34. Lucy #2
My breath catches in my chest as he sinks onto one knee in front of me.
He swallows roughly as his eyes turn glassy, and my stomach flips seeing him get emotional.
“Lucy, I’ve spent my entire life with you,” he tilts his head and smirks, “except the first two years before you were born.” I chuckle and shake my head.
“But these last few months have meant more to me than I can put into words.”
I take a step toward him and nod as I set my hand on his shoulder, hoping he understands the words I can’t find.
He takes my hand in his and squeezes my fingers gently. “The way you stepped in and turned an uncle and his orphaned niece into a whole and functional family amazes me.”
I wipe a stray tear from his cheek as my eyes swim in moisture. He blinks rapidly and clears his throat, his watery eyes meeting mine again. “You saved me in more ways than I can count, and I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how grateful I am to have you by my side.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat and run my fingers into his hair. “You’ve saved me, too, Nate. Not only with healthcare. You’ve given me the family I’ve always prayed for, and I’m so thankful that God brought us together.”
He drops his gaze and clears his throat as he gathers himself. He twines his fingers through mine and draws a shaky breath. His hazel eyes are bright and glassy as they focus on mine, but his voice is steady. “Lucy, I love you so much.”
My heart skips a beat, then flutters as it picks up speed. I set a hand on my chest as I try to keep my breathing even. “You do?”
He nods and smiles. “I think I’ve loved you most of my life. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to figure it out.”
I chuckle and wipe a wave of tears away as I sink onto my knees in front of him. I set my hands on the back of his neck and draw a deep breath as his hazel eyes meet mine. “I love you, too, Nate. So much.”
He wraps his arms around me, and I bury my face in his chest, soaking up his comforting, familiar scent as I revel in this moment.
He loves me.
This man, who has been part of my life since I was born, who has perfected the art of getting on every nerve I have, who has grown into an incredible husband and father, loves me.
And I get to spend every day of the rest of my life showing him how much I love him.
I tilt my head and plant a soft kiss on his jaw. He turns toward me, and his lips meet mine with a tenderness that makes my chest ache. He runs a hand into my hair, and I straighten up from his chest as I wrap my arms around his neck.
He pulls back enough to whisper, “I, Nathaniel, take you, Lucy, to be the woman I love for the rest of my life.”
I blink back tears as he kisses me softly, then whispers again, “To have and to hold from this day forward.” He kisses my cheek, and I smile.
“For better or worse.” He kisses my other cheek.
“In sickness and in health.” I chuckle as he kisses my nose.
“To love and to cherish.” He kisses my forehead, and I let my eyes slip closed in a long blink as I treasure his vows again.
My eyes flutter open to meet his, and my heart feels like it could burst. “For as long as we both shall live.”
My chin quivers as I slide my fingers across his jaw. I can barely utter a shaky, “Me too.”
He chuckles and pulls me closer, kissing me softly, like he’s savoring every pass of my lips against his. He strokes my cheek with his thumb as he leans back and holds the ring box between us. “What do you think? Are we in love enough for you to wear an engagement ring?”
I smile and nod. “Definitely.”
He smirks and sets the box on his knee as he pulls the ring out of the shiny white interior. “Good.”
My hand trembles as he slips the ring onto my finger beside my wedding band, and I smile as I admire how perfectly they fit together—just like us.
He pushes himself off the ground and takes my hands to pull me to my feet.
I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his chest as he runs his hands along my back.
We stand together, soaking in the moment as we watch the sun set through the triangular arbor. I trace a mindless pattern on his chest with my fingertips, admiring the way my new ring catches the light, as a question comes to mind. “What made you choose a triangle for the arbor?”
He clears his throat and tightens his hold on my back. “It’s symbolic of a marriage with God in the center.”
I frown against his chest as he points to the corners sitting on the ground.
“Those corners represent the husband and the wife.” He points to the corner at the top.
“That point represents God. The thought is that as the husband and wife grow closer to God,” he traces the lines from the bottom corners to the top, “they grow closer to one another. That’s what I wanted for us from the start. ”
I close my eyes and draw a deep breath. This man. How is he the same person who spent our entire childhood tormenting me? I chuckle and lean back to look at him. “I think you really have loved me for a long time.”
He smirks and kisses my forehead. “I told you.”
I tilt my head as I look at the arbor, trying to measure it with my eyes. “Can we take it home? I think it’ll look nice in the backyard.”
He chuckles as his gaze darts from the SUV to the arbor. “I’ll borrow Dad’s truck and load it up.”
I smile and lean into his chest again. “Thank you.”
He wraps his arms around me and sighs. “Anything for my little wifey.”
I roll my eyes and shove his chest, shaking my head at the ridiculous nickname. He laughs and holds me closer, setting his cheek on top of my head as the sun sinks below the horizon and the sky fades to the pale gray of twilight.
As he holds me, I pray. I thank God for the beautiful family He’s blessed me with, and the soul-deep love He led us to.
I thank God that His plans are better than mine.