20. Bradley
Six Months Later
“So,” Heath says, stepping inside my office and leaning against the wall. “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Yep,” I say, patting my pocket. “I’m ready.” Heath has been helping me with an epic surprise for Aurora. After the snowstorm, we officially became a couple, and I went on the hunt for the perfect house to build a family in.
For the past few months, Heath’s been helping me renovate the old farmhouse. To keep this secret, I had to tell Aurora I was working on a special project for my favorite client after-hours. She’s been begging to meet this mystery client, and today, she finds out it’s been her all along.
Mom’s just cleaned up from putting the finishing touches on the paint. I figured since Aurora loved what she did in my apartment, I’d let Mom have free reign of the house. Though, if Aurora doesn’t like something, I’ll change it in a heartbeat. After all, this is where we will spend the rest of our lives together.
“See you at six,” Heath says.
“Thanks,” I say, pulling out my phone to message Lacey and make sure Aurora’s ready.
Still on track?
I’ve got this. She’ll be there. Don’t you worry.
Thanks. I owe you.
Ha! I know.
I shake my head. Lacey is something else. Full of energy and love for those around her. Not for the first time, I’m glad she’s on my side.
I push away from the desk and step into the small bathroom to change. I unzip the hanging bag and feel my throat start to tighten up. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d willingly put one of these things on.
I shuck off my dirty clothes, careful to put the ring box on the counter, and step into the suit I rented for this evening. I leave the top button undone, and the tie loose. I’ll do those up at the last minute. I stuff my discarded jeans and polo shirt into the bottom of the bag and zip it back up. Taking everything to the truck, I toss it in the passenger side and climb up. It’s go time.
Over the last six months, Aurora and I have spent all our free time together. We’ve gone on hikes, gone bowling, spent time with each other’s families, and through it all, I’ve fallen more and more in love with her. Once she got used to the idea that she was precious to me, she opened her heart completely to me and let most of her insecurities go, so I’ve gotten to know even more of her than before, and I love all of it.
I pat the jacket pocket, relieved when I feel the box tucked inside. I make the turn off and head down the bumpy driveway to our new home. Well, if she says yes, that is.
Nerves are getting to me. I wipe my sweaty palms on the dress pants and pray I can keep it together. I’ve rehearsed this a thousand times in my mind. I want to get it just right.
Finally, I pull up to the driveway where several other cars are already parked and step out of the truck. Mom rushes down the steps to greet me.
“Let me help you,” she says, buttoning the top button and fussing with the tie.
Dad steps to my side and pats my shoulder. “Never thought I’d see the day,” he says, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad. And thanks for flying in and helping.” Aurora is the light of my parents’ eyes. Sometimes I swear they like her more than me. That’s okay, though. I’m glad they love her as much as I do.
“Are you ready?” Mrs. Maxwell asks. She asked me to call her Tammy, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mr. Maxwell nods and shakes my hand. “Take care of her.”
I meet his eyes and nod. “I intend to, sir.”
He pats my shoulder. “All right,” he calls to the others. “Inside. She’ll be here any minute.”
We all make our way inside and I position myself just inside the foyer. When I hear Lacey’s car pull up, I drop to one knee and hold out the ring box.
“Where are we?” I hear Aurora ask. “Lacey! You can’t just walk into someone’s house!” The door swings open, and Lacey rushes inside to take her place beside Knox and Matti. Aurora steps up to the open doorway and peeks inside.
When she finds me on one knee, she gasps and slaps both hands over her mouth.
“Well, come in, dear,” her mom says.
Aurora carefully steps inside, never breaking eye contact with me.
“Aurora Laine Maxwell, I’ve spent more than half of my life wondering if you were the one that got away. When you blessed me with another chance to get to know you, my feelings grew deep and fast. I knew I needed to give you some time to catch up.”
The crowd chuckles.
“When fate brought us together, I was determined to see if we had the spark that lights the fire of forever, and I believe we do.” She nods her head. I reach for her hand, and she laces her fingers through mine. “Aurora, I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my life falling more and more in love with you each day. Will you marry me?”
I hear sniffles, and I assume it’s either her mom or mine.
Aurora glances around the room, taking in all the faces of the people who love her, before turning her face back to mine. “Yes,” she says, nodding her head. “I’ll marry you!”
I slip the half-carat platinum princess-cut diamond ring on her finger and kiss the top of her hand before standing and pulling her into my arms. “Thank you,” I whisper into her hair. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
She giggles.
“And your hair is way softer than my bunny’s was.”
She laughs and places a kiss on my lips. “You just think that because you love me. I love you too.” She hugs me again, and when she steps back, she is bombarded with hugs from friends and family who are anxious to wish us both their congratulations.
“Come on into the kitchen and have some punch and finger foods,” Mom says as the excitement dims to a manageable level. “Let’s give the lovebirds a moment.”
Everyone funnels into the open kitchen and dining area, and for the first time, I’m alone with my bride-to-be.
“Where are we?” she asks, looking around. “Is that your couch?”
I take her by the hands and walk her over to the sill of the bay window across from the sofa. I sit and she follows suit. “We’re home,” I say, holding my breath. “If you like it, that is. If not, I’ll sell it and we’ll find something else.”
She looks around the living room. “It’s our home? What do you mean?”
I take her hands in mine. “I bought it, and over the last few months, Heath and I have been remodeling it, then my mom came and decorated.”
“Can I see it?” she asks.
“Of course.” I take her by the hand and lead her through the house, saving the kitchen for last. The sprawling ranch house is large and laid out well with the bedrooms and bathrooms on one end, and the main living area on the other. We slip down the hallway where I show her the guest room first. “I figured your guest room furniture would fit nicely in here.”
“It’s a good size for a guest room,” she agrees.
Moving on, I take her into the first bedroom. “This could be an office space, or a kid’s room one day,” I say opening the closet so she can see the space. I close it and lead her to another doorway. “This leads into the bathroom.” The newly renovated bathroom boasts warm earth tones I know she loves. Her eyes are all lit up, so I know she’s loving it. I lead her past the tub to the other doorway in the bathroom and open it up. “And this is the second bedroom,” I say.
“Wow, these are huge!” She spins a circle. “I love it all so much!” She leans in and gives me a kiss.
“I’m glad.” I take her hand, and we cross the hallway into the primary bedroom.
“Wow,” she whispers, taking it all in. “Is that . . . Did you make that?” she asks, pointing out the handmade headboard.
“I did. Do you like it?”
She walks to the headboard and runs her hands along the carved design. “It’s stunning.”
I show her the primary bathroom and guide her back into the hallway. “What do you think?”
She hugs me and rests her head on my chest. “I love it. It’s perfect. Just like you.”
I hold her against me for a few minutes before I hear her mother calling for us.
“Looks like our tour is over,” I whisper into her hair.
“But our life’s just beginning,” she says, just before placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth.
She’s right. Our life is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.
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