Chapter 23 #3
My hands settle on her waist.
"It would've just been a house."
I hold her eyes.
"I wanted a home."
Her bottom lip trembles.
"I love you, Lucy."
The words settle between us.
"I love the way you care about people."
"I love how hard you work."
"I love watching you chase your dream."
"I love waking up next to you."
I smile.
"And I can't picture my future without you in it."
Tears fill her eyes.
I brush one away with my thumb.
"I don't want to waste any more time pretending I don't know exactly what I want."
I take a slow breath.
"I want you."
"All of you."
"I want to build a life with you right here."
I glance around the property.
"We'll design the house together."
"Wyatt and Weston can build it."
"You can have the biggest kitchen you've ever seen."
She laughs through her tears.
"I know how much you love to cook."
"I do."
"And we'll make room for your books."
She laughs again.
"And a porch swing."
"Done."
"A big bathtub."
I grin.
"Done."
She shakes her head, smiling.
"You don't even know everything I want yet."
"I don't care."
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
"We'll figure it out together."
I take both of her hands.
"Move in with me."
Her breath catches.
"Let's build our home."
I swallow around the lump in my throat.
"And when that home's finished..."
I smile.
"I want you to marry me."
Lucy stares at me.
For a second, she doesn't say anything.
Then she laughs through her tears and shakes her head.
"You really planned all this."
"I've been planning it in my head for a long time."
"You didn't even know me."
"I knew I wanted someone worth waiting for."
I brush another tear from her cheek.
"Turns out she was the quiet girl at the clinic."
She smiles so wide it steals what's left of my breath.
"You're gonna make me cry again."
"I don't mind."
"I do." She laughs softly. "My face already hurts."
I grin.
"So..."
She swats my chest.
"So?"
"You gonna answer me?"
She steps closer until she's pressed against me.
"You really mean all of it?"
"Every word."
"You'll support nursing school?"
"I'll help however I can."
"You won't expect me to quit working?"
"Never."
"You won't ask me to give up my dreams?"
"I'd sooner give up my bike."
She laughs.
"That's a serious promise."
"It is."
She searches my face one more time.
"I've spent my whole life waiting for someone to believe in me."
Her fingers curl into my shirt.
"You already do."
"I always will."
Fresh tears fill her eyes.
"Then..."
She smiles.
"Yes."
Relief crashes through me so hard my knees almost give out.
"Yeah?"
She nods, laughing now.
"Yes."
"I'll move in with you."
Another nod.
"Yes, we'll build the house together."
She cups my face.
"And yes..."
Her smile softens.
"I'll marry you."
"I love you so much."
I don't even think.
I pull her into me and kiss her.
She melts against me, wrapping both arms around my neck as she kisses me back just as hard.
Every bit of fear I've carried since the raid finally lets go.
She's here.
She's alive.
She's choosing me.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"You really said yes."
She laughs.
"I've said it three times now."
"I just wanted to make sure."
"You giant dork."
"I've been called worse."
She smiles and rests her forehead against mine.
"I can't wait to build our house."
I glance around the property.
"We're gonna make something pretty amazing."
"I want a huge window in our bedroom."
"So you can watch the sunrise?"
"So we can."
I smile.
"Done."
"And a porch swing."
"Done."
"And flowers everywhere."
I laugh.
"I figured that one was a given."
She nods.
"It is."
I wrap an arm around her shoulders as we slowly walk the property together.
She points toward one corner.
"A garden could go over there."
"I was thinking my workshop could be over there."
She laughs.
"As long as your motorcycle parts stay out of my flower beds."
"I'll do my best."
"My flowers are non-negotiable."
"Guess I'll have to behave."
She bumps her shoulder against mine.
"You probably won't."
"Probably not."
We both laugh.
For the first time in days...
Maybe weeks...
Everything feels easy.
Hope doesn't seem so far away anymore.
After another few minutes, I look over at her.
"Ready to head back?"
She nods.
"But one more thing."
"What?"
She slips both arms around my waist.
"I love you."
My chest tightens.
"I love you too, Buttercup."
I kiss her one more time before we walk back toward the truck.
As I glance over my shoulder at the empty piece of land, I don't see dirt and trees anymore.
I see our future.
A front porch with Lucy waiting for me after work.
Kids running through the yard someday.
Family dinners.
Late nights on the porch swing.
A home that finally feels complete.
I open her door and help her climb into the truck.
She smiles up at me.
"What?"
"I was just thinking..."
"What?"
"I can't wait to be your wife."
I grin all the way around the truck.
"And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt how loved you are."
She reaches across the console after I start the truck. Our fingers lace together. This time...Neither of us lets go.