6 months later

Nina

When do the words “I love you” mean everything? When they are said by someone who means them. Someone whose words and touch have healed me. Taught me what love truly feels like.

Trust.

No more blurring of the lines. No wrongs. Only rights. And who I’ve become is who I was always meant to be. A sister. A friend. A girlfriend. Smart. Brave. Creative. Someone I left buried deep inside, because I was forced to. But not anymore. I’m all that and more, because of the love and support of those around me. Because I refuse to be less ever again.

Pride.

I escaped and nearly lost, but I fought and I won. My reward…

Love.

I feel the bright lights on my face and I look down at the man in front of me, on one knee, waiting for my answer.

“Yes.” I nod.

He smiles up at me.

“Yes! A million times yes!” I cry.

Jumping to his feet, in a move I’m sure I’ll see later on the dance floor, Kyle picks me up and swings me around. My arms around his neck. His around my waist.

“You can’t get rid of me now.” He slowly comes to a stop and lowers me to the dance floor. “This ring.” He reaches up and pulls my hand down, twirling my ring between his fingers. He locks our hands. “It says we are forever.”

Happiness.

“Forever is a long time.” I pull my other hand down and find the one place it was made to be. Two hands woven to become one.

“With you, it will never be enough.” He wraps both our arms around his back as we slowly begin to move.

Always.

“Hey you two. Sorry to crash your party, but you have a couple of surprise guests.” Niki sneaks over, breaking up our little private reception.

“Who do you think it could be?” I tease Kyle, knowing exactly who it is. Excited, I pull him behind me and up to the VIP section where all our friends and family wait.

“No telling.” He follows me up, once again being the perfect gentleman.

“Well, here they are…”

“Jack? Tristan?” He looks down at me. “You did this, didn’t you?”

I nod excitedly. “You mom said they were in town and since you invited your parents here for my end of semester celebration, I thought why not them.”

“Kyle.” Jack walks up first, with Tristan behind him.

“Hey brother.” Kyle gives them both a hug.

Times may have been rough, but after a few get-togethers everything really started falling into place and surprisingly enough, Tristan has become a great friend.

Forgiveness.

“Well, come on over.” Kyle waves them to our VIP booths Gavin so graciously got the owner to donate for the special occasion. I just didn’t know how special it really was going to be.

“I think this calls for a round of drinks!” Kyle searches the floor. “Hey where’s Lee?”

“He disappeared downstairs right before you stole the show out there,” Jen replies.

“Figures he would find a way to get out of buying a round,” Kyle laughs.

“I’ll get this one!” Gavin pipes up. “Margaritas for everyone!” He shouts and the table erupts in approval.

I look around, the tables filled with smiling faces and laughter. The man beside me, my everything. His parents and family. Drew and Aubrey. My sister and best friend across from us with her husband. Husband! I still can’t believe she really did it. I’m still not sure why anyone would sign on for a lifetime of mornings with her, before she’s caffeinated. But I love her, I love him and I love that they showed me what true love looks like. I knew they would end up tying the knot, I just didn’t expect it to be at an impromptu end of summer barbeque.

We may not have parents anymore, but we’ve found ourselves an incredible family right here in this collection of people. People willing to support and fight for one another and for what’s right. The broken, the brokenhearted, the abused, the healed, friends turned

Family.

“Hey you.” Kyle leans over and whispers in my ear, interrupting my thoughts. “You ready to go?”

“Why, fiancé, is that your way of trying to get me alone?” I tease and place my lips to his.

“It is now.” He jokes, before deepening the kiss, causing everyone to whistle and cheer.”

“On that note, we’re gonna call it a night.” Kyle announces as he stands from the booth and holds his hand out to me. “Thanks everyone for coming and to Gavin for hooking us up! Feel free to stay as long as you like.”

It’s my turn to say something and I hope I can talk without crying. “Thank you, everyone for being here to support us. For everything.” I manage to get out.

We get all the hugs and congratulations out of the way, his mom making me promise to take care of her boy, Niki trying to give me “marital bed tips” I think she called them.

“Finally.” Kyle says as he shuts his door, after making sure to escort me in the truck first. “I’m ready to be alone with you.”

He places his hand on the console, palm up and I put my left hand in his.

Squeeze.

He plays with my ring with his thumb. “I like this new addition to our hand hug.”

“Me too.” I smile, my heart full.

We pull into the drive before I realize where we are, the tire swing illuminated in the headlights.

The cabin.

We’ve been splitting our time up between our places, not wanting to rush anything.

Walking me up to the porch, he takes a seat on one of the two rockers, pulling me to him. The light catches something shiny as he places it in my hand.

Holding my palm in front of me, I see it’s a key.

“You already have my ring.” He explains. “That’s a promise from a husband to a wife. You’ve had my heart for a while now. That’s from a man to a woman. But this… this key. Its every dream I ever had, it’s the future I envisioned. It’s my father’s legacy. And now it’ll be mine and yours. It’ll be ours.”

Speechless and overwhelmed for what I feel for this incredible man, I blink back tears.

“But I want this to be our home. I want to sit on the porch and drink Lipton tea with you, I wanna watch our babies play in this yard.” He tells me.

“Kyle.” I whisper.

“I know you just got your independence back and I’m not trying to take that away. You know I would never do that. We can keep your place too, if you want. And I know we aren’t married yet. But this isn’t just my cabin anymore, it’s ours.” He rambles.

“Kyle.” I interrupt. “Wherever you are, is where I want to be. I love you. And I would be honored to share your dream.”

“I love you too, Nina.” He lifts me into his arms before carrying me over the threshold. “Welcome home baby.”

Home.

The End