Page 56 of The Hand That Holds Me
Jason stopped and looked toward the car, a huge smile on his face. He pointed to the antenna and laughed a small laugh. “She knows sweetheart. She is always around us.”
Sitting on the cars antenna was a small yellow and brown butterfly, its wigs unmoving in the sunny day. I walked up and put my finger out, the small creature flying over and landing on my hand. I moved it toward my face and she flapped her wings one time, brushing the delicate structure against my nose, as she flew off my hand and circled around Jason. He smiled and raised his hand as she flittered around his head and face, landing on his shoulder, causing a tear to fall from my eyes. She really was always around us, watching us, giving us comfort and strength.
The tiny creature flew off of Jason, came toward Lucas and flapped its wings in a silent approval before turning and flying off into the open air. We left the cemetery and headed to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joes house for lunch. Caroline and Josh were waiting for us when we got there. It felt right to have all of my family in one place.
I had been worried about the relationship between Lucas and Josh but the two men surprised me. They began to spend more time with each other and now they meet up for drinks on mine and Caroline’s weekly girls’ night. It was nice to see the two of the embrace a friendship that they both were lacking in their lives.
I had moved in with Lucas last month and I wanted to be able to keep my connection close with Caroline. I had lived with her since I was eight years old and I would always make time for her. I had decided I was going to sign over the apartment to Caroline since I wasn’t ever there. She would fight me on this but in the end, she would accept it as the gracious person she is.
I had spoken with the lawyers and it turned out I wasn’t just wealthy… I was rich. Not that I would ever act like I was. I still drive my ten-year-old car, I haven’t been on a shopping spree, and I refuse to waste money on frivolous things. Lucas and Jason have encouraged me to embrace the wealth but I think they finally realized that having grown up on a tight budget made me plan for the future.
As I sat in the backyard of the house I had grown up in, I looked over the people I was so lucky to have in my life. A family that adopted me and loved me like their own, a friend who has supported me throughout everything, a father who has worked his entire life to make sure I would be taken care of and, the man who has made me whole.
We finished our visit and started on the road home. We had been on the road for less than an hour when Lucas took an exit on the highway I was unfamiliar with.
“Where are we going?” I asked as Caroline reached up from the backseat and secured a blindfold over my eyes. “Are we going sky diving again?” causing everyone to laugh.
“No skydiving today, baby. Just a little surprise I have for you.” Lucas responded to me as we started to slow down and I felt the car start to turn. I have faith that whatever they had to show me would make me happy so I settled into the seat to await my surprise.
After a few minutes and quite a few turns, the car stopped and I felt everyone climb out of the large vehicle. My door opened and I felt Lucas take my hand and help me to get out of the car.
I reached up to take off my blindfold when I felt Lucas mouth close to my ear. “Leave it on baby. The surprise isn’t ready yet. Just take my hand and follow me. Do you trust me?”
“Yes, Lucas. I trust you.” I said as I began to walk, his hand on my lower back, as he guided me into some kind of building. We walked for a minute until I heard another door open and the air became more humid.
We walked down what felt like a ramp when I felt Lucas stop. “Stand right there. Don’t move.”
“Okay.” As I felt him move behind me and take my blindfold off.
I slowly blinked my eyes to see where I was and I gasped as I observed where they had brought me. I was inside the butterfly house my mom and I had visited when I was little. The sun had gone down while we were driving and the entire butterfly house was draped in little white lights, showing the thousands of blue butterflies flying around us.
I couldn’t stop the tears that fell from my eyes as I looked around the glass room, flitters of blue moving around everything.
“You remembered?”
“Of course, I remembered. When you told us the story of your mom bringing you here, I called Lisa to find out where your mom had taken you. I found out when the butterflies would be most active and planned this little visit for us.”
I slowly began to realize Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe were here, along with Jason, Caroline, Josh and a few of our other friends.
“Why is everyone here?” I asked as I spun back around to Lucas only to find him down on one knee. He had a beautiful blue box in his hand and unshed tears in his eyes. “Lucas?”
“Maddie, from the first moment I saw you, I knew you were the one. I never believed in soulmates until I met you but now, I know they are real. We were made for each other, baby. It would be my honor if you agreed to be my wife. Maddie, will you marry me?” he asked as he opened the little box.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you, Lucas.” I replied as he placed the beautiful princess cut diamond on my finger.
He stood up and engulfed me in a hug, bringing my feet off the floor as he swung me around. All of our family cheered and clapped as we embraced each other and our newfound happiness.
Jason walked over and hugged me, causing me to feel a little sad. I wished mom could be here but having my dad in my life made up some for the pain. “I miss her too.” He whispered into my ear, causing us to embrace harder. He always seemed to know when my loss of her was getting to be too much, reminding me she is always here with us.
As we pulled back from each other, dozens of blue butterflies flew around us, their wings brushing against us as Lucas settled in behind me. I knew she was here and she was happy for us. Her love transcended all.
I made my way around to the family and friends who had joined us, hugging them and thanking them for being here. Caroline hugged me and pulled back with a huge smile. “Love really does look good on you, Maddie.”
I nodded my head as I walked around the glass house, watching the butterflies flap around, landing on people and objects, their beauty unparalleled. I felt Lucas come up behind me, drawing me into his warm body.
“I love you Maddie.”
“I love you Lucas. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”
THE END
