Chapter Thirty-One
Liam
I pulled open the dresser drawer in my bedroom, taking out the small velvet box I’d stashed inside. Opening it and staring down at the vintage ring I’d bought for Alyssa twelve years ago made my heart race. What would’ve happened if I’d just asked?
Aiden stepped into my room, startling me.
“What’s that?” he asked as I pushed the box behind my back.
“What’s what?” I tried to play dumb.
He moved towards me, quickly reaching for the box; I slipped it into my other hand and around my back, but Aiden’s long arms were too fast.
He stood there, holding the ring box, staring at it like it was the cure for cancer.
“What the hell?” he gasped.
“What?” I snarled, snatching the ring back from his hands.
“You already bought her a ring?” he chuckled, sitting down on the bed beside me.
“No. I mean, I did, but it’s from twelve years ago,” I admitted.
“Wow,” he gushed.
“Do you think it’s tacky to use the same one?” I questioned.
He shook his head, opening the box after taking it from my hand.
“No, it’s beautiful. Besides, it was chosen for her, not for someone else.”
That was true. I’d selected the ring especially for Alyssa. It was the perfect ring then, and it was the perfect ring now.
“Are you going to tell her when you bought it?” he asked.
“Yes. I think I should,” I sighed.
I was afraid if I did tell her, when I told her, that she would be upset. The ‘what ifs’ could be a bummer, but I wanted her to know how much I loved her, how much I still loved her.
“I think it’s beautiful,” Aiden slapped me on the back.
“Thanks,” I grinned.
“When are you going to do it?” he questioned.
I hadn’t decided on when, at least not yet. I knew I wanted to do it soon. I couldn’t stand waiting much longer to make Alyssa my wife and start acting like a real family.
“The carnival, maybe?” I shrugged, hoping to get a reaction from my friend.
“That’s like a month away,” Aiden pointed out.
“I know,” I shook my head.
Maybe it was too soon.
“What is the point in waiting though?” he laughed.
“Exactly,” I perked up at his encouragement.
“How are you going to do it?” he asked.
“I’m helping with the games, so maybe I could have one rigged?” I suggested.
Aiden’s face lit up.
“That’s brilliant,” he gasped.
“I need to talk to Holly and Maria though, get some ideas on how to pull this off and make sure they are onboard, of course,” I smiled.
Maria had been so sweet lately, it felt as though she’d already given me her stamp of approval, and I knew Holly wouldn’t object. I did want to make sure they were included though, and of course, their ideas would be appreciated.
“Sounds like a good plan,” Aiden agreed.
I got up from the bed and walked to the kitchen, pulling two beers from the fridge. Aiden followed me to the porch, where we found Bill on his way up to the door.
“Care if I join you fellows?” Bill asked.
I slapped my hand on the empty seat next to me and cracked open the beer in my hand.
“You want a beer?” I offered.
“No, thanks,” Bill sighed, taking his seat.
“Are you gonna tell him?” Aiden asked.
“Tell me what?” Bill asked.
“Well, since you’re here. I’m planning on asking Alyssa to marry me,” I blurted out.
“Congratulations. I can help you find the perfect ring,” Bill exclaimed, slapping me on the back with encouragement.
“You already did,” I smirked, sliding the box from my pocket.
Bill’s face flushed red, and his eyes filled with emotion.
“I always knew you two kids would end up together. We all hated it when you left,” he sighed.
My phone buzzed inside my pocket, vibrating my thigh. I pulled it out, noticed it was Holly, and quickly slid to answer.
“Hey, kiddo,” I said cheerfully.
“Mom’s sick; something is wrong,” she panicked.
My heart beat hard against my chest, and the blood rushed from my face, leaving me pale. Aiden and Bill watched me, both trying to find out what was happening as I listened to my daughter cry on the other end of the phone.
“We’re on our way to the hospital now; the ambulance took mom,” she sobbed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, already headed into the house to grab my jacket and keys.
“We don’t know,” Holly cried.
“I’ll meet you there,” I promised, and then hung up the phone. “It’s Alyssa, she’s been taken to the hospital in an ambulance,” I explained, my face as pale as the moon.
“I’ll drive,” Aiden said quickly, grabbing my keys from my hand.
“I’ll lock up here; just go,” Bill instructed, picking up the beer bottles from the floor of the porch.
This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t lose her, not just after I finally got her back.