14Title: Roses and Rings
Summary: She was beginning to think she'd never see him…least of all on Valentines day, and she certainly didn't expect what he had to offer…
The incandescent light of the full moon shone dully through the hazy window, a gentle beam of light causing the room to glow. Outside, a fresh coat of snow blanketed the emerald grass, and petite icicles stretched toward the ground. Inside of the bedroom that the moon illuminated, rested a sleeping girl.
Her slender body was slumped across the desk that she was perched in front of, her left hand crooked awkwardly as a temporary pillow for her head, half hidden by her golden hair that billowed over it. Her right arm was extended before her, her nimble fingers clutching numbly at a tattered picture, worn by tears and years spent traveling from wallet, to pocket, to purse, through the washer and drier and back into the wallet.
She stirred as a cloud shifted in front of the moon, blocking the light that had been comforting her in her sleep. Blinking her eyes open, she picked her head up drowsily and glanced at the alarm clock positioned in the corner of her desk.
2:14 on Valentine's Day morning. Fitting, she thought as she sat up, stretching as she realized any hopes of sleep now were futile. Once more, she brought the tattered photograph to her eyes, her finger tracing the face of a man who stood next to her, his smile illuminating his face and his deep brown hair flopped lazily over his bright green eyes. Jack, she thought as a sad smile graced her lips while she fingered the face of her boyfriend, trying to stop herself before she selfishly wished that he was at home with her instead of over sea's fighting a war she herself found pointless.
Get a hold of yourself, Beth, she thought, fighting back tears that balanced on the edges of her eyes, threatening to cascade down her silken face. Her lower lip quivered, and she threw her glance around the room until finally it landed on an object on her bed. Shoving herself out of her chair, she hurried over to the object on her bed, scooping it up as she fell heavily into her mattress, pressing her backbone against her headboard.
Beth hugged the tattered bear tightly, nuzzling it against her cheek as she pressed her nose into it's soft fur, inhaling the scent that reminded her strongly of her Jack. The teddy-bears sad eyes seemed to console her, and her fingers brushed against the satin flower in the cotton paw of the bear. Before she could stop them, the tears flooded the barrier in her eyes, and a salty stream swept down her cheeks. Beth rocked back and forth on the cushion-like mattress, clutching the bear as tightly as she could, crying herself to sleep.
Later that morning, when the golden orb of the sun peaked above the horizon, a rap on the door woke Beth from her fitful sleep. Curiously, she pulled herself out of bed, blinking back the sleep and tugging on a soft robe. Combing her hair with her fingers as she walked down the hallway, she yawned, trying to guess as to who her unexpected visitor might be.
When she reached the oak door standing magnificently in her living room, she flipped the lock to open, and twisted the golden knob, pulling gently on the door until it creaked open. An empty doorway met her eyes, and she scanned the perimeter until azure orbs fell on her doorstep.
There, on her old Welcome mat, lay scattered a dozen white roses, their delicate pedals smiling up at her. Beth felt her lips part in confusion, and she took a step towards the flowers. As she reached down to pick up the green stem of the rose closest to her, a hand caught hers, and she felt her breath catch in surprise.
Her eyes landed on the hand, then traveled from the hand to the blue uniform dress that she was all too familiar with. As her gaze continued to travel, it finally landed on a soft face with honey eyes and dark raven hair. His ruby lips were curled into a soft smile.
"Jack," she whispered, her voice caught in her throat. His grin seemed to stretch further across his face at the sound of her voice, and he cleared his throat, moving his right arm to draw her attention to it.
For the first time, Beth noted the fact that he was down on one knee in the scatter of roses. In his right hand, he held an open box, and in that box was nestled a glittering diamond atop of a golden band.
At the sight of it, her eyes snapped up into his, and he shrugged and nodded as if confirming the reality. As he opened his mouth to speak, Beth threw herself at him, hugging him tightly around his neck and burying her head into his shoulder, taking in his scent. After a moment, she tilted her head up, her lips next to his ears as she whispered, "I will."
End.
When I started writing this, I thought it was good...now, I'm not so sure. I think it's too sappy, but eh. What do you think? Critiques welcome, there is always room for improve, but I need your help to do so!
Thanks for reading,
-White Rose Blossom-