raise me…by herself."

"But what about you? Forget about your age, school and work…could you see yourself with me in your future?" I asked desperately.

"Harry, that'snot even a question! Who else would I be with?" Brynn giggled while focusing her eyes on me.

"Brynn, I mean…do you see yourself marrying me?"

"I do. Of course, I do."

I sat up wishing she'd sober up for this portion of the conversation. "So if I asked you to marry me…would that scare you away?"

"Are you asking me to marry you? Are you proposing right now?!"

"No."

"Why not? It sounds like you are," she grinned.

"Because I want to make sure you're not intoxicated and completely aware of your answer."

"But I know my answer."

"Really? What's your answer?"

"I can't tell you…you have to ask first."

"But how do I know this is not your drunkenness talking?"

"You'll have to trust me…and I'm not drunk at all. Just happy."

Looking down at her, sensing her honesty, I walked over to my luggage bag. Holding the little black box firmly, when I turned around Brynn was already sitting at the edge of the bed. Biting her lips, the sparkle in her eyes grew larger than stars. This wasn't at all how I envisioned this moment. A part of me wanted to stop and save it for a better time, with candles and dinner, but I couldn't hit the brakes.

Shaking my head and smiling till it hurt, I knelt down. My hand trembled as I raised the box, staring into her glistening eyes. I had grown used to stomach pains and dizziness but the feeling of weightlessness was an entirely new sensation. I lost all feeling throughout my body once I opened the tiny case.

"Brynn Elise Rael, you would not only make me the happiest man on earth but the happiest man in heaven, if you would marry me?" I choked.

Brynn covered her mouth but two tears had already escaped down her cheeks. She said she had an answer for me but in reality she was at a loss for words. Did she doubt my seriousness? The delay in her response was beginning to worry me, but I had spoken too soon. Nodding, she remained speechless yet gave me the answer I wanted to hear, or see rather.

A gush of air blew out of my mouth as I sighed in disbelief. Still shaky, I managed to slide the small diamond ring onto her finger. The sight of Brynn becoming my fiancé was too much to take in. My face fell on her lap as gravity set in. Her hands cradled my head as she bent over to hold me. Alas, the torture was over and I was one step closer to marrying her.

Notes

<3 <3 <3

A lovey dovey chappy :) Hope you liked it ;)