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The final touches on this year’s field trip to the Please Touch Museum was all that Janine could talk about. Gregory had been on the receiving end of her excitement and helping out in any way that he could.
She had been so busy with classroom prep, that she nearly forgot to clock out of work for the day. On a normal occasion, she would hear Gregory knocking on her classroom wall so that they could drive home together. Instead, she hears water running from outside of her classroom window and takes a peek, seeing her boyfriend outside.
“Hey, you’re still here?” A bubbly Janine asks an overthinking Gregory when she goes to meet him outside.
“Yeah, figured I’d hang around and water these guys a bit before heading home.” Janine simply nods her head and stands there, observing his nervous stature. He glances back at her, looking at her as if she’s the only person to ever exist to him.
“Why are you acting so weird?” She quizzes, raising her eyebrows at him.
“I’m alright.” He reassures as he puts the watering can down and makes his way over to her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Just thinking of ways to decompress before the festivities begin tomorrow.”
While on the field trip, things still feel awkward.
“Gregory?” Janine questions as she sees Gregory on his phone, he looks up and sees her concerned face.
“Hmm?” He hums, smiling at her.
“Is everything okay?” She asks again, for the umpteenth time. Her worries about him have increased into fight or flight, she wonders if there is something that he is hiding.
Gregory just wants to pull her into his arms and reassure all of her worries, but there will be time for that in a few short moments.
“Everything’s fine, Janine.” He promises, giving her a warm smile. His text to Ava would have to wait a few more seconds, he was fine with that.“Do you want a snack? The last thing you ate was a bagel before we got here.”
“I am a little hungry, but I’m gonna go to the bathroom first.” Before she leaves, Gregory kisses her softly for good measure. He couldn’t have her too suspicious of his strange activity, nor worrying too much.
Outside of the bathroom, Ava comes to Gregory to discuss the plan for getting the both of them to Morris Arboretum. This took weeks of planning, and now it’s finally here.
Janine looks at herself in the bathroom mirror and gives herself a pep talk not noticing Ava, who takes a glance at her as she walks into the bathroom.
“Psyching yourself up to be brave today, Pipsqueak?” Ava jokes, leaning awfully close to the mirror to apply mascara. Janine fake laughs and takes a sharp exhale, alerting Ava.
“Sure.” Janie mumbles. Normally, she would’ve bitten back at Ava’s jabs but today didn’t feel like that type of day.
The woman takes a look at her colleague and stops focusing on herself for a moment, actually caring about what is going on. “Alright, what’s wrong Janine?” Ava is genuinely concerned about seeing the usually bubbly Janine looking nervous.
“Gregory, he’s just acting really weird.”
Ava looks at Janine shocked, “Girl, we’re talking about edamame arms who prefers boiled chicken sandwiches over pizza, who sits in a hot car in the summer for pleasure. Your man is weird.”
Janine sighs and looks up at Ava for reassurance, facing her face to face.
Ava closes her mouth to think. “Look Janine…” She rubs Janine’s arm in fear that if she didn’t, Janine would’ve probably passed out or something.
“I think he’s hiding something from me, Ava.” On a normal occasion, Ava would’ve laughed at Janine’s overthinking and would tell her to chill.
“Like?” She asks with an eyebrow raised. Janine shakes her head as thoughts cloud her head, she’s almost scared to answer Ava.
The principal speaks up to intervene in the negative thoughts going on in Janine’s mind. “What you have with Gregory is so healthy, and I’m sure that whatever is going on isn’t as bad as you think it is. Stop talking yourself out of something good, you deserve to be loved.”
“Thanks Ava.”
“They say opposites attract, you dorks are literally perfect for each other.” Janine rolls her eyes, making Ava laugh. “Just so nauseating, ugh.”
“Get out.” Janine barks back, letting out a giggle.
“This is a public bathroom.” Ava argues back, turning on her heels. “I’ll leave when I want. Heads up, some teachers including you and Gregory are needed at Morris Arboretum to review Abbott’s submission piece for the competition.” She shares before leaving her nervous colleague behind in the bathroom.
The principal sees Gregory outside of the bathroom and stops to speak to him. “You better pop that question fast, she’s in there worrying and it’s getting on my nerves.” She shares before she parts ways with him.
