A month had passed. Caleb was doing much better, he had demanded he come back to work, but I wouldn’t allow it. It would be too strenuous for him, when he fully recovered, I would then allow him to work fulltime.

Would you fucking believe it?

I was a straight-laced guy. All my businesses were legit, none of them were illegal no more. I no longer fucked with that life, that part of me was over. Done with.  And I couldn’t be happier, I had even been thinking of opening a restaurant. The more money I could make the better and I didn’t mean that in a silver spoon kinder way. I wanted a future, I wanted to give Eva and her family the life they deserved. I wanted to take care of them, like they had me.

I had hardly no family, and they took me in, made me welcome. They became the family I had never had, and I would forever be grateful to them for that.

I didn’t think I had ever been this happy in my life. Shit, I could dance, but I wouldn’t because that was weird as fuck and I’m a guy, guys didn’t dance, not one’s like me anyhow.

Life’s been good, shit it had been fantastic.

Eva and I were happy. Of course, we argued from time to time, which was over the stupidest of things, but then we would make up. The making up part was my favourite. It normally ended up with me buried deep inside of her luscious pussy, while she screamed my name.

I could never get enough of her.

She was beautiful. Every time I woke up in the morning, I felt winded like I couldn’t breathe and that was because of her, lying naked in my white sheets, her long auburn waves fanned across the pillow, her milky skin glowing from the sun, she had the most gorgeous set of legs I had ever seen. The best part of my day was waking up to her, it always would be.

Eva decided to quit college, she said it wasn’t for her and I didn’t judge her for that, I would support her no matter what path she chose. She worked with John now. How did that happen when he’s got no café? Well I built him a new one, more modern, but with his touch he made it his own.

He had asked Eva if she would like to work with him not for him. They now partnered up in running the café and business was booming for them as usual. Most of all, she was happy and enjoyed the work. She was bubbly, she was outgoing, and she had one hell of a contagious smile that the customers loved, although I could get a little jealous sometimes, I’ll admit. I wanted all that to myself, fuck I was a selfish bastard.

John loved Eva like she was his daughter. I had never seen him so happy and keen to open the doors to the café. He loved it before, but he got lonely, Eva was exactly what he needed, and John was exactly what Eva needed.

We had been through so many obstacles this year, I never thought we’d survive. It was crazy to think we did. No couple should go through the fear of losing their loved one. It felt like my heart was gripped in a vice so tight, I thought it might break. I didn’t know what would happen if I had lost her.

I was certain of one thing, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. She called me her saviour, but what she didn’t realise was, she was my saviour.

Her nightmares had lessened somewhat. She had finally opened up to me and in a way, I wished like hell she didn’t because I had never felt anger as strong as I did the night she told me what they did to her, I could barely contain my rage, I was seething, but I helped her through it and because of that, she now coped better.

I was at the club, again. I shouldn’t complain, I did love running a business but sometimes it took up most of your life. I needed to sort through this paperwork and then I would be taking my girl on a date.

A knock sounded at the door. Without looking up, I beckoned them in.

“Alright bro,” Caleb greeted taking the seat opposite me.

Leaning back in the chair, I forget about the paperwork for a few minutes. “What’s up?”

“Let me work.”

I raked a hand through my hair, “dude we’ve spoken about this.”

“Come on Kaden. I’m bored shitless, I don’t have to work the bar, but I can keep an eye on the staff, I am the manager after all. Unless I’ve been demoted, I haven’t been fucking demoted, have I?”

“Nah your still manager. Don’t trust no fucker else.”

“Thanks, I think,” he grumbled. “So what will it be, can I work then?”

“Yeah you can work. But if I see you behind that bar, I will personally kick the shit out of you.”

“Thanks man,” he slapped his hands on my desk and got up. “Now going to play some footie with Josh and Callum. Want to tag along?”

“Nah, I’ve got some shit to sort out. But I’ll catch up with you soon.”

“Alright,” he walked to the door then spoke over his shoulder. “Where’s my sister?”

“Out with your mom and the girls, they’ve gone shopping,” I shook my head. “Never am I ever going shopping with her best-friends again,” I told him. “They made me carry all their shit,” I shuddered at the thought.

