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At this point in your life you barely remember what life without Jake was like, not that you ever wanted to remember a time without him. You knew in your heart that Jake was your person- the one you were to spend the rest of your life with.
Being with Jake has always been a little challenging. Not because of him, of course, he was the most perfect boyfriend you’ve ever had but because you swore the Navy loved to keep the two of you apart. Some days when you were feeling particularly down you swear the Navy must be plotting against your love. You always picture a whole room of Navy admirals sitting around a table, with a map laid out in front of them, deciding where the least convenient place was to send Jake, a bulletin board on the wall has a calendar with all the important dates for the two of you circled in red so the admirals knew exactly when to send Jake off somewhere or when to deny him leave.
But for once you’ve thwarted their attempts to keep the two of you apart! You were spending your first Thanksgiving together at Jake’s family farm, despite being together for five years. His parents always invite you despite Jake not being able to attend but you have always politely turned the offer down. You love his parents but being there without Jake would feel weird to you and you’d miss Jake extra, so you’ve never gone. Until now.
Jake was able to get the whole week off so he made it to the farm a couple days before you were able to fly out which you were glad about. You didn’t want to monopolize Jake’s time at home even though you know his family would understand. Jake needed time with his family without you. Didn’t need his girlfriend following after him like a little lost duck his whole leave despite his very vocal protests.
“Darlin, I want nothing more than for you to follow me around all day every day for the rest of my life.”
“How am I sposed to show you off to my whole hometown if you’re only there for a couple a days?”
“Mama’s gonna think you don’t love her as much if you don’t spend the whole week with me. You gonna break my mama’s heart, darlin?”
That last one almost got you to cave but you stuck to your guns and decided that flying in to Texas on Tuesday night would be the plan. Jake had the whole week at home so he got there Saturday night and was leaving the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Three ish days seemed like a good amount of time for Jake to be home alone with his family.
Those three days have seemed to be torture for Jake if the text messages he’s sent you are anything to go off of.
“I miss you.”
“I’m bored here without you.”
“Can’t we just change your plane ticket? I’ll pay for it.”
“I’m about ready to just hop in the truck and drive to your apartment and pick you up.”
It would take him longer to come get you than it would to just wait until you flew in but there’s really no reasoning with a pouty Jake. You had to text his mom just to make sure he didn’t go through with his ridiculous idea. She hid his keys from him. He pouted more.
Finally, after three long days and an over three hour flight you were finally stepping off the plane to see your favorite pouty man child.
It takes you about a half an hour to figure out where to go to find Jake, airports are never simple to navigate. You see him before he sees you which meant you got to watch his face the second his eyes fell upon you. The biggest smile you had ever seen passed over his face as he broke out into a jog to get to you as fast as he could without running into others. You giggle as you rush towards him. As soon as you are within arms reach, Jake lifts you up into his arms, holding you as tight as he could against himself as he buries his face in your neck. You drop your bag and wrap yourself around him and take a moment to soak up the feeling of being surrounded by Jake, the feeling of being home.
“I missed you so much,” you almost miss his words as they’re mumbled into your neck.
“We saw each other last month!” You say with a laugh.
Jake shakes his head the best he can while his face is still pressed against your neck, “It felt like an eternity since you’ve been in my arms.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
Jake chuckles and finally pulls his face out of its hiding spot to gaze into your eyes, “Only about you, darlin.”
“Hi,” you whisper to him, his face only a breath away from yours.
“Hi,” he whispers back, a genuine smile plastered on his face. You scrunch your nose as he places a soft kiss on the tip of it, making you giggle. “Are you ready to get out of here? We got a whole herd of people waitin’ to meet you at the house.”
You scrunch your eyebrows in question, “But like how many people? You didn’t say anything about meeting lots of people today.”
Jake shrugs, “My family is all excited for Thanksgiving so they wanted to come and visit with everyone from out of town at the ranch before the prep work tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Nana’s even back at the house.”
“Nana? I thought she never leaves the nursing home anymore.”
“Pops thought he’d spring her from the joint for a few days. She’s goin back Thursday after dinner,” Jake explains.
“Oh okay,” you say worrying your lip. You hadn’t expected to meet everyone today. You thought you would at least have the day to yourselves, but this is Jake’s leave and you weren’t about to dictate what happens during it. There would be plenty of time together after everyone goes home.
Jake kisses you quickly before setting you back on the ground and taking your hand to lead you out to his truck. The next half hour is spent soaking up your alone time with Jake in the truck, catching up on the little things that rarely get talked about over the phone.
As the truck pulled up to the Seresin farm house you were feeling a bit anxious. You knew Jake’s family were all nice, you’ve met his parents many times so everyone else has to be friendly at least, but large groups of new people makes anyone a little uneasy. You knew you were never going to remember anyone’s name. Despite Jake being an only child, his extended family was huge.
You fiddle with your finger nails while Jake parks the truck.
He looks over at you with a smile and a pat on your thigh, “Ready?”
You nod and he tells you to stay put.
Jake got out of the truck on his side and jogged around to your side to open the door for you.
You smile as you hop out then reach up to kiss his cheek.
Jake flashes you a grin as he reaches into the truck to grab your bags. He lifts them easily, shuts the door, then grabs your hand to pull you towards the front door.
The two of you are almost at the door when it swings open to reveal Jake’s mom rushing towards you with her arms out stretched.
“My baby girl is back home!” She says as she pulls you into an enthusiastic hug.
