Falling for My Ex Next Door: A Best Friend's Brother Second Chance Romance

Chapter Twenty-two

“Iam not a toddler, Mom.” I chuckled.

It was funny how much she could dote on me when we were not at odds.

“You will always be my baby,” she said.

“Hm.” I agreed.

“ Is Daisy there with you?” She asked.

“No, she’s in her room. Should I go get her?”

“ No, it’s fine. I’ll speak to her later.”

“ Yeah.”

“ I-”

The doorbell rang.

“Mom, I need to go get the door.”

“Sure.”

“It must be the delivery guy,” I shuffled across the room, towards the door. “He’s a little early, though,” I confirmed, glancing at my wristwatch.

“Th-” I opened the door.

Clara?

I was shocked to see her. I had not seen nor spoken to her for about a week now. It felt weird, but I was happy to see her.

Her face shone brightly over the background of the starless sky.

“Can I come in?” She cleared her throat.

I nodded and opened the door wider. Her perfume tingled my senses as she passed by me. When she was in, I told my Mom I would speak to her later and ended the call.

“This is for you. It’s chicken pot pie.” She said with outstretched arms.

“Thank you.” I collected the carefully wrapped food package and placed it on the console. She seemed to have gone out of her way to bake.

“Um,” she was fidgeting on the spot.

I was confused as to why she was here, yet I was happy.

Then suddenly, she shut her eyes and breathed out heavily.

“I’m sorry, Jacob.”

“You don’t have to be,” I corrected. I was in no mood for apologies or regrets.

“I was so blinded by the past to see who we truly have become, independently.” She continued, nevertheless. “I admit I was carried away by the ugly memories I have held onto until now, I, I, was wrong...”

“Clara.”

“Please, listen to me, Jacob.” She cried.

“I’m sorry for not allowing you to prove your worth to me. I’m sorry for pushing you away. I’m so sorry for letting you down.” she said in one breath.

“You never let me down, Clara.”

“No, no. I have,” she disagreed. “ I have continuously let you down. I have deprived myself of permitting you to love me like you want to.”

At that moment, I thought I might just have misheard.

“I need you to know how lonely I was without you. I need you to know how much I miss your endearments, caresses, and kisses.” She moved closer, breathing heavily.

By then, my heart was beating like crazy, and I could hardly control myself. We were standing so close together, and our eyes were locked in one gaze.

“I miss your touch on my skin. I can’t deny the shivers I get when you touch me. I miss how happy I used to be with you. I miss the connection. I realize how much you mean to me, despite everything. I forgive you, Jacob. I truly do.”

I knew I was rough, but I crashed my lips against hers. The previous kiss had been fleeting, but I wanted this to last forever. The longing was there, at play. I desperately wanted her. I had waited for so long, and it was finally here.

“Yay!” Daisy’s jubilant voice broke our contact.

Clara burst out laughing. I felt so triumphant, she was finally mine again.

“I’m so happy for you both.” She dashed across the room and swept me into a long embrace. Then she kissed Clara on the face, here and there.

I couldn’t deny the spark that was between me and Clara. A wave of emotions was rushing through me in heavy torrents. I could barely contain them, so I reached for her and locked her lips to mine once more.

“I won’t look.” Daisy joked, settling on the sofa.

Then, slowly, I intertwined my fingers in hers and brought her head to rest on my chest. I couldn’t be more fulfilled.

“Thank you,” I whispered against her hair.

“For what?” she further tightened the hug.

“For seeing me as someone worthy of you.”

“I find happiness in you, my love. My happiness can never be elsewhere.” She cocked her head to look at me.

Her eyes sparkled with a novelty that I loved.

“I’ll always love you.” I nuzzled my nose against hers.

She twitched a small smile, and then, unexpectedly, her eyes began to fill with tears.

I didn’t plan to make her feel that way.

“I’m sorry for making you cry,”

“No, no,” she shook her head profusely.

Perhaps, then, I thought she was overwhelmed by her emotions.

“I can’t help it.” She laughed amid her tears.

