9. Wyatt
Wyatt
W hile today was planned with only Freya in mind, I made sure we had a few other friends around to help me out.
It’s crazy to think back to a few months ago––I not only managed to finally get the girl, but I also helped that girl move back home.
In a matter of three days time, Freya’s life in New York City was packed up and we’d moved her back to Lake Lorelei and into the farmhouse with Maisey.
“Does Freya still think she’s meeting you here for dinner?” Maisey asks as she walks out of the kitchen of the Red Bird. “And how are you doing? Ready for this?”
I didn’t have to think twice before nodding. “Everything is a go and I’m more than ready.”
Maisey grins as she looks me up and down, one hand on her hip. “Good, because there’s about twenty five people on the back patio waiting to celebrate with you.”
“Did Freya’s parents make it?” They’d been gone for months traveling the United States in their RV, but made a u-turn and headed home the day I called and asked them for permission to marry Freya.
I know, a bit old fashioned, but hey…there’s something super romantic about being old-school, you know?
I was also hoping for bonus points with her dad, in a not-so-shameless way.
“They’re on the patio with your parents and they are all giddy.” Maisey chuckles. “I’m pretty sure Dub’s entertaining them, too, so they’ll be occupied listening to his stories about life as a career firefighter.”
“He’s got some great stories from his days when he worked in Los Angeles.” I peek out the large window facing the main street, hoping to spy Freya on her approach. “He’s had some narrow escapes.”
“I bet.” I can feel Maisey’s presence, she’s staring at me and watching me pace back and forth. “I hope you’re not trying to make one now?”
“No way.” I stop pacing and turn around, putting my hands on each of Maisey’s shoulders. “I know with one hundred and fifty present certainty that I’m not ever going to make an escape from this woman. I don’t want to.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” She nods in the direction of the back patio. “Come on, let’s get the ring and then get everyone into position.”
I follow Maisey out to the patio, where she and Dylan had painstakingly set up a bevy of all of Freya’s favorite things: twinkling fairy lights strung overhead, little white candles in glass Mason jars placed everywhere––which screams fire hazard to me, but thankfully we have half of the Lake Lorelei fire department here tonight––a grazing table that could feed the whole town, and an assortment of pies.
From caramel apple tart pie to chocolate peanut butter and including Freya’s absolute favorite… strawberry pie.
I spot my grandmother standing with Freya’s parents. As I walk over to say hello, I’m pulled into a bear hug by Freya’s father. The Fredericks’ stand with Jack and Dub, who are flanked by Reid, Dylan, and other members of our station. Even Pastor Shannon was there with his wife.
Looking around at all of these wonderful faces here to help support and nurture us on this night? My stomach does a tiny somersault.
Nerves. Excitement. All of the feelings.
It’s getting real.
“I see that look on your face.” My grandmother suddenly appears beside me, like an apparition. A tiny lady with a powerful energy around her and she’s always been my rock. Putting an arm around her, I pull her in tight to my side.
“Is that look me being confused?”
“It’s excitement, perhaps laced with extra nervousness?” She tilts her head, looks into my eyes and presses a small box into my hand. “Wyatt, go get her.”
Looking down at my hand to see what she had given me––my heart leaps. “Thank you. I love that this was your engagement ring and we get to keep it in the family.”
“Same here. You know, I was blessed enough to have had one great love of my life with your grandfather. I’ve waited to hand this down to you for years, Wyatt.
I’ll be honest, I’m thrilled it’s Freya who will be joining our family.
” She steps back and looks around the deck, holding my hand tight. “Can you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
“All of the love hanging in the air for the two of you tonight.” She squeezes my hand. “We’re all here to root for you, so you’d better get ready to seal the deal.”
The fact my grandmother wants me to ‘seal the deal’ is enough to not only crack me up but to also remind me I gathered everyone here with me for my mission. I turn to the small crowd and wave, signaling for them to simmer down.
“Folks, I’ll be back soon and then you can be as loud as you want to be. Until then, try to keep it down, will ya? ”
Heading back inside, I hear a few muffled cheers followed by a final warning SHUSH from Masiey, shutting the group up once and for all…at least for now.
Pausing at the door, I take a moment to look around at this group of people gathered here for us on this beautiful November evening.
The patio sparkles and so do its occupants.
The air has a slight chill, but it isn’t freezing cold yet so being outside is still enjoyable…
as long as we keep those outdoor heaters on.
It’s perfect.
I walk back into the Red Bird and stand at the counter, waiting for Freya to arrive. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I know it won’t be long. She’ll be here any second.
Casting my eyes around the cafe again, I can’t help but grin. It’s filled with so many memories and the majority of them revolve around Freya. I can’t wait to make more memories with her and do it right here in Lake Lorelei.
“Wyatt?” The front door to the cafe opens and Freya sticks her head inside. “There’s a sign on the door that says the cafe’s closed. Are you here?”
The Red Bird is dark, but awash in moonlight. Where I’m standing, I’m blocked by a shadow so she can’t see me, but I have the perfect vantage point to see Freya as she glides across the room. My heart begins a barump-barump-bang-repeat kind of cadence in my chest.
Slipping out from behind the counter, I stride to where she stands and wrap my arms around her waist. “The sign says it’s closed, because there’s a special event going on here tonight.”
“Oh.” Her face falls as she steps back, her hands flying to her dress. “I wasn’t aware there was something going on. Am I dressed appropriately?”
