It doesn’t take Merlin long to find out that cutting their jungle adventure short is well worth it. They are both rewarded for the sacrifice.
After their hot tub adventure, they cool down in the pool… sort of.
Jalisa floats around on her back, while Merlin swims a few laps and plays around with a very crazy idea in his head. He decides to run it past Jalisa before they leave the pool.
Merlin: Is it too soon to get married?
The question hits Jalisa in the gut like a brick.
Jalisa: *sits next to Merlin* Are you serious?
Merlin: As I can be…
Jalisa: Are you sure it’s not just our surroundings speaking for you?
Merlin: It’s me…speaking for me.
Jalisa: Marriage?
Merlin: Isn’t that what this whole challenge was about? Finding our future spouse…?
Jalisa: Yeah…I guess it was.
Merlin: Well, I found who I want to be with. So…is it too soon?
Jalisa: No…it’s not too soon.
Jalisa leans in and kisses Merlin to affirm her thoughts on the possibility of them getting married.
Merlin and Jalisa shower and dress, then return to the marketplace to experience more Selvadoradian culture. This time they decide to try out the local food stand. Merlin orders the Empanadas De Verde, and Jalisa orders the Pastel De Camarão , but they both discover that some Selvadorado food has more kick than they are ready for.
After dinner, they go to the Cantina to enjoy the music and dance the rest of the night away. They return to the rental to do even more dancing…
It’s their last day in Selvadorado…and Merlin has a good idea of how he’d like to spend it, but his plans are thwarted when he learns that there are no machetes available for sale. Without one, it’ll be dangerous for them to return to the jungle. Disappointed, he turns and walks away. He walks down to the docks with Jalisa struggling to catch up to him.
Jalisa: *calls after him* Merlin. Merlin! Wait up!
Once they get to the docks, Jalisa steps in front of him to stop him from going any further.
Jalisa: Are you mad at me?
Merlin: No, of course not.
Jalisa: Then, what the hell? Why are you stomping around like a mad man?
Merlin: I’m sorry. I’m mad at myself for losing the stupid machete yesterday.
Jalisa: It’s okay –
Merlin: No…it isn’t! I had a reason for wanting to go out today. I wanted this to be special.
Jalisa: It is special. This whole trip has been special. Just being with you is enough.
Grateful, Merlin grabs Jalisa’s hands and kisses them.
Merlin: Yeah…but I have an important question for you, and I wanted to ask surrounded by more than just…*looks around* this.
Jalisa: Are you insane? Have you looked at where we are? We don’t have to go trekking off into the jungle to find beauty. It’s right here…surrounding us.
Merlin looks around as if he’s just discovering the beauty of their location. Then his eyes find Jalisa’s, and he stares into them.
Merlin: You’re right. You’re all the beauty that I need.
Jalisa: What’s on your mind, Merlin? Why are you so worked up?
Merlin kisses Jalisa’s hands one more time before releasing them and taking a very deep breath.
Merlin: I wanted to take you somewhere amazing to propose, but amazing follows you wherever you are. I want to be a part of that. Will you marry me?
Jalisa stares at him with a blank expression as if she’s waiting for him to say more.
Merlin: Um…*brief unsure pause* I’m asking this time, in case you’re wondering.
Jalisa: You’re asking, asking?
Merlin: Yeah, asking, asking…asking. As in, asking you to be my wife.
Jalisa: Well, …if, you’re asking – the answer is yes. I’ll be thrilled to be your wife!
Merlin lets out a squeal and then a shout! Then he grabs Jalisa…leans her back and kisses her like he’s never kissed her before.
(Jalisa’s Final Thoughts) Happiness is a funny thing. People say they want to find it, but most of us don’t know what it even feels or looks like until it hits us square in the chest. Merlin and I spent our last few hours in Selvadorado, taking in as much of its culture as we could before returning home. Everyone that we encountered told us that we exude happiness and that we make a lovely couple. When we told them that we were getting married soon, they all thought that we’d been together for years…and were shocked to learn it’s only been weeks. A few weeks…7 blind dates with Merlin is all it took to let me know that he is my soul mate and that I cannot get enough of him. Yeah…I know that it seems that the physical appears to be the strongest part of our relationship, but that’s not true. There is a bond between us that’s bigger than our bodies. We fell in love without even seeing each other…remember that. Now…we’re just making up for lost time. We’ll eventually come up for air…
That’s it! The challenge is over, but Jalisa and Merlin will be back…
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
Thanks again to @1o8percent | @wabadebadooblr | @storiesbyjes2g | @anotherplumbob | @pinkfuzzasims | @igglemouse | @ice-creamforbreakfast | @boomchicapopdatsims | @forests-sim-stories for sending me some incredible sims and everyone who hit the “like” button, left a comment, reblogged a post and or voted! Without all of you and your support, I would never have finished this thing. And a special thanks to my son and daughter for reading, giving me feedback and listening when I talked about this challenge as if it involved real people! *big hugs*🥰
