The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,72
sparkle even more.
“Just like you. How ‘bout we go out to a nice dinner at the restaurant tonight? This way you can show your dad. We’ll celebrate.”
***
Everyone is happy for us when we make our announcement and my dad grabs a bottle of champagne from the fridge. He pops the cork and the sparkling bubbles spill out of the top of the bottle. We toast our glasses and my mom is eager to talk plans.
“Nothing too big,” JJ says, referring to my mom’s question as to what we are planning. We all laugh, knowing that is exactly what she would say.
“That’s fine by me as long as it’s soon. There’s no reason to drag it out. Ya know?” I add while JJ nods her head in agreement.
“Well, we need to book the church. We have to find a caterer. You have to give me time to get some things together,” my mom says.
“Mom, relax. We just got engaged two seconds ago. We didn’t even get a chance to talk about anything yet,” I say, laughing.
“Yeah, Maria, let them decide what they want. Then, they’ll let you know.” My dad comes to our defense.
We invite Deanna and Mikey to come to dinner with us, but they both agree we should have dinner alone without the two of them tagging along. Deanna hesitantly asks if we would like to meet them afterwards at CJ’s for a drink. At first, I reject the idea, but JJ thinks otherwise.
“Yeah, sure. We’ll meet you when we’re finished with dinner,” she says cheerfully. I give her a look.
“What?” she asks, staring back at me. “Luke, the past is the past. It was one bad night. We’ve had so many fun times at CJ’s. I’d rather remember it for the good times, not the one bad time.”
“She’s got a point,” Mikey adds.
“Plus, she needs to show off that ring to everyone. C’mon, everyone will be happy to see the two of you,” Deanna agrees.
“We’ll be there,” JJ says confidently, giving me a peck on the cheek. I’m still hesitant, but I nod in agreement.
“Get used to it, buddy,” Mikey says, patting me on the back.
***
JJ takes my breath away when she steps out of her room dressed for the evening. The eggplant colored, backless, mini-dress hugs her body tightly, revealing her perfectly toned body. My first thought is to take her back in the room, but I decide I don’t want to mess her up. I’m still adjusting to the maturity in the way she now carries herself. She’s changed, but in a good way. She’s confident, strong and more beautiful than ever.
I call David ahead of time and tell him it’s a special occasion, so he reserves a table for two located in the most romantic location in the restaurant. Considering what we discussed last night, I’m sure he has a good idea of what it is. The table is perfectly decorated with a sage colored tablecloth and a flickering candle sets off just the right amount of light. A bottle of champagne sits chilled on ice, waiting for our arrival.
JJ flashes her ring in front of her face as soon as David meets us at our table. He hugs us and tells us he loves us.
The waiters dote on us, bringing us an assortment of seafood and steaks. We sip our champagne and enjoy our celebration. I’m consumed with happiness. I find it hard to take my eyes away from her for more than a moment.
“What are you looking at?” she asks, feeling giddy from the champagne and the mood of the evening.
“You. I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful and you made me so happy today.”
“You’ve made me happy, too. I can’t wait to be married to you.”
“When?” I ask, smiling.
“Right now,” she says teasingly.
“Let’s go,” I challenge, jumping from my seat.
“You’re crazy.” She laughs. “Seriously, what are you thinking?”
“Honestly, I don’t want to wait. I’m thinking before spring training. What do you think?”
JJ and I previously discussed my tentative schedule come spring. It looks like I’ll be heading to North Carolina in early March to play Triple A ball. It’s gonna suck being apart, but it’s something we expect given my career.
“Sounds good to me. Would Christmas break be too soon?”
“Not soon enough,” I answer.
We quickly agree on a New Year’s Eve Wedding, we consider it our official anniversary date anyway, which doesn’t give us much time to plan. We decide we want to marry in Florida, since that is where we will