Chapter 12
LAUREN
At Pizza Feast, all Kieren can talk about is how he overwhelmed Mark to get him in a headlock.
He doesn’t even call him his father. He refers to him as Mark, and I realize he’s not as impressionable as I feared.
In fact, as he recounts how he used his situational awareness to realize Mark was acting alone and to wait for his chance to strike, I realize he’s far from the confused little boy who couldn’t understand why we always moved.
Kieren is growing into a young man, and he’s doing okay.
Owen stops by to let us know they’ve taken Mark into custody. Between skipping bail and the kidnapping today, he’s looking at more jail time.
There’s a group of school kids at the pizza place, and Kieren introduces me to Thom, his friend who is also at the training gym.
“Thom is having a gaming session, and he has a spare controller. Can I stay at his place tonight?”
My instinct is to say no, but I pause. With Mark in custody, and Kieren proving himself, there’s no reason for Kieren not to go, especially since it means he’s making new friends here.
“And it means you won’t have to sneak into Dean’s room if I’m not there.”
I freeze with a piece of pizza halfway to my mouth. “I don’t know what you mean.” But I can’t hide the blush that creeps onto my cheeks.
“Hah! I knew it.” Kieren points his finger at me, but he’s grinning.
“Come on, Mom, I’m not stupid. You’ve been practically dancing around the cabin, you’ve been wearing lip gloss, and even though Mark was on the loose, you’ve seemed happier than I’ve ever seen you, like ever.”
I lower the piece of pizza. “I’m sorry. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. It’s all so new, and we don’t know where it’s going yet.”
Kieren nods sagely. “Maybe you’re the one who needs situational awareness training, Mom. Dean’s crazy about you. Anyone can see that.”
His words make me both warm and anxious. “But are you okay with me dating?”
Kieren shakes his head. “Mom, you’re dating a badass ex-Navy SEAL, and you’re happy. You deserve that.”
I’m warmed by his words, and I pull him into a hug. He usually pulls away, but tonight he surprises me by hugging me back.
“But if he breaks your heart, I will hurt him.”
I pull away, and the grin is gone from his face. I can’t tell if my son is joking or if he would attempt to beat up an ex-Navy SEAL for me. Whichever way, I raised a good boy.
Dean and I leave Kieren with his friends, and half an hour later we’re back at his cabin.
I park my car next to Dean’s pickup, and he’s waiting for me by the front door.
He lets me in, and I’m not even through the door before he pushes me up against the wall.
He takes my wrists and pins my arms above my head.
His muscles strain, and I’m instantly needy for him.
“I’ve finally got you alone,” Dean murmurs as he kisses my neck.
“Oh yeah? What are you going to do to me?”
I roll my hips against his, sending delicious shivers through my body. I expect Dean to kiss my lips, or tug my nipples, but instead he drops to the floor on one knee.
“Lauren, I’ve been wanting to do this since the first night you moved into my cabin.”
He pulls a box from his pants pocket and opens it to reveal a ring.
“I’ve loved you since the moment I caught you peeping at me in the bushes.”
“I was not peeping,” I try to protest, but he stops me with his grin.
“You’re strong and capable, and you certainly don’t need a man to look after you. But I want to be that man anyway.”
“You want to be the man who doesn’t look after me?”
“I want to be the man who stands by your side, who supports you along whatever journey you want to take in life. I want to be the quiet strength next to you, and I want to be the one you turn to when life gets to be too much. I want to be the man who quietly anticipates your needs, who takes care of you in ways you don’t even notice.
I want to be the man who makes your life better every day.
“You might think this is too soon. But I want to give you my commitment, so you and Kieren have someone you can rely on from now on. I’m that man.”
I stare down at Dean with my mouth hanging open.
It is rushed, but it feels right. I’ve been alone so long and I thought that was fine, but I don’t want to be alone for another moment.
I think about what this means; staying in Hope, building my family here, giving Kieren a proper father, and most of all, giving my tired heart a place to call home.
Because I can’t imagine life without Dean.
It’s only been a short time, but he’s my person.
I feel it, and I never want to lose that.
“Yes!” I squeal. “I love you, Dean, and yes. I’ll marry you.”
He slides the ring onto my finger, and I pull him up off the floor.
“Come on then, Bo. Let’s celebrate.”
“How are we going to do that?”
He pushes me up against the wall again. “Let me show you.”