Page 102 of Beyond Expectations

“The prince fell in love with Sabrina and told the king he wanted to marry her and have babies, ponies, and unicorns! The king said yes, but the queen wasn’t lovely. She wasn’t a proper queen. She was mean and evil. She didn’t want the prince to marry Sabrina because Sabrina was much prettier, nicer, and more fun than her. So, she put a spell on the princess and the prince. The princess was locked away in a tower, and the prince was hidden in a dungeon far, far away. He needed help from his friends Ruben the Rabbit and Edmond the Elephant to save the princess. They had to travel far and wide, but before they could go and rescue the princess, the prince needed to tell the queen that her spell wouldn’t work anymore.”

Until then, the girl’s elaborate and confusing story was amusing and utterly ridiculous. Seriously, who picked a rabbit and an elephant as sidekicks? But the more it went on, the more a cold chill ran through me. This story was hitting too close to home. The back of my eyes began to sting as my mind drifted back to Rhett and the regret of how everything ended. I wished things could have been different. My heart physically hurt. There was an emptiness there that had never been there before.

I forced myself to push those thoughts aside and focus on the show.

“After the prince told off the queen, he left the castle and set off to rescue the princess. It took fourteen days and fourteen nights. The prince was tired and scared that he’d never get to her, but Ruben and Edmond helped him along the way. Suddenly, they came upon a pond with the prettiest flowers around it, and in the middle were the biggest lilies he’d ever seen. And on top of the lily pads sat the prettiest fairy.”

Suddenly, from behind Dad’s tool shed, Ruby emerged wearing a glittery dress and huge fairy wings. What in the actual fuck was going on? My pulse was racing as a million thoughts rushed through my head. Looking around, I tried to understand what was happening and see whether anyone else was as confused as I was. Just then, Ruby sashayed forward, her eyes glittering with laughter.

Waving a plastic wand, she spun it three times as the girls chanted, “Alakazam alakazish, now it’s time to make your wish!”

Suddenly, a loud bang went off, and my head shot up as fireworks exploded above us, and beautiful pinks, yellows, and oranges dazzled and glowed up in the sky. I felt a tap on my arm and looked as Eden and Amelia held their hands for me to take.

Looking around, still confused and unable to wrap my head around what was happening, I noticed everyone’s eyes were on me.

“Follow us,” the girls loudly whispered.

As they pulled me down the path back towards the house, my dad stepped forward and handed me a beautiful red rose. That was followed by my three uncles, five of my cousins, and finally, Roman. My hands were shaking. No one was saying a single word, and my hands were full of roses when suddenly, out from the back door, My eyes landed on the crystal blue eyes that had been haunting my dreams.

Chapter 30

Rhett

As always, seeing Serena’s beautiful face took my breath away. I watched as a tear slowly fell down her cheek. My mind was still spinning that we had finally reached this moment after what felt like weeks of planning. But there wasn’t a single thing I would change.

“What… what’s going on?” she whispered.

My eyes briefly glanced at the two men who helped me put this together, then down at the two little girls I could see bursting with excitement. My initial nerves dissolved the second my eyes focused back on Serena’s again.

“I needed a little help to show the woman who crashed into my life and gave me a reason to want more and live for more, that I am and always will be, utterly and madly in love with her.”

Another tear fell down her cheek, and I gently brushed it away.

“From the first moment I laid my eyes upon yours, I’ve felt as if you have managed to pierce through my walls. Instantly seeing beyond the mask I have lived behind since I was a child, and you excavated the man hiding beneath. You made me realize the shackles I thought were restricting me could instead, be used as tools to build the foundation of something great. I know I was born into privilege. More fortunate than most I have been blessed enough never to experience financial worries, always had a roof over my head and have never gone without. But none of the houses, cars, millions or deals even come close to comparing to how rich, lucky, and fortunate I felt the day you let me in.”

I took another step toward the woman who meant everything to me—the person who owned my heart and soul.

“Watching the passion, drive, and desire you have with your work has been an honor to witness.”

I lent in closer toward her.

“Your determination to fight for those who cannot—your empathy for those in need, and your love for those who are lucky enough to experience it are only some of the things I love about you.”

Her lip trembled, followed by more tears falling down her cheek.

“When I’ve had moments of struggle, arduous days, or fears that I’m not good enough or strong enough, all I have to do is close my eyes, and my heart instantly feels fuller as I think of you. You’ve shown me that love and care don’t need to be shown in fancy gifts. They can be expressed in support, understanding, and even pushing that other person to strive for more. I thought my education had given me a good understanding of many things. But I can honestly say you have taught me more in the last few months than I could ever have imagined.”

“You opened my eyes to the ongoing issues facing those of varied ethnicities; you taught me to stop and listen to those who have experienced hardship and ridicule and have made me want to do everything in my power to stand up and make a change. You continuously fight, conquer, and survive all that is thrown your way. I know you are strong enough to manage it alone, but I want to stand by your side and do it with you.”

I briefly glanced past her shoulder and saw her sister Olivia pass Ruby a tissue as the two of them were now also crying.

“You’ve shown me countless times that more is always possible. I know there have been those who have been both disgusting and cruel, and I am so sorry and will forever make it up to you that some of those are members of my own family. I want you to know I will never allow anyone to treat you like that ever again.”

I took a deep, steadying breath, knowing I needed to get through this next part.

“After my father passed away, I realized what I wanted, no needed, more than anything in this world. And that’s spending the rest of my life with you. I’m so sorry for shutting you out. I was scared of showing you how much I was struggling. Not that you would ever hold it against me. I just always wanted to be in control of my emotions. I was utterly overwhelmed by how much his loss and the responsibility of taking over the company had on me. And instead of turning and leaning on the one person who’s been there, the one who would have the strength to care and support me—I hid away like a coward.”

My thumbs continued wiping away her tears, and I wanted nothing more than to kiss away every ounce of hurt and pain I caused her.

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