Chapter 28 – Kenna-Past #2
As the evening cools, I shiver, the warmth of the day fading. Without a second thought, Cole pulls a thick blanket from under the seat and wraps it around me, pulling me close against him.
We sit like that for a while, watching the water, the sky, the sun dipping lower.
“I want a boat someday,” I say quietly, more to myself than to him. “When we have kids...I want to bring them here.”
Cole’s hand slips into mine. “I’ll buy you a boat, Kenna. Anything you want. I’ll get you the world.”
I lean in, my lips meeting his, feeling like the world is exactly where it’s supposed to be.
I close my eyes for a moment, content, and let everything fade away, knowing that with him, everything will be alright.
Later, when I wake up in his arms, I’m still wrapped in the blanket, and I feel the steady pulse of his heartbeat beneath me. He’s carrying me, his arms strong and secure.
“Where are we going?” I murmur, still half-asleep.
“Heading home,” he says, his voice soothing. “Go back to sleep, Kenna.”
His words are a lullaby, and as I drift in and out of sleep, I hear his voice again, faint but clear.
“I love you,” he whispers.
The ride home is quiet, the steady hum of the car’s engine and the soft rustling of the blanket around me the only sounds.
I lean into Cole’s chest, my eyelids heavy but unwilling to close completely.
There’s something about this moment, about being with him, that makes me feel both incredibly calm and overwhelmed all at once.
His hand gently strokes my hair. The gesture is so simple but so comforting. My heart flutters with each movement, and I can’t help but smile to myself. It feels like every moment with him is perfect, and I’m not sure how I got so lucky.
I steal a glance at him in the dim glow of the dashboard.
His jawline sharp in the flickering light, lips parted slightly in focus, one hand on the wheel and the other still tangled with mine.
The weight of love hits me like a warm wave.
It’s not just infatuation, or even the comfort of time.
It’s the quiet certainty that this person is my home.
When we finally pull into the driveway, the house is still quiet, the soft light of the porch lamp casting long shadows across the yard.
Cole carefully gets out of the car and comes around to my side, opening the door for me like he always does.
I take his hand, and he helps me out of the car, his touch grounding me after the quiet bliss of the boat ride.
We walk up the driveway together, my steps slower than usual, still a little drowsy from the day. But even in my foggy state, I can’t shake the feeling that something has shifted. That maybe, after two years of being together, I’m finally understanding just how much Cole means to me.
Once we reach the front door, I hesitate for a second, feeling the weight of the moment, of everything we’ve been through together. Two years. It feels like it’s gone by in a blink, but I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life.
Cole seems to sense my pause, and he looks down at me with that familiar, warm smile. “Hey, you okay?” he asks, his thumb brushing against my knuckles.
“Yeah,” I say softly, leaning into him. “I’m just...I don’t know. Everything feels so right, you know?”
“I know exactly what you mean,” he replies, his voice sincere, a quiet understanding in his eyes. “Sometimes I feel like everything else in my life has just led to this moment with you. And it’s perfect.”
I swallow against the lump in my throat, suddenly feeling so emotional. “You make me feel like everything’s going to be okay, Cole. Like...like I don’t have to worry about the future because I know I have you.”
He wraps his arms around me then, pulling me close to him in a hug that’s more comforting than any words could ever be. I breathe him in, his scent of fresh cologne and saltwater from the boat ride filling my senses.
“I’ve got you, Kenna,” he whispers into my hair. “Always.”
We stand there for a moment, the world outside falling away, until I feel the chill of the night air creeping in. Reluctantly, I pull back, smiling up at him. “We should go inside. I’m starving.”
Cole laughs, the sound light and full of warmth. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about food all day.”
We head inside, and the quiet of the house wraps around us like a blanket. The familiar creak of the floorboards beneath our feet, the soft click of the door closing behind us—everything feels like home.
I slip off my shoes and make my way to the kitchen, and Cole follows me, still holding my hand like he’s not ready to let go.
“So, what’s for dinner?” I ask, opening the fridge and peering inside.
“I was thinking we could order pizza,” Cole says, leaning against the counter and watching me. “Something easy. But only if you’re okay with it. You’ve had a long day.”
I glance over my shoulder, smiling at him. “Pizza sounds perfect. It’s been a perfect day, honestly. Thank you for everything.”
His smile softens, and he walks over, wrapping his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. “You deserve it, Kenna. Everything I do for you, it’s because I want to make you happy. You’re my everything.”
My heart stutters at his words, and I feel my cheeks warm again. Two years together, and I’m still struck by how lucky I am to have him.
“You make me happy, too,” I whisper, turning in his arms to face him. “You make every day feel special.”
Cole kisses the top of my head, holding me tight for a moment before letting go. “I’m going to order the pizza,” he says, moving toward the phone. “You just relax. You’ve earned it.”
I nod, stepping back to the couch. I let myself fall onto the cushions, stretching out my legs and letting out a contented sigh. As I watch Cole dial the pizza place, I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me. This life we’ve built together, this relationship—it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
I think back to the first time we met. It was awkward and electric and unexpected. I never imagined it would turn into a love so calm, it quiets every loud part of my mind.
When the pizza arrives, we eat together at the kitchen table, the conversation easy and full of laughter. It’s simple, but it’s perfect. We talk about everything and nothing. What are our plans for the rest of the summer, our favorite foods, and the weird things we’ve seen online lately.
It’s in moments like this that I feel most connected to him. Not the grand gestures, not the surprises or the big events, but the insignificant moments. The way we can just be ourselves together, with no pretenses.
After dinner, we move to the living room and curl up on the couch.
I lean against Cole, his arm wrapped around my shoulders, and we watch a movie.
It’s one of those quiet nights that makes everything feel like it’s in place, the world outside disappearing as we settle into our own little bubble of happiness.
Halfway through the movie, I feel my eyelids growing heavy, the exhaustion from the day finally catching up with me.
Cole notices before I even say anything and gently pulls me closer, tucking me into his side as my head rests against his chest. I feel his heartbeat steady and calming beneath me, and I close my eyes, allowing myself to relax completely.
“I love you,” he whispers, his voice low and soothing.
I smile softly, my hand resting against his chest. “I love you, too, Cole. More than you’ll ever know.”
As I drift off to sleep, I feel at peace. Whatever the future holds, I want to face it with him. Two years together, and it already feels like forever. With Cole by my side, I’m ready for anything. The world can change around us, but in this moment, everything is exactly where it’s meant to be.