Alana & Kane

KANE:

Alana and I met seven years ago on Christmas Eve. My coworker had just broken up with his girlfriend and was throwing a sort of anti-love Christmas party. My parents live in another state so I didn’t really have any other plans. That’s how this all started. I wore the ugliest Christmas sweater I could find at target which featured 3 cats of different colors wearing ugly sweater of their own. I arrived a little after 9 to way more people than I expected. Were we all this cynical? I found the drinks table and faded into a corner with a white claw in hand. I have always been a little antisocial but still managed to mingle enough to be considered normal. “Kane you made it!” My coworker Steven shouted over the music as he shuffled towards me. I watched him stumble across the room, clearly wasted. I tried my hardest not to laugh as he ran into a chair and apologized to it. “Hey man” he slurred. “How you feeling?” “Clearly not as good as you.” “You only live once” he cheered raising his red solo cup. “Screw women, we’ve got to take care of ourselves and have our own backs.” Suddenly someone cleared their throats behind us. You know how in those romantic movies where times seems to slow down when the guy first notices the girl? I’m sorry to say but that’s exactly what happened. Steven and I both turned at the same time to see the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her long black hair almost glistened as she stared at us with two big beautiful brown eyes. “We’re not all that bad” she smirked taking a sip from her drink. “Prove it” Steven said taking a step forward. The room fell still again as he lunged forward and landed right on his ass. She let out the most adorable giggle i had ever heard and stepped over his body. “For the record, I don’t agree with his sentiment” I said slyly. “Smart man” she nodded raising her cup to me. 

We spent the next 4 hours learning any and everything about each other. “I do have to tell you something” she stopped and got serious. “What’s up?” I asked looking into her eyes. “I don’t believe in marriage.” Her voice was flat and concise. “You’re kidding?” I asked almost laughing. She raised an eyebrow. “I’m dead serious.” “When my parents divorced years ago i kind of gave up on it.” She explained. “You don’t have to explain. Marriage is a just a piece of paper. We don’t have to worry about that.” She smiled.

ALANA:

It was clear from that first night that Kane was the love of my life. There was no way around it. Seven years, two apartments, 1 dog, and a lifetime ahead of us. “Babe, we’ve got to leave for my parents in the next 2 hours.” I shouted from the shower. No answer. “Babe?” I echoed pulling the shower curtain open. There on one knee, holding the most beautiful and obnoxious ring i had ever seen was my boyfriend. “Alana Shannon Greyson, will you marry me?” He asked with the most hopeful look I’d ever seen in his eyes. “Kane! Get up! Are you insane?!?” I i screamed. I grabbed his my towel and helped him to his feet. Without another word i stormed out of the steamy bathroom and slammed our bedroom door. What was he thinking? After a few minutes there was a knock at the door and then if creaked open. “I don’t understand what just happened” he said very visibly confused. I sat silently in front of my armoire and continued to straighten my hair. He slowly walked up behind me and stared at me in the mirror. “Alana, marry me” he asked again. Y whole body stiffened. I avoided his gaze in the mirror and focused on my hair. He sighed loudly and his shoulders fell. “I’ll meet you int when car.” He finally said. As soon as I heard the car door open, I burst into uncontrollable tears. What had gotten into him? After my hair i slowly zipped up the beautiful dress had had gotten me for the party. I sat at the edge of the bed and zipped up my silver heels. As i did, the pst seven years flashed before my eyes. Why was everything changing? 

A cold silence filled the car as we drove silently to my parents annual Christmas Eve party. Even more so when “Merry Christmas, Marry me” came on the radio. He turned to me by the second verse and said “Marry me Alana?” “Kane!” I shouted as a deer shot across the icy road. “Pay attention to the road” i scolded avoiding his question. He shook his head. Not another word was spoken as we continued our drive. “My favorite young couple” my grandmother exclaimed as we walked thru the front door. She had loved Kane from the first day. My whole family did and i loved and appreciated that so much. As most of my family bombarded Kane i snuck off to my childhood bedroom . I laid back on the bed and let out the deepest sigh. What a weird night it had been. There was a knock at the door and then he stuck his head in. “Just checking that you still don’t wanna marry me?” He asked. “Go away” I almost shouted as I threw one of my stuffed animals at him. I laid back down and couldn’t help but cry. “Alana” sis don’t sisters voice. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. “Sarah” i said hugging her as she sat next to me on the bed. “There’s a boy out there wanting to marry you” she said in her matter of fact voice.”Sarah!” I said rolling my eyes. “Everyone knows how i feel about marriage. Most of all you!” “Alana our parents separated when were 14 years old. They’re both happily married now. That man loves you and isn’t ashamed to tell you or anyone else that’ll listen.” “What if it doesn’t work out” i said staring into her eyes. “Alana, but what if it does?” I could feel my heart break. I was being an idiot! She was right! I shot up off the bed and ran for the door. I swung it open and jumped back. There he was. I put my hand over my mouth to control the sobbing and started down at him. “Alana, you are the most amazing woman and the best thing to ever happen to me. I will love you forever and even after that. I will never stop wanting eternity with you. Will you marry me?