A romantic meal with my boyfriend while my parents watch my son—what more could I want? My lover shouted, “He did it again!” and ran outside, ruining the wonderful evening.
He did it again! Blake’s voice stopped discussions and turned heads throughout the café.
I stopped, my fork in midair. What happened? Why did Blake yell? Why was he jumping up from his seat in the back of the restaurant?
Please rewind.
It should have been the perfect night. Blake and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary, which I anticipated all week.
I had my 4-year-old son Liam with us, but my parents, ever-present, babysat. Blake and I could eat supper while watching Liam from a few feet away. The world appeared perfect.
Each table had candles, making the eatery inviting. Light laughing and clinking glasses filled the air.
I wore my favorite red dress, which Blake remarked made me “look like magic.” Blake, normally calm, seemed distracted early on. He kept shifting in his seat, twisting his napkin, and glancing around like something would spring out.
You okay? I asked, touching his hand across the table.
“Yeah,” he answered quickly, smiling tightly. “Just… I’m good.”
A leg bounced under the table. I looked doubtful but didn’t push. Something made him nervous, but I couldn’t figure out what.
Things got strange when the waiter took our orders.
“Do you guys have outdoor security cameras?” Blake asks.
Confused, the waiter blinked. I’m unsure. I could ask—
“No, it’s fine,” Blake waved him off. “Just curious.”
I frowned. What’s that about?
Blake shrugged. “Nothing. Just checking.”
Blake posed another unusual question minutes later. Is the outdoor space reserved tonight? Event or something?”
The waiter paused. “No, sir. Seating is open. Why?”
“No reason.” Blake tightened his smile, but he hadn’t touched his drink.
“Blake, seriously,” I said, drawing closer. “What’s wrong?”
Shaking his head. It’s nothing. Just monitoring.”
“For what? A meteor? I tried to ease the mood, but he didn’t laugh. He kept looking at my parents’ table. My mom laughed at my dad’s comment. Liam excitedly raced his toy car across the table between them.
It looked good. Why was Blake tense?
I said, “Blake, talk to me,” more forcefully.
Sighing, he rubbed his neck. I can’t explain. Okay, just a feeling. It seems like something is about to happen.”
I watched him. “A feeling?”
“Yeah,” he confirmed, looking at me. ‘I know it sounds crazy.’
Before I could react, my dad jumped up and left, likely to take a call. Blake watched him like a hawk. His knee bounced harder under the table as his fingers tightened around his napkin.
“Blake, stop,” I whispered. “You’re terrifying me.”
It happened.
Blake jumped out of his chair and knocked it over. His voice was urgent, eyes bulging. He did it again!
“What—?” He was sprinting when I started. My pulse raced as I glanced toward the outdoor seating area, attempting to understand what was happening.
Then I saw it. His toy car. Pool floating.
A horrific recollection flooded in.
It was approximately a year after Blake and I started dating. At a friend’s BBQ, Liam was playing with a ball near their pool. I heard the splash after turning my back for one second. Liam threw his ball in and jumped after it, unaware of its danger.
Panic froze me, but not Blake.
He jumped in and pulled Liam out before he submerged. I vividly remembered the panic and relief when Blake handed him to me, drenched and safe. I joked later that Blake was Liam’s hero.
It was happening again.
Liam. My child. Flailing arms, his tiny face scarcely visible.
“No!” Shoving my chair back, I yelled and it fell over. I staggered toward the water, gasping, my legs jelly-like.
Blake was there. He acted immediately. He didn’t remove his shoes. He dove into the water effortlessly.
“Please, please, please,” I whispered, afraid as Blake neared Liam. In one strong action, he lifted him out of the water by the arms. Liam spewed and screeched.
Blake climbed out of the pool, and I ran forward, arms extended. Water streamed from his clothes, his face pallid but resolute.
His voice was firm despite his frantic breathing: “Take him.”
I hugged Liam so firmly he wiggled. “Mama! Too tight!” he cried, but I held on.
“It’s okay, baby,” I muttered, shaking. You’re fine. You’re okay.”
Blake stood behind me, soaking and heaving. His hands shook as he removed Liam’s moist curls from his eyes. He said, “He’s fine,” to himself rather than me. “He’s fine.”
My parents ran, my mom’s face ghostly. “Oh my God, what happened?” she sobbed.
“He jumped in,” Blake remarked, stressed. “After his toy.”
While holding his phone, my dad’s mouth opened and closed. “I… I briefly left—”
“Later,” I snapped, becoming harsher. My arms still held Liam, his little body warm and moist. When I saw Blake, tears obscured my vision. “You saved him.”
Blake smiled hesitantly. That’s my job.”
Blake really surprised me as my breathing settled. He turned and returned to the pool. I was confused when he dove in again.
Why are you doing this? My heart raced as I yelled.
He remained silent. Water rippled around him as he submerged. I froze, clutching Liam, as Blake emerged, panting for air but empty-handed. He dove again and again as the little crowd watched silently.
The third time, he emerged with something sparkly. He pushed his wet hair out of his face and clambered out of the pool, dripping water. He looked at me as he walked over, grasping something securely.
Dropping to one knee.
Silence fell across the world. My mother gasped. My dad froze. Even Liam stopped writhing.
Blake held out a tiny, dazzling ring. The diamond sparkled like a star. His voice trembled.
“Liam already thinks I’m his hero,” he added, looking up at me with those warm, steady eyes I’d fell for a year before. “I want to be your hero too. Forever.”
I had weak knees. All appeared to tilt. “Blake…”
“I love you,” he said. And I adore Liam. You’re family. Will we wed?
I laughed for a moment. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do, not because it was amusing. I managed “Yes,” trembling my voice. “Yes!”
Restaurant patrons cheered. My mother wept. Dad patted Blake’s back. Liam grinned and clapped, unaware of the turmoil. “Yay!” he announced. “Mama’s happy!”
Blake placed the ring on my finger, shaking. “You’re stuck with me now,” he replied, smiling crooked but lovingly.
My voice broke as I said, “Good.” “I wouldn’t change it.”
Later, my mom hugged me as we packed to go. She muttered, “I’m so sorry,” overwhelmed with guilt. “We should have focused.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” I grabbed her closely. “He’s fine. That matters.”
My dad rubbed his neck as he advanced. “Blake… A drink is my debt. Or ten.”
Blake chuckled, clapping my dad’s shoulder. “We’re fine.”
Liam chatted about his toy vehicle as we walked to the car, unknowing of our near-death experience. I looked down at my ring, its shine reflecting the streetlights.
Blake joined me, lacing his fingers. “You okay?” he whispered.
My throat tightened as I nodded. “Yeah. More than fine.”
Blake drove us home, and I stared at him. My hero. Liam’s fantastic. The man who twice saved my son and gave me a new forever.
The true prize wasn’t on my finger. It sat behind the wheel.
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. The author does not imply any resemblance to real people, events, or places.
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