Her forgiveness felt like a sunrise after a long, harsh winter. I reached for her hand again, feeling the familiar warmth that had once seemed as perennial as the sun. It was now or never.

“Clara,” I started, my heart thumping against my ribcage, “these past few days without your trust have been the hardest of my life. I’ve realized something undeniable. I can’t imagine a life that doesn’t have you in it. The week you took a chance on me, was the best for me. I want that every day. I do not have a ring right now, but will you marry me?”

Time seemed to stand still.

I hear Daisy’s gasp.

At first, Clara looked at me in shock, and then her face broke into a wide, tear-streaked smile when she realized it was a proposal.

“Yes, Jacob. Yes, I will marry you.”

“Yes, oh yes. Finally, Clara, we are going to be sisters,” Daisy squeals with delight and hugs the two of us together. “I need to make some calls,” she says as she runs up the stairs.

“I love you, Clara. I will get a ring tomorrow.”

“I love you, Jacob.”

She leaned into me, her head resting against my chest, and I felt the pieces of our past settling, the future promising something new, something whole.

***

Her face was a peaceful scenery that could not be found anywhere. Its serenity was impeccable, and the beauty it bore was sublime. I wanted to touch her lips but knew that would rouse her. Instead, I waited patiently for her to open her eyes.

The air was fresh and crisp, and a sweet fragrance filled it. I inhaled with a contented smile.

Her mom had let me in and as I watched her sleep, my fingers curled around the small velvet box in my pocket, and I drew it out, holding it yet hidden in my clasped hands.

“Are you awake?”

Finally, she opened her eyes. They were beautifully smiling at me. I sat next to her on the bed and ran my hand through her hair as I drew her in for a brief kiss.

“Your lips taste like strawberries. Did you have a late-night treat?”

“Hmm, hmm.” She nodded mischievously.

I pinched her nose.

She chuckled and gradually slipped into a big yawn.

“Did you sleep well?” I brushed a brown curl off her face.

“Yes. I had a dream, too.” She grinned.

“Tell me about it.”

“I dreamed I recited my vows to you.” She smiled.

“Wow! So, can you remember what you said to me?” I was interested.

“Hmm, let’s see.” She thought out loud. “ It was just a line.”

“Just a line?” I wasn’t expecting that.

Her lashes fluttered delicately. “Yes.”

“Tell me. I want to hear it.” I began to run my hand on her shoulder. The innocent act instilled a feeling of contentment within me.

“I do not think I should tell you.” She teased.

“And why’s that?”

“I want to keep it for our wedding,” she said.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Then I shall ask the priest to prepare the altar immediately, and we shall be wed.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” She laughed, playfully slapping my arm.

“I really want to hear it.” I cried.

“You are such a child!” She snorted.

Her laughter was contagious, and it filled the atmosphere with lightheartedness. It was impossible not to smile when she was around.

“No, I’m not. I just want you to tell me.”

I open the box to reveal the ring, a simple gold band crowned with a single diamond, twinkling.

“Oh my Gosh!” She suddenly sat up, astonished.

“I hope you like it,” I said as I slipped the ring onto her finger.

“I love it, Jacob. It’s exquisite,” she said, admiring it on her finger.

I lean in, and as our lips meet, the world shrank to that singular point of contact. The kiss deepened, fueled by the years of pain and forgiveness, the sweetness of reconciliation igniting like a spark into a flame. When we finally parted, her forehead remained pressed to mine. We stayed in that position until she suddenly jolted up as if pricked by something.

“What’s wrong?”

“What time is it?” She asked.

“It’s just gone past ten,” I responded.

“Oh no! We are late!” She jumped out of bed.

“Late for what?” I was confused.

“The fair, Jacob! The fair! I was supposed to attend the Christmas fair with Daisy. Oh my goodness.” She panicked, dashing into the bathroom.

“Be careful!” I yelled behind her.

“Are you coming with us?” Her head appeared at the entrance to the bathroom.

“Sure, I will.”

“I will be ready in ten minutes,” she said with a wink.

I leave the room with a skip in my step to prepare coffee for us.