Page 103 of Secrets That Bind Us
I feel dizzy once all of the influencers finally leave but so fucking excited. I look over at Verity wearing a short– what Jake calls a “champagne cocktail dress.” It’s edgy and beautiful and fucking perfect for tonight. The bodice of it hugs her dangerous curves, the neckline looks like a heart, and the sleeves go off the shoulder. The skirt of it poofs out to her knees, and it shimmers everywhere. Her hair is down in waves, one side pulled back and held by a little glittering sunflower. Her lips are red, eyes winged to perfection, and she’s wearing her contacts, not her glasses– which she told me is to be able to not worry about cleaning her glasses or accidentally touching her face while she’s meeting new people. She’s also wearing little wedges that strap up her legs.
She locks the door behind her as the last person leaves, leaning against it and huffs out a breath. The staff and all our friends erupt in cheers, and she smiles up at us. Bright. Beautiful. Mine.
I walk over to her. “Congratulations.”
She leans up to kiss me, and I do-- never not returning it. “What a ride.”
“Not the first time you’ve said those words to me. First time in front of company, though.” I whisper.
“Dean!” she laughs.
“C’mon. There’s a celebratory bottle of wine waiting for us on the patio.” I reply, knowing everyone’s already heading that way to finish up what I need. Thankfully, I know they work quickly, having gone over this with them for the past month. I may have proposed merely a few nights ago, but I’ve been planning this forweeks.
I grab her little hand in mine, quickly making sure the ring is still in my pocket. Tonight is the night so many dreams come true. But first– we walk out onto the patio, now lit with a hundred little tea lights, the chairs and tables moved out of the way.The Way You Look Tonight--the song that played above us on our first date in this very building--plays softly in the background. Everyone stands around with a candle and a glass of wine in their hand. Savannah and Noah at the forefront, holding a flute of grape juice. I spin Verity and crash her to me, keeping one hand on the small of her back, then putting her hand in mine.
“Dean!” she says, with a grin. “What is this?”
I sniff, happy the heaters we installed work, because there is a definite chill in the air from all the rainy days. But I’ve learned to love them, because it’s when she’s so lovely and cuddly. Every rainy day we’ve shared, all she wants to do is be in my arms, and it has been nothing short of paradise.
I stop dancing and get down on one knee, but I turn to Savannah and Noah and hold out my hand to them. Savannah, cerulean eyes wide, comes to me tentatively. Noah follows. My heart lurches to my throat, beating erratically, and when her tears fall– God help me, so does one of mine. I clear my throat. “Savannah Huntington, when I said I wanted the opportunity to be your dad, I meant it. I know this may seem fast for you, but I promise, I promise every day of my life, I will make up for every day I wasn’t there. I want to be your dad forever. And I really hope you’ll allow forever to start today." I dig out a small necklace from my pocket, one with a sunflower pendant. “Your mama once told me sunflowers turn towards each other when there’s no sun for warmth. They’re infinite. While I want to be in your life infinitely, as your father, I also want you to remember that you can always turn to me. Will you let me be that for you?”
Savannah nods with a turn and lets me clasp the necklace onto her. I face my son, reaching into my pocket, I pull out another necklace– this time, the pendant is a compass. He immediately turns and lets me clasp it around his neck. The crowd laughs at his eagerness, and it warms my heart. “Noah, the time I’ve spent with you makes me never want to waste any more time without you. I love being your buddy, but I’d love to be your dad more. Will you let forever start today?”
“I wish it started yesterday,” he replies, with tears in his eyes. They both throw their arms around me. I hug my children close and have to clear my throat once more to swallow down my emotions.
When they let go, I turn to their mother. “Verity,” I breathe, doing my best to contain the emotions rushing.
“Oh my God.” she whispers.
“You said you wanted us.” She nods, small tears streaming down her face. I reach up and wipe them away. “You can say no.” I whisper. “It’ll hurt. But you can say no. We can wait.”
“I’ve already waited too long.” she replies, voice breaking. “This is perfect. It’s us.”
Fuck yeah.
Not taking my eyes away from the love of my life, I start with, “I fell in love with you at eight years old. At fifteen. At sixteen and seventeen. I fell in love with you at eighteen. And I’ve been so lucky to fall in love with you again at thirty-two. I can’t wait to fall for you at thirty-three. And thirty-four.I can’t wait to love you my whole life. I am destined to fall for you over and over again, just as I was made to love you. I feel like sometimes that’s the only thing I’ve ever done right. You and I are eternal.” I pull my Nan’s ring from my pocket. “I promise to make you as happy as I can every day. To be your muse. To be the honest man you’ve always asked of me, I promise to choose you– chooseus–every day. No matter what comes our way. Will youpleasemake me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”
With a choked sob, she screams out “YES!”
Our friends once again erupt in a frenzy behind us.
After securing the ring on her finger, I get to my feet, then haul her to me. Pressing my lips to hers, I’m unable to stop the smile that breaks out on my face. “I’m so getting you pregnant when we get home, baby.” I whisper when I pull away.
“Trying to trap me already, Mr. Carson?”
Christ, why is that so hot? “Like you wouldn’t fucking believe.” I rasp.
“Lucky for you, I’m willing.”
“Kids are staying with me tonight, babe.” We hear from beside us and part to see Jake grinning at us, while holding out a glass of wine. “Congratulations. It’s about damn time.”
Our friends crowd us, then we all simply enjoy the little sandwiches and drinks Iris and Trish put out for us. Soon, they start to leave one by one, with Eli and Jake staying behind with our kids. Noah is already asleep in Jake’s arms. I give my son a kiss on the forehead and lean down to kiss Savvy on hers before they go. Verity does the same.
”Are you ready to go?” I ask her, taking her small hand that’s now rocking my ring. It looks so fucking good on her finger. A solitaire, three-karat, emerald-cut diamond on a gold band with three smaller diamonds on either side.
“I amsoready.” She flirts.
We practically race to my house since it’s closer.
