Petals

Chapter 1: Life is a Puzzle

"We should be picking out cake, Jay" I smiled up at my fiance. We were getting married in just a few short months and he knew I had been planning every second I could waste. Instead of planning like I thought we were going to do we had pulled up to my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. It was a small family owned business but they had the best enchiladas de mole I've ever had.

"You can't constantly be planning Rachel. You're going to turn into a planner. You need to enjoy some time to yourself, stop stressing, and let me take you on a date." He unbuckled and got out of the car still talking to me as he was fidgiting with the bottom of his button up. I rolled my eyes and got out of the car.

"I guess food is a necessary part of life." I heard him chuckle as we walked inside and a waitress sat us in a booth. I looked over the overly full menu knowing it was pointless to try to find anything new because I always order the same thing.

"Are you two ready to order?" I looked up at the tall blonde and smiled.

"I am." I looked over to Jay who was contemplating a couple of dishes and smirked. "Whichever one sounded good first, pick it."

"But they're all so good. Fine I would like pollo real." I took up both menus and told her my order letting her jot everything down before handing her the menus.

"I really want for us to have a night with no worries. You're going to get gray hairs if you're not careful." He brushed the hair out of my eyes and rubbed his thumb across my jawline sending chills through my bones. Jay and I met about four years ago on a blind date and since that night we have been inseparable.

That night couldnt have been more than--

Ring Ring

I looked down at my phone and seen it was my mom calling. I pressed ignore and looked at Jay. "It was just mom. She probably is trying to make sure I choose German chocolate cake. You know that's her favorite cake in the world."

He rolled his eyes and laughed. "You remember that Christmas that we invited everyone over for a big family dinner and my aunt made this huge German chocolate cake and your mom ate half of it by herself.. The next month she had four cavities and had no earthly idea as to why."

The waitress came and set our food town letting us know if we needed anything to let her know. We nodded and thanked her for the food enjoying the meal. "So what are we doing tonight since you wanna go on a date?"

He glanced up at me clearing his throat. "Well I thought since tonight is that late night firework show at the park we could go and lay out a blanket and pillows and watch the stars."

I blushed a little and nodded, "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

We soon headed out of the restaurant, leaving the waitress a tip, and headed home to grab a few things and get ready for our date. I picked my phone up and decided to give my mother a call back to explain that we didn't go get cake picked out today.

"Where have you been I called you hours ago and I was worried because i called the cake lady and she said you never showed up."

"Mom I'm fine, Jay wants me to take a small break from wedding planning and take me on a date. He said I'm getting gray hairs." I laughed a little at the memory and kept explaining, "I called her on the way home from dinner to let her know that I need to come see her tomorrow instead."

"Rachel this is the wedding of your dreams, you can't be holding up people you've hired just because of a little date. Y'all can go on a date this weekend when all the wedding business are closed."  I could hear the anger in her voice as she scolded me for missing the appointment.

I was a little shocked at the way my mother was talking to me and decided to just give up on arguing and try to get off the phone. Usually we don't fight but lately moms been on edge. "Mom it will be okay, everything's practically planned I just need a few final touches and it doesn't take two months to make a cake. I've got to go mom Jay is taking me to see the firework show tonight and I've got to finish getting ready. I love you mom, everything will be okay."

"Rachel I hope you know what you're doing. I swear you want this huge wedding and it's so ridiculously expensive. Now you're complaining of stress. I kept telling you marriage is just a piece of paper and it's not necessary for love. Still though, you insisted. I love you too, Rachel. Goodnight." She hung up the phone and I groaned in frustration.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" I looked up to see Jay standing in the doorway looking as gorgeous as always.

"It's just mom again. I swear it's her time of the month. She's been really on edge since we started wedding planning. I think she's having flashbacks from where my dad and her split up and she can't cope with the idea of marriage. It's just really frustrating." I rubbed my temples and let out a long sigh. Jay came over and hugged me giving me a little peck on the forehead before pulling away and smiling at me.

"C'mon, get dressed I've got a surprise for you when we get there." He let me go and walked into the bathroom. I grabbed a nice top and a pair of shorts. After slipping my sneakers on I grabbed my purse and Jay and I headed out to the car.

About 10 minutes later we arrived at the park and I helped Jay grab a couple of blankets and pillows. Hauling them to what looked like a good place to watch while Jay paid the parking attendant.

A few minutes later I had everything set up and felt something cold against my back. "What- who..." I turned around and seen him holding my favorite desert, Dip n Dots. I smiled and hugged him slowing pulling the cup out of his hand. "This is why I want to marry you. I could spend my life with someone who willingly buys me this."

He chuckled, "I love you, Rachel. You mean the world to me. Now, let's watch them blow up the sky."

We sat on the blanket and watched as fireworks exploded across the sky. Eventually, we laid down and cuddled up together in blankets as a bask of multiple colors came over us.

~~~~~~
Later that night- close to midnight.

We had drove home and made our way to the bedroom curling up in the sheets- soon enough we were snoring. Dreams entered our thoughts and captivated us until morning.