Wren

It took months of work and planning, but the new diner was built and completed just as fall was beginning to descend on our small town. Even though it looked similar, the new space didn't feel the same. It lacked the warmth and comfort I used to feel every time I stepped in the space. Part of me wonders if that's just because it's all new, or if it's because I know Jim will never get to see it.

These thoughts plague me as I step out onto the porch and take a deep breath of the crisp air, letting it rejuvenate my lungs and spirit. Fall has always been my favorite time of year. I pull my sweater tighter around me as I look at the trees, starting to change colors with the cooler air. I can hear Huxley's heavy footsteps through the house and smile a little to myself.

He's too big for this small house.

He opens the door and comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my neck. He runs his beard along my skin and I giggle as he tickles me. His warm laughter cuts through the quiet morning and I relax into his hold. I sigh heavily, leaning my head back against him.

"What's wrong, little bird?" He asks quietly.

"The diner is supposed to open today and I still don't have enough staff." I say sadly. He let's out a little huff and turns me to look at him.

"What did I tell you?" He asks sternly. I roll my eyes at him before I answer.

"That you'd take care of it." I respond, sass coloring my tone.

"Then trust me to take care of it." He says and I nod slightly, my nerves still rolling through my body making my stomach upset.

"We'd better get ready. The ribbon cutting is in less than an hour." I say and Huxley pulls me back into the house with him.

It feels like only a few minutes later that we're in the car, Huxley driving us towards the diner. He reaches over to hold my hand, running his thumb soothingly along the back of it as he watches me worriedly. I know this should be a happy occasion, but I can't stop the melancholy feelings bubbling up inside me.

We pull up in front of the new diner, the outside white with light blue trim. It makes the red neon 'Jim's' sign pop. I sobbed when it went up. Seeing it now, surrounded by the people of our town, it still makes a throbbing pain go through me but I know it's what is right.

It's the least I could do to honor Jim.

As soon as I step out of the car, people walk up to me, hugging me and telling me how amazing the place looks. I give them smiles and thank them, but Huxley must sense my apprehension because he comes to my side and pulls me towards the front of the building where a giant ribbon has been put across the door. I stand next to a man from some city council thing, but I don't register his words. It's like I'm numb and want nothing else than to open this diner and get some semblance of normal life back. Before long, Huxley nudges me and I look up at him curiously.

"Cut the ribbon, baby." He urges me, pointing towards the man. He's holding a huge pair of scissors and is watching me expectantly.

"Oh, sorry." I murmur, taking the scissors and cutting through the obnoxious red ribbon. There are cheers from the crowd and I plaster on a smile, the bittersweet moment feeling more bitter than sweet.

"Mr. Daws, I believe you had something to say." The man says. My head swings over to Huxley who nods and takes a deep breath. He turns to look at me and I watch in shock as he lowers himself to one knee.

"Wren, I'm not going to pretend that I've always made the best decisions. Hell, I can admit that some of them were damn wrong. But loving you, baby that's a no brainer. Hands down the best decision I ever made. Because love like this, well, as much as it's a soul deep thing, it's a decision. You wake up every day and you choose that person. You choose to appreciate them, to support them, to put them first, to make them a priority. And Wren, I'd love nothing more than to choose you every day for the rest of my life. If you'll let me." He says before he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a box, opening it to show me the most stunning ring I've ever seen. Tears prick my eyes as he reaches out to grab my hand. I can feel him shaking and hold onto him tighter.

"What do you say, little bird? Will you marry me?" He asks. Unable to form words, I nod enthusiastically, a little sob slipping from me. But it's easily muffled by the raucous cheers of the crowd watching. He slips the ring on my finger and stands, encompassing me in his strong embrace and twirling me in a circle. A mixture of a laugh and a sob falls from me and I hold him tight, smashing my lips to his as a lightness takes over my whole body. He sets me down and holds me close, kissing me again before showering me with the most beautiful smile. I look at my new ring, then back at him.

"It's gorgeous, Hux. When did you have time to ring shop?" I ask incredulously, knowing he hasn't been away from me for more than an hour or two in months. He takes a heavy breath and reaches his hands out to cup my face.

"I bought that ring years ago with the first big bonus the Army gave me. I carried it with me, every day, through every mission. I'd just sit and look at it sometimes, the thought of putting it on you was the only thing to get me through that hell some days." He says earnestly. I reach out to hold onto him, his admission nearly knocking me off my feet. "I always knew, Wren. I always knew that we would be here. And even though some of the choices I made were straight up dumb, we still ended up together. That's how I know beyond any doubt that we're meant to be." He murmurs in my ear and I plaster myself against him, holding him tight as all other sounds fade into the background and the only thing I can hear is the frantic beating of his heart.

After a few long moments he pulls away to look down at me, a smile bigger than any I've ever seen on his face.

"Well, shall we open this place?" He asks and I nod, my previous somber mood dashed away.

"Let's do it." I say, pushing open the door and turning to the crowd.

"Welcome to Jim's!" I yell, and another cheer greets me. I go in through the dining room and back to the kitchen. Concern starts to overwhelm me when I see it empty. I was expecting whoever Huxley hired as a cook to already be prepping.

"Huxley, where's the new cook?" I ask, turning to look at him. Surprise rings through me when I see him tying a white apron around his body, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows.

"You're looking at him." He says with a mischievous grin.

"What are you talking about?" I ask him, crossing my arms over my chest as I survey him. "Could you not find someone to hire?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"I didn't try to hire anyone. This is the dream, baby. You and me. Working side by side every day. Spending every moment building our lives and loving each other. I wouldn't let anyone else back here. Well, other than Jim. But you're gonna have to settle for me." He says with a smile. Emotion bubbles up in me again, but I don't want to spend the whole day crying so I steel myself and walk over to him, pulling him in for a fierce kiss.

"I adore you, Huxley." I say, my voice wobbling.

"And I adore you, baby girl. Now go take some orders. I'm ready to start cooking." He says, grabbing a spatula and turning it in his hands.

He turns on some music, dancing around the kitchen while he preps for breakfast. I smile and watch him for a moment, wondering how in the hell I got so lucky.