Page 141 of Always Been Yours

Laughing, I shake my head lightly. “Let me do this correctly please.”

She tries to breathe through her choked sobs, mixing with her impatient laughs. She nods and wipes her cheek with one of her hands.

“Genevieve Briar Davies, I have been infatuated with you since I was five years old. I had no idea that the little redhead girl who saw me playing alone, and brought me a plate of hotdogs, was going to be the most important person in my life. For so many years after that, my days started and ended with you. Those are the memories I hold the closest to my heart.

“Somehow, I was lucky enough to have a second chance with you. Then a third chance. But I’ve known my entire life you were it for me. Throughout everything we both have been through, my heart has always been yours, Vivi.” I take the ring out of the box and hold it at the tip of her finger. “For the rest of our lives, I want you to bemine. I’m ready to start the life we’ve dreamed about, the one we grew up pretending to have when we were only kids playing house. I want to love you, support you and cherish you every day for as long as you’ll have me. Genevieve, love… Will you marry me?”

She drops to her knees in front of me, nodding. “Yes,yes.Grady, I love you. I love you so much. I want you. Forever.”

Tears fall down my cheek, but I hardly notice them. My focus is on sliding the ring onto her finger and pulling her into the tent. The food and the rest of the world can wait.

Right now, I’m going to show Vivi a glimpse into one of the ways I’ll always take care of her. Forever.

Vivi

The next morning, Vivi’s birthday…

I don’t think I’ve stopped staring at the gorgeous ring sitting on my finger in the last sixteen hours. The hours I was sleeping or making love to Grady don’t count.

Everything about last night was perfect. I couldn’t have imagined a proposal that was more intimate,or felt more right, for Grady and me. Then to wake up to him with my coffee order—Lexi dropped it off—and a single cupcake with one candle on top.

He asked the question I hadn’t heard in over a decade but imagined every morning on my birthday. “What’s your wish for us this year?”

Over the last few months, a lot has changed. In January, I sent in my application for the University of California, Aurora Hills school administration graduate program. I had spent the entire day after Christmas wrapped up on Grady’s couch, watching TV withthe girls, while I finished my essay. I wrote about Grady and all the ways he’s changed my life, but I also wrote about Stella and Daisy. How they’re the best parts of both of their parents, while still being uniquely themselves, reminding me to hold onto that unconditional joy and innocence we so often lose into adulthood.

In February, I moved into a one-bedroom apartment ten minutes away from Lexi and sobbed like a baby for weeks beforeandafter. I was worried that it’d change things between us, but I still see her almost every single day. Both Grady and I felt it was still too soon to move in together, but I stay with him and the girls most nights. Often enough that Cinnamon and Vanilla live with them full time now. We both knew where this was going with the way Christmas Eve played out.

At the end of March, we took a family camping trip—partly a late birthday celebration for Asher and Hudson, and an early birthday celebration for Blake. We’ve slowly started to spend more time together, enough that I don’t have to question if I want to ask her to be a bridesmaid. IknowI want her to be a part of mine and Grady’s day in one of the most important ways.

In April, I received my acceptance letter for the School Administration graduate program at UCAH. Apparently, the essay was a deciding factor when considering me and how I would fit into their program. It’s just another addition to the endlessly growing list of things I’m so thankful to the three of them for.

A few weeks later, the High Tides’ baseball team made it to the final round of playoffs.

Two weeks ago, Grady and I held our second school fair. This time the money was allocated between each of the clubs—excluding sports because they receive funding each year. We didn’t require any of the teams to participate but to our surprise, almost all of them wanted to help out regardless. With the very obviousexceptions. But Harper hasn’t bothered me since his confrontation with Grady in the hallway. Unfortunately, I can’t say every other teacher or student has been so lucky.

It hasn’t deterred us from continuing to do everything we can for the school, though.

After Grady set the bar high in December, we went all out for the second time. The theme was May Flowers. It was whimsical and magical and as big of a hit as the winter.

The winter fair is what brought Grady and I back together and has allowed us to give back to the school and students in a fun way. We came to a quick agreement that for the foreseeable future, this is something we plan to continue going forward. The fall’s theme will be for Halloween instead.

With a watery smile, I leaned forward and blew out the candle, not having to think about it at all.

I wish for the rest of our lives to be this full of love and happiness, for us to overcome the hard times as a team, for decades of memories together.

Just like when we were younger, Grady hasn’t stopped bugging me to tell him what I wished for. But I won’t budge. Not because I’m embarrassed of his reaction, not anymore. On the off chance that telling your wish will cancel it out, I won’t risk it. Plus, I know Grady is hoping for all the same things as me.

Last night Stella, Daisy and their cousins started their own end of the year tradition—a bonfire and movie night at their grandparents’ house. Grady told them ahead of time what his plan was, so they wouldn’t be surprised. He said that for once they criedhappytears during their conversation about him and I. So, they’re waiting with everyone else for my birthday brunch. Grady’s entire family is there, plus mine, Lexi’s and Knox’s.

When we walk to the backyard, we are greeted by cheers,congratulations and so much love. But there’s only two reactions I care about right now, even if Grady’s been trying to soothe my nerves since last night.

Crouching down in front of Stella and Daisy, I grab each of their hands and give them a long, affectionate look. “How are you feeling today, little ladies?”

“Happy,” Stella nods emphatically, not trying to cover the tears that are rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m so happy, too, Stella girl.” Turning to the uncharacteristically quiet Daisy, I ask, “What about you? Are you happy?”

“I’msohappy, lovey. I don’t know what to do with all of it.“ She shimmies her shoulders for emphasis, like all the emotions are about to burst from her little body.

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