Epilogue—Two Months Later | Rae
Epilogue—Two Months Later
Rae
I was in the kitchen mixing the salad for the end of the summer bonfire night we’d decided to host. We had invited Jenny and Luke, our coworkers, our families, friends from in town, and even Cierra.
Caleb walked in after setting up the canopy and the table for the food. Duke followed close behind him. “Everything you guys made looks great. Thank you for doing all of this while I set up the bonfire.”
I smiled at him and kissed him as he passed by to wash his hands. “Of course, and I know I have said this before, but you were right about Sage. She’s amazing. I couldn’t have done all of that by myself.”
My boss had been here for most of the morning helping prepare food and only left to pick up her family to bring them back. She had insisted on helping the second we asked her to join us. Caleb had been right about me liking her, and I’d forever be grateful for this job and our friendship.
We had been preparing food all morning and I hadn’t gotten ready yet. “Caleb, I need to get cleaned up. Everyone will be arriving soon. Can you take over chopping the last of the salad mix-ins?” I asked as I reached for the bow on the apron. I’d tied it too tight and couldn’t get it undone.
Caleb stepped behind me and loosened the knot, helping me lift the apron over my head and kissing me in the process. “Of course, Sunshine. Unless you would like some help?” He winked at me as he picked up the tomato and knife, knowing we didn’t have time for what he was hinting at.
I giggled and blushed. “Maybe later. If I say yes now, we won’t make it to the bonfire by the time everyone gets there.” I playfully swatted his arm.
“True, so you better get in there fast before I decide I don’t care if we are late.”
I turned and walked to our room, laughing.
I pulled a towel from the linen closet and walked into the bathroom.
I quickly showered and dried off, then stepped up to the counter as I began to wrap the towel around myself.
In the mirror, I caught a glimpse at the scar on my waist and my arm.
They were both bright red now due to the warm shower, but that would fade to a pink tone soon, making them a bit less obvious.
My scars reminded me of everything I’d gone through and how far I had come—how Caleb saved me.
I stared at the scars, thinking about the memories they brought, until I heard Caleb talking to someone out in the front room.
I knew I had to hurry. I walked to the drawers, opened one, and pulled out fresh undergarments.
After putting those on, I quickly walked to the closet to pull out my jeans and a T-shirt.
I decided to pull out a flannel just in case it was cool later this evening.
The weather had been tricking us and acting like fall was starting early so I figured a flannel would be a good idea.
I decided to bring a flannel for Caleb as well, so I grabbed an extra one.
I set the flannels on the end of the bed so I could put my jeans on and heard a soft noise like something hit the footboard. Curious, I picked up the flannels again and set them on the bed again, hearing the same noise.
I picked up each flannel and inspected it, trying to figure out what would have made that noise.
Picking up the second one, I found a small box in the pocket. My hands stilled as I sat on the edge of the bed, eyes wide, staring at the box in my hands. I didn’t dare open it, but I couldn’t stop staring at it.
This is a ring box. This is a freaking ring box! Was Caleb going to propose at some point? My mind was going a million miles a minute.
“Hey, Rae, everyone is here and they took the food. You almost ready, Babe?” I blinked. The sound of Caleb’s voice pulled me back to the present, and I shoved the box under the flannel in case he peeked his head in the room.
“Yeah, I will be out in a minute!” I realized I was speaking so fast. Calm down, Rae. “I’m just finishing up getting dressed.”
“Okay, I’ll get the truck started and get Duke loaded up.” I heard him walk away from the door and let out the breath I had been holding for far too long.
I quickly stashed the box back in the flannel and hung the flannel back up, smiling as I did so.
Oh my gosh. A freaking ring! Oh my gosh he can't know that I know. Calm down, Rae.
I took a few deep breaths to calm myself as I continued to get dressed.
When I was ready, I ran to the truck with only one flannel in hand. I leaned into the truck window. “Do you want a flannel or something in case it gets cool?”
“Baby, if I need to get warm, I won't be using a flannel.” He gave me a grin and a wink that sent chills all over my body.
“Oh, you are on one today!” I laughed as I hopped in and closed my door.
“Oh, hold on. I forgot something.” He hopped out of the truck and ran back into the house, reappearing seconds later. He was so fast, not giving me enough time to steady my heart rate.
“Okay, sorry about that, I had to grab the salad tongs. I forgot to give them to Jenny.” He said as he passed them to me.
He reached out and took my hand as he drove to us in the direction of where we would have the bonfire.
I sat on the tailgate, flannel on, sipping a glass of wine Caleb had brought me.
Duke sat next to me with his head in my lap, and we people watched together.
I watched my friends, new and old, talk, laugh, and sing by the fire while roasting marshmallows.
This bonfire night to celebrate the end of summer was a great idea that Caleb had.
The friendships I'd made over the last couple of months, and reconnecting with friends from my past, was just what my heart had needed, and now it felt like we were celebrating.
I spotted Caleb on the other side of the bonfire talking to my parents.
While they didn’t know all of what happened to me, they knew enough to be grateful for Caleb saving me.
I watched Caleb when he spoke with them, respectful but comfortable, like he was talking to his own parents.
I wished his parents could be here. They would be so proud of him for everything he’d accomplished.
When Caleb noticed me watching him, his blue eyes lit up and a smile crossed his face. He looked so handsome with the gorgeous sunset behind him as he walked over to me.
“What are you doing over here by yourself?” he asked as he stepped between my knees, placing his hands on my hips.
“Just taking it all in. I'm so happy here, with you, with our friends, with Duke.” I scratched under Duke's chin.
Caleb looked at me with such loving intensity. “Come here for a second.” He took my hand in his and helped me off the tailgate.
“Hey everyone, can you all come over here for a minute?”
As soon as everyone was gathered around, Caleb cleared his throat.
“Rae and I want to thank you for coming here tonight. You all are important people in our lives. No matter how long we have known you. Which is why I wanted you to be here for this.” He turned toward me and Santana passed him something.
I quickly realized what was in his hand.
Caleb reached for my hand and knelt in front of me. The group of friends began chattering quietly in hushed but happy sounding tones.
“Rae, you know I love you, right?”
I nodded with tears in my eyes.
“Sunshine, I have loved you since high school, and I let you get away back then. I never want to let you go again. Will you marry me?”
Tears began to fall steadily down my cheeks as I smiled and nodded. Caleb stood and I threw myself into his arms. “Yes, I will marry you, Ranger!”
Cheers erupted from the crowd of our friends and family as we stood there kissing, not even noticing anything going on around us, only focusing on each other.
Caleb and I sat on the tailgate together, watching the fire die down, after everyone left for the evening. We held hands, but we were silent. No words were needed.
I looked down at the ring he had given me, a beautiful princess cut diamond on a white gold band—the perfect ring.
The fire had died down now, and I expected Caleb to pack up so we could head back to the house.
Instead, he moved farther into the bed of the truck and lay down.
“Come look at the stars with me.” I moved to where he was and lay next to him, pressed against the warmth of his body with my hand on his chest. Duke shifted from where he had been on the tailgate and curled up next to my feet.
Caleb gently rubbed circles on my arm as he whispered to me, “I love you, Sunshine.”
I whispered back “I love you too, Ranger.”
A few minutes later, I noticed Caleb’s hand had stilled, and he had lightly begun snoring.
How is this my life? How is any of this real?
I smiled to myself as I snuggled closer to Caleb. In the warmth of his arms, I soon fell asleep, too, happy and safe.
He’s got me, always. The best part is, I’ve got him, too.