A spider's whimper

Mistakes Can't Be Fixed(3)

“But, if you really don’t find my face gagworthy, and you can stomach the occasional bullshit, and you have the patience to have me forever, will you…would you…?”

Penny didn't realize that she had been holding her breath until she found herself gasping for air. The weight of Johnny's words and the intensity of the moment overwhelmed her. She didn't want to let her thoughts run wild or get ahead of herself again. After all, she had just experienced a rollercoaster of emotions due to a misunderstanding.

But the way Johnny was acting, the way he tenderly clutched onto her hip, and the vulnerability in his voice—it all seemed like her boyfriend was trying to express something significant. The unspoken words hung in the air, pregnant with possibility. Penny's heart raced as she contemplated the idea that Johnny might be... hinting at a future together... a deeper commitment.

Penny’s suspicions were quickly confirmed when the blonde finally unraveled his hand and revealed what was hiding there: a silver engagement band a row of diamonds running throughout the circumference of the ring, the words ‘baby girl’ engraved in a thin, cursive font on the inside.

She wasn’t sure exactly how long sje stared at the piece of jewelry in Johnny’s hand with her mouth wide open before her eyes shifted up to the nervous blondie, the sight of her face quickly blurring as tears began to override her vision again.

“Marry me, Penny?”

The floodgates of emotions overwhelmed Penny, and she found herself seeking solace in Johnny's comforting embrace. Her tears cascaded down her cheeks uncontrollably as she tried to wrap her mind around the enormity of what Johnny had just expressed. It felt surreal, as if she had stumbled into a dream.

Burying her face into Johnny's broad chest, Penny desperately tried to collect herself, to make sense of the surge of emotions that threatened to consume her. She couldn't believe her ears. Perhaps she had misunderstood the blonde's words. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her.

Through her tear-blurred vision, Penny gazed up at Johnny with a mix of vulnerability and disbelief. The thoughts of marriage and a lifetime together had crossed her mind before, but she never imagined that Johnny would be interested in such a commitment. The realization that he might share her desires both overwhelmed and filled her with a sense of profound joy.

And yet, as Penny turned her face to catch a glimpse of the ring held in Johnny's hand, her heart swelled with a mix of disbelief and pure joy. The ring glimmered in the light, its thoughtful details evident in every intricate design. It was a symbol of commitment, of a future together. There was no denying it - Johnny was proposing.

A smile tugged at the corners of Penny's lips, her eyes welling up with tears of happiness. The doubts and fears that had plagued her mind just moments ago dissipated, replaced by a renewed sense of love and assurance. She knew deep down that Johnny didn't need to ask; their connection, their bond, and their shared dreams had already spoken volumes.

Johnny's nervousness melted away as Penny wrapped her arms around his neck, her embrace filled with love and warmth. He couldn't help but chuckle at her tear-streaked face and beet-red cheeks, her radiant smile shining through. The weight of his proposal lifted, replaced by a profound sense of relief and happiness.

Johnny’s face seem to instantly light up at the quiet words before it quickly disappeared into the crook of Penny’s neck. The raven could feel the blonde’s body tremble as the man’s arms tightly wrapped around the raven’s thin waist.

Penny's voice wavered as she called out Johnny's name, but to her surprise, there was no response. The air grew heavy with an uncharacteristic silence, leaving her perplexed and increasingly concerned. Her eyes darted towards him, searching for any clue to explain his sudden change in demeanor.

And then she felt it—the gentle, warm drops of saltwater trickling down her neck, dampening the collar of her shirt. Penny's heart skipped a beat, her body frozen in shock. Johnny, the strong and resilient man she had always known, was crying. It was a sight she had never witnessed before, and it struck her deep within her core.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Penny took a tentative step closer to Johnny. Her voice trembled as she softly spoke his name, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and tenderness. "Johnny... What's wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Out of sheer curiosity and a desire to understand the emotions behind Johnny's tears, Penny gently took hold of his shoulders and pulled back slightly, breaking their embrace. As she leaned back, she gazed directly into her fiancé's face, her eyes widening in awe at what she saw there.

Johnny's tears continued to flow, but a comically endearing grin remained plastered on his face, instantly putting Penny at ease. The sight before her assured her that these were tears of overwhelming joy, not sorrow. The realization washed over her, filling her heart with warmth and contentment.

Unable to contain her own happiness, Penny's smile widened, radiating pure joy. She cherished the sight of Johnny's vulnerable yet blissful expression. It was in moments like these that their love felt boundless and unbreakable, reaffirming her decision to spend the rest of her life with him.

With a grateful heart, Penny leaned back into Johnny's chest, finding solace and comfort in his embrace. She nestled her face against him, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest, and relished the feeling of being wrapped in his love. In that moment, she knew without a doubt that this was where she wanted to be, every night, for the rest of her life.

That is.

Until....

She woke up crying.

"What.the.fuck"

She touched her face. "Did I just have a dream of my ex husband's proposal..??"