String of Fate

Chapter Twenty Three

"Well, I've done a design and am just waiting for feedback. So, it's not me that's slow. Dammit!" I complained, reading through the email from 'Club Orange'. I set my cup down and put my head in my hands. "Why name the club that if you don't want that colour in the logo?"

"What are you talking about?" Johnathan looked at my computer. He read the message, mumbling it as he did so. Then he laughed a little when he reached the end of it. "That's stupid. The design is good. That's the main thing."

"I know. The colour replacement tool is going to be my best friend for the next hour." I spoke, opening the Photoshop file that had the original logo in. I made the changes to the logo, saved it in a few different shades and sent it back to the client. It had taken me less time than I thought. My toast had started getting cold by the time I got to it.

I emailed the file to Johnathan, too, so he could finish off the website while I ate my toast. I finished my tea and my toast, getting up and taking my plate and mug to the sink. Then, I thought about maybe getting on with some other client's work, but all the files were stored in the office. "I'm going to head to the office. I need to pick up a couple of client files. I'm guessing you're staying here today?"

"Yes." He replied, typing the coding into the laptop to finish the website for 'Club Orange'. I shut my laptop down and brushed my hair, deciding against tying it back. He typed away as I checked that everything was in my bag. I had to grab my phone from where I'd left it on charge in the bedroom and changed into a pair of jeans and a more suitable top before heading back to where Johnathan was to pick up the laptop just in case I needed it in the office. "Have we got any plans tonight?"

"It's your mother's birthday so we're taking her for a meal later. Your sister is bringing her girlfriend and your parents and meeting us at that all you can eat Chinese place that your mum wanted to try." I explained, grabbing my car keys. "I'll nip into town on the way back to get her a present and a card. I shouldn't be too long."

"Okay. Have fun!" Johnathan called as I headed from the flat, picking up the keys from the car as I did so.

I honestly didn't know what I was going to do if the string appeared for Johnathan or for myself. I was beginning to dread the day that my string would appear because I had a feeling that Johnathan wouldn't be at the end of it, and I knew that I didn't want that. I didn't know how things would happen if the string did appear, anyway. Would I move out? Or would Johnathan? These thoughts kept bugging me until my birthday came.

The night before my birthday, Johnathan came back from a works party being a little bit drunk. Due to the sudden rain, he had also been soaking. I grabbed a towel and started scolding him. What would he do if he got a cold? I flung a towel over his head and started to dry his hair. I could tell that he was past a little drunk by the smell of him, but at least he had had fun.

Still, he surprised me when he leaned down and kissed me. I was a little more surprised with myself that I was going to let him that easily, especially when he was drunk.

"I'm sorry. I can't." He exclaimed, almost as soon as our lips touched. He gently pushed me away and headed to the bathroom. I heard him start the shower. At least it seemed like he was trying to sober up. I was just confused about what happened.

After a moment, I just got up from the settee and went to bed, not sure of how I could face Johnathan. I even pretended to be asleep when he came into the bedroom and got into bed, our backs to each other. He didn't say anything and neither did I.

The next morning, which was my twenty first birthday, I woke before him again. I did my usual check of my hand, and noticed my string there. I couldn't help it. I started to cry. I tried to be quiet, but I couldn't have succeeded that well as Johnathan woke up. I felt his hand on my shaking shoulder, the other one gently pulling the hair from my face. "Natalie, what's wrong? It's your birthday. You're meant to be happy, not crying."

"My string." I managed to choke out between sobs that had gotten louder now. My body didn't see any point in trying to hide them anymore, so, I just cried as Johnathan wrapped his arms around me from behind my back. "I wanted it to be you."

"Look. Natalie, stop crying for a second and look." He ordered. I did. He had stretched out his left hand next to mine. Sure enough, there was a string wrapped around his ring finger and connected to mine. I felt my tears stop, the sobs stopping, too. I could hear the smile on Johnathan's lips as he spoke. "I hoped it would be you, too. I didn't know why the string took so long to appear between the two of us. I guess there is only one thing left. Natalie Hawke, will you do me the honour of becoming Mrs Greengrass?"

I rolled over to face him, letting the surprise take over my features. In his right hand, he held a box, which he opened to reveal a gorgeous ring. I nodded, not able to get the words out due to my shock. I felt my mouth form the word, but no sound would come out. Finally, I managed to say the one word that I wanted to, and Johnathan waited for me to. "Yes."

"Thank goodness." He laughed, slipping the ring onto my finger. The cool metal rested there comfortably and I just looked at the beautiful ring. Then Johnathan pulled me close to him for a kiss. "Oh, there is one more question. Before, I'd knew you'd say 'no' out of fear of us breaking up but now that you know that it would never happen – can we, please, get a dog?"

"Yes, but the flat doesn't allow pets." I explained.

"Don't worry. I'll buy us a nice house when we've started our own web/graphic design company with a big garden so we can have a dog and a couple of kids." He thought out loud.

"You've got it all planned out, haven't you?" I asked, thinking that he had been planning this for a little while. Had he actually been thinking of a future between the two of us even if the string had appeared?

"I have kind of been thinking about this since school, if I'm completely honest. Don't you like the idea?" He queried, a little disheartened.

"I love the idea almost as much as I love you." I answered, reassuring him with a kiss.