83. Kassian

Chapter eighty-three

Kassian

Saturday, February 24, 2024

I managed to get a solid three-hour nap in after finishing the ring for Aiyana. I plan to have her help me pick out her own engagement ring, but I hope she'll want this thin golden viper as her wedding band and stand-in engagement ring for the time being.

When Mom went into the nursing home, she didn't want to take anything with her that reminded her of our father, so she gave Kat her engagement ring and sea turtle necklace, and she gave me her wedding band. I've been holding onto it for years, unsure of what to do with it, but when the thought arose, I knew it was the perfect plan.

The band was thin, but not too thin, so I was able to carve the viper into it without breaking the delicate tail off, and the yellow gold matches all of Aiyana's usual jewelry.

Ale and I decided that I needed to keep things intimate for the proposal. While I just fucking love love and would want a massive public display of my affection for Aiyana so the entire world can know that she's mine, Aiyana's much more private.

She doesn't enjoy PDA and cringes at public proposals, so I've got a plan that I think she's going to love.

I just need to hop in the shower and get over to the hospital to speak with her dad before she gets there.

***

My hands are clammy as I make my way into Qaletaqa's hospital room. He's sitting up, eyes closed, as he recites a familiar prayer asking for healing. I knock gently on the inside of the door to let him know I'm here and pull up a chair beside him. I close my eyes and place my hands on the side of his bed, joining him in the prayer.

I feel his hands take mine, his once strong hands now frail. "May the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life." We finish the prayer together. 1

When our eyes open, mine meet his, and he smiles gently at me. "You've come to ask me something." He smirks knowingly. This man has always known exactly what I planned to do before I ever actually did it. "The ancestors spoke to me last night in a dream, and I hope they were right. Before you do, though, could you do me a favor?"

"Anything," I tell him eagerly.

"Could you braid my hair? I haven't gotten a good shower since being here, and I sweat in my sleep. I just want it out of my face, and I can't hold my hands up that long." My heart breaks hearing his words.

In lieu of an answer, I stand, angling my body at the head of the bed so he doesn't have to move as much for me to gain access to his long, graying hair.

I work on crossing the sections of hair one over the other, being meticulous in my actions. When I near the end, he hands me a small band from the table beside him. When finished, I take a seat next to him.

He looks over at the clock on the wall before meeting my eyes again. "It's nearly time for Zuni and Aiya to arrive, so you better start now." He gives me a small grin.

My heart is racing despite being nearly certain he wouldn't seem so happy if he were planning on saying no. I take a deep, steeling breath before finally releasing the words that have been racing through my mind for the last several hours on replay. "I love your daughter more than anything in this world. She breathes life into me and steals my breath away all in the same moment. She's radiant like the damn sun, and I can't imagine spending another day of my life without calling her mine and making sure everyone else knows it too. I've loved her for longer than I care to admit. Longer than I probably even realize, truthfully. Would you give me the absolute honor of your blessing? I know right now isn't a good time, but—" He puts up a hand, stopping the words from leaving my mouth.

"Now is the perfect time, Kas. We all need something to look forward to," he tells me, grabbing my hand and looking me directly in the eyes as he says his next words. "I would love nothing more than to see my daughter marry you, Kassian. Gvgeuyi, uwetsi ." I love you, son.

Tears prick my eyes as he squeezes my hand as firmly as he can. "Now get out of here," he whispers to me just as Aiyana and Zuni head into the room.

I stand abruptly, clearing my throat before heading to the door. "I've gotta head out to run some errands. I'll be back later," I tell them, rushing out without a single glance in Aiyana's direction. I don't trust myself to not just ask her here, and I'll be damned if I ruin what should be a special moment for her by doing it at a hospital.

***

My body is practically shaking with nerves and excitement as I pull into a parking space outside of Meadow Brook Farms. They've got live music playing in the outdoor café area. The lead performer is singing a cover of "All of Me" by John Legend, and it matches my current feelings so perfectly, it's like a sign. 2 From where, I'm unsure.

I head to the concessions counter, and an older gentleman greets me with a friendly smile. "Hey! You play for the Scarlets, don't you? Great game the other day, man," he tells me excitedly.

