Page 32 of Fight for You

A bead of sweat trickles down my temple as I grip the sides of the podium, my knuckles turning white. I clear my throat, and when I finally spoke, my voice starts as a mere whisper. “Ladies and gentlemen,” I say, voice trembling with emotion.

As my words continue to flow, the volume and intensity of my voice grows, fueled by the fire that burned within me. My hands, once tightly gripping the podium, now move through the air with purpose, punctuating each passionate word. The emotions play across my face like an open book – vulnerability, fear, determination—all laid bare for anyone who looks into my warm brown eyes.

“Today, I stand before you not as your town vet but as a man who is deeply, irrevocably in love.” I pause for a moment, gathering the strength to continue. The room is rapt with attention; even the creaking of chairs and the murmur of voices have been silenced.

“Love is a powerful force, one that can make us feel alive and free. It can also make us feel vulnerable and exposed. But there's one person in this room who has brought out the best in me, who has challenged me, supported me, and shown me what true love really means.”

My gaze meets Brylee's once again, and it is as if the rest of the world fades away. “Brylee Thompson,” I say, voice steady and certain, “I love you more than anything in this world.”

The raw honesty of my declaration hangs in the air, leaving the room suspended in a moment of pure, unadulterated emotion. My heart races, chest heaving with each breath as Iawait Brylee's reaction, her eyes glistening with tears as she stares back.

Our love is as tangible as the air in the room, a force that refuses to be denied. And as I stand before my community, baring my soul for all to see – without a shadow of a doubt – this love is worth fighting for.

“Love is not something we can take for granted,” I continue, voice now resolute and determined. “And I promise, Brylee, I will do whatever it takes to protect our love and our community.” As the words break away from my lips, my heart swells with conviction, ready to face any challenge that might come their way.

The room is a canvas of reactions. Some faces bear expressions of shock, while others displayed genuine happiness for the couple. A few town elders exchanged glances, perhaps reminiscing about their own youthful passions. The air in the room hums with anticipation as the townspeople awaited Brylee's response.

Brylee's cheeks flush a deep shade of crimson.

I look out over the familiar faces of the community, gaze unwavering as I continue speaking. The clenched fists mirrored the intensity in my eyes at my side, knuckles turning white with the force of my conviction. “I want each and every one of you to know,” I say, voice steady and deliberate, “that I am committed not only to Brylee but also to this town—to all of you.”

My words gained momentum, like a boulder rolling down a hill. I pace slowly across the stage, footsteps echoing loudly against the wooden floorboards. “We've all faced our share of challenges,” I admit, voice rising in volume. “But Lawson Ridge has always been a place where people come together, where we support each other through thick and thin.”

“Each day, we'll work hand in hand to make Lawson Ridge a better place for all of us,” I declare, voice reaching a crescendo.“We'll fight for our love, our home, and our neighbors. We'll stand tall in the face of adversity, and we'll emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

The intensity of my voice pierces the air like a bolt of lightning, electrifying the atmosphere within the town hall. My words, our own hearts swelling with pride and determination captivated the townspeople. Through it all, my gaze remains fixed on Brylee, eyes shining with unwavering devotion.

“Alright, alright, settle down now!” Mayor calls out, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife.

“Brylee and I have worked tirelessly to save the building. Tonight I came bearing great news.” It has been hard to keep this from her today, but as soon as I received the call, I wanted it to be a surprise. “It has officially been named a historical landmark and cannot be demolished.”

As if on cue, the townspeople clap and cheer.

“That’s not at all. Thanks for the auctions and sidewalk sales that you all have been doing – I was able to pay off the debt owed by the bookstore and it will stay operational.”

We did it.The mayor can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. I guarantee you when the next election happens, her name won’t be on the ballot. She has lost the trust of the townspeople and will never hold office again.

26

Brylee

I step out of the town hall meeting feeling victorious. My heart races with adrenaline from the heated debates. As we make our way down the steps, the townspeople are standing in front of the Page. Turners holding candles.

Leo and I exchange a knowing glance, a silent acknowledgement of the bond that has formed between us during this fight to preserve something so important to our town.

The old streets seem to whisper their gratitude as we walk past. As we reach the bookstore, a sense of reverence washed over me. This building holds not just books and knowledge, but memories and dreams of generations past. I turn to Leo, his face illuminated by the lights, and see a reflection of my own awe and gratitude. I use my key to unlock the doors and we step inside. Scent of old books welcomed us, wrapping us in a comforting embrace. The shelves stand tall and proud, their contents preserved for future generations to discover and cherish.

“I thought I was going to lose this place. It might sound silly but it’s a place that I feel safe… well besides when I’m with you.”

Leo squeezes my hand. “Everyone should have a place like that. No matter what… this place isn’t going anywhere.”

I take a deep breath and let it soak in. This place will be around for generations to come because of us. We didn’t give up. “Let’s celebrate.”

“Dinner.” Leo pats his stomach. “I haven’t eaten and starving… you hungry?”

I nod and kiss him on the cheek, taking one last look at the shelves before closing the doors behind us.

Leo leads me through the streets to head to dinner, his confident stride matching the rhythm of my pounding heart. As we approach the restaurant Leo chose for our celebratory dinner, accomplishment took over. All the work we did paid off and the bookstore isn’t going anywhere. Now, we can just enjoy our time together and put that behind us.

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