Dylan had called Austin and I last night, letting us in on his plan to ask Claire to marry him. He wanted to do it in the place where their relationship really took off, so he had called in a number of favors. Including about thirty officers and an ambulance.
His plan was to radio in a mass casualty with multiple critically ill people on board the ambulance. Only he would be in the back of the ambulance on one knee, a diamond in hand. The officers, who arrived with the ambulance, would break out in a serenade after she said yes. Our role was to be with him, since he felt she would be marrying the family, not just him and to get the whole thing on video so they could show their grandchildren.
Everyone parked in the garage across from the hospital. Dylan had changed into the jeans and boots he used to wear, including his star belt buckle. With the back of the ambulance covered in roses, and the future groom about to vomit when we got the call to move, we turned on the siren and drove toward the ambulance bay.
Dylan rode the entire time with the ring in his hand and his left knee on the floor of the ambulance. I kept look out the window and let Dylan know Claire was standing in the awning with her yellow gown on, and her game face ready. As soon as we pulled into the bay, a multitude of police cars followed us in, parking in a way to block the entrance. Claire ignored the chaos as she took two steps toward the door and twisted the handle.
“Claire Faith Stewart,” Dylan’s voice cracked as he squeaked out her name. Claire eyes went wide as she took in the scene before her, the officers gathered in behind the open doors of the ambulance, ready to sing the song which will have her laughing through her tears. “You gave me a reason to look inside myself, questioning the man I had become.” Her eyes never left Dylan’s as her trembling hands crept up slowly to cover her mouth.
“You loved me for the boy I was and the man I’ve tried to be. Being your boyfriend has taught me the true definition of love and, if you’re willing, I’d like to know what it feels like to be your husband. Will you marry me?”
Claire, having climbed in the ambulance, dropped to the floor with him, her arms circling his neck. Her tears were coming at such a rate she’s unable to do anything but nod. Dylan gives the thumbs up to his fellow officers, who begin singing a current chart topper about having cake at the beach. And like Dylan said, she began laughing, and he got his girl.