Epilogue - Austin
I have been in countless dangerous situations with the Phoenix Legion, yet somehow, I've never been as nervous as I am now. I've never been much of a planner, but I feel like I have been planning for this since the day I met Chelsea Gilmore.
When I shared my plan with Hailey, her eyes filled with tears and she promised to bring my vision to life. Having an expert event planner means that I don't have to worry whether or not everything will come together perfectly. Getting the Sutton Ridge Drive-In to close down for a private event was a little challenging, but the owners agreed after I explained my plan and the significance of the location. I may have also written a check with a few too many zeroes on the end. An amount that I would have easily doubled if that's what it took to make my vision a reality.
I've been so caught up in making sure Hailey fully understands my vision that I didn't even stop to think about just how fucking nervous I would be. Now I'm on my way back home to pick up Chelsea and doing everything that I can think of to try and calm my nerves.
The ring I've been hiding for the past few months is weighing heavily in my pocket. I can't wait to finally see it on her finger.
I 've kept my distance from her all day, trying to make sure that I didn't accidentally say or do anything in her presence that would give the surprise away. Hailey has been checking in throughout the day and has assured me that Chelsea has no idea.
I don't have a plan for what I'm going to say when I pick her up tonight. She has endured countless surprises over the last year, and I can only hope this will be the best surprise yet.
Knowing her, I'm sure she's already trying to guess what I could have planned, but I'm hoping that she won't sense the nerves rattling through my entire body. Standing at our front door, I take a moment to smooth my hands down the front of my black long-sleeved button-up that's tucked into a pair of dark jeans and paired with a black belt. I've run my hands through my hair enough over the last thirty minutes that I'm sure it's fighting against any remaining traces of gel.
With a deep breath, I ring the doorbell and take a step back. I know she always checks the camera feed on her phone, so I lean towards the camera, flashing her a bright smile as I say, "Are you ready to go, Sunflower?"
"What are you doing?" She laughs through the speaker. "Just come inside."
"No can do, baby. I'm here to pick you up for our date." I straighten back up and slip my hands into the front pockets of my jeans.
"Oh my gosh, you're ridiculous." Her voice is filled with amusement, and I can only imagine that she is shaking her head as she watches me on the camera.
"Just get that sweet ass down here, baby, or we're going to be late."
Her laugh filters through the speaker again as she tells me that she'll be down in a minute. My heart feels ready to pound its way out of my chest when the front door opens. Chelsea steps out onto the porch, and I want to remember this moment forever as she closes the door behind her.
The freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks brighten as I soak in her gorgeous smile. Her long hair hangs in loose waves over her shoulders, and the skirt she's wearing has my mouth watering. If I didn't already have a plan in motion for how tonight was going to go, I'd be dragging her back into the house and ripping that outfit off her body.
"You look beautiful, baby. Ready to go?" I ask, placing a hand on her lower back and leaning in to press my lips to her temple. A soft pink tints her cheeks as she leans into me.
"With you? Always," she says, slipping her hand into mine.
The Sutton Ridge Drive-In has been completely transformed. Warm white lights line the entry lanes leading up to the tollbooth. I roll down my window and pull up alongside it. The woman working it for the evening hands me two custom tickets stamped with our names and today's date. She smiles and tells us to enjoy the show as I hand the tickets over to Chelsea.
She glances down at them seemingly checking which movie we are watching, and I hear a soft gasp escape her lips. Her stunning green eyes lift to meet mine, and I simply smile in return, driving us towards Screen 4. The same one we were at the first time that I brought her here.
The lot is softly illuminated with strands of lights. A photo from our date to Sunny Days Ranch almost nine years ago shows across the large outdoor movie screen. Chelsea turns in her seat to face me, her brows pinched together as a look of confusion flashes across her face. "What's going on?" she asks, her eyes searching mine.
I take a deep breath, reaching over the center console and placing my hand on her thigh with a gentle squeeze as I say, "It's a surprise."
She shakes her head and laughs softly as she breathes out, "You and your surprises."
"I think you'll like this one," I tell her, removing my hand from her thigh, and climbing out of the car. Quickly walking around to her door and opening it, I hold out my hand for her and pull her body into mine as she steps out.
Her arms wrap around my neck, leaning toward me as our lips meet in a gentle caress. That kissgives me the boost of courage needed as I take her hand in mine and guide her toward the center of the lot. As soon as we're in position, "Make It To Me" by Sam Smith begins to filter through the parking lot's speakers, perfectly timed with the photos and video clips that begin to play out on the screen.
Chelsea's eyes are locked on the memories unfolding before us, but she has all of my attention, and I am completely mesmerized. Releasing her hand, I move to stand behind her, grasping her hips and pulling her against me. She relaxes into my arms, her eyes remaining on the screen.
"I love you," I rasp into her ear.
The slideshow ends with a photo from just a few months ago. In the photo, Chelsea's extended arm holds her phone and aims the camera toward us, the image of her smile lighting up the screen as I’m leaning in to kiss her cheek. Behind us, the sky is painted in pink and orange hues, making her hair appear more gold than copper. As I gaze at the image, I remember her outright laughter seconds after she snapped the photo, when I had licked her cheek.
That was the day that I bought her ring.
Chelsea spins in my arms, her eyes welling with tears.
Taking her hand in mine, I sink to one knee and pull the diamond ring from my pocket.