Dream, Nightmare, Reality

There is Such a Thing as Sleeping too Deeply

Time moved quickly, and yet seemed to last forever, as it always does in the sunset of youth.

The winter of their junior year Ben accompanied Cassie to Chicago.

Big daddy sat in his chair stone faced as Ben stood facing him. The chair to the right of Big Daddy was empty because Grandma Brownlow had ordered Cassie to go shopping with her.

On the couches, that flanked the chairs, were Cassie's auntie Brenda and her husband on one, and her Uncle Laurence and his wife on the other.

"You seem awfully cocksure standing there smiling like that son," Big Daddy said gruffly.

"I don't see why I shouldn't be confident sir," Ben said in a respectful tone.

"Care to explain why you think that Ben?" Uncle Laurence's voice came from the side.

Cassie's uncle knew he was expected to help his father put Ben in his place. He'd been watching Cassie and Ben since yesterday and saw a young couple in love. Though he somewhat thought Cassie was deeper in love, he made allowances for the young man holding back in front of her family. So he decided to give him a chance before he got on his father's bad side.

Ben looked over at the uncle and realised he may have made a mistake. Not letting it show he dove straight in. "The way I see it, you want to make sure Cassie is treated well. I'm confident in the way I've treated her these past two and a half years. I can't make a better case for myself then that."

There was a brief silence and then Big Daddy started laughing. "I guess my granddaughter has a pretty good eye after all. So tell me what are your plans."

"I'm glad you asked," Ben's smile widened. I was hoping to get your blessing to marry Cassie."

"You too are still pretty young," Big Daddy said soberly.

"I don't plan on getting married until after we graduate. Cassie mentioned once about wanting a June wedding. Still I know I want to marry her, and I want you to know I'm serious."

As the silence stretched on Ben finally started to show outward signs of nervousness. Just as the first bead of sweat rolled down his back Big Daddy finally answered. "Okay you have my blessing."

"Thank you sir!" Ben blurted it out too quickly, giving away just how nervous he'd been. Everyone laughed good naturedly.

"You know I'm surprised you asked me for her hand."

"Well Cassie really respects your opinion and I figured you're from a generation when that was how it was done. I wanted to honor that sir. Oh, can you not tell Cassie I asked? We've talked about the future in passing, but I want to do a proper proposal."

Big Daddy smiled, "I like you more and more."

Auntie Brenda had been watching the whole thing. She sat back and shook her head. Why had she'd been summoned? She thought.

Twenty minutes before midnight, and Cassie's Birthday, her auntie Brenda took her into the kitchen under the pretense of getting more snacks.

"Cassie I'm very happy for you, but remember what I've always said."

"I know, I know, don't get married before you have your first real fight. But Auntie, it's been over two years. Maybe fighting isn't us."

"The point isn't to scream at each other. It's to have a deep disagreement, and see how you handle it."

"I know, but we just agree on all the stuff we really care about."

"Fine, I won't say anything else. I just wanted to be the sober voice since your uncle and grandfather have fallen for him just as hard as you have."

"Thanks auntie Brenda. I know you're looking out for me." They hugged before leaving the kitchen and rejoining the group.

Winter blossomed into spring and another semester came to an end.

Cassie was already suspicious when Jen and Tammy both insisted she wear a dress to her last final. They claimed to have reservations at the steakhouse downtown and she wouldn't have time to change afterwards.

"Why didn't you just make a later reservation?" Cassie had asked.

"We thought of doing it just a couple of days ago, and it was the only slot left." Tammy explained."

Something seemed off, but whatever her two best friends were up to it couldn't be bad, so she played along.

When Cassie came out of the classroom she was met with a too excited duo. They couldn't suppress their smiles as they lead Cassie to the front entrance instead of the side door by the parking lot. More obvious still was when they took her to the left most door, and stood obscuring the view. Cassie could tell there was a commotion outside.

"So do I get my surprise now?" Cassie asked, smiling.

"Close your eyes."

Cassie followed the instructions. She felt one of her friends guiding her and heard the click of the door opening. She was led outside and could feel there was something besides concrete under her feet. When she was let go she opened her eyes to find herself standing on a red carpet. Ben was on the other end standing in a heart made of marigolds holding a bouquet of roses. Ben stretched out his hand plam up and waited for her to come to him. When she stepped into the heart holding his hand. the mumering crowd went quiet. Ben went to one knee. " I know people usually have a ring now, but I know you'd want to pick that out yourself. So I got your favorite peach roses instead. Cassie Brownlow will you marry me?"

Cassie wasn't the type to get choked up, so her reply was quick, "YES!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, whistles, and applause; as the couple hugged and kissed.

The next year was hectic with wedding planning and senior year. But to Cassie it was an absolute dream year. Big daddy realeased. 100K from the trust to be used for wedding, and honeymoon expenses. Most of the money went to the honeymoon. A full month traveling around Europe.

The wedding was a small church wedding at the church Cassie had attended as a child. It was perfect.