Chapter 47
First date it’s perfect.
“Alright, Mom, I gotta go. Can’t be late getting my girl.
” Grabbing the flowers off the island, she kisses my cheek, then she walks me to the door with a cheerful smile on her face.
“I love you, Ma.” I kissed her cheek before I opened the door.
The sight that greets me steals the breath from my lungs.
Scarlett stands in painted-on flare jeans and a long-sleeve V-neck knit sweater.
Her long, brown, curly hair falls down her shoulders.
“Scarlett, you look breathtakingly beautiful.” My hand rests on my chest, not realizing that the moment I saw her, my hand shot to my heart.
This is my girl, even my heart knows who it belongs to.
Stepping out, I embrace her in a warm hug before handing her the flowers I got on my way home today. “These are for you, shall we?” Taking her hand in mine, I open her door, allowing her to slide in.
Jumping into my truck, Scarlett turns her head, looking at me. Her eyes sparkle, reeling me in. “Where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise." Driving to the small Corner Cafe, my eyes are being pulled by her beauty, taking in every detail of her, as if I don’t already know every minute detail.
Arriving at the Cafe, I let Scarlett out, taking her small hand in mine, cherishing the fact that I get to hold it.
She didn’t have to choose to be with me.
Throughout her entire life, she has been told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it; she believed she owed them her happiness to be loved.
To give yourself to someone is to offer them everything you hide from everyone else.
I love her in all her light and her darkness.
I would take her darkness if that meant leaving her with happiness.
Tonight, when I look at her, I see light, with the hope that her radiance is from me and the way I make her feel.
Walking into the Cafe, I let Scarlett lead the way.
She chose a seat along the long glass window.
The cafe is cozy, with small tables and chairs of various sizes and colors lining the walls, as well as colorful couches and sofa chairs scattered throughout the middle—a large bookshelf lines the back wall, with an old library ladder on wheels.
The lights are dim throughout, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The best part is the prominent fireplace, directly across from our seat.
The wood crackles, and the flames dance, creating warmth throughout the cafe.
Pulling the chair out for Scarlett, the waitress makes her way over. “Good evening, you two. Can we get started with something to drink?” The owner stands before us, Mrs. Jean. She has owned this place for as long as I can remember.
“How about two of your famous hot chocolates?” Jean smiles before winking at Scarlett, walking away to work her magic.
Scarlett looks around the cafe, taking in all the different trinkets and decorations. “This used to be my favorite place when I was younger.” She gives me a small smile.
“It’s so cute here. I can see why you guys came.” Mrs. Jean sets down our mugs, filled to the brim and topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. Scarlett’s has all the same things, only hers has a small note stuck to the spoon. “This looks amazing. What’s this?”
I lean forward, taking my first sip. “Open it.” My eyes fixate on her, watching her finger trace over the folded note.
As I instructed, she opens the note, watching her cheeks move slightly, her dimple pops, and her eyes light up.
Note 1. I promise to always keep you warm.
Her cheeks meet her eyes as she smiles fully, “Spence.” She shakes her head, “This is perfect.” Sweet love, this is just the beginning. Mrs. Jean comes over to pick up our order, and Scarlett and I make it easy by both ordering the soup of the day.
When our soup arrives, Scarlett has yet another note. She smirks at me and Mrs. Jean before opening note number two.
Note 2. I promise always to keep you fed, never hangry.
Scarlett looks up and laughs. “That was one time. I really wanted the Taco Guy, and he wasn’t open.” The whine coming from her makes me laugh into my spoon full of soup.
“And I loved you anyway.” Her cheeks blush as she smiles.
Scarlett and I talk about everything as we indulge in hot chocolate and warm soup.
The night was perfect, we were both at ease, and I knew it was only going to get better.
After our soup is gone, I nod at Mrs. Jean.
When she comes to grab our plates, she gives Scarlett another note before making her way to the back.
