Chapter 63
Sophie
“Maddie, will you just tell me what all this is about?”
I frowned at her while she stood in front of me holding up a dress I absolutely loved, but wasn’t thrilled about putting on.
We had been out all day shopping, doing mani pedis and a quick trip to get my hair washed since I no longer had motivation to do it myself.
It was now almost seven and all I wanted to do was go home and climb into bed.
“It’s a surprise, but Trooper has something really special planned for you. Now shower and put this on. I promised him I would have you home by eight. He has everything set up.”
“Maddie, I’m exhausted, and all I want right now is a bowl of ice cream and my pillow. Wait, scratch the ice cream. I just want my pillow,” I pouted.
I loved Trooper and that he wanted to surprise me, but today was not the day. This baby was making even the simplest things seem like a movement, and after the day we just had, I didn’t even want to think.
“Sophie, you have to. I promised him and he put so much into tonight. It’s really important to him. Please, just shower and put this on,” Maddie pleaded and I instantly felt bad.
Trooper wasn’t necessarily the romantic type, so if he had something planned that required me to dress up, the least I could do was struggle through it.
“Fine, but for the record. I hate you for guilting me into this and whatever he has planned better require a lot of sitting.”
Maddie laughed and laid the dress on the bed. She then walked into her closet and came out with my leather duffel bag, which let me know she had planned this.
“You love me. Here. Everything you need is in here.”
Yanking the bag from her, I stomped to the bathroom and prepared for my shower.
An hour later, I was dressed and putting the finishing touches on my look.
I slipped a pair of simple diamond studs into my ears and slid my feet into the ivory heels that matched my silk slip dress.
After a few sprays of perfume, I was done.
“Oh Sophie, it’s perfect. You look perfect,” Maddie beamed as she gawked over me.
“Well, you know. I am the shit,” I teased and she laughed.
“You most definitely are. Now, let’s go or we’re going to be late.”
After we were in her car, I got comfy and tried to relax a bit. I was still extremely tired, but looking forward to whatever my surprise was.
Halfway there, my phone lit up and I smiled when I noticed a text from Trooper. I blushed as I read it.
My Baby: I bet you look amazing. I can’t wait to see for myself.
Me: I’m okay.
My Baby: Nah, you’re more than okay. Question though??
Me: Yes?
My Baby: You love me?
Me: Of course I do, you already know that.
My Baby: Aight bet. Be ready to prove it when you get here.
Me: What’s that supposed to mean?
I sent the text and looked over at Maddie while I waited.
“What?”
“Will you please tell me what he has planned?”
“Nope, we’re almost there. You’ll know soon enough.”
He still hadn’t responded, so I texted again.
Me: Trooper, what’s that mean?
I waited and still no reply. I had no idea what was up, but I had a feeling I needed to be worried.
When we finally made it to Trooper’s apartment and stepped off the elevator, I noticed him standing by the door. His eyes were on me the second he saw me and he looked nervous.
I smiled at how handsome he looked wearing all black. He was dressed in black slacks, a black button up, and matching black shoes, but the weird thing was he wore a bowtie. Now, I was really confused. Was he taking me somewhere fancy? It wasn’t really his thing, but maybe he’d planned it for me.
As soon as we were close, he smiled, slipped his arm around my waist, and leaned down to connect his lips to mine.
“Damn, I knew you would look good, but fuck, you killing it, baby girl.” A smile crept across his face as his eyes moved across my body.
“So now will you tell me what’s going on?” I questioned.
“Yeah, I can do that. I know you’re impatient as fuck,” he said then glided his tongue across his bottom lip.
“You said you love me, right?”
“Yes, and you said I needed to prove that. So tell me what that means,” I said with a frown.
I glanced at Maddie, a few feet away not saying a word.
“It means I need you to promise me something.”
“Okay, what?” I asked, really confused about where this was going.
“Forever,” Trooper said with the most serious look on his face.
“Forever?” I repeated and he looked me right in my eyes before his hand slipped into mine.
“Yeah, forever. Can I get that?”
Again, I glanced at Maddie and she shrugged.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean by that.”
“You know, Sophie, I’m asking you if I can have forever with you.”
As he held onto my hand with one of his, he used the other to reach into his pocket. When it was visible again, he held up a ring.
I snatched my hand from his and both of mine flew over my mouth. Tears slipped out before I could even attempt to prevent them.
“Marry me, Sophie. You said you love me, right? So prove it and marry me.”
I was so shocked I had no words. I took a step toward him, pressed my forehead into his chest, and just cried.
“Sophie, you got me stressing, baby girl. Can you say something please?” I felt Trooper’s voice through his chest as his hands moved up my back.
When I finally got it together, I lifted my head and nodded, which made him smile.
Lifting my hand from my side, he worked the ring onto my finger and I held my hand in front of my face. It was beautiful, not just beautiful, but perfect.
“I can’t believe you did this.”
He chuckled and pointed at Maddie. “I didn’t, she did. Now let’s go.”
“Go where?” I assumed he had dinner or something planned based on how he was dressed and the dress Maddie had me in, but I wasn’t sure.
“To get married.” Trooper kissed me and grabbed my hand before reaching for the door.
“Wait, I’m confused,” I said, looking up at him.
He didn’t say a word, just opened the door, and again my hands flew over my mouth.
There were accents of mango and powder blue all over, flowers and ribbons lined the wall, and a few white wooden chairs decorated to match the flowers and ribbons.
I stepped inside and noticed Carlos, my mother, and my father all dressed similar to Trooper and me.
Now it made sense to me why Maddie was in her strapless dress.
She claimed she and Carlos had dinner plans, but turned out she had wedding plans.
“This is your wedding?” I said, turning to face Maddie.
“No, this is your wedding. You planned it and didn’t even know. Now let’s get this over with.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“Blame him. We can have this argument later, right now we have a wedding to attend.” Maddie grinned then walked past me toward Carlos and my mother.
My father made his way over to me and took my hand. “You ready, baby girl?”
I looked at Trooper, who winked at me then headed toward the front where a priest was standing. He turned, folded his hands in front of him, and waited.
“I missed so much, but this more than makes up for it. I get to walk my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.” My father smiled big and it was contagious. He hugged me tightly, and for the first time in a really long time, things just felt right.
“I’m glad it’s you. It could have only been you,” I said softly against his chest, causing him to hug me tighter.
“Good, now let’s go before I change my mind. No matter what I missed and how old you are, you’re still my baby girl.” He delivered a kiss to my forehead before we separated.
“I think he would fight you for it,” I said as soon as I looked across the room at Trooper.
My father laughed and looked that way. “You’re probably right.”
He looped his arm through mine and we walked side by side toward my future.
For some reason, a certain calm washed over me.
Trooper’s eyes never left mine, and the closer I got to him, I just knew I’d never have to worry about anything ever again.
He had me and with a certainty I’d be willing to bet my life on.
From this point forward, I would always be loved.