Emily sat in the passenger seat of Joel's car. She watched the scenery pass by on the way to the restaurant. She didn't hear the radio, even though it was blaring 'Numb' by Linkin Park.
Joel parked the car. They were at Olive Garden, Emily's favourite place to eat.
She looked at Joel. "Why are we here? You guys hate eating here..."
"Em.. it's your birthday. We always come here for your birthday." He smiled. He got out of the car and went around to open Emily's door for her. He took her hand and helped her out of the car. "Don't you remember your own birthday?" He asked, slightly worried.
Emily shrugged. "I guess..."
Rain came running up behind Emily and jumped on her back. "Happy birthday kiddo!" She laughed.
Emily smiled. "Thanks..."
Joel sighed. "Even though you forgot." He rolled his eyes and opened the door.
Emily walked in, still carrying Rain on her back. Rain slid off her friends back and frowned at her. "You're twenty now. You aren't allowed to forget your birthday until you're thirty." She laughed.
Emily laughed. But it wasn't a real laugh, not that anyone could tell. "I'll try to remember that."
After they were seated Joel became nervous. He kept shifting in his seat. Continuously looking at his watch. Drumming his fingers on the table to the tune of 'Numb'. Once or twice he would look over at Emily then back to his watch.
Emily took Joel's hand and squeazed it, trying to tell him to relax. No matter how much he tried to relax, he couldn't. What he had to say to Emily was too important. He feared her answer more than death. He looked at her and smiled. "I'll be right back." He said as he stood from the table.
Joel walked to the men's restroom and looked in the mirror. He sighed and turned on the water. He washed his face and neck and tried to calm himself. He grabbed a paper towel and dried off his dripping face.
He pulled a ring from his pocket and looked at it for a second. He smiled, but it slowly faded from his features. He was scared to ask Emily to marry him. Joel loved her more than anything. But he wasn't sure she felt the same way. Emily had changed over the years. She wasn't as happy as she use to be. She didn't even cry at her mothers funeral. Joel was scared that Emily was becoming distant and closing herself off from the world.
The door opened and Benji walked in. "Joel? What's wrong? Emily is worried about you."
Joel smiled slightly. That's the Emily he knew and loved. Always worried about everyone else. "I'm fine. I just can't bring myself to ask her."
Benji put his hand on his twins shoulder. "Just ask her. You'll feel better."
Joel nodded. "Yeah, I know..."
Benji smiled. "C'mon. Before she sends Billy and Paul in here."
They laughed as they walked back to the table. Joel sat down next to Emily and smiled at her. Benji sat next to Summer, grinning.
"Emily..." Joel took Emily's hand and placed the ring on her finger. "Will you mary me?"
Emily sat there looking from Joel to the ring. For the first time in three years she actually cried. Real tears. But not of joy or sadness... more of both. She was sad because she could never really love him the way she use to, but she was happy because she did still love him.
Their friends looked at them. Hoping she'd say yes. It seemed like nothing had been said for hours and it had only been a few seconds.
Emily reached over and hugged Joel. "...yes..." She whispered in his ear. She felt horrible. She felt like she was stealing his life from him for saying yes because her heart, her feelings, everything she was is numb.
Joel on the other hand was almost in tears he was so happy. He loved Emily more than life and all he wanted was to spend the rest of his life with her. Now he has that chance.