CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE EMBER #2
I sit with Aria in my lap, and I fall asleep with her in my arms. I wake up as large arms circle my body, and carry me up the stairs.
Harley walks through the door, and I expect to be lowered to the mattress on the floor, instead he lays me down just slightly lower, into a pillow soft mattress.
I snuggle into the bed and wait for Harley to slide in.
I drift back to sleep before he comes back, but later I feel the bed dip with his weight as he slides in and pulls my body close to his.
I curl into him, feeling peace and comfort for the first time in over a decade.
I wake up to find Maggie staring at me from Harley’s side of the bed.
Confused, I scratch her ears. I thought Chase had said they’d be meeting in the afternoon, but maybe I drank more than I thought and mixed something up.
I lean up, stretching in the bed, and realize I’ve never seen this bed before.
Getting out of the bed, I stand back and look at it.
It’s a black iron bed frame with a tall, gothic window style headboard.
The comforter is white, and a spider web throw blanket is draped across the bottom.
I head into the bathroom to take care of my morning routine.
Harley has laid out all of my morning skin care routine things, and opening the cabinets, I see he has already put away all of his things as well. I adore that man.
I find my way downstairs, Maggie following me down the stairs.
I hear rusting around in the kitchen, so I follow the noise.
I lean against the door frame in the kitchen entryway, enjoying the sight.
Harley is cooking over the stove, back to me, showing all of his tattoos on his cut back.
I walk over to him and slide my hands around him.
“I’m so sorry I passed out before everyone left.” I plant gentle kisses on his back. “I guess I drank more than I thought and was more tired than I thought.”
“It’s fine, babe,” he says as he reaches for a plate to slide an omelet onto. He spins around, kissing me on the lips. “Everyone knew you wouldn’t have fallen asleep unless you needed it. Atlas said she’d talk to you later today, and Charlee said she’d text later.”
He grabs a stool that I’ve never seen before and pulls it over to the island, setting the plate down, and lifting me to sit.
The metal stool is cold on my nearly naked ass and sends a shiver down my spine.
Harley reaches around me, handing me a beautiful matte black mug with shiny spider webs all over it.
“Oh I love this, where did it come from?” I take a sip of coffee and examine it.
I raise it up and see a logo on the bottom.
Mud & Moss is imprinted on the bottom with an ineligible signature.
“Moss like, Chase Moss?” I ask Harley who is making his own plate now.
“Chase’s dad owns a pottery shop,” he tells me without looking at me.
“You made me a baby coffee,” I tell him playfully. “You’re going to have to make me another.” I laugh and take a bite of the omelet. Ham, cheese, and tomato. My favorite. “This is so good. Thank you babe.” I look over and Harley is watching me closely, a strange look on his face.
“Did you finish your coffee?” he asks, his plate in his hand, his knuckles white from gripping it.
“Are you okay, babe?” I ask him, hopping off the stool and walking over to stand in front of him. I send my hands up his chest, not sure how to soothe him, or if he even needs soothing.
“Yeah, I just didn’t sleep well last night so I stayed up unpacking things, and then got up early.
” He switches his plate to the other hand and puts his hand on the small of my back, leading me back to where my food is sitting.
“Hurry and finish your coffee, and I’ll make another before I sit down. ”
I turn and grab the cup, and throw it back like a shot. I bring it down, and something white in the bottom catches my eye.
Marry me?
My hand comes up to my mouth, shock hitting me. I look over and see Harley coming towards me. When he gets in front of me, he drops to one knee, and pulls out a velvet box from his pocket.
He opens it up and inside is a rose gold ring, with a black square center, and tiny diamonds surrounding it. My heart flutters, and tears run down my face.
“Ember, I have loved you since the moment you sat at that horrific orange metal lunch table at fifteen years old. You terrified me then, and you still terrify me today, in the best way. You make me want to be the best version of myself, and protect you from all that is evil in this world. I hate that I was young and dumb, and walked away at a time you needed me most. We lost out on so much time, and because of that, you went through hell and back more times than I can count. But you still stand, tall and strong. Even now, you don’t need me, but I know you want me, and if you’ll have me, I’d love to spend the rest of our lives together, until we’re old and gray, making all the young people grossed out with our horny old people behavior.
Will you marry me, and make me the happiest man alive? ”
I sob into him, kissing his lips, tears smearing onto his face.
I kneel down and wrap my arms around his neck.
“Yes, a million times yes, Harley!” I tell him over and over.
He stands, taking me with him, sliding me onto the counter, standing in between my legs, and kisses me again.
He pulls back and plucks the ring out of the box.
I hold my finger out and it slides right on.
“It’s perfect,” I tell him, admiring the ring.
The End.