Page 109 of You Loved Me Once
Westin scoffs and then drains his beer. “Am not.”
“Yeah, that’s debatable.” I roll my eyes at all of them and get to my feet. I look at my brother. “And you’re definitely an idiot.”
Everton flips me off and I laugh as I walk into the kitchen.
Three Christmases ago, Westin signed the house over to me. I cried, hugged him, made love to him, and took it as the first real sign that he had one hundred percent moved past everything that happened with Allison Brown-Peyton.
The house has been mostly redone, but in a way that it’s in line with its roots. I stand in front of the sink, looking out at the grass and think about my mother. She would’ve loved the changes to the house, and she’d be happy with how we’re all doing now. Daddy has been doing well, minus the residual speech issues, and it’s been nice having him around. I think he likes the company as well.
My brother joined the Marines a few years ago, and is shipping off to Japan for three years. It wasn’t until he finished boot camp that we even found out he was in the military, but the look of pride on my father’s face said it all. As much as him taking off changed the dynamics, I think it was the best thing possible for everyone.
I can only hope my mother is at peace with how I’m living as well. The first year after my giant mistake was rocky, but we found our way. I struggled with the guilt, secrets, and trying to build a new foundation with Westin. He grappled with trusting me, but through a lot of talking, we were able to learn the power of forgiveness.
The more I held onto my past, the more it was dragging me down. It wasn’t until my first trial patient’s tumor shrunk and I saw that I could do good things, that I was able to heal a little.
Arms wrap around me from behind, and Westin’s chin rests on my shoulder. “What are you smiling about?”
“My family, work, you.” I lean my head against his.
“Me?”
“Yeah, I guess I like you.”
His arms tighten and he kisses my cheek. “I guess that’s a good thing, huh?”
“I tend to think so.” I smile a little bigger.
He turns me around and I wrap my arms around his neck.
I more than like him. I’m so madly in love with this man I can’t see straight. Westin saved me in so many ways, and I’ll never be able to thank him for it. He loved me when I didn’t even realize I needed to be loved. He was always supportive, emboldened me, and then, when I fell from grace, he lifted me back up. Each time I ran, he chased me until it was my turn to stand and face life.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he suggests.
“Okay?”
He kisses my nose, and takes my hand, leading me outside. I wrap my arms around his middle as we stroll down the little dirt path that goes to the tire swing.
“You know I fall in love with you a little more each day?” he says it as both a statement and a question.
“Is that a good thing?”
He laughs. “I tend to think so,” Westin repeats the words I used a few minutes ago.
“Are you happy, Wes?”
His green eyes stare down at me and his grin is warm. “Yes. I’m happy.”
“Good.”
“You make me happy,” he adds on.
I’m glad, because I’m not the easiest person in the world. We work together, live together, and take care of my father; it’s not always sunshine and roses. Which is why the farm trips are never missed. When we’re here, it’s like life slows down. We’re able to breathe, and not be two insanely busy doctors, trying to save the world. We’re two people.
Life is simpler here.
Love lives here.
My parents built this place with their hearts and souls. You can feel it as soon as you step in the door. It’s like taking a breath, and when you exhale, all the bad things leave your body.