Now, I’m not any kind of expert but the dress Freya’s wearing is beautiful. It hugs her curves in all the right places and shows off her figure. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Really?” Smiling shyly, she twirls in a circle…
and trips over her own feet because that’s my girl.
“Crap. It’s the heels. Maisey insisted I buy them the other day to go with the dress.
I didn’t think this whole look was my thing––it’s a wrap dress and I don’t wear them usually.
And it’s been a while since I was this dressed up. You think it looks nice?”
“You could be in a brown paper bag, with holes in it, and I’d think you were better dressed than the Queen of England.”
Her eyes narrow playfully. “But could I wear it to the Met Gala?”
I nod in agreement. “I have no idea what that is, but yes. You could wear it to the Met Gala.”
Throwing her head back, she laughs before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “I’m starving. Are we eating here for this event or going somewhere else?”
“We’ll be staying here, but before we eat I have something I really wanted to talk to you about first.”
Taking her by the hand, I led her over to one of the tables, pulling out a chair for her. Slowly she takes a seat, watching me intently and studying my every move. “Wyatt, what is going on?”
“Well.” Reaching into the pocket of my pants, I pull out the ring box. “I know that my life has always been leading me to this moment with you. The moment I get to do this.”
I drop to one knee. Taking the ring out of its box, I hold it up in front of me–––with grand flourish, mind you––and look into her eyes.
“I don’t want to do this thing they call life without you being a part of mine.
You’re my everything, Freya Fredericks, and you always have been.
I know this is a new road for both of us, but I really hope you’ll say yes and we can navigate it together. Will you marry me?”
Her jaw drops. “Marry you? ”
“Please?” I take one of her hands and hold it in my free one. “If I promise to make sure we laugh every day and not go to bed angry?”
She nods and leans in close to me, winking. “Do you promise to make the bed in the morning and put the toilet seat down? That’s a big ask, I know, but we need to nip any future arguments in the bud now.”
“I think I can manage it.” I tilt my head to one side. “Do you promise to not get mad at my work hours and the fact that some days I may come home smelling like smoke?”
Grinning, she cups my face with her hands, pulling me even closer to her. “I do.”
“I guess this is your way of telling me yes?” Taking the ring from its perch, I take her hand and slip the ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit thanks to Maisey. She managed to swipe one of Freya’s rings and gave it to my grandmother who had it matched for sizing.
These Lake Lorelei women. Brilliant, I’m telling you.
Freya bobbed her head up and down, wiping tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “Yes, Wyatt Hogan. One thousand times yes I would love to be your wife.”
I pull her to her feet with me, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist as she pulls me into a kiss that literally takes my breath away. Her lips on mine tell me we are forever, so I press back, letting her know I am hers and only hers.
She finally takes the lead and steps away, breaking the spell of our moment. Freya holds up her hand admiring the sparkling bauble. “Oh, wow. This is gorgeous! I can’t wait to show Maisey. And I need to call my parents. They’ll want to know. And your grand––.”
I hold up my hand to stop her. “All taken care of, in fact,” I jerk my thumb in the direction of the back patio doors, “if we go out there, you’ll find the folks you mention and a lot of other people who love you very much waiting. ”
“What?”
“They're all here to celebrate with us.” I toss my hands in the air. “Surprise?”
Her eyes sparkle. “Best surprise ever.” She glances at her hand and the ring one more time. “Well, actually this is,” she says as she holds up her hand, grinning like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.
“Ready to go out there and give them the good news?” I ask as I gently take her hand in mine.
Freya leans in for one last kiss. “Let’s do this.”
***
Dear Wyatt,
Today was the best day of my life––I became Freya Hogan. I also made it down the aisle without falling, so I feel like we’re already winning at marriage.
So, I’m your wife. How crazy is that? We’re a family now and I couldn’t be more excited. We made it through braces, stitches, bike races, retainers…all of the things! You’ve always been my perfect partner in crime, how lucky am I that I get to have my forever be with you?
I wanted to leave this note for you to find before we went on our honeymoon so you’d know a few things:
1. I love you so much my heart actually hurts sometimes. HURTS!! But in the best way possible.
2. I can’t wait to start this new adventure with you…but I meant it when I said you’ll need to keep the toilet seat down.
3. I was thinking we should get a dog…and by thinking we should get a dog I mean I got a dog. For us. Maisey’s watching him until we come back. He’s a German Shepherd mix who needed to be rescued…Surprise?
4. Did I mention I love you so much it hurts ?
5. And did I also mention I wanted to write you a letter because I was scared to tell you I got us a dog?
All of my love, now and forever…
Freya x
***
Freya,
I found your note before we left so I decided to write you a letter in return, instead of, you know…talking to you since we’re literally sitting right next to each other on the plane…but, I get it. We’re playing a game…
Now that I’m your husband––how awesome is that!––I, too, have a few things I want you to know…
1. I love you more than anything in this world. When I said you were my everything, I meant it. That kind of love isn’t going anywhere. Ever.
2. You are my wife and I get to tell everyone that I’m your husband! Do you even understand how exciting that is for me? Seriously. I will never take you or our marriage for granted.
3. So we got a dog? Awesome. I can’t be mad. So you know, Maisey did text and say you were scared to tell me. She also told me about how Smokey (is that really going to be his name?) was part of a puppy mill. Of COURSE we’re going to take him!!
4. Your heart is huge and I love you more and more each day.
5. No more dogs, okay? At least for now…we’ll want some more once we have kids, though. ;) Smokey can be our practice baby.
Love you forever and ever…W.