Dakota’s night

It doesn’t take very long for Dakota to get ready, and she comes out of the bedroom practically skipping with excitement. She’s dressed casually, just like you said to, in a pair of short shorts and a cropped t shirt. With her blue hair in its usual braid, she looks beautiful as always. You smile, and laughingly ask her to wait while you take a quick shower. Dakota rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t stop smiling.

You get showered and changed, throwing on a similarly casual outfit. You stop to grab a bag you prepared for the evening, and head back to where Dakota is waiting. She looks at your bag curiously, but doesn’t ask any questions, simply taking your hand and tugging you towards the door. You laugh, saying a quick goodbye to the other girls, as you head out to the car.

It’s a bit of a drive to your destination, but you avoid all of Dakota’s questions along the way. Eventually, though, it becomes obvious where you’re heading, as the lights of a local fair come into view. Dakota gasps and smiles as she sees the ferris wheel, and she grabs your leg in her excitement.

“Oh, I love the fair! I didn’t even know that there was one here!”

You chuckle as you pull into the parking lot. “I was waiting for it to start for our date. I figured you’d enjoy it.”

As the two of you get out of the car, she’s once again skipping with happiness, and once again practically dragging you forward. You laugh and go along with her, both of you taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the fair. There’s something about the combination that just brings out the joy in people, and Dakota is no exception. Never letting go of your hand, her almost childlike glee warms your heart.

You and Dakota move from one ride to the next, stopping in between to get various foods and play silly carnival games. The fair is extensive, and as usual, Dakota has seemingly boundless energy. As the sun sets, the lights of the attractions give everything a dreamlike feeling, and you get swept along by Dakota’s enthusiasm. You do get a brief respite when she drags you over to the ferris wheel, and as you ride up into the night sky, she sighs happily, resting her head on your shoulder.

“You know, Brian, I sometimes worry. I know I’m not special. I’m not a monster girl, I’m not a beauty queen. I’m just a regular girl.”

You start to protest, but she shushes you, placing a finger on your lips. “But somehow, you always manage to make me feel like I’m just as special as all the other girls. Thank you.”

You smile, squeezing her gently. “Dakota, you ARE special. You’re just as special as the others, and I love you dearly.”

You would say more, but you’re interrupted by her kiss. She holds your cheeks in her hands as she kisses you, and the two of you don’t separate until you reach the bottom of the wheel again. You blush slightly as the operator of the wheel lets you out with a chuckle, though Dakota simply giggles.

It’s fully dark now, and although Dakota wants to keep exploring the fair, you have other plans. You head back to the car and grab your bag, and take her hand again, leading her up a nearby hill. She watches you curiously as you pull out a blanket, laying it out on the grass. The two of you sit, facing slightly away from the lights of the fair.

She’s about to ask what’s going on when the first of the fireworks is set off. With a surprised gasp, she leans against you, and you smile as you put your arms around her. You glance down and see the smile on her face, the flickering lights reflected in her wide eyes. Seeing her so entranced, you pull out the other object from your bag.

The ring.

Dakota is so enraptured by the fireworks that she doesn’t notice the ring at first. You smile as her eyes flick down to your hand, and she once again gasps when she realizes what you’re holding. Her ring is a bit more elaborate than the others, a gold band with sapphires inset along the center line, and a diamond on top, within a circular ruby.

“Dakota, I meant it when I said that you’re special. You’re an amazing woman, and every day I feel lucky to have you in my life. I want you to be a part of our family, forever. Would you do me the honor of accepting this ring, and being my wife?”

You’re surprised to see tears welling up in her eyes, and it’s all she can do to softly speak. “Yes…oh, yes. Forever…yes.”

You slip the ring on her finger, and with a happy cry, Dakota throws herself at you, knocking you onto your back as she hugs you tightly and kisses you deeply. The world around you fades, as all you can focus on is her, and all she cares about is you.