Page 54 of Take Me to the Valley

“So, Skye and I had a conversation. When I asked you to move in, it wasn't done right. But I meant it. I didn’t want you to leave. So, we talked about it, and we decided we don't want you to move in,” he says, and his eyes stay on mine.

I try not to let the disappointment show on my face. This whole time, the hope was building that maybe we could work things out, and in the blink of an eye, all that was crushed.

“Moving in isn't permanent enough,” Evan says.

My heart takes off racing again. I don’t know if I can handle much more of these up and down emotions.

Then, right there in the middle of my living room, he drops to one knee and reaches into his pocket. Skye lets out a squeal while jumping up and down and clapping her hands. My brain doesn't register what is going on as I look back at Evan.

“We talked, and we both want something much more permanent,” Evan says.

“I want you to be my mom,” Skye says with a huge smile.

My heart melts. I want nothing more than to be this sweet, amazing girl’s mom. I see so much of myself in her, and I love her with all my heart.

“I want you to be my wife. I want to stand up in front of our friends and family and tell them how I fell in love with you years ago. When the universe pushed us together, I got a second got a second chance to act on my feelings. I want to tell our grandkids that you saved my life, literally, and I want to give Skye a little brother or sister. I want it all with you. Will you marry me?” Evan asks.

There’s no hesitation on my part because I want all of that too. I want the rest of my days spent with him, and I thought I screwed that up when I didn't say anything and walked out his door the other day.

“Yes!” I say.

Skye jumps all around my living room as Evan slides the ring on my finger.

I lean down and hug Skye first before I pull Evan into a kiss.

“Ewww! Daaad!” Skye says once she sees us.

In the back of my mind, I wonder what the people in the store downstairs are hearing, but I’m back in Evan's arms. I don’t think I care much right now.

“Why don’t you go try out my new lip gloss in my bathroom,” I tell her, never taking my eyes off Evans.

As Skye runs off with a delighted smile on her face. Evan kisses me again and again as if we are trying to make up for lost time.

“You know this means we have to tell my brother now, right?” I ask between kisses.

“I figured,” he says, taking my hand and leading me to the couch.

He sits down and pulls me onto his lap.

“Tomorrow, I plan to go talk to him. I just want to enjoy the night with you,” he says, kissing me again, this time soft and gently.

I’m so lost I don’t hear my front door opening until Cody’s angry voice fills the air.

“What the fuck is this?” He yells, causing me to jump up from Evan’s lap.

“Cody,” I say, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart from the almost heart attack he just gave me.

“What are you doing here?” Evan asks from behind me, his voice much calmer than I feel.

“Mom sent me with food, and I wanted to talk to her about what her next plans were. I didn’t realize they were swapping spit with my supposed best friend!” Cody yells.

“Keep it down. Skye is in the other room.” Evan looks toward my bedroom.

“Again, I’m going to ask what the fuck is this?” Cody sets the food on the kitchen counter and motions between us.

I look at Evan, and he looks at me before wrapping an arm around my waist. We are in this together now, and this isn’t the perfect moment. I’m sure we both thought it would be, but it’s now or never.

“I just asked her to marry me, and she said yes,” Evan says.

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