Chapter 45 Our Home
Our Home
Mateo
It’s quiet in my truck as I pull off onto the road that leads into Bolt. Holly’s head is propped on a pillow against the window. She fell asleep an hour ago. I don’t mind the quiet—it’s peaceful and gives me an opportunity to ponder how my life has changed in the past two months.
Almost three months ago, Holly called me asking if I’d marry her. This Saturday, we’re renewing our vows and having a Christian wedding ceremony to make our marriage real in the eyes of God, family, and friends, not just the legal system.
Although we’ve had a fun trip driving up the coast, I’m ready to not have separate hotel rooms everywhere we stop.
I’m ready to decorate my house with Holly’s home decor we have in the bed of my pickup, to go to church with both of our families on Sunday, and to make Bolt as much a home for Holly as it is for me.
I tap the steering wheel as I drive past the few storefronts on main street. I take it in with fresh eyes. The diner I’ll take Holly to on dates, the library we’ll hopefully take our kids to and help fix up. All these places where I get to make new memories with my wife.
I’ve never loved my tiny town more.
Bolt is definitely different from a big city, but after Holly gave her two weeks’ notice and we packed up everything before one last red carpet experience with Alex and Reina, both of us are ready for small-town life.
Holly’s house sold within hours of listing it. She’ll never have to work again if she doesn’t want to. Granted, she could have chosen not to work even before selling the house, but if I know anything, it’s that Holly will need projects in her life.
I’m hoping she’ll find things to enjoy doing on the farm. I bet Mami and Momma T will have plenty of projects for her to help with, both at home and in the community. Plus, Alex has been working with Hudson to bring more traffic into Bolt, and Holly’s social media expertise can help with that.
I glance over at my sleeping wife and my heart beats double. She’ll change everyone’s lives for the better, just as she’s done mine.
Holly’s new wedding ring burns a hole in my pocket.
I glance at the setting sun as I turn off of main street and pass Stanley and Momma T’s house, then turn left onto our street.
The familiar scenery quickly passes before I turn into our farm.
I drive past the big farmhouse and around the orchard to my house.
No.
Our house.
Our home.
I park and shut off the truck. The evening is silent without the engine's rumble. Holly stirs and sits up, stretching as a yawn escapes. “Are we home?”
My throat catches, at her simple yet monumental question. “Yes. We’re home.
This is the place we’re going to really start our life together.
It’s beautiful.
I hop out and round the truck to Holly’s door. She wraps her arms around my neck as I assist her down from the cab. “I’m so happy we’re here. Also, my legs are asleep, so don’t let go of me yet or else I’m going to fall over.”
I chuckle and gently put her down. “Here, get on my back. I want to take you somewhere special, and if you can’t walk, you’ll have to get a piggyback ride.”
She laughs, and I’m grateful she doesn’t hesitate before hopping upward. I wrap my hands under her jean-clad thighs as her arms wrap around my shoulders. I hike her up a little higher before walking away from the truck and into the orchard.
Holly rests her head against mine. “Where are you taking me?”
“My favorite place misses my favorite person.”
She hums a happy note and goes silent as I carry her down the row of cherry trees. I stop a hundred yards into the orchard, at the spot where I can see the sun setting perfectly. Slowly, I drop Holly down, making sure she has her footing before letting her go all the way.
I turn and drop onto one knee, pulling out the ring as I go.
Holly’s ocean eyes sparkle, her hair golden from the sunset as she smiles.
My heart races as the words I’ve been rehearsing for the past two weeks run through my mind.
“Holly Kingston Rivera-Watson. I know our marriage started out in an unexpected way. We came from two different worlds, but somehow they collided and we’ve made it work.
You bring light and joy into my life, and I always want to be by your side.
I want to be next to you through all of life’s adventures.
I love you with all of my heart. Will you join me on our next world-changing adventure? Will you marry me again?”
Holly bites her lip even as a tear escapes and runs down her cheek. She’s glowing, and I want to keep this picture of her in my mind, always. She takes a step closer to me and I reach out, grabbing her free hand.
“Yes. Yes, Mateo. I’ll marry you again. You’re what I didn’t know I needed. You brought laughter and joy back into my life. I don’t want to go a day without seeing you and your smiling face. I love you.”
Her eyes are filled with emotion that has me choking up.
I grasp her left hand and slip on the ring Reina helped me pick out.
It fits perfectly and matches Holly’s personality so well. The oval cut, with ornamental filigree, reminds me of Holly, personifying all things elegance and grace.
Holly smiles as she lifts her hand, letting the rays of the setting sun catch in the facets of the diamonds. It sparkles, and I can’t help but think of how it’s a perfect example of the sparkle and light Holly has brought into my life. I was happy before I married her, but now I know true joy.
I stand as Holly reaches out, fisting my shirt in her hand and pulling me toward her.
I have no complaints as my lips meet hers, expressing my love and adoration for this beautiful woman I get to spend the rest of my life with.
My heart swells as I brush my mouth against hers, her joy-filled laugh captured by my lips.
There are so many things I want to say, words of love and adoration running through my mind.
I file them away for later, determined to fit them in my vows on Saturday.
For now, I let my lips do the talking. Each brush a gentle reminder of my love, each caress a promise of many loving years together, and each breath a promise that I am hers, and she is mine.
Standing in my favorite orchard, next to our home, I kiss my wife.