"Yeah, thanks." I smile politely but hope we can cut this interaction short because I'd rather not have anyone overhearing.

"Hah, well, what can I get for you?" he asks me, and I release a relieved breath.

"Could I get two of those cheese boards you guys make and four soft pretzels, please?"

He nods, ringing me up.

A few minutes later, my arms are full of food, and I'm waiting at a picnic table for Aiyana, Kat, and Ale to arrive.

In the minutes it takes them to arrive, my heart rate has all but returned to normal, but when I see Aiyana's questioning expression as she approaches me, the nerves start up again.

"What's this all about?" she asks me.

"Kat just thought we could all get out for a nice, relaxed night," I tell her, allowing Kat to be the fall guy as we had agreed on.

She quirks a thin, dark brow but takes a seat across from me and immediately starts picking at the food.

***

Thirty minutes later, we're walking through a field that would normally have sunflowers and pumpkins depending on the time of year, but right now, it's just covered in a light layer of snow that started falling moments ago.

Aiyana has her arms wrapped around herself. "It's fucking freezing, Kas," she grumbles beside me.

I take the opportunity to wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly to me as we make our way toward the giant wagon that usually hauls fifty or so people at a time through the Halloween and Christmas lights during the holidays.

One of Alessandro's cousins works here, so he was able to get him to give me the owner's name, and we worked out a deal to make this plan come to life with such short notice.

Once we're at the back of the wagon, I lift Aiyana up and follow behind her. She takes a seat on the blanket-covered bench, and I sit beside her, wrapping my arm around her waist.

"I didn't know they did Valentine's Day lights here," she says with wonder. "My parents used to take me here all the time for the Halloween lights and sometimes for their huge Christmas display too, but I've never heard anyone talk about this."

"Yeah, must be new," I tell her as I peer over at Kat, who's doing her best to hold her composure. Alessandro, on the other hand, looks like he's about to shit a brick at any moment.

Kat calms herself just enough to say, "It must've lost its popularity with the passing of the actual holiday, but I'm really glad I was still able to get us tickets!"

Aiyana gives her a small smile, rolling her eyes, and replies, "Always such a romantic." She chuckles.

"Alright, folks! We're gonna get started!" the driver of the wagon tells us, and soon, we're off.

Aiyana's eyes light up when we make our way through the densely wooded area, and giant glowing hearts hang in every tree. Red, white, and pink lights are strung all over, and several Cupids with their arrows pointed at the wagon glow in the night. The snow starts falling a little heavier down around us, turning the whole place into a romantic wonderland.

"It's beautiful," Aiyana whispers in awe, just loud enough for me to hear.

I tilt my head to her ear, whispering, " You are beautiful, my little viper."

She tilts her chin down, a blush creeping across her cheeks that sends a wave of euphoria through me.

The driver starts the playlist I had sent Alessandro's cousin earlier, and my heart rate begins to pick up speed again.

I see Kat and Ale huddled closely together, whispering to one another, their eyes bright and their smiles wide.

We're just moments away from the big surprise, and I couldn't be more nervous.

I'm watching the back of the driver's head intently, waiting for his cue to get down on one knee. The moment I see him scratch the back of his head, I find my body responding for me. I stand as he slows the wagon down to a stop.

Aiyana looks up at me. "What's wrong?" she asks.

I lower to one knee, and her mouth falls open, her eyes wide as she takes me in. The moment the massive sign behind me finally lights up, reading, "Will You Marry Me?" I know it. I can literally see the lights reflecting in her dark pupils.

I reach into my pocket, grab the small velvet box, and open it. I look up into those gorgeous dark eyes, shock still written all over her face, and I know in that moment, she's going to say no.

I can't back out of this now, not when I've gone this far. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she's just surprised.

I take her hand in mine and begin. "Aiyana, I've loved you for what feels like my entire life, or at least, the only moments that have ever counted," I tell her, urging her to understand, to love me back. "I've loved you probably longer than I even realize. Hell," I shake my head, "I might have even loved you since the first moment you stepped foot in my home so many years ago. And I will keep on loving you for as long as I live, and after that, in the afterlife too because there's no life for me without you."

1. Cherokee Blessing

2. All of Me – John Legend