Levi
I’d had too much time to think about after Katie asked me to leave, but reflecting on the past was finally a good thing. It made me notice all the little things, like how Katie had looked at me, and how she blushed when she recognized I looked at her. She’d been supportive and sturdy when I wobbled, and that made her more a hero to me than I deserved. She loved my son unconditionally, but most importantly, she loved me, and not because I was a hero, but because I was flawed.
Walking hand-in-hand in Elk Rapids, after she asked me to return home with her for another holiday, we strolled the short main street along decorated store fronts under simple Christmas lights.
“You’re sure you’re okay with all this,” she asked for the millionth time, worried I was scarred again from falling into the frozen pond. We wouldn’t be taking any private ice skating adventures this trip, but I was fine being in my home town. In fact, I was better than fine. Life was good.
“And the job—” I stopped her suddenly and spun to face her.
“Katie, please,” I begged. We discussed that a million times as well. I didn’t take the job with Geographic Digest, realizing that travelling the world alone was no longer a dream. I wanted to go places and discover new things, but I wanted to share that experience with someone else, and that someone stood before me.
“Okay, I’ll drop it,” she teased, and I kissed her boldly as we stood on the street. While I wanted to return to her aunt’s house and sneak in some private time, we had family waiting at the bar. Entering Town Tavern with Katie Carter wrapped around my arm was better than my first homecoming. Several long tables were pulled up to one another and the crowd was large and boisterous as all of Katie’s aunts, uncles, and older cousins with plus-ones sat together, talking over one another. I was happy to be Katie’s plus one and ready to make me her my only one.
Before we ordered, I waved at Leon and he winked. I pulled Katie past her family and straight for the back door. She laughed as she stumbled, and we fell into the back alley.
“It’s freezing,” she giggled, snuggling into my chest. “What are you doing?”
Bracing her shoulders, I held her back, only enough to make her look up at me.
“Ask me the question.” Katie’s laughter died and her head tilted. Her brow pinched.
“What question?” Her voice caught on the two words.
“Ask me, Katie. Remember.” My tone lowered and my voice pleaded. Her brow pinched, but a smile grew as she bit the corner of her lip.
“Are you a hero yet?” she asked softly, her warm breath rushing out to meet my lips.
“For you, I want to be, Katie. I’ve always wanted to be. And if I am will you kiss me? The one you promised to give me when I earned it.”
She nodded only once before my lips found hers, soft and willing, innocent, but not pure. No, my Katie had a sassy side, and I loved when she told me her fantasies. I hoped to make every one of them come true one day. Her mouth melded with mine, curving over my lips proved to me she’d already made my dreams come true. I pulled back too quickly, because I couldn’t wait any longer.
“I have a question for you.”
Katie worked the corner of her lip while she muttered, “Okay.”
“Not a good enough answer,” I whispered, my hands shaking but my smile growing. “But let me ask the question first.”
She nodded once as I removed a mitten from her left hand, wanting to feel the warmth of her skin on mine.
“I’ve waited long enough for this moment, a moment I didn’t see in my future as I lived in the past. But when I searched behind me, it was always you, Katie. You were my future. Eyes forward, the general said, and I kept moving in that direction, but didn’t focus, until blonde hair sat in front of me in a history class.”
A tear escaped the corner of her eye, but I refused to believe she was sad.
“Be my future, Katie. Marry me.” I knelt down before her in the alley and presented her with a ring Sidonia helped me find. It was classic and vintage like Katie loved, cut for a princess, and perfect for her.
“Was that a question?” she giggled, lowering her face so her forehead met mine.
“Yes,” I breathed, still waiting on bent knee.
“That’s my line,” she exhaled and the warmth of her breath forced me to steal a kiss while waiting for an answer. Pulling back, she whispered, “Yes. Always yes, Levi.”
I stood instantly, swooping her up by her hips and taking her lips again. With the ring still clasped in my hands, I lowered her and pulled her hand into my palm. Slipping the ring on her finger, I stared at the diamond, sparkling under a cheap alley light and laughing inside at the reality. This hometown girl was my fantasy, and now she was my future in spite of the history in us.