Love is in Bloom

There she stood, looking like she always did. Beauty incarnate. The sun was setting behind her, framing her in pink and gold light. Her hips swayed as she walked, lips moving along to music they couldn't hear yet, but Jex knew her voice was soft and melodic. Her head tilted back and forth to the tune, sending her long brown hair dancing softly. If angel wings had unfurled from her back Jex wouldn't have been surprised. As she reached her partner, she turned her gaze toward theirs. Her eyes were deep brown; golden when the light hit them just so. Jex swore they could see the very depths of her perfect soul and mind swimming within her eyes.

"Hello, my Marigold," Jex said, pulling her close.

Their soft golden hair flopped down into Marigold's face and she laughed, pushing it aside.

"Hello, my Jex."

Butterflies burst from somewhere deep within Jex, and they thought they might die. My Jex. Even though they'd been together since they were 16 (and they were 26 nearing 27 now) Jex would never get used to the way she said their name.

"I have a surprise for you, my love," they said, and released Marigold from their embrace, only to take her hand. Marigold smiled sweetly, eyes alight with excitement.

"What is it?" she asked.

Jex said nothing, only tugged her along and laughed. They walked for a short while, fingers interwoven. Jex marveled at how perfect their Marigold was once again. Her curves, her long fingers, her sweet dimples they just wanted to kiss...

Then they arrived. The sky was painted purple, dusk enveloping the sky as if he'd missed her. A large, empty field of grass stood before them. A slight breeze tickled the blades and Marigold's locks.

Perfect. That was the only word to describe her.

Marigold gasped as she saw what Jex had laid out for her. A blanket (made by Jex themself) was set into the grass, holding a little wicker basket. It was something Marigold had spoken of in passing.

I want to have a picnic Jexy. Beneath a purple sunset.

She turned to them, tears making her eyes shiny, smile turning her expression bright.

"You remembered!" she squealed and threw her arms around them.

Jex curled into her embrace, whispering into her, "Of course I remembered."

Marigold grabbed their hand again and shot toward the basket. Jex laughed and told her to wait.

"I have to show you something."

They set the basket in their lap, holding their lithe hands over the lid so Marigold couldn't snatch a peek.

"Within this basket is a lifetime of promise," Jex said, breathing deeply. Marigold was nearly shaking with excitement, hands beneath her thighs to constrain herself.

"A promise from me, to you. My one and only love," Marigold's eyes were growing teary again, but Jex ignored her, "You're the most extraordinary human I know. Never have I doubted you. And even less than that, have I doubted our love. So, my dear Marigold, in fear that you are going to burst from anticipation, I give to you, a picnic."

Marigold's lip wobbled as Jex opened the basket carefully, the wicker whining as they did.

First, they pulled out a bundle of flowers. Yellow and red and orange petals all woven together.

"Marigolds, for which you were named. They are beautiful and soft, but not anywhere near as beautiful as you," they leaned forward, handing a now sobbing Marigold the bundle.

Next was a small cake. Swirling designs were scrawled across the top. "A chocolate cake, from my grandma's bakery. The one we got the day we started dating." Tears plinked down onto the plastic shielding the cake.

Then, Jex set the basket down and pulled out two little squares. "Peanut butter sandwiches, because you love them so much."

Marigold clutched all her gifts, holding them as though they were going to disappear were she to set them down.

Jex took a deep breath. With shaking hands, they removed a little black box, small and unassuming. Marigold gasped again, sniffling and trying to make her tears stop. They only started harder when Jex shuffled up onto their knees and took the cake, then the sandwiches, then the flowers from her. They then hefted one knee up and knelt so one was flush with the ground and one stood at a near right angle.

They pulled the little box into their hands.

"My dear sweet Marigold. We've been together for 10 years. And every single year that has passed since I asked you to be my girlfriend has only solidified this decision for me." They opened the box. Within was a little ring, shimmering silver in the fast waning light.

"Will you make me the happiest person to ever grace this planet, Marigold? Will you mar-" They were cut off by a guttural YES and Marigold's arms around their shoulders. She buried her face in their neck, sobbing hard. Jex laughed, a single tear slipping down their cheek.

~

57 years later

Tears rolled down Jex’s cheeks, hot and fast and for the thousandth time that day. It had been a week since Marigold died. She’d been as beautiful as when Jex had proposed, but the pain in her face had nearly torn their heart out. Marigold’s younger sister sat beside Jex, looking down, utterly silent. There was a large gathering of people seated in fold-up chairs, facing a beautiful casket covered in golden swirls. Everyone had on bright spring dress, for Marigold wanted a celebration of life, not a mourning of death.

It’s pretty damn hard to celebrate without your light. Jex thought, as the funeral wrapped up and they rose to leave. The night passed, and they awoke the next day to another feeling of dread and misery. Their bones ached from old age and their heart felt broken. Perhaps it was.

They opened the door to let their dog out, his tail wagging excitedly. That’s when Jex began to cry for the first time that day. Growing between the cracks of cement on their porch was a small orange blossom, petals folded up shyly. It was a marigold, unexpected and beautiful. Just like she had been. Just like she always would be.