Post by Austen Blackwell on Feb 8, 2018 2:27:56 GMT -5
Austen and Mercedes head into the ice cream shop. It was an Old Fashioned sort of place that reminded customers of the 1950’s. The cashier behind the register was wearing all white and one of those little paper hats. An old Elvis song playing on the radio. And the counter had stools the entire length.
Austen: Want to sit at the counter?
Mercedes looks round, as she nods her head yes.
Mercedes: Yeah that would be good place.
She heads over to the counter with him behind her. They both take seats as an older lady makes her way over to them.
Lady: What can I get the both of you?
She pulls a pen out from behind her ear.
Austen: Ummm. I was sorta thinking of a banana split. Babe?
Mercedes: Same for me with extra cherries please.
Mercedes looks over at Austen, as she smiles softly.
Lady: You got it.
The lady heads into the back as Austen spins over towards her.
Austen: Got any quarters?
Mercedes reaches into her pocket, as she pulls some out. She hands them to him.
Mercedes: Here you go babe.
He kisses her on the cheek as he heads over to the jukebox. He looks and looks, and finally pops in a couple of quarters. “Fools Rush In” by Elvis begins to play from the machine. He returns to Mercedes with a huge smile on his face. She laughs softly.
Mercedes: Really “Fools Rush In”? Come on babe, any reason for it?
Austen: My mom is a huge Elvis fan. Growing up as a kid, I could remember her giving me a bath and playing Elvis on the radio. It was our bonding time. I’d have my bath toys and she would sing along with the music. Badly. But she loved it regardless.
Austen opened up a bit more about his childhood.
Mercedes: Really, that is sweet. Maybe one day she can do that again with grandkids…..
She blushes as she looks away. Austen smiles.
Austen: Maybe. She would love that I am sure.
Their banana splits came just in time to break up the awkwardness.
Lady: One split. And one split, extra cherries.
Mercedes: Thank you.
Mercedes smiles, as she goes to take one of the cherries, as she eats it. She looks over at him.
Mercedes: I am sure, but first marriage.
Austen: We can practice though.
He nudges her with his elbow annoyingly. His eyes read “get it?” as he smiles. Austen takes a bit of his split, and gets a nice mix of banana and ice cream.
Austen: Mmmm. This is good.
Mercedes nods her head, as she did get it. She gets another bite of hers, as she nods her head.
Mercedes: It is good. I think we practice quite a bit really. I won’t be complaining about it at all.
He cannot hold back as he laughs.
Austen: Eat before it melts!
Austen eats a couple of big spoonfuls as he steals on of her cherries. She smacks his hand.
Mercedes: Mine, you could of asked for more.
She laughs, as she starts eating more. She looks at him.
Mercedes: Besides remember, I’m not pig like you are.
He snorts a couple of times at her, as the lady behind the counter gives him a weird look.
Mercedes: See now you are getting looks. Just don’t do that at the wedding babe.
She laughs, as she shakes her head.
Mercedes: Only few more months. I am getting nervous.
Austen: Nervous? Why babe?
He reaches around and rubs her back gently.
Mercedes: Because it’s the next step in our lives, worried, and nervous something will go wrong. Just you know how it is when it is something good, but you still have the nerves, the worries all come creeping up on you, that's what it is for me.
She looks down a bit, as she didn’t know how else to explain it.
Austen: If there is one thing I am confident in. It is us. No question in my mind. I would marry you right now. Right here.
He showed how confident he was to her.
Austen: I love you. And that is never changing. Ever.
Mercedes: I love you too, and I know that won’t be changing. Just you know, it is the next step, after marriage is the future, kids, and everything. Lots to think about. Plus with you dropping the bomb on me about asking your Dad….
She stops talking, as she looks at him. He takes her hand in his.
Austen: I love you. Forever, Mercedes. I am going to be your husband. And I will make sure that everything goes great. And that I will make sure that our wedding day is everything you ever wanted. Forever and for always.
She knew he meant it too, as she nods her head.
Mercedes: You know the right things to say, while I… I can’t say the right things to help you with how you have been feeling about losing.
Austen: This? This has been helpful babe. Let’s finish our ice cream and drive some more. I think today is going to be a very good day for the both of us.
He smiles as he takes a few more bites of his ice cream. He knew that she was feeling worried about all of it, but he was not going to allow their big day to be any sort of drama. He already had a plan to talk to his father and to make sure things were smooth even before his father would attend the wedding.
Mercedes: Alright, you have a deal babe.
She starts to eat more of her ice cream, eating some of the banana with it, as she smiles lightly. She did feel a bit better, but knew the nerves were still there. Austen grabs his wallet out and pay for the ice cream as Mercedes finishes up. Their drive was far from over, but they had started to connect about the wedding and so much more. The drive was something that they both needed.