Chapter Thirty-Four
Alyssa
Fall was finally setting in. The leaves had changed color, the air was brisk, and the smell of apple pie, caramel, and pumpkin were the new scents in the office.
It was good to be back to work, but I couldn’t concentrate on anything except Liam. Luckily, it was a slow day, giving me plenty of time to daydream while stocking the medicine cabinets.
I was in love, full-blown in love. I knew I’d never really stopped loving Liam, but it was nice not having to hide it anymore. I didn’t care if the entire town knew. Let em’ stare all they wanted. We were happy. I was happy.
Liam had delivered all the games and booths to the church, and the carnival was just a week away. Holly wanted to dress up, and Aiden agreed to help us find the perfect outfit since Liam had to work.
It was exciting, his new job, and I was proud of him for making such a success of himself, even if he did it away from here, without me. He was mine now, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him. Oh my God, did I just think that? It was true. I wanted to spend my life with Liam.
After work, I picked Holly up from school, and we met Aiden at the Halloween store.
“Aren’t you getting too big for trick-or-treating?” Aiden teased Holly.
“I’ll never be too big for free candy,” she grinned, a perfect smile at least for now.
“You better be glad your mom works in a dentist office,” he joked.
“Not forever though,” I reminded them. “I’ll be starting school next fall,” I gushed.
I was finally on track to start school. I’d saved enough, that by next year, I could afford to take the time off. I’d keep my second job, the one at night, maybe even bump it up a couple more hours to earn enough to keep my bills paid. Now that Liam was in the picture, Holly had her dad to hang out with, releasing me of the guilt from leaving her with my mom so much.
Holly ran to a costume, gripping it with clenched fists. Her teeth were grinding as she pleaded for me to buy it for her.
“What is it?” I asked.
“A Navy SEAL,” she exclaimed, her voice reaching a higher pitch than I’d ever heard.
I laughed.
“Really?” I questioned.
Aiden shot me a look.
“What’s wrong with that costume?” he sneered.
“Nothing. I just thought she’d pick a princess, or even a zombie,” I chuckled.
“Please,” Holly begged, still gripping the costume.
“Of course,” I agreed.
I thought it was sweet that she wanted to honor her father by wearing his uniform. I knew maybe a little had to do with Aiden, but Liam was the main reason. After all, she hadn’t wanted to be a Navy SEAL on any of the past Halloweens.
“Are you sure you want to dress up for the carnival?” I asked.
She nodded, bouncing in her spot.
“It’s not a Halloween-themed carnival,” I reminded her.
“I don’t care. A lot of the kids are dressing up. There are free candy booths,” she argued.
“Okay,” I backed down and took the costume from her clenched fist.
I paid for it, and we made our way to the nearest McDonalds. I was starving.
Holly took off in the play area; even though she was much bigger than any of the other kids in there, she still seemed to enjoy herself.
“So, things are going really well with you and Liam?” Aiden queried.
“Yes. I don’t think they could get any better,” I gushed.
“No word from Bruce?” he asked.
I shook my head.
Holly ran back to the table every so often to grab a bite of her burger or to shove a few fries in her mouth, but for the most part, she stayed in the play area, leaving me with Aiden to talk.
“I’m really happy for you both,” he smiled.
“Thanks,” I replied.
I couldn’t help but hope that Aiden would find love. It was hard in such a small town. Everyone knew everything about everybody, and bringing someone new into the mix was usually overwhelming to them. I knew he would though. He was a great guy: handsome, patient, and kind.
“The carnival is all ready?” he asked.
“Yup, thanks to Liam, Holly, and my mom,” I laughed, realizing I’d done very little to plan the carnival I’d pleaded to have for so many months.
“How’s the…” he rubbed his belly to mimic the area where I had my surgery.
“So much better,” I smiled.
I couldn’t wait until I had my next evening with Liam. I was ready to make love. I missed his touch, his feel, his taste. I knew I was okay to go through with it, even without asking my doctor first.
“You don’t think he’ll leave again, do you?” I asked.
“No way,” Aiden shoved his arm around me, pulling me towards him.
“I’m really falling hard,” I admitted.
“You never got up,” he laughed.
“True,” I confessed.
“I think I want a Winter Wonderland wedding,” I blurted out like a silly school girl.
Aiden choked on his pop, spewing it across the table.
“What now?” he questioned, his eyebrows lifting high on his forehead.
I guess it was a little soon to be talking like that, but it’s all I could think of.
“Not this winter,” I laughed.
“You getting married?” he asked, looking at my hand for a ring.
“He hasn’t asked, but a girl can dream, can’t she?” I laughed.
Aiden cleared his throat and looked a little relieved. He smiled and gripped my hand in his.
“Alyssa, you deserve all of your dreams to come true,” he said sweetly.