Chapter Forty-Eight
Maya
Tommy pulls the car into our usual spot by our meadow. The sun is just setting, it’s golden rays shine through the branches of the surrounding trees. It’s beautiful here. It’s always been our favourite time of day to visit.
We stroll down the well-worn path, a little further than usual so we’re closer to the water.
There is something about listening to the stream as it flows by gently, lapping at the edges as it goes.
It feels magical here, it always has. We’re still surrounded by beautiful wild flowers, even as the season has switched to autumn.
The trees turning that beautiful warm shade of orange.
“I love it here,” I state, as he spreads out the blanket for us.
“This place has always been ours, it reminds me of you,” He says, smiling fondly around us. We both lie back, holding hands and taking everything in. “Can you imagine living here?” he asks.
I look around the large open space.
“Yes. I could,” I giggle as thoughts run through my mind. “A beautiful cabin right in the middle, over there…” I point to the centre. “With decking at the back for us to sit and relax after a long day working. Far enough away from the water so that the kids don’t get too close without us.”
“So, we’re having kids now too?” He laughs, his eyes sparkling.
“Oh yes, at least three,” I wink.
“Three is good for me… I’m looking forward to the trying part.” His eyes heating at the thought.
“We try all the time anyway!” I say affronted but burst into laughter when he rolls on top of me and nuzzles my neck.
“But it will be different, knowing there is a tiny piece of you and me being made.”
I continue to look around, conjuring up all the thoughts of what I would love here. At the same time, I love it how it is, our own safe haven. The place where we can both just be.
“I’d love to have my own fishing peg on the water,” He says thoughtfully as we both watch the water shimmer in the fading light.
“Imagine having a little boat just for us to use whenever we wanted,” I say dreamily.
“So, you can imagine it? Living here?” he asks, more seriously this time.
“Definitely. It would be a dream,” I reply honestly.
“Good… because I bought it.”
Wait.
What?
Did he say what I just think he said?
“Wh…what?” I sputter like a fool. “There is no way. Is that even possible?”
He laughs at the shock that must be visible on my face, using the side of his finger to shut my gaping mouth.
“There is nothing I want more in this life than to see you happy, Maya. You lost your happy space because of him, and I want to give it back to you.”
“Oh my god, Tommy. I don’t know what to say,” I tell him, the reality of what’s happening right now still not registering.
“Tell me that you want to build a life here, with me. Our own family.” His eyes never stray from mine as he waits for my response. My heart flutters as I look at the man in front of me.
“I couldn’t imagine anything better,” I say, finally.
His lips stretch wide as joy takes over him. He stands up and pulls me along with him. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean up on my toes to kiss him.
“I love you Tommy, so much.”
“I love you. I always have and always will.” His hands grasp my face as he deepens our kiss.
He pulls back and rests his forehead on mine. His eyes closed.
“Ever since we were young, I have known there was something special about you. I knew you’d be the one for me.
There has never been anyone else my heart has beaten for.
It has always been you.” Silent tears trickle down my cheeks as I smile, so much love bursting out of me.
He steps out of my embrace and drops down onto one knee.
“Maya Houghton. I never want to do this life without you. Let me continue to love you with everything I have, let me protect you, care for you and spoil you for the rest of our lives. Let me make you mine.” His own eyes start to shine as he pulls out a box from his back pocket, opening it and holding it up to me.
“Will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?”
I don’t need a moment to even think on it. I drop down to my knees in front of him so that we’re face to face.
“Yes, Tommy. I will marry you!”
He places the beautiful sparkling diamond on my shaking finger then lifts my hand up to his mouth to kiss it, his eyes never straying from mine.
“I fucking love you baby,” he says as he pulls me back into him.
I kiss him, letting my love pour into every part of him. How did I ever get so lucky to find a man like him?
“I love you, forever and always.”