Caleb bursts out laughing. “Sounds like them. Catch yah later.”

“Where are we going then?” Eva asked for the third time this evening.

“What have I said?” I raised my brows.

She huffed, “It’s a surprise,” she tucked her hair behind her ears and put on some earing’s. “I’m not overdressed am I?”

“No pretty girl,” I admired her figure, she was dressed in a black skin-tight dress that hugged her glorious curves, she took my breath away and I meant it in a literal sense. Her hair was half way down her back, in its natural curly element, her face wasn’t plastered with make-up it had little to none on and I fucking loved it. She wasn’t dressed in skyscraper shoes, just little black boots that made her look cute as fuck. “You look beautiful Eva and If you don’t hurry up,” I warned her, smirking. “We won’t be going anywhere.”

She sauntered towards me, her hips swayed seductively, and my dick was hardening, damn this girl turned me on by breathing. “And why wouldn’t we go anywhere?” her voice was low and husky.

I grabbed her by the back of the neck and crashed my lips against hers. It was a hungry kiss, primal, demanding and hot as shit. Pulling away I whispered in her ear, causing goose bumps to break out across her skin. “Cause I’ll rip this dress of your body and fuck you hard,” I slapped her ass. “Now hurry up.”

I think driving over to Johns café was a little bit of a giveaway, but she had never seen it the way I had planned it to look thanks from the help of Melody, Elaine and Liv.

Opening the café door for her. I ushered her inside.

She circled the room, her hand covered her mouth in shock. Tears of what I hoped were fucking joy spilled onto her cheeks.

She gasped, “oh Kaden,” she cried. “It’s beautiful, I love you.”

“I love you too Eva,” she wrapped her arms around me and I held her.

White fairy lights scattered across the ceiling, a lone table was centred in the middle of the floor surrounded by rose petals, a white cloth draped across the table, two tall white candles stood in the centre, giving of a soft glow. The whole café looked transformed, into a completely new setting.

“You like it?” I rasped into her neck.

“Like it,” she whispered. “I love it Kaden. It looks beautiful,” pulling away she grabbed my face in her hands and pulled my face down to hers and kissed my lips gently. “When did you do it?”

“Erm,” I scratched the back of my neck. “Your mom and friends actually helped me.”

“Aww,” she smiled. “That’s lovely.”

The tension I had be feeling dissipated. Shit, I was so worried that she would hate it, I thought it wouldn’t been good enough. I wanted to make this special for her, she deserved some happiness in her life and I wanted to be the one to bring her happiness.

I wanted this date to be perfect, I planned on proposing to her this evening. But shit, I was scared. My palms were sweating, my heart was pummelling hard in my chest, I could almost hear it in my ears.

I had never felt so nervous in my life. What if she said no to me, what if she didn’t feel as strongly for me as I did her. Shit, what if I was no good for her, what if I fucked this all up and made a complete fool of myself. So many horrific thoughts plagued my mind I couldn’t seem to stop them from swirling around in my head.

Eva reached for my hand “Hey are you alright, you look a little pale”

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and forced a smile. “I’m fine pretty girl,” letting go of her hand. I pulled the chair away from the table. “Shall we?”

“We shall,” she beamed, sitting in her chair. Walking around the other side of the table I sat down.

“Drink?” I asked.

“Yes please. I’ll have whatever you have.”

I nodded and pushed away from the table. Eva gave me a questioning look. “I placed the alcohol in the fridge behind the counter, I’ll be back in a sec.”

“Ok,” she nodded smiling.

Shit, I was nervous a wreck and a fucking dumbass why didn’t I think to get the girls to get it out before I got here.

I grabbed the bottle of champagne that I have had for many years. My uncle Nick had given it to me and I promised to only use it for a special occasion and to me this was most definitely a special occasion, this was the night I asked Eva to be my wife.

I looked down at the elegant bottle of champagne in my hands, not knowing what the fuck it said because it was written in a foreign language, but fuck it, it looked pretty and it better taste good too.

“Wow that looks expensive,” Eva whistled.

“Apparently it is,” I told her. “My uncle Nick gave it to me before he died.”

Her eyes shone with unshed emotion, making me want to kick myself in the balls, shit why’d I have to bring up my dead uncle for. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“What for?” I raised my brows.

