“Thoughts of you shagging Troy played in my head and I just went bonkers, maddeningly jealous that you weren’t mine. I wanted to hurt you, not physically but inside, where it hurts most—until you cried…” He swallowed, looking apologetic, eyes somehow reaching out to me.
“When I heard you cry… it was when I felt the ugliest. I had forgotten you—the woman inside. I had forgotten that you had a tough exterior, but you were all sweetness inside. It was the reason I fell for you… and yet, I forgot that very simple fact.”
He strode over, closing the gap between us, wiping my tears with his hands. “I’m so very sorry for causing so much pain and suffering. I know I’m not worthy of you, but you must understand, I can’t live without you, Lucy. I don’t have the power to erase any of the pain and memories, but I do have the power to pave a brighter future, for you and our children.”
I cried the hardest when he mentioned children. I was such an idiot. I would give him a dozen babies just to make him happy.
“My heart hasn’t changed. No one has ever been in it except you. I have loved you from the beginning and I will love you until the end. I just love you—through Heaven and Hell—to the moon and back,” he vowed before producing something out of his pocket. It was a ring.
Oh, God. He couldn’t be, could he?
Agog and beyond shocked, I stared at him before he got on his knee. Oh. My. Fuck!!! I was going to have a heart attack. I was hysterical with tears, laughing and shedding more tears.
“When did you get that?”
“My Aunt Tamsin was here when she was first diagnosed with cancer and I told her about my plans. I asked for her help since I had no idea how to shop for engagement rings. It’s the ring that you would wear for the rest of your life, so I wanted it to be perfect. She went into her room, came out and presented me with this. It was what my late uncle gave her for their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. She wanted us to have the same luck and happiness she’d found with him.”
He touched my cheek. “This was the day after that night you cried for loving me so much in the video. My plan was to propose after your graduation. I even had it all planned out…”
He took my hand, hovering the ring upon the right finger. “Lucille Connelly, you’re the very reason why I’m still here—the sole reason for everything I do with my life. I had memorized this proposal two years ago and I still know it by heart. Word for word, it’s forever ingrained in me—in my soul.”
“Love—” I was sobbing, but he stopped me, beaming with love for me.
“I fell for you when we were friends, when you thought I wasn’t looking at you, but I saw you very clearly. I just needed time to be with you, and maybe a little courage because I knew loving you is forever. The night I approached you, I was all in then—there was no going back. My heart chose you, even from a distance; it slowly loved you until you were fully mine.
“I can’t promise you that we’ll have a blissful, fight-free kind of marriage, nor can I vow that I won’t drive you mad, but what I can promise you is that I will always be here, ready to catch you when you falter. I will always take care of you, always put your needs before mine, your happiness, your smiles and laughter will be my purpose. I exist only for you,” he said, adding, “You… there’s only ever you, Luce.”
I simply lost it—crying and kneeling with him—before taking his lips and kissing him as hard as I could. “I love you, forever. If forever is never, then never shall be my forever.” Stealing his quote, I vowed my life intertwining with his.
“So… was that a yes?” he murmured before stealing my sanity.
Happiness, who would have thought I’d find it again with my lost love?
“You have four weeks to lock me in, Mr. Watson,” I teased before I felt him rip the crotch of my leggings and then pushed my thong aside, thrusting everything of him in me, evoking a moan from me.
“Toby… I love it when you go mad, crazed and randy.”
“I think you’re quite perfectly locked in now, Mrs. Watson,” he whispered, smiling wickedly before he filled my ears and body with what he’d been dreaming to do ever since I had taken him in my mouth.
A month later…
For the umpteenth time, I checked my wavy, chignon-styled hair in the antique, gilded pier mirror. It looked pretty, but it didn’t feel too secure. “Another pin, perhaps?” I asked out loud, wondering if one would be enough.
“Stop it. Your hair will go bushwhacked if you check it one more time.” Chad appeared behind me, giving me that loving, evilish smile as he went through my dress, checking for stains and whatever crazy disaster bride-to-be’s were prone to on their wedding day.
My wedding day…
Yes, it was definitely happening. At my parents’ estate in Kent.
My gorgeous gown was made out of ivory lace, a tight-fitted bodice with mermaid-tail style bottom that had just enough length for it to glide behind me. It was classy, sexy, and the touch of lace gave it a delicate, elegant look.
“You look so beautiful, Luce. He’s going to go ballistic when he sees you walking down to him,” Sienna said, giving a dramatic sigh.
“It’s time.” Luke appeared out of nowhere, cradling his little bundle of joy named Belle.
Chad froze, eyes bulging out. “FUCK. Are we ready? Are you ready?” He seemed frantic as he started to tear, carefully cupping my face. “I love you, but if you’re not ready to go marry that man out there who’s been overly, crazily, obnoxiously in love with you, it’s not too late to back out. Things have progressed so quickly, so if you’re having doubts, don’t do it. It’ll hurt him worse if you plan to divorce later on, ya know? I’m your bridesman; I’ll bounce with you.”
Sienna nodded along with him. “If there’s even a tiny spec of doubt…”
“I don’t. I love him,” I declared with my heart. “I’ve been waiting for this day for such a long time, I’m never letting him get away. This is it for me, loves.”
I was marrying Toby and no one was going to stop me.
After a few tears and warm hugs, my mother came to get me, eyes brimming with tears and happiness as she guided me towards where my father was waiting.
Beaming with pride, father kissed both of my cheeks before holding my hands and nodding with approval. “My little pet is finally getting married.” He sniffed, eyes glazed with moisture. “You look beautiful, darling.” He reached for my mother’s hand, holding it tight. “If you’re not one hundred percent sure about this—” he started before I interrupted.