73. Elouise
Elouise
My eyes blink open, and I snuggle further into Beckett’s side, soaking in more of his steady strength.
Beckett held me up. All night.
After saving my life, he brought me back here. Stripping the clothes from my numbing body, he helped me into the shower, following me in and washing every inch of my skin. Then we stood together under the hot stream of water, and he held me while I cried. And cried.
And when the cops showed up, he held my hand while I retold every detail. From the flowers, to the car that was apparently moved, to the things Mr. Olson shouted before I ultimately ended his life.
Beckett got furious when I worded it like that. Claiming Mr. Olson killed himself with his actions, and I saved myself with mine.
He’s right. I know he’s right.
Then when the cops finally left, Beckett carried me all the way up to bed. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to do it – I’m not light and it was a whole flight of stairs – but when I told him I could walk, he told me to stop talking.
I smile against his side and inhale his scent, letting it calm me further.
Last night was truly awful. The absolute worst. But if it had to happen, there’s no one I’d rather have at my side. Not last night. Not right now. Not tomorrow .
The thought of him leaving, of Beckett eventually buying his own house and starting to sleep there, makes my shoulders tense with worry.
“What’s wrong?” Beckett’s voice rumbles against my ear, and he sounds like he’s been awake for a while.
I tip my head back so I can look up at him, “I don’t want you to leave.”
His brows knit together and the arm around my back tightens, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know. I…” my fingers trace a pattern on his chest and his free hand closes over mine, pressing my palm flat over his heart.
“What is it?”
I consider backtracking but then decide just to ask it. Life is too short. “Will you move in? With me?” His eyes hold mine. “Here?”
The side of his mouth pulls up, a hint of a smile, “You sure you’re okay with that?”
I nod.
“Good. Because I was already planning on it.”
My own lips form the smallest smile, the first I’ve felt since before everything went to hell last night. “Well, that was easier that I thought.”
“Being with you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
My heart swells, “I love you so much.”
That cocky smile is back, “Good,” he repeats, and I roll my eyes. “Now it’s time to get up.”
“What? Why?” I groan, knowing I don’t have to go to work.
Someone got ahold of the principal last night, and they’ve canceled all the classes at Darling Elementary today. Giving everyone a long weekend to decide how we’re all going to deal with Mr. Olson’s death.
Through some sort of phone call chain, the principal called Beckett’s phone – when the cops were still here asking questions – to make sure I was okay.
And when Beckett got off the call, he informed me I’d be off the entirety of next week too.
Some sort of paid leave that I didn’t really want to take, but I think he needs the time together as much as I do .
Plus, I’ll use that time to start therapy. It doesn’t take a genius to know that I’m going to need it after all of this.
“I have to go get a few things,” is the reason Beckett gives me.
At his obvious vagueness I narrow my eyes, “What sort of things? And why do I need to be out of bed for it?”
“You’ll see. And I’m not leaving you home alone, not today, so don’t even ask.” I sigh but don’t argue. “Plus, you need to get up and move around. You’re gonna be sore and the best thing for it is movement.”
I know he’s right about that, too, because the tiny motions I’ve made since waking up have my muscles straining in protest.
“Fine…” I drag the word out.
“Good girl,” the arm around my back loosens and he swats my ass.
Even with my body aching, a lightness settles over my shoulders, and I make my way out of bed and into the shower.
There’s coffee, toast and pain killers waiting for me on the edge of the sink when I turn off the water. And by the time Beckett walks me out of the house, I feel mostly human.
I don’t know when he got the mud out of his truck, but the seats are clean, and I take his help getting up into the vehicle.
“Here,” Beckett holds out my phone and my eyes widen.
I tap the screen and am shocked when it lights up.
Someone had rescued my purse from the car last night and when Beckett took it from the cop who brought it over, I was certain it’d never work again.
“Well I’ll be damned,” I whisper, scrolling through all the missed notifications. I know Beckett talked to my mother early this morning, and that they’re on their way back to Darling Lake – arriving in a day or two – so I don’t need to worry about calling them back.
I ignore everything else and tuck my phone into my pocket as Beckett turns on the truck and starts driving. He still hasn’t told me the plan for today, so I’m shocked when he pulls up outside of Maddie’s little townhouse a few minutes later.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, as he helps me onto the sidewalk.
“ You are spending time with Maddie. I’ll be back in a few hours. ”
My lips part to ask more questions, but then Maddie’s front door flies open and she comes running down the steps towards me.
“Lou!” Maddie’s already sobbing, and just like that my eyes fill with tears all over again.
She’s still a few feet away when Beckett holds up a hand, “Careful!”
Maddie instantly slows, Beckett’s warning reminding her that my body is sore all over.
Maddie and I hug for a long time on the sidewalk, before Beckett insists we go inside and lock the door.
The next few hours pass in a blur of calories and crying.
Time with my best friend was exactly what I needed today, but I’m still happy when Beckett calls to say he’s here.
I take the steps down to the sidewalk carefully and stop a few feet away from where Beckett is standing with a serious look on his face.
“What-” I look behind him, “Where’s your truck? How’d you get here?”
Reaching back, he pats the hood of the massive, brand new, over-the-fucking-top expensive SUV, “I drove your new car.”
“You…” My eyes widen, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Your new car,” he tilts his head towards the vehicle, like the answer is obvious.
“I can’t accept that! Look at it!”
He actually looks at it and I roll my eyes.
“It’s just a car, Elouise. You need a car.”
“That’s not just a car. It’s… it’s… a freaking bus! And it’s expensive as hell!”
“So?” Beckett steps away from the curb, closing the distance between us.
“So, I can’t accept that sort of gift from my… boyfriend.”
He nods, then pulls a small box out of his pocket, “What about your husband?”
A small squeak leaves my lips as Beckett lowers to one knee before me.
“Elouise Hall, you are not just my girlfriend. You’re my everything.
My happiness. My sanity. My home. And I can’t stand for another goddamn day to go by without my ring on your finger.
” He gently opens the velvet box, pulling out a giant sapphire attached to a sparking ring of diamonds.
“Smoky Darling, I love you with every inch of my soul. And I need you to be by my side from now until forever. Will you please marry me?”
My heart is racing, and tears are streaking down my cheeks, but I don’t need a single second to think about my answer.
“Of course, I will.”