Arms of a Hero (A Captain America Love Story) {ON HOLD}

Chapter 2

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Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock was the only thing keeping me company. It was dead silent in the kitchen, making the movement of the small cogs as loud as a person talking.

My exhaustion finally catches up to me as I dry off an enormous pot that sits on my lap. My bloodshot eyes rise to the noisy clock on the wall. It read 10:15; 45 minutes overtime. I shift in my stool to wake myself up and continue to dry off the pot.

Not a minute later, I rest my forehead on the bottom of it and let my eyelids fall. Just one minute is all I need. I tell myself. My small rest turns into a doze until a voice erupts in my ears.

"Delilah!" I jerk awake and sit straight up.

"I'm up! I'm good!" I shout drowsily, and continue to vigorously dry the pot.

"Dee, you can go home, I got this." I glance up at my co-worker, Jess.

Jess is a nineteen year old going to college full-time. She stands about 5 feet from the ground with golden skin, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Jess has been my friend ever since I have worked here and is always willing to assist me in any way she can.

"Jess, I'm fine. I just have to clean some dishes, that's all!" I assure her. Her eyes roll back.

"You would have to take care of the Mount Everest of dishes then!" She said, pointing to the mountain of dishes that were waiting to be cleaned and place snugly back into their correct spots. A sigh of stress escapes my teeth.

"I got it." I mutter.

"Come on, Dee. Go home, I need the extra hours anyways." She reasons. I finally give in to her kind offer and hand her the rag.

"Thank you so much, Jess." I say while stumbling tiredly out of the kitchen.

"No problem, Delilah. I'll see ya tomorrow!" She shouts to get her message across.

"Bye Jess!" I shout back while walking out of the diner.

I am engulfed by the cool Washington D.C. night air. I bury my hands into the pockets of my light jacket and let the fresh air fill my lungs. I walk about two blocks before I get to the bus stop; I take a seat at the bench.

This is the one of the worst parts of my day: waiting for the bus, late at night, all alone. Anything could happen at this time of night, and here I am exposed calling all rapists and murderers. I begin to quiver at the thought of some creep ripping my clothes off at gunpoint.

I am saved by my thoughts thanks to the very loud and annoying brakes of the bus coming to a noisy stop. The bus doors squeak open, coaxing me to climb aboard.

I step up and drop some coins into the fee box. The second I step into the isle, the bus lurches forward without warning, almost making me face plant into the filthy bus floor. I quickly take a seat and let the vehicle take me home.

The bus pulls to a stop about a block away from my house. I step off quickly and use my remaining energy to stride home; the only thing keeping me going was the thought of me collapsing onto my awaiting bed. I smile as my condo comes into view.

I trudge up the steps and fumble with my keys. I pause a moment; is that music I hear? I shove the key into the the lock and push my door open. Sure enough, there is slow music that is dancing throughout my house with dim lighting.

This is going to be a good night.

I close the door behind me and kick off my shoes while pulling off my jacket. I walk to the dining room with the music being more prominent in that direction.

"Cole?" I call out gently but loud enough to carry over the soft music.

I turn into the dining room to see Cole seated at the head of the table with a dress shirt on. Candles scattered the table, a bowl of various fruits and a plate of snacks are set on the table along with a bottle of wine.

"What's this?" I laugh.

"Well, I figured that you deserve a nice, relaxing night."

A smirk etches itself across Cole's face. He rises to his feet and pulls out a chair for me to sit in. I approach the table and plant a small kiss on Cole's lips before sitting down.

"I am sorry for my late arrival and not being fully prepared for this occasion." I gesture to my work attire as Cole pours me a glass of wine.

"I could really care less what you wear, you are beautiful no matter what you wear, baby."

I blush and the corners of my lips tug upwards into a grin. Cole takes a seat and for the next hour and a half, we gorge on fruit, crackers and wine, and talk and laugh about old times. Oh how I miss this. It is now about midnight and I sigh out of exhaustion.

"Well, I think that I am going to turn in for the night, I had a long day at work and I am tired." Just as I am about to rise, Cole places a hand on my shoulder. My stomach drops through the floor and fear spreads through me.

"Wait for just a couple minutes more." He pleads. My brows knit together in confusion. I shake away the fear and thoughts and put on a smile.

"Okay." Cole suddenly takes my hands in his.

"Delilah, I have loved you since the day I met you. You are sweet and hardworking. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you so much and I don't know what I would do without you."

I was slightly taken aback at his sudden confessions. What made my heart thump hard in my chest was when Cole went down on one knee. My body shakes with nervousness and my breaths deepen. He pulls out an ebony box and opens it, revealing a ring with the biggest rock I have ever seen. The diamond was a square shape and had a bunch of smaller diamonds around the outside. The silver band also was covered in diamonds.

"Oh Lord." I mutter.

"Delilah Kingsley, will you marry me?"

I clasp a hand over my mouth. My whole body racks with shivers and shakes. This is it, the turning point of my life, the fork in the road. Whichever road I choose, will change me whether good or bad. This decision is the most important one in my life. This one word answer depicts where my life is going and what will happen from here on out. Is it yes? Or no? What if I say yes? What if I say no? Am I even ready for this? The word involuntarily slips out of my mouth.

"Yes."