Note 3. I promise to dance with you through life.
Just then, Mrs. Jean starts the music. Scarlett looks up, wondering where the music is coming from, when I stand, reaching out my hand. “May I have this dance?” Placing her hand in mine, she nods, and we walk together.
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her into me.
I put my lips to her ear. “Promise me something, baby?” She looks up into my eyes, questioning what I could be asking.
“Promise me, if there ever comes a time when my love isn’t meeting your expectations, you'll tell me.
I just want to love you in all the right ways, give you everything you deserve, and you deserve it all; I wanna give you that.
Where you're scared to be loved, I am scared to fall short. One day, I will give you everything you thought you couldn’t have.
I just pray to God, I am always it for you, because you're it for me, Scar.” Her eyes are watery as she places her forehead to mine, swaying to the music above, all while falling deeper in love.
“Just promise me, you won’t stop, Spence.
I believe you; I know your love is fail-proof.
It’s you, I see forever with you, and I've never been excited for the future, until now.” Fuck me, I love this girl.
Stealing her lips like she stole my heart, I kiss her with every fiber in my being, begging for this to last forever.
The song ends, just as dessert is being set down. Scarlett and I return to the table where I grab her chair and place it so it's touching mine, because fuck her being on the other side of the table. She laughs at my notion of needing her close and on top of me, but that will come later.
A platter is set out on our table. Two freshly baked sugar cookies, topped with white frosting, sit before us.
In small glass cups, there are numerous options for decorations.
“We’re decorating cookies.” I smile happily and roll up my sleeves.
“I can decorate mine for you, if you want to decorate yours for me?” I kiss her cheek and get to work
We steal glances at each other’s handiwork, watching one another create the perfect sugar cookie. Scarlett is smiling the entire time she designs her masterpiece. When we’re both finished, we present each other with the final piece.
I take her cookie, which has two different sprinkles intertwined with two small hearts made from mini-M&M’s. Looking at her, she smirks. “It’s our hearts. We have both been loved by one another, completely changed by the love, forever altered by it.”
I give her my cookie, an outline of a ring traced with sprinkles, and topped with a gumdrop diamond.
Her mouth drops. “Relax, gorgeous. Five-year plan. Another promise, so that you know my intentions. It’s you, baby, with my last name, making you and your brother really family.
” She sits back in her seat, takes a bite, and smiles.
“Bummer, I would have said yes.”
We leave the Cafe with sore cheeks from smiling a ridiculous amount. “Get ready, baby, next up is ice skating.”
Arriving at the skating rink, we hopped out. “I’ve never done this before.” Her voice is quiet as nervousness flows through her words.
“Don’t worry, I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Getting inside, Scarlett gets her skates on while I find the walkers, because the truth is, I’ve never skated before either.
I guide the walker, or rather, it guides me, before stopping proudly in front of her.
Scarlett's face when she sees our new rides makes me laugh so hard.
“Spencer, what is that?” I pull up my walker next, smiling sheepishly.
“Well, Scar. It is a walker to help you avoid falling. Since I’ve also never skated before, I'll be using one too.” Shaking her head, she gets to her feet before we both granny on out.
Our skates glide with the tennis balls keeping us up, as we both sway our bodies like baby giraffes trying to find our feet.
Laughing with one another until we have to stop along the side, as we get passed by children and grown adults who appear to be pros.
“You look beautiful as a granny.” She laughs at me as I try to chase her down, getting a little wobbly as her granny mobile slides out of her grasp.
I wrap my arms around her before she falls, taking us both down, only I hit the ice, and she lands on me.
Her body shakes mine as hilarity falls from her lips, making me follow suit in her enjoyment of taking me down. “Maybe I should have promised that if you fall, I’ll take the brunt of it.”
Helping her to her feet, we grab our rides and head off the ice. Sore, tired, and needing her naked body on mine. Just as we set up our skates, my phone rings -'Dad.'