Over the last year, I have been saving and scrapping up enough money to fly both our parents out to see us, and made reservations at one of the most famous restaurants in New York, Gramercy Tavern. I bought a suit and tie for this, and everyone knows I hate suits and ties, but again, I would do anything to see her smile.

“Tonight is the night!” I repeated to myself over and over in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my jet black hair, felt my beard to make sure it was even and clean. I actually look good in a suit. Dark grey, white button down underneath, black slim tie, and a pair of cuff links with the police flag on them that Nat gave me for Christmas last year. My grey eyes look amazing, and the lighter they get the more fierce I look. Not complaining, I like being the intimidating one at work.

“Damn, you do clean up good.” I looked in the mirror and met Nat's gaze. She was stunning as ever as her long blond hair was curled and resting on her waist. Coincidentally, she was wearing a light blue dress that was a spaghetti strap that cut down to right below her breast, and showed her bare back nicely. Her skin looked radiant in blue and it made her blue eyes pop even more.

“Stunning.” I smiled as I turned around to meet her gaze. She smiled softly, “Zaire I wanted to say thank you for everything.”

Her smile was there but there was something off in her eyes. I could tell something was bothering her.

“Nat, I know you are upset that you have been away. But your work calls for that, I understand. I hope you don't think I am mad because I am not. I want you to fly and become everything you ever wanted. You have worked so hard," I placed a kiss on her temple and smiled, “I am so proud of you. I love you.”

She pulled me in for a kiss, soft and chaste, like it has been lately.

I know she worries about being gone, but I want her to follow her dreams.

Ding Dong.

“That must be our parents, are you ready to go?” I asked as I held out my hand for her to take.

“Yep.” she said as she brushed past me to the door.

I put my hand down and followed her out to meet the taxi with our parents.

We pulled up to Gramercy Tavern and everyone was smiling ear to ear. My mom looked beautiful wearing a purple dress that made her black hair and blue eyes pop. My dad was wearing a simple black suit and a purple tie to match my mom, his grey eyes are dark, unlike mine. He had his hands wrapped around my mothers waist, and projecting a protective aura so they know she is his. My mother smiles and gives him a kiss and that is all it takes to melt this stoic man. 

That is going to be us. I thought to myself as I wrapped my arm around Nat's waist. She gently pulls away to stand next to her mom and wraps her into another hug. Emma looked nice as well in her simple black dress, her blond hair is short unlike Nat, but other than that, they were spitting images of one another, minus the cutie mark on Natalie. We walked inside and was greeted my the host.  

“Reservation?” 

“Yes under Mala.”

“Right this way," the host gestured for us to follow. We made our way to a table in the middle of the restaurant. It was beautiful and perfect for tonight.

I pulled out Natalie and Emma’s chair while my father did the same for my mother. I glanced around the table to everyone; seeing them all here for us makes my heart soar. 

“Get whatever you want tonight please. This is my treat.” I smiled as they opened their menus.

I order a steak with a reduced sauce, whipped red potatoes with rosemary, and something else I can not pronounce. What can I say? I am a man, I saw steak and went with it. After we ordered we all caught up on life. Mom asked how being a cop was, and of course how she worries about me maybe getting shot not only because I am an officer, but because of how the world is today.

“Mom, I am grateful that you worry about me,” I gently grab her hand, "but I love what I do. We already had this talk when I graduated high school and when I graduated the police academy. Trust me ma, this is where I need to be."

My mom smiles and nods, "Son, you know we love you no matter what you do right?" I turn to give my dad a small smile. 

"Yea dad. I know." I give them both a smile. 

We continue small talk for a while. I glance over at Natalie on her phone.

“Client?” I ask as I lean over and whisper in her ear.

“What? Oh yea. I gotta go out of town tomorrow. Someone wants to buy the ‘Mi Amor’ painting, and is paying more for me to deliver it personally. Sorry. I'll let it be for now. Let me message my manager and have her handle it.” she whispers as she sends a quick text and quickly locks her screen.

“No problem love.” I smile and kiss her temple.

....................

After dinner, I go quiet as everyone around me was engaging in conversation. Now or never, Zaire. 

“Um can I have everyone's attention?”

Everyone at the table looks at me. I smile and I stand. “I invited you all here tonight because I wanted to say something very important,” I turn to face Natalie and take her hands in mine. “Nat, we have been through so much together. When I met you when we were six I knew instantly I was in love. I fell in love with a front tooth missing, paint covered, barefoot girl in a split second.” A small tear goes down my cheek, "And over time my love has grown and become strong for you. Watching you achieve your dream and seeing you happy, makes me happy too. 

“Nat, I know you have been patient. I thank you for being so patient with me. I have been working so much to make today happen. All the over time, holiday work, secrets, but it has been worth it. Because I was able to keep my promise.”

I get down on one knee. “Natalie Jean Watkins, I promised over 20 years ago I would marry you, the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you would be mine. I'm sorry it has taken almost ten years to get you this ring and to make this proposal happen. You deserved it so much sooner. Natalie, my Nat… Will you marry me?” I pull the box out of my coat pocket and open it. The ring she wanted is sitting there beautiful as ever.

Natalie has tears in her eyes as she looks at me for a minute. 

Then another…

and another. 

“Nat?” my voice cracks.

She met my eyes and reaches out her hands to touch the box.

“Zaire…. I… No.” she closes the box and stands. “I am so sorry Zaire. But I can't marry you." And with that she left. No... she ran.

I am still on one knee staring at her empty chair. I don't even remember her mom leaving or my parents rushing to my side. I don't remember paying the bill, getting in the car, or pulling up to my parents hotel and sitting on the bed. All I remember is my mother dropping the f-bomb which never happens.

“How the fuck can she do this?” my mother screams. “She nearly wasted ten years of our son's life.”

Hearing my mom cuss snaps me out of my trance, “Mom, did I do something? I have no idea. Was I not there enough? I know I worked a lot but that was because I needed to save..." I am crying at this point. My voice shaking and my body numb.

“Son… I do not know. But one thing for sure is tomorrow you need to confront her.” my father says sternly. “I know you feel broken right now. But son, you need answers or you wont have closure. You deserve that.” He places his hand on my shoulder and gently pulls me up to look at him. 

"Whatever you decide to do, we have your back. We love you and we want you happy." He pulls me into a hug and I cling on to him as if my life depended on it. 

I knew he was right. Once morning was here I gather all the strength I have, fighting the negative thoughts in my head, and head to our apartment.

I walk up the flight of stairs and stand outside hoping she had changed her mind. I unlock the door and find the room still dark. I turn on the lights and my heart drops.

Most of the furniture is gone except for the bed, nightstand, and wardrobe. Her art supplies are no longer in the corner, her part of the closet is empty, the wardrobe is open and all of her underwear and bras are gone. The painting she painted for me when we first moved in together is no longer hanging above our bed. To make it worse, it smells and looks clean. As if she was cleaning herself away. 

“It is like she was never here.” I whisper as I sit on the bed. I tuck my hands into my face and sobbed. I reach into my pocket and pull the ring box and stared at it.

I couldn't even scream, I couldn't yell. All I did was cry because I just could not understand.

“What did I do?” I asked over and over to myself as I laid down on the bed. My eyes become heavy, and I fall into a deep slumber clutching the ring box tightly close to my heart.