Page 105 of The Night We Met

Leaning out of the truck to insert the code and then sliding back in, I tell her, “You’ll see.”

She eyes me nervously, but remains quiet. I know it’s taking everything in her not to ask questions. The drive to the back of the neighborhood takes about five minutes. And in that time Kamryn opens her mouth to say something but closes it at the last second. It brings me some joy to know she’s at a loss for words.

I pull up to our house, just saying that to myself brings a lightness I haven’t felt in quite some time, and the gasp Kamryn lets out is the sweetest sound.

“What is this?” her voice is so quiet, almost a whisper. But I heard her like she was talking normally.

Parking the truck in the driveway and shutting it off I turn to her, “We’re building a life together, Kamryn. And as much as I love how cozy your house is, we need a bigger home. So this is ours.”

“You bought us a house?”

I bring her hand up to my mouth and kiss it, “I did. Do you want to see inside?”

“Yes,” she leans forward before getting out and fusses our lips together. “I love you.”

“Ditto,” grabbing the keys, I open the door and hop out. I meet her at the hood of my truck and her excitement is barely contained.

We walk up the front walkway and I unlock the door. Pushing it open I lean down and scoop Kamryn in my arms.

“Oh my god!” She shrieks with laughter. Her arm loops over my neck and I walk us over the threshold. The laughter she was letting out dies down when we’re in the foyer. “It’s beautiful.”

I place her on her feet and close and lock the front door. “Come on. Let me give you a tour.”

I take her through the downstairs which boasts a huge kitchen, a dining room fit for twenty people, a guest room, and an expansive living room. We make our way upstairs and my heart hammers a little more. On one side of the second floor is the primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet and bathroom with a soak-in tub and standing shower. The other side of this floor has three bedrooms with plenty of closet space and bathrooms in each room.

I stop in front of a door to the attic space.

“What’s this?”

“A surprise I really think you’re going to love.” Opening the door, I usher her in first and follow her up the second set of stairs. I know she’s seen the surprise when she stops at the top of the stairs.

Standing next to her, I look at what she sees. I had the girls help me setup my proposal. Rose petals are scattered throughout the room, with a row of them leading to the center of the room. Battery-operated candles give the room a romantic glow. Placing my hand on the small of her back I lead her to the center of the room.

Tears have already formed in her eyes and when I drop down to one knee those tears have spilled over and onto her beautiful face.

“Do you remember the night we met? I remember it clear as day. I tried a terrible line on you, which you called me out on. From that night on I was hooked. I didn’t know it at the time, but you changed my life for the better. I’ll neverbe able to take away the hurt that I caused you the first time. And I promise to never hurt you like that again. The night we met was the night my life changed. Never did I think I could love someone as much as I love you. Kamryn, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife. Sharing and expanding this life that we’ve created is all I want to do with you. Kids, traveling, support, and more love than either of us know what to do with. Will you marry me?” I hold out the ring I had hiding at my condo. It’s an 18k solitaire engagement ring from Tiffany’s.

Picking out a ring for Kamryn was easy. My girl is extravagant but she’s also a simple girl. She loves her high end clothes but isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty with some gardening or gorging on some food.

Words fail her as she nods her head emphatically. Then she says the one word that changes everything, “Yes.”

Kamryn

10 Years Later

“Carsyn Grace, take your brother and sister inside please.” I watch my seven year old grab her siblings hands. The twins are almost four and it’s never a dull day around the house. We’re in Philadelphia for the week. My parents are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. Which is insane.

Jax is flying in tomorrow with her boyfriend, Emily is already with her parents and fiance along with his son, and Sarah is flying in with her family. It’s hard to imagine that we’re all settled.

“Are those my favorite grandbabies?” My dad boasts from the garage.

The sound of joyful children squealing and laughing brings tears to my eyes. But a sense of dread slides over my body. I’ve visited back home occasionally, but not nearly enough and never for this long. My other motive was to visit with the Taylors. They were my family for nearly twenty years. But when Liam passed, that relationship frayed until it fizzled awayto nothing.

“Go on, baby. I’ve got our babies,” Mason encourages from behind me.

He’s been so helpful when it comes to my anxiety of seeing them. He’d hold me at night while I cried over my warring decision to visit them. And to visit Liam.

Turning, I hug him and make my way across the street. I feel like I’ve gone back in time. I made this walk so many times when I was a kid, I could have done it blindfolded. But I’m not that little girl that rang the doorbell and asked for Liam to come play outside. So much time has passed that I have no idea what to expect.

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