The makeshift stage was already set, but Gavin kept himself busy handing out backpacks and taking pictures with the kids. It was honestly adorable watching him squat and smile for each picture, never showing any signs of fatigue though I shouldn’t have been surprised. After being on tour for weeks, I was sure his stamina had become his greatest asset.
Actually I knew that for a fact.
Since he had been back in town for a couple of days now, I had already been able to test out his stamina over and over and over again.
But before I could get lost in the blissful memories, Tyson was back to report, “Ms. Reagan, Ms. Leilani said she only got two more packs of hot dog buns.” He even emphasized his point by holding up two fingers.
I cursed in my head before I corrected him, “Ms. Leilani only has two more packs of hot dog buns. But thank you!”
I was already speed-walking back into the center when Gavin called out to me. “Reagan, you alright?”
I didn’t have time to stop walking as I answered, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just gotta run to the store and grab more buns. We’re almost out.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist, stopping me dead in my tracks as he said, “Nah don’t worry about that. I’ll send my assistant. You stay here so you can see me perform.”
“Oh, your assistant huh? I guess you really are big time now,” I teased as I sank against him, taking in all the comfort I could before I would throw myself back out into the wolves.
“Not yet, but I will be very soon,” he replied with a kiss to my temple.
“Now come on so I can perform while I still have the energy. These kids are wearing me out.”
I couldn’t have agreed more as I followed him back outside. Of course a group of kids were waiting by the door, all with pens and scraps of paper for him to sign. So instead of sticking around, I did my rounds to make sure everything was moving smoothly, stopping by Leilani’s food booth first.
“I don’t know, Lei. You helping the kiddies actually looks good on you,” I teased, knowing how much she hated people under 16.
“You’re lucky this event is only once a year or I would’ve never showed up,” she whispered through her fake smile as she handed a little boy a hot dog and pointed him to the ketchup and mustard stand.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Well thank you, sis. You know I appreciate it.”
“No worries. Just know I’ll keep this in mind when I’m sitting in my office sealing thousands of admissions packets,” she replied with a wink.
I could already imagine the paper cuts as my attention went to the stage where Gavin was getting ready to perform.
“Yo, before we get started I wanna give a shoutout to Ms. Reagan Charles for putting this all together! Reagan, come on up!”
There was a roaring applause that caused me to blush as I slid through the crowd before climbing the short set of stairs onto the stage. Gavin wrapped an arm around my shoulder and landed a small peck on my head that was innocent enough for the kids’ eyes, but still caused them all to squeal.
“Now Reagan, while we have you up here, the kids have a special surprise for you. Kids, come on up.”
I looked around and saw a bunch of the centergoers - Tyson included - climbing the stage carrying blank poster boards. I watched with confusion as they all got into position before Gavin instructed them to turn their signs around.
My eyes first scanned the row of kids - my smiling, boisterous bunch - as they each held beautiful pictures decorated with markers and glitter amongst other supplies we’d surely have to restock soon. Thankfully, we were finally approved for the grant money I had been working on for forever and art studio enhancements were included in the request.
Speaking of requests…
I read the message displayed through the pictures out loud, “Ms. Reagan… will you… marry… Mr. Gavin?”
Wait what?!
My heart was pounding as Gavin pulled away from me so that he could drop down to one knee.
With the crooked smile that I loved, he pulled a ring box from his pocket and asked, “Well… what do you say, Ms. Reagan?”
My eyes were overflowing with tears as I cupped a hand over my mouth before shaking my head yes. The kids along with everyone else in attendance cheered as he slid the ring onto my finger. Then he stood up and lifted me off of my feet in a hug as I tried to wipe my seemingly never-ending tears with the back of my hand that now felt much heavier with the ring on it.
The ring.
It was even more perfect than anything I could’ve imagined; this was even more perfect than anything I could’ve imagined.
But it wasn’t about the ring, or the proposal, or the engagement.
It was about him.
The right him.
And while our relationship may have begun under false pretenses, there was certainly no mistaking the real now.
The End
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