You hug her back and then get passed off to Jake’s dad who hugs you as well while welcoming you into the house where you’re met with about 30 people all standing up to greet you.
The next half hour is a blur of handshakes, hugs, and introductions. You’re pretty sure you’ve already forgotten everyone’s name except Jake’s grandmother and that’s only because she’s just Nana. Kinda hard to forget.
Eventually the commotion dies down and Jake’s mom announces it’s time for dinner. Since she has to cook for the next two days she had ordered enough pizza for everyone. It turns into a frenzy of everyone trying to get pizza all at the same time. You quietly sit down next to Nana who seems to be the only other person not trying to fight their way to the pizza boxes.
“You’d swear that everyone hasn’t eaten in days with how this family acts around food. God knows they all take after my husband. I tried to teach them all manners but clearly they didn’t stick,” Nana explains, gesturing to the mob of people.
You snicker and she shoots you a wink.
Jake walks over with a plate in each hand. He leans down to kiss his nana on the cheek then leans down to do the same to you before he hands you both a plate of pizza each before heading back.
Nana nudges you softly, “Maybe I spoke too soon.”
You and nana happily eat your pizza chit chatting together. You learn that Ethel at the home has been cheating at poker and nana is sure that the plan she’s concocted will catch her in the act. You also learn that Fred has been flirting with one of the new nurses and nana thinks he is laying it on a little too thick to be appropriate.
Someone announces that they have the fire going in the backyard and nana decides that the two of you must go out enjoy the night together, but first she makes you promise not to say anything about Fred or her plan to catch Ethel. You told her you swear on your life not to tell a soul before you help her outside to an empty lawn chair. Everyone seems to have made their way outside by the time you make it out with Nana.
Jake walks up behind you once you get nana settled and grabs your hand, pulling you away from everyone else.
You glance behind yourself to wave bye to nana and notice most everyone has their eyes glued to you. Weird. You’re not too sure you like that but you turn back to look where you’re going and try and ignore the eyes you feel are staring at the back of your head.
You notice Jake check his pocket and while you’re not too sure how you know you just know that Jake is about to propose. This is it. Has to be it.
“Really? Now?” You whine at him and drag your feet a little.
“What?” He asks as he stops walking. The two of you are still within earshot of everyone.
You put your hands on your hips, “You’re really doing this right now? Really?”
Jake looks at you exasperatedly, “Yes, right now. Do you know how long I’ve had this thing?”
You shrug, “Since I sent you the link of the ring I wanted?”
Jake sighs, “Yes, since you sent me the link. It’s not my fault. You’re the one who wanted a simulated diamond ring. I didn’t have to save as much money for it than I expected.”
“The amount of times I walk away from things is too many for you to buy me an expensive ring. Or what if I lose it? No. You’re not spending some stupid amount of money on a ring. It’s just flat out dumb. You’re also not giving me a ring with sentimental value. I’ll feel like an asshole when I lose it,” you explain.
“I know, darlin, I know. You’ve told me all of this. Can I get down on one knee now?” He asks.
You shrug, “I guess I can’t stop you.”
Jake rolls his eyes as he gets down on one knee and takes both of your hands, “Darlin, I’m not quite sure what to do with you, never have been, but I want to spend the rest of my life trying to figure that out. I want to save you from getting your ass beat by men a foot taller than you every day for the rest of our lives. Maybe not every day. Maybe like once a month. It doesn’t matter. Anyways, you are my greatest joy. The best part of my day, every single day. I am sick to death of the Navy keeping us apart and this is the best way to make sure I get to keep you with me. Where you should be. With the nature of my job we’ll still get separated at times but knowing that no matter what you’ll be taken care of will make it so much easier on my heart when I’m away. I want to be able to wake up next to you every chance I get until the day I die. I want to have cute little smartass babies with you that will get me into as much trouble as their mama. I want everything with you, anything with you, because you are all I need in this world to keep me happy. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?”
“Did you ask my sister?”
Jake furrows his brows, “Did I do what now?”
You let out a huff, “Did you or did you not ask my sister?”
“What? Yeah, I asked your sister. You told me I had to. You think I got a ring and planned a whole proposal out without asking your sister?”
You shrug, “I wouldn’t be surprised. Sometimes you don’t listen.”
Jake stares at you, “Is this really happening right now?”
“Did you expect anything less from me?”
“Maybe some tears.”
“Have you met me?” You ask raising an eyebrow.
Jake shrugs, “Clearly I wasn’t thinking straight. Could you maybe give me an answer please? Everyone is staring at us and it’s starting to wear on me.”
You laugh, “Of course I’ll marry you, idiot. You’re the love of my life.”
Jake grins and stands up, wrapping his arms around you to lift you up then yells, “She said yes!”
Jake’s family cheers from their seats. You look over and see Jake’s mom clutching his dad’s arm tightly with tears streaming down her face.
“Your mom is crying so at least you made someone cry,” you say to Jake while laughing.
Jake slides you back to the ground, “She’s crying because she finally gets to say your her daughter. I’m pretty sure she loves you more than she loves me.”
“I KNOW she loves me more than you. Your dad too. How does it feel to be second best?” You ask playfully.
Jake laughs, “With you in first place I’m surprised I even made second place.”
You lean up to kiss him but stop just in front of his lips, “At least you’re first place in my heart every time.”
He pumps a fist, “Yes!”
You laugh as you close the distance between his lips and yours as a thought comes over you, you have a LOT of names to learn.