Ellen - Chapter 6: A Promise
Ellen Chapter 6: A Promise "Where are we going?" "You'll see..." Right now, a certain human and wolfess were walking to an unknown location. Jake was wearing a nice dark blue, three piece suit and Ellen, a beautiful, light purple dress, both their clothes slightly dirty from the running. It was the 24-year-old's 6th year anniversary to this day, and Jake had made a special reservation at some fancy restaurant and was taking Ellen to it, walking of course. In all their years in the city, they had never bought a car, Jake insisting that there was always traffic. So they walked everywhere, or in Jake's case, biked everywhere, since He liked to bike to work. After a few minutes, they found themselves at the Virtuous Bistro, one of the most exclusive restaurants in New York. "Gasp You got us reservations at the Virtuous Bistro!" Ellen had only heard of it like a million times! She went on and on about it, and Jake took the incessant rambling to heart and reserved a table... about 9 months ago. "I just wanted to make this night special" He said, putting an arms around her. He did want tonight special, after all, tonight, he was going to propose to Ellen. Yes, he was going to propose to her... you know... marriage... don't know what it is, well let him explain in great detail- Okay, Jake was nervous and REALLY wanted to avoid it right now. It wasn't like he didn't love her - he did with all his heart. She was his everything, the most important part of his life, but it didn't make him less nervous - this was one of the most important decision of his life, he had a right to be nervous! He quickly called over a waiter. "Yes, Sir?" He said that word with a slight bitter tone "We have a reservation, under Middleson?" Jake said as the waiter began typing on his computer "Right this way sir" As they made their way to their reserved table, they gained quite the bit of stares from the dining patrons. It looked like there were no Hybrids here, and apparently on had 6. Ever. Over the years, Ellen's self-confidence had only grown, But with all these people staring at her, she quickly reverted to her old, shy self. Ellen began holding his arm, clawing into it quite a bit, and her face was flushed. After the endless minutes (at least for Ellen), they found their table, and the stares began to die down, or at least a few did. "You seem a little... nervous." Jake told her "Of course i'm nervous!" She whisper-yelled "We're at the fanciest restaurants in New York and everyone is staring me!" "So what if they're only staring only at you because you're a Hybrid, i love you for-" "Oh god, i didn't notice this until now..." She put her hands on her head, shaking it Jake felt bad for bringing this up so he grabbed her wrists and telling her "Hey, I want you to know something; no matter what other people think, i'll always love you, okay?" "Jake..." Ellen looked at him with dreamy eyes and was about to just mount him like a common wolf right then and there, but was interrupted by another waiter. "Good evening. Sir, can i start you off with some wine?" As the waiter began listing off the exclusive wines as Jake and Ellen made googly eyes at each other, both with sweet smiles "Uh, sir?" "Oh, sorry. We'll take that last one" Jake said as the waiter snorted at his incompetence before heading off back to kitchen. Ellen was a little sad he didn't like her, she never liked it when somebody was angry or didn't like her. "I don't think he likes us..." Ellen said with her ears down "Who cares? I think he's a bit snooty anyways..." "Still..." Soon the waiter came back, poured the wine, and got their orders. Jake had chosen the Veal and Ellen, the Ceasar Salad (She was a vegetarian, sorry for not mentioning that). They talked for a while, mostly talking about their days, apparently Ellen had written a new story today, something about finding love in the apocalypse. She'd had the job for three years and most of her stories followed a similar concept; boy meet girl, boy falls in love, mushy-sappy...ness and they have children. Ellen was supposed to send it into today, around this time, but Jake had just come through the door with a suit and holding a dress and took her out. She loved her job, and loved writing, so did Jake, since he loved reading her stories as well. Jake talked about how he had a bit of writers block today, something Ellen had very little of. About half-way through the meal, Jake excused himself. Walking far enough so Ellen couldn't hear him and could only see his back, he pulled out his phone and called Shawn "Hello? Shawn?" "Who's this?" Ah Shawn, always straight-foward "It's Jake." "Oh, Hey Jake, what's up?" "I need some help" "With what?" "I'm... Getting married..." "And you didn't invite-" "Shawn, shut up for a minute. I'm going to propose to Ellen, you idiot" "REALLY?!?!" "For god's sake Shawn, keep it down!" He said as he waved down the scornful stares "Well it's hard to keep down my excitement for my best bro" "stop calling me that..." "Whatever. Anyway congrats man, I'm glad for you" "Thanks, it's just..." "What?" "I'm.. scared?" "Of what?" "Of if she says no... or dumps me.. i'm just scared of the whole thing!" "First off, she won't dump you or say no. Second, you'll be fine." "I know, but it's just... on the outside i'm trying to be all 'casual' but on the inside i'm freaking the @#$% out!" Now he didn't care about all the stares he was a little preoccupied "It's okay, i know you'll sweep her off her feet! And remember, you're doing this for her - for that shocked look on her face when you show her how much you love her!" ........
