Page 130 of Promised Love

“That’s so unfair.” She shakes her head, and I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her waist.

“It’s a surprise, wife. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” My voice grows heavy. It’ll be a bittersweet moment for both of us. I’m not telling her the destination because I don’t want her worrying about my feelings during the ride.

She gazes into my eyes and then nods. I don’t even realize when she brings the plastic cup of bubble tea between us and nudges my lips with the straw.

I take a small sip and immediately groan. “Why the fuck is it so sweet? I hate it.”

“It’s mango. It’s meant to be sweet.” She giggles. “How can you hate something so sweet?”

“I have you and your sweetness. I don’t need anything else.” I pull her closer, and if she wasn’t holding the half-filled cup, I would have done much more in this deserted parking lot next to the bubble tea shop.

We finally get off the highway and pass the sign of Spring Falls, the place where my mother was born, where I had some sort of normal childhood with my grandparents, and where they all rest in peace now.

Autumn’s arms tighten around me, and I know she’s recognized the name. Instead of stopping at my regular flower shop like I do every time I’m here, I drive past the market square and take the streets toward my grandparents’ house.

Autumn doesn’t say anything as I hang our helmets on the handlebars and open the gate.

The yard isn’t as unkempt as it might be for a place that hasn’t been inhabited for years, and that’s because I pay someone to clean the house once a month. But as expected, there are no signs of life.

I unlock the door and, holding Autumn’s hand, lead her inside, giving her a glimpse of my past. We enter the living room before taking the stairs to the second floor. My hands graze over the wooden banister, sending a chill down my spine.

I open the door to my room, and the pink walls greet us with open arms. There’s a thin layer of fresh dust, and I use the sleeves of my jacket to wipe it off the dresser.

“The cleaning company isn’t due for the next two days.”

When Autumn doesn’t reply, I glance at her as she stares at the pictures on the wall.

“That’s you and your mom?” She points toward the framed photo of me in Mom’s lap as she shows me some toy. I couldn’t be more than two years old and don’t remember anything about the toy, but my mother’s smile will forever be etched in my heart.

“Yes. My grandparents brought some of Mom’s stuff with them when they found me. This was her room and then mine. For some reason, I always feel closer to her here than anywhere else.”

“She was beautiful.” Autumn’s arms curl around my waist. “Thank you so much for bringing me to her.”

I nod, resting my chin over her shoulder. “She would have loved you. I don’t think she could hate anyone, but for you, she would’ve bent over backward to fulfill your wishes.” My throat constricts, and Autumn shivers in my arms. Her pink nails dig into the skin of my hands as she presses herself back into me more. “Some nights I wake up scared. I can’t stop thinking that all we have is a dream, and you’ll be taken away from me just like her.”

Autumn turns around in my arms. “No one can take me away from you, Lukas. You won’t allow it. You won’t let it happen.”

My rattling heart tries to calm itself upon seeing her confidence in me, which I don’t feel myself right now.

“I want to ask you something.” I look into her eyes, which are brimming with love for me. I’d planned to do this when we were out on a proper date sometime later this week, but right now, before my mother, seems perfect. “I want to get married.”

“But we’re already married. And to be honest, I like my ring. A lot.” She flutters her fingers in the air. “I don’t want to replace it with something else.”

“Me too.” I kiss her hand right over the antique ring. “Every time I look at our rings, it feels like my mother is blessing us from heaven, but there’s something I want to change.”

“What?” Autumn locks her hands around my neck.

“I want to change my memory of our wedding.” My arms tighten around her waist. “Every time I remember your face, I’m reminded of that scowl.”

“You’re saying you don’t like me scowling?” She playfully arches an eyebrow and giggles when I tickle her stomach.

“I love you in every way, Autumn. But when you think of our wedding day, I want you happy, smiling. When you see your friends getting married, I want you to think of the moment I kissed you.” I bring my lips closer to hers. “Not the way I shook your hand.”

She throws her head back in laughter. “That was really awkward. But are you serious? A wedding?”

I nod. “Let’s get married for real, wife.”

Autumn and I stay in the house for another hour, and when we leave, she’s packed some of my childhood pictures with Mom, and even a photograph of my grandparents, into her handbag.

---