Chapter 25 Shanet
I tossed and turned and then tried to lie on my left side for the third time in a row. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get comfortable. It was the kind of excited uncomfortableness that made it impossible to go to sleep.
I couldn’t believe that someone actually wanted to marry me.
This wasn’t a man who had abused me for years, discarded me, or didn’t even care about how I felt.
Stone never treated me like I was nothing.
He was a real man who actually thought I was beautiful.
Stone sent me flowers, took me out on dates, met my mother, and cared about kids.
He built a business of his own and served his country.
Stone was a real man, and he wanted to marry me. He saw value in the woman I was, and he came all the way to the country to get down on one knee in my mother’s garden. How could I sleep after a day like that?
I sat in the bed and looked over at Stone. He was still asleep. He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. It almost looked like he had a smile on his face, which normally held a natural mug. Seeing him so at peace made me happy.
I threw my legs out of the bed and got up.
Then I put my overcoat on to leave the room.
I wanted to go down to the kitchen and get something to drink.
I went straight to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water before taking a moment to lean on the counter.
Out of nowhere, tears just started falling from my eyes.
For the first time in my life, I had everything I ever wanted.
I had my mother back, and she was sober and healing.
I had Stone, who was working on himself, and I had Sakani, who was one of the greatest gifts in my life.
I had a job that I loved, a passion that fulfilled me.
I had never thought I’d be at this point in my life, but I was, and the tears streaming down my face were evidence of how grateful I was.
“Girl, why are you down here crying?” Mama asked.
“Oh, I didn’t know anybody was up.” I tried to wipe my face before my mother got close enough.
“Don’t even try to wipe ‘em away. I’ve already seen them.”
“I know,” I choked out. “It’s just that I can’t believe all of my dreams are coming true right before my eyes, and all at once. It’s almost too much. I’m scared to be this happy.”
“Don’t be scared, baby. That’s what it feels like when dreams come true.
That’s how I felt the other day when you showed up on my doorstep.
I know I’ve apologized so many times since you’ve been here, but I want to do it again.
I am so sorry for ever making you feel unworthy, and I am so thankful to God for sending you somebody like Stone who sees you.
I’m happy you have what your father and I had. ”
“Me too, Mama.”
I threw my arms around my mother’s neck and kissed her on the cheek. Having her back in my life, the real her, the sober her, felt so good. I hadn’t seen that version of her since my elementary school days.
“Y’all good?”
Stone’s voice was so strong it startled us. It was so quiet in the house that he came through like thunder.
“Yeah, I was just talking to my mama about stuff, but we’re okay.”
“Come on in here, Mr. Stone. I’ll let you take over,” my mama said, waving Stone over.
“Before I go, though, I do want to thank you for giving my daughter something that I couldn’t—a steady, sure love.
I’m happy you’re here and decided to stick by her side through it all.
I know the marriage you build is going to be beautiful as long as y’all build it together. ”
“Thank you for saying that, Mrs. Ellis.”
My mama nodded her head, then left the kitchen. “What’s up with those tears, sweet girl?”
“I’m just so happy, Stone.”
I started crying again and lay my head on his chest. He wrapped me in his arms and squeezed a little bit.
“I’m happy too. Come on. Let me get you back to bed. We got to get on the highway in the morning.”
“Okay.” Stone picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his body. “I can’t wait to see what you and Sakani did with the gym without me.”
“Oh, don’t worry. We saved some work for you.”