Page 83 of The Reality of Wanting Him

I stare at him in mild horror as he zooms in on my face. I should be used to this by now, but his antics are always amusing in different ways.

“Say hi to the people, future husband.”

I just blink at the camera, then deadpan, “Help me.”

He laughs, pointing the camera back at himself. “Guys, don’t listen to him. I treat him so well. Anyway, today is day one of our big Fall Festival and we finally finished setting everything up last night. Who’s ready for a tour?” he asks the camera like they’ll respond.

He grabs my arm before I can protest and drags me with him as he narrates what we’re walking past to the phone. “We’ve got the pumpkin patch over here.” He points. “The corn maze is behind me. Who wants to take bets on how many kids get lost? I’m kidding! I’m kidding! It’s pretty tiny so it’s not hard this year. And last, our star attraction…”

He flips the camera to the goats. “My babies!” he yells happily.

As over-the-top as Blake is—about well, everything, especially the farm—it’s part of why I love him so much. It’s also why I know this festival will be such a hit.

Today was truly betterthan I could have ever imagined.

Blake really helped Dad and me make Mom’s dream a reality. I glance over at my dad where he’s petting Lucky and feel a deep sense of pride in my chest that he got to experience this. That we did it.

“You look happy,” he says, and I nod.

“It’s just surreal, this was always something Mom wanted.”

His answering smile is warm. “She’d be proud of you, son. She’d love this.”

I smile to myself as my throat gets thick with emotion. My eyes land on Blake, who’s still with the goats. He seems like he’s checking in with each of them to make sure they had as much fun as he hoped they would today.

My dad nudges me. “You ready?”

I let out a slow breath and nod. “Yeah, I am.”

I walk toward Blake, my heart pounding in my chest. He’s still busy paying attention to the goats so I grab his hand and tug him toward me.

“Hey, babe. Oh my god, today was awesome! Wait, what are you?—”

I don’t answer, I just drop to one knee, holding the ring in my hand that he gave back to me all those months ago, and his mouth falls open.

“Blake,” I start. “You are the best damn thing that has ever happened to me. You showed up in my life, to the farm, and you’ve made everything infinitely better. Better than I ever could’ve imagined. Your happiness is infectious, and I love that life with you is never boring.”

Tears well in his eyes and I let out a deep breath.

“I told you I don’t want to rush anything,” I continue. “And I still don’t, but you know I’ve already chosen you. Now and forever, I choose you. I love you, and I don’t want to wait another second to make you my fiancé again. Marry me, Blake.”

He nods frantically and throws himself in my arms. “Yes. Fuck yes, babe!”

I pull him to me and whisper in his ear. “I love you so much, today was perfect.”

“I love you too. I can’t wait for every day with you. They’re all perfect.”

I grab his hand, sliding my dad’s ring back on, and then pull him with me toward the house, knowing there’s one more thing I want to do to cement this amazing day. We turn to my dad who says his congratulations and waves us off. When we get to the house, I go right to the liquor cabinet and pull out the bottle of whiskey.

“Mom left me this for my twenty-first birthday,” I explain. “I’ve been saving it. I thought we’d toast with it on our wedding day, but today feels just as special. You helped her dream cometrue, and mine and dad’s. This is something we’ve been dreaming about forever, but you made it happen. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.”

Blake nods, reaching out for my hand, squeezing it gently. I pour us both a glass, then pull a small envelope from the cabinet drawer.

Blake’s breath catches. “Is that?—”

I nod. “The letter she wrote me. For my wedding day.”

His fingers tighten around mine.

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