Janine takes a deep breath and blows an exhale, hoping that her colleague is right. When she is ready, she exits the bathroom and makes her way back to her boyfriend who stands outside of the bathroom. He sees her and immediately lights up, kissing her forehead. “Did I miss anything?” She asks him, trying to remain as normal as possible.
“No, but let’s go to Morris for this review. It should be about a thirty minute drive. Ava told you about it, right?”
“Yeah, she told me. Let’s go.” Janine chirps, grinning at Gregory who hopes that his plan comes to fruition, successfully.
“You still need a snack, right?” He quizzes, fishing in his backpack for two homemade granola bars for her. Janine can’t be hungry on his watch.
“Thank you.” Janine gushes, happily taking the treats to munch on as they make their way out of the museum.
Gregory requests their uber and sends one final text to his father who agrees to meet them there, and puts his phone away. Martin Eddie agrees to pick up Erika. Jacob, on the way to the flower show agrees to meet up with Ava, O’Shon, Melissa, and Barbara there.
The flowers surrounding them are stunning, and the air is fragrant as they walk hand in hand through the giant building covered in plants head to toe. “I can’t believe they’ve invited us somewhere this stunning.” Janine chimes, making Gregory smile down at her. “I’m glad we’ve been picked for this.”
“It is really nice.” He would know, he had taken a trip there yesterday to make sure that the proposal site met his expectations.
Gregory smells one of the flowers in front of him, appreciating its warmth while Janine does the same with the flower next to her. “Wait, you should smell this one.” Janine suggests, the words bring back a core memory and Gregory kisses her forehead before smelling the flower she suggests.
“This flower does smell amazing.” He shares, rubbing her back. Ava texts him, letting him know that everyone has arrived. “Hey, Ava just texted. Let’s go see how our submission turned out before she beats us.”
The couple still take their time transferring buildings, the plants were just too gorgeous to not look at.
Melissa walks with Barbara, each holding peonies in their hands as the couple are heading their way in passing. “Hey kid, want these flowers?” Melissa asks Janine, not waiting for an answer as she eagerly passes the pink peonies to her.
“Why are you guys here?” Janine quizzes.
“That’s not important.” Melissa retorts, happily walking away with Barbara but most of all elated to help Gregory with this plan. He rushes to text his father about where he and Janine are headed.
The nervousness in Gregory rushes through him as he and Janine near their proposal site, an intimate area that reflects the living classroom. The lights are slightly dimmed while a soft instrumental plays, faintly. “This is so cool!” Janine gushes, paying attention to every little detail on the desks and looks at the backpack terrariums. She gently lays her peonies down on one of the desks.
“It’s beautiful.” Gregory shares, smiling at her.
“Gregory, are you sure you’re okay?” Janine quizzes, knocking Gregory out of his anxious state.
“Yes, I promise I’m good.”
She fails to notice that the other side of the large room is piling up with Martin Eddie, Erika, O’Shon, Jacob, Ava, Melissa, and Barbara.
She furrows her eyebrows at his simple response. “Then why do you look like something is wrong?” She asks him, growing irritated by the minute and wrapping her arms around herself in self regulation. “If it’s me, I…” Gregory gently cuts her off by bringing her attention to the teacher’s desk.
Her yellow sweater clings to her sweaty skin as he takes her hand in his. “Read this notebook.” He instructs, pointing to the desk.
Janine wonders if he is listening to her and grows worried, but starts to read the page notebook out loud while Gregory races to his father to grab something important. “I’m so proud of you, son.” Martin whispers to his son, passing him a box.
An excited Gregory races back over to her as she is still reading. “… there are moments where I feel on top of the world, I am the happiest person when I am with you. We aren’t perfect, but what we have is so worth it to me. You are the light that my life needed. This year has felt like something I’ve waited my entire life for, and I am so grateful to have found love and friendship in one person. You are my best friend, you are the love of my life, and I love you.” She looks up at Gregory, puzzled and smiling.
“When did you write this, and how is it here?” She asks.
“Keep reading.” He whispers.
“Janine, choosing you is something that I will always do.” She reads, her voice cracks and she grows silent as she lets the words sink in, placing the book down on the desk. She hears the faint violin instrumental playing in the background and focuses on the sound before meeting Gregory’s loving gaze. He wipes her tears away, chuckling.
