Chapter Two Of "Risen"

  My face heated as I blushed. My jaw dropped wiht my hands still covering my mouth, trying to hide my surprise, and yet trying to show it. My mouth closed when I took my hands away from my face. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Tears filled my eyes; I choked up, got my breath back--slightly--and blinked away the tears. I saw the sticky notes filling up the wall of the house. Miniaturized drawn pictures or our times together. Organized from start to finihs, including when he just now gave me the camouflage jacket...spelling out "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" My hands shook. I looked at him. He was posed on the ground with a ring. It was beautiful. It had almost all the birthstones for my birthday: Black Onys (mythical), Turquoise/Blue Topaz (modern), and Zircon (traditional); and around that, intricate engravements. It dawned on me. He made it, didn't he? I thought. Tears filled my eyes once more. "Alice Thorns," He started, looking into my soul, "Will you..." He gulped, nervous, "...marry me?" I just walked over to him, and threw my arms around his neck in a long kiss, tasting the salty tears that were running down my cheeks in absolute content. My stomach was full of butterflies--who am I kidding? There was an entire zoo in there--and I was flying. I pulled away and looked lovingly into his eyes...his incredibly hazel eyes. "So, I'm guessing that is a yes?" He asked. I just nodded, still too choked up to talk. "May I?" I nodded again, and backed up a little to let him take my hand and put the ring on my finger. He almost dropped it three times. Finally, I was finished being choked up, so I could finally say what I wanted to say, "Ender?"

"Yes?"

I'm going to tell him, I thought as I drew a large breath, and with a huge grin, "I love you."

He smiled, "I love you, too."

My smile faded, "Ender?"

"Yes, Alice?"

"I...have something to tell you..."

"Go ahead, honey. Take your time, as much as you need."

   I smiled, and he smiled, I looked into his eyes, and I saw my one true love in those gorgeous pools of...happiness. "But not here...we have to...go...somewhere else," I said. "Where?" Ender asked. I thought for a moment. My brow furrowed as I thought. Suddenly, I got an idea. "Ender," I started, "uh--tommorrow night, I'll take us somewhere, and I'll tell you then. I know, you probably want to know right now, because, I really want to tell you right now. But, not here. Not now. Okay?"

Ender nodded, "Alright. When?"

"Uh...I thought for a second, "Let's say...11:45 PM I'll be here, okay?"

"Um, okay. I love you, Alice."

   He took me in his arms and pulled me in for a kiss. I didn't resist. I enjoyed it. I relished it. Because, I'm not sure he's going to want to be around me after I tell him...though, I'm going to hope and pray that he does.

................................................................................................................................................................

   I went home that night--I sort of ran most of the way--got into my pajamas, and got into my bed. That night, I had a dream. It was...strange. I guess it was supposed to show me...that I do need to tell him. It was the first night I knew I was in love with him...even though I thought I knew I wasn't.