“I never said it, well not to you anyway. I never got to say how sorry I was for you losing him, it must’ve been hard.”

“It was,” I admitted. “But it happened that’s the shit thing about life, he was a good man. He basically raised me. You don’t have to be sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t let you be there for me. I listened to your voicemails you know, every night.”

“You did?” her tone was full of surprise.

“Of course I did, you were my best-friend, shit,” I laughed. “I’m pretty sure I loved you then. But your voicemails they helped me through the really shit times, I never deleted them, I kept them. I’m the one that’s fucking sorry. I was a dick to you, I pushed you away.”

She wiped away a tear from under her eye “I’m pretty sure I loved you then too. And Kaden I forgave you a long time ago. It may not have seemed that way when you first came back, but I was shocked, the anger it came back you know full force. It was a poor way to handle things.”

I raked a hand through my hair, “I understand why you handled things the way you did, I don’t blame you for that,” I cleared my throat. “Let’s forget all of that shit now and move on. If you hadn’t noticed we’re on a date.”

“Oh really. Is that what this is?” she laughed, and the sound was beautiful, it was music to my ears. She took a sip of the champagne I poured. “Shit, that’s nice,” I took a sip and I had to agree, it was pretty fucking tasty, it even tasted expensive.

“So,” she said. “What we eating?”

“It’s not fancy,” I admitted. Hoping like hell I did the right thing, “but it’s your favourite.”

She clapped her hands excitedly, “Pasta?”

“You know it baby,” I smiled at her excitement. “Is that alright?”

“Kaden,” she sighed. “It’s perfect, will you stop worrying,” she grabbed my hand. “All of this is perfect. Your perfect.”

My heart swelled with pride. I was doing something right for once and to be praised for it, make me feel like I deserved this girl right here.

“I’m so full,” Eva declared rubbing her stomach. “I feel like I can’t eat another thing for a whole month.”

I laughed, “yeah I’m pretty full myself.”

I poured us another glass of Champagne, needing the alcohol to help with my nerves. I had left the back door to the café unlocked, so Eva’s family, friends and John could witness my proposal, I knew it would be something they wouldn’t want to miss, and I wanted them to be a part of this special night, I knew Eva would want them here to.

“Thank-you for this night Kaden,” Eva said breaking through my train of thought. “It’s been lovely, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad you have. You deserve this and so much more.”

She’s about to reply when Stand by me by Ben e. King played through the speakers.

Shit it was time and I was shitting myself.

Eva’s eyes were wide as saucers. Her expression was one of confusion. Reaching into my suit jacket pocket, I grabbed the velvet box and pulled it out, I climbed from my chair and settled down on one knee in front of her. Sweat slickened my skin, fear bubbled in my stomach, making me feel slightly nauseous. I looked up at Eva and she had her hands covering her mouth, her shoulders shook, and tears spilled onto her cheeks man that better be a good sign. Looking over her shoulder. I saw her family. Our family gathered around the room, all with expressions of joy and happiness.

Focusing my attention back on Eva I cleared my throat.

“I’m not going to lie I’m shitting a brick right now so please bear with me,” a nervous laugh escaped me. “Eva Grace. I’ve known you most of my life, from the moment I met you, I just knew I had to have this girl. You’ve always been full of happiness, nothing or no one brought you down, you smiled in the hardest of times, you laughed and everyone else around you laughed. Your contagious your whole personality is contagious. You are so addictive, when I met you, I could never get you out of my head, you were just stuck there consuming my every thought. You were a pain in my ass,” she laughed, crying. “But you have been worth everything, every argument, every tear, every heart-breaking moment, you’ve been worth it all. As a kid I teased you, you thought it was because I hated you, but fuck I had no clue how to act around you. You made me nervous, whenever you walked into the room you knocked me on my ass, took the wind right out of me. I acted like such a fool, but that’s the only way I knew how to be around you. You became my life, the oxygen that I breathe, the light to my darkness, the other half of me. You’re my home Eva and I fucking love you, you consume me. Your everything to me and if you’ll have me. I would love for you to be my wife. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, I want us to have a family of our own so Eva,” I took a deep breath. “Will you marry me?”