Meanwhile... Ellen gave a sigh. Jake had gone to the bathroom and she suspected she'd be alone for a little while. She was a little bored and nervous, still being in such a classy restaurant. So, to pass the time, she called up Cece. "Ell?" "Ce?" "This is she" Cece said in a goofy tone before breaking into a fit of laughter and Ellen gave a couple chuckles (mostly to humor her) "Ha, so whats going on?" "Oh i'm out with Jake" "At a bar?" "No, at - get this - the Virtuous Bistro!" "...Whats that?" a year ago, Cece and her girlfriend, Carol, moved here from Chicago after going to college together, Cece meeting Carol on her 3rd year whilst Carol was on her 2nd. Anyway, any woman who'd lived in New York for say... a few months or so, knew of the restaurant. Not Cece. Yes, Cece barely knew of recent events, not knowing they got a new president until a couples days ago... his inauguration was a year ago. Before Ellen could respond, she heard a squeal in the backround "What was that?" "Oh uh, Carol's heard of the place... some REALLY fancy place?" "Yeah, Jake made reservations 9 months ago..." "Some special night, eh?" "Ya i guess so... It's weird... we've never really done anything on our anniversary before..." "Whaddaya mean?" "On our second one, i was sick so we snuggled close and watched movies, the fourth we just went to a concert... They were romantic, of course, but never something as... expensive as this." "I think i know why this one's different..." "Why?" "It's pretty obvious..." "What?" "Oh come'on, Ell" "What?!" "If you don't get it... I'll just let you figure it out for yourself. Cya" "Sigh Cya." Ellen then clicked the 'end call' button It was a few minutes before Jake returned, he was now visibly shaking. Whatever his call was about, it had shaken him him up. "You okay?" "Y-ya i'm Fineeee...." "You seem... really nervous" "Would a nervous guy eat steak like this?" He pulled the entire steak - not pieces, the entire steak, mind you - and took bites of it, which caught a few stares and scoffs "Like that? ...ya." Ellen said with a giggle "Well... i'm not nervous" After a nice - albeit now a bit awkward - meal, they paid the check - about 500. After wishing the waiters a nice night, they headed out. "Where to now?" Ellen asked "Well i'd hate to end a nice night, so i thought we might do a couple more things..." "Like what?" "Well... since we did something so stuffy and serious, i though we'd do something... fun. You know... like go to someplace like Scoops." Scoops was a local ice cream/frozen yogurt place that Ellen and Jake regularly visited - they knew the owners and were well liked around the place. After a short walk, they found themselves at the place. After entering it, the bell rang and the 10 kids in the shop turned to the two, not stopping their gaze from well dressed duo. "What?" After getting their frozen treats - Ellen loved Cookie Dough and Jake had a craving for Mint Chocolate - Jake lead Ellen to her favorite place in New York - The Serenity Bridge. The Serenity Bridge was built in the 20's a result of the depression and the American government wanting to create jobs. It had been in a few movies and connects Staten Island and Brooklyn. The bridge was a cross beam type and was primarly made of stone and the beams used with a bit of iron. "Remember when we first came to New York?" Right now, they were walking on the bridge, Ellens head on Jake's shoulder, the two just enjoying each other's company. "You wanted to go to that 'Giant bridge from my favorite movie ever!'" "I just wanted to be like the couple from Love in New York..." "Ya, it was a week before you said you loved me..." "I just wanted to pretend maybe... that we were that couple..." "I remember, you wouldn't let go of me for a single second..." "Just wanted to pretend we were... in love" "You didn't have to wait long for the real thing" "Hey mister, i waited eight long years!" "I though you said you didn't realize until you were 4..." "I knew i loved you the first moment i saw you... i just wasn't ready to admit it until then..." "Well, i knew i loved you right when you spoke..." "Lier" "It is true Milady..." They continued their playful banter, Jake kept a firm hand on the boxed-ring. They just continued their way through the bridge, cars zooming past and people walking to and fro, some with looks of disgust. Once they reached the halfway point, the moment Jake was hoping for came. Earlier in the week, he checked the weather to see how it would turn out at around this time; it was rain. So, Ellen and Jake began to feel soft patters on their clothes. "Its... raining" Ellen said, looking at the looming clouds. Jake didn't say anything, instead grabbing her by her shoulders and walking foward at bit to face her "Jake... what're you doin-" He then put a finger to her muzzel to shush her, to which she gave a confused look but did as she was told. Okay... Here it... goes By now, he was shaking again. After putting his ice-cream on the railing, he stared back at her before getting down on one knee. "J-Jake? What're you?" He heard her continue to question him as he pulled out the box. It was a normal ring box, line with a purple fabric and was split along the half-way mark, having gotten the box from the same place as the jeweler. Soon he presented it infront of the wolfess, who had eyes as wide as saucers. "Is that a-a-a-a" She continued to mumble as Jake tried to remember his speech he prepared. He'd rewrote it and re-rewrote it over and over again, practicing it about 20 - 30 times. But there was one problem - he couldn't remember a single word. It's okay, It's okay, just... speak from... the kidneys? No... the heart! yes, the heart! "Ellen... Ellen, i've known you for 14 years... but i feel like i've known you forever... I remember, when i was ten, when my parents said we were going to the Companion Building... When i first laid eyes on you - i knew we'd be together forever - that we'd be... lovers. I just wish i knew that earlier. Ellen... You're the greatest... most sweetest, cutest, loveliest girl i've ever - no... the world's ever - seen. I love everything about you - how you always get so nervous ordering food, how you sneeze with your whole body, how you're such a klutz... i love you last to every little detail..." He paused for a moment to take in the moment. By now, Ellen was crying profusely, her eyes streaming with joy. There were others gathered around - about 5 people, watching the declaration of love, some people walking around them and looking back for a second - some with looks of jealousy and some, hate. "Ellen Petrice Middleson... will you do me the honor... of becoming my wife?" He opened the box to reveal a ring with a (very large) diamond. It was dead in the center of a golden bangle, surrounded by about eight smaller rings. He stopped for a second - expecting anything to happen - for her to say she hated him, for her to say she only dated him for a place to stay... to... pull out a gun and shot him- honestly he didn't know... "Yes... of course yes you big idiot!" She yelled to him as he got up and put the ring on her clawed finger (he'd gotten a custom ring) and she tackled him to the ground with a hug as the small crowd - which had grown larger - giving whoops and applause. They continued with a kiss, the - now engaged - couple just enjoying each other's company, ready to spend the rest of their lives together. End of Chapter 6