Chapter Twenty-Eight
Catherine
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I OPENED MY EYES, SAW the sunlight coming through the heavy curtains, and quickly closed them again. I didn’t want to get up. Timothy’s warm body was snuggled against mine. His slow, steady breathing told me he was still asleep. It was one of those lazy, indulgent Saturday mornings that seemed to stretch on forever, and I savored every moment of it. I was perfectly happy to have a lazy day.
Paisley was spending the day at her friend’s house after a sleepover, giving us some much-needed time alone together. My father was out with Marcy for the day. She was picking him up early this morning to take him out. I trusted her to keep an eye on him. That meant Timothy and I had the whole house to ourselves. No one needed breakfast, medicine, or help finding a shoe. We could just lounge around and be together.
Timothy’s voice broke the peaceful silence. “You’re awake,” he groaned. “We’re supposed to be sleeping in.”
“I think we have slept in.” I smiled. “And I’m awake, but I’m not moving.”
“Good,” he mumbled and pulled me closer.
I moved my hand and just happen to catch a glimpse of the ring. That was still taking some getting used to. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea I was engaged to be married. It didn’t seem real. Maybe I could have believed it if it was a guy like Scott, but not Timothy. He felt so out of my league.
“I don’t want to go the city Monday,” he said.
“I know.” I smiled and brushed my hand over his face. “But it’s the last time you’ll have to be there for a while, right?”
“Yes,” he answered. “I have a few meetings to attend to help oversee the transition of the new CEO. I’ve got to do a press conference, and then I’m done.”
“And you’re sure you want to step away?” I asked.
“A million percent yes.”
I laughed. “Okay. I just want to make sure you’re not going to wake up in a month and find yourself bored out of your mind.”
“I won’t. You should come with me. We’ll make it shopping trip. A couple of days in the city could be fun.”
I looked around the room that had my unpacked boxes. “I really shouldn’t,” I said. “I want to unpack and get settled. Plus my dad and Paisley has school.”
“Boo,” he muttered. “Responsibilities.”
I laughed and leaned up to kiss him. “It’s so hard to be an adult.”
“I’m sorry about Paisley needling you about the wedding,” he said.
“No need to apologize,” I answered. “She’s excited. Besides, it’s kind of growing on me, this wedding planning thing. It’s like planning a big, fancy party.”
He chuckled. “I’m just glad you’re happy with it.”
“Happy doesn’t cover it,” I said firmly. “I’m ecstatic. I still can’t believe you asked me.”
A shadow crossed his face as he turned toward me, propping himself up on one elbow. “Why is that hard to believe? You’re incredible, Catherine. Paisley adores you. I adore you.”
“It just doesn’t feel real. Like did you really get on one knee and ask me to marry you?”
“I sure did,” he chuckled. “I’ve never bent the knee for anyone.”
“Not even Regina?”
“No,” he answered firmly. “Our engagement just kind of happened. I’m not even sure how it happened. It was all very rushed. Obviously, looking back, I can see it was just about getting me down the aisle so she could get her hands on my money.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “You know I don’t want your money. I’ll sign a prenup.”
“I don’t want a prenup. We don’t need it. I love you, and I’m going to be married to you until my last breath. You’re stuck with me.”
“I’m happy to be stuck with you.”
“You know, we don’t have to plan a big wedding,” he said. “We’ll hop on my jet and head south. Or west. Wherever there’s a tropical place. We’ll elope. You, me, and the beach. No fuss, no muss.”
“The thought of sneaking away and tying the knot in secret is tempting, but I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing our friends and family. My dad and Paisley would kill us if we did that.”
He chuckled, pulling me in tighter. “You’re right,” he murmured into my hair. “A very painful death awaits us if we were to pull that stunt.”
The smell of his cologne lingered in the air, a comforting and familiar scent that tickled my senses. I nestled deeper into his chest, soaking in the tranquility of the moment.
“I just wish I didn’t have to share you with all those people,” he admitted after a moment of silence.
I laughed, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “You don’t like sharing, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you,” he replied. “A big wedding takes forever to plan. I want to marry you tomorrow. I have this sudden urgency to make you my wife.”
“Afraid I might change my mind?” I joked.
“No,” he shot back, hiding a grin. “Afraid you might wake up to the reality that you could do a hell of a lot better.”
I leaned in, planting a soft kiss on his lips. “There’s no one better,” I whispered. “We’ll do this right. We’ll take our time and enjoy this journey together.”
“All right,” he muttered, wrapping his arms around me. “But just remember, we’re doing things your way. If we elope in the middle of the process, it’s because you decided to do so.”
I giggled, patting his chest lightly. “It’s noted.”
With a gentle kiss on my forehead, Timothy rose from the bed to make us some coffee, leaving me to bask in the warmth of our love.
He pulled on a pair of sweats and left the room. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. In Timothy’s arms, I had found my home, and as long as we were together, I knew that everything would be okay. The man exuded strength and confidence. My whole life, I’d tried to be strong. I’d never wanted to be needy or need to ask for help. With Timothy, I just knew he was going to look out for me. It didn’t make me feel weak or needy. I liked that he took care of me.
I sighed and threw off the blanket. I pulled on my robe and stuffed my feet into my big, fuzzy slippers to make my way downstairs. Timothy poured me a cup of coffee. “Thank you. I’m going to sit outside for a minute.”
I walked outside, pulling the robe a little tighter around me as I settled into one of the wicker chairs. I looked over the manicured lawn and gardens and had to smile. I was still in awe of the life I had found myself living. This was where I lived. The house that I had ogled since I was a little girl was now my home.
As I gazed out at the sprawling grounds of Gloriana Manor, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of it all. It was moments like these that made me feel truly blessed, grateful for every twist and turn that had led me to this point. I was so glad Scott had cheated on me. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be where I was now.
I glanced down at the ring adorning my callused hand. I wouldn’t be wearing a stunning ring given to me by a man that checked all the boxes. It still felt surreal, as if I were living in a dream.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely heard Timothy come out. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head before sitting down in the chair beside mine. We didn’t have to talk. The beauty of the morning was a time to sit and be in the moment without a bunch of chatter. We sat in comfortable silence, sipping our coffee as we watched the world awaken around us. The simple act of being together felt like a gift, a precious moment frozen in time.
Once again, I caught a glimpse of the ring. There was a sudden realization of what it meant. Timothy was my future. We were going to be married and live together. There would be bills and hopefully kids. In five years, I would be driving a minivan and ferrying kids from school to soccer to dance. When would I have time to work? Could I do what I did if I was pregnant? What about after I had a baby? Would Timothy want me to work? What if he insisted I didn’t? Was I ready to give up a career I loved? I looked down at the ring once again and saw the connection it brought to a future I had not really envisioned for myself.
“Everything okay?” Timothy asked.
I looked up at him, saw the love in his eyes, and smiled. “Yep. Just thinking.”
THE END