“I’ve been nervous because there’s something important that I’ve been wanting to ask you.” Janine beams at him and he pulls her in closer.
“Thank you for helping me be a great teacher, a great man, and a great boyfriend. I also want to thank you for allowing me love you.”
“I love you too.” Janine whispers.
“It’s you, and it has always been you.” He repeats slowly, kissing the back of her left hand. Her heart races faster than a racehorse as Gregory singlehandedly reaches into his pocket as he gets down on one knee and opens the small box. “What I want to ask you is…”
The gasps of their coworkers grab Janine’s attention and make her jump. She smiles at the Abbott staff before turning back around to Gregory who looks at her with as much admiration as he can in this moment.
This moment is as real as it gets.
“Janine, will you marry me?” Gregory asks.
Janine is unsure of whether she gave him an answer to his burning question as she bends down, kissing him. He gets up, playfully twirling her around as they laugh loudly together.
“You forgot to say yes!” Barbara shouts over the happy cheers, making Janine’s eyes widen.
“Yes, Gregory I will marry you.” She giggles. Gregory places back on the ground and slides the beautiful round cut ring on her finger before kissing the back of her hand. For just a moment they stay in this bliss.
Ava is the first one to approach Janine, coming to see the rock on her hand. She smiles at the teacher and gives her a hug before turning her attention to the other teacher. “Now Gregory, I’m gonna need you to talk to O’Shon because this ring is stunning.” She whispers. O’Shon joins the happy couple and congratulates them, giving a high five to Gregory.
Erika nearly knocks her best friend over, excitedly. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since the teacher’s conference.” She teases, earning a playful side eye from Gregory.
Melissa comes next, hugging Janine and then hugs Gregory. “Congrats kids.”
Barbara squeals before hugging Janine close to her. “My baby is getting married!” She cheers, hugging Janine. “Oh, I’m so happy for you two.” She coos, hugging Gregory as well.
Martin Eddie comes hugging the both of them. “Congrats kids. Janine, Greg has been talking about this forever.” He shares, chuckling. Deep inside, he feels the grief of missing his late wife and knows that she would have loved this moment. “I’m just happy that he’s found someone who makes him happy.”
Every person gets their turn to celebrate the couple, relishing in this moment.
After a night full of fun with friends, pizza, buttered noodles, and board games, Janine snuggles in bed and plays with her engagement ring before her fiancé climbs into bed with her and covers her face in sweet kisses.
“Wanna know something? Your ring was my mother’s engagement ring. I modified it by adding a new stone and if you look on the inside, it’s engraved with our initials.”
“What?” Janine asks, growing teary eyed again. “How are you that thoughtful?” She quizzes, laughing as she wipes her eyes and observes the ring closer. Her heart melts at the small letters on the inside of the band, she laughs once more and grabs Gregory’s hand.
“I could hear that laugh all day.” He whispers softly to her and kisses her cheek.
“You’re so corny,” She teases as she climbs into his lap, straddling him and wraps him in a warm embrace. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I can’t wait either, future Mrs. Eddie.”
“Can we get married in the summer? We could do something small, with lot of flowers, preferably a garden or something.” She asks as Gregory’s warm hands caress her back. Gregory nods his head and kisses her forehead, then fixes her bonnet.
“We have a month and a half, I think we’re off to a great start.”
Janine lets out a yawn that melts Gregory’s heart, to him it’s the cutest thing he’s witnessed from her. “Good, I’m going to dream about it tonight and start planning tomorrow,” She teases, laying her head on Gregory’s chest. “I love you, so much.” She promises. “But if you stress me out like that again…” The man takes one sharp exhale, cutting his lover off.
“I’m sorry, baby. I love you too.” Gregory whispers in her ear. He kisses her neck, watching her turn into putty in his hands.
The lovesick, delirious teachers stayed awake loving on each other until the sun came up in the morning. They wouldn’t have it any other way.
At six in the morning when sleep overtakes them, Janine drifts off to sleep with her fiancé by her side, wrapped in his warm embrace as he lists the many things that he loves about her. Her sharing his last name soon is the top of that list.