Again (Brandy Jeffus)

like marriage. So his answer makes my face heat up. When he grins at me, my legs turn to jelly. He is so damn gorgeous. How did I get so lucky all those years ago?
    “We’re going to have beautiful babies you know that,” I blurt out. Eli laughs and his arms wrap around me.
    “Yes ma’am, I can only dream and hope.”
    We finally get on the Ferris wheel and I concentrate on breathing slow so I won’t freak out. Eli rubs my arm up and down very rhythmically. It comforts me in a huge way. I finally open my eyes and look around. We are almost to the very top.
    “Do you remember what Tatum would say when she was younger?” I ask.
    Eli chuckles and looks down at me. “Yea, I can see the North Pole from here. Look I see Santa, I’m being for real, quit making fun of me meanie heads!” he mimics in a high pitch voice. I laugh. Tatum was always such a riot when she was younger. She was so fully engrossed in the fairytales, the magic of everything. It was enamoring.
    Needless to say, she was beyond thrilled to hear that Eli and I were back together. Our happy ever after was proof that she should still give fairy tales a chance, I guess.
    We take some fold out chairs from the trunk of Eli’s car and sit by Mama and Coach, who had met up with us earlier. A big stage for local artists to perform has been set up.
    “Oh no, the infamous camera! That thing is as old as dirt, does it still take film?” Eli asks when I bring my camera from my bag.
    “Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. I won’t go digital until I have to.” I huff in mock anger. I point the camera at him and he makes a goofy face. Mama and Coach laugh on as we make silly poses.
    Coach stands up and puts a hand out for the camera, “Here, y’all do a serious one now so your Mama can put it in her scrapbook.”
    Eli grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. He sits upright and brings his arms around me. My heart soars. His arms are so strong, and being so close to him still gives me butterflies.
    “I love you babe, smile pretty now,” he whispers. We both smile as the flash goes off. I stand and take the camera from Coach and take one of him and Mama. It’s nice to see Mama so happy.
    It’s almost as if Eli and I haven’t been apart. Besides Elizabeth, nobody asks about the past. They see that we’re together and that’s that. Some did ask Eli about the shooting and everyone was really gracious.
    The main act finally comes on and for a brief second I think of Mick. I think of all the concerts I went to, how boring they became. How stressful and high maintenance being back stage was. I’m glad to be on the other side of a concert for once. It was nicer here.
    I’m sitting in Eli's lap when he nudges me and asks, "Hey do you want to move in with me?" I draw in a breath sharply and look at him.
    “Seriously?” I whisper back. He shakes his head and smiles wide.
    A huge grin breaks out, “I think that's a wonderful idea, Mr. Stone.”
    “Good I’m glad. Here, get up and follow me. I want to show you something.”
    He makes a move to get up and I stand. I hold onto his hand as Eli pulls me through the crowd. We walk up to the left of the stage and stand at the stairs. A man in a black polo sees Eli, nods, then brings a walkie-talkie up to his mouth and mutters something.
    “What’s going on, Eli?” I stop, pulling on his hand. Eli grins wide, but I see a hint of nervousness present.
    “Trust me, and don’t freak out. I’m already freaked out enough. Come on,” He pulls me up the stairs and we take the stage. My stomach flip-flops when I look out at the hundreds of faces in the audience. I feel faint, my heart jack-hammering in my chest.
    Eli takes the microphone given to him, “Hello everyone. It’s a fine day for a fair, isn’t it?” Whoops and whistles follow as a reply. Eli beams at me.
    “I’m going to make this short and sweet. Around six years ago I asked this girl to marry me when we were young and still in high school.” The band behind us starts playing music and I recognize Ed Sheeran’s “Give Me Love”. A huge lump forms in my throat.
    “Things happen, as they always do, and she was the one that got away. But now I’ve got her back and I’m never letting her go,” Eli pulls me closer, kisses my cheek and the crowd gets rowdy.
    Eli pulls away from me, letting go of my hand. He reaches into his pocket and drops down to one knee. I close my eyes as the crowd becomes deafening. The music continues to play and the