Page 171 of Grounded
He's by my side before the first tear has a chance to make an appearance.
But once I'm in his arms, everything I wish to say is drowned out by his quiet, "Shh" as he rubs my back and lets the words hang unspoken in the air.
Theoletsmecryfor hours. Time spent wiping my eyes, unable to speak, devastated at the realization of what our parents have done. He doesn't ask questions, doesn't offer advice. We sit in silence until I'm ready to speak.
"How could you come back knowing what you knew?" I ask.
"My curiosity overruled the bitterness I had bubbling inside me. I was used to pretending I knew nothing of their indiscretions. And I wanted to see you. It had been so long, maybe time was the crucial piece in starting over."
"There's not enough time right now to mend what my dad broke."
"I know it feels like that, and I've had more time to accept this, but we will get through this."
"We?"
"Did you mean what you said to your dad? About giving us a chance? Or were you trying to get under his skin?"
"Both," I answer him honestly. "I'm terrified, Theo. Yes, I want to see where this goes. But what if that is not enough? I just got out of a relationship. What if things don't work out?"
"Why do you assume we'd fail? What if we don't? What if we end up happier together than we've ever been?"
"That would be a great ending."
We both change positions so we are facing each other while lying on our sides.
"Maybe it's my own fault for not telling you sooner," he says. "But, I couldn't. I was scared it would ruin what was already happening between us. I took this as a second chance, and I didn't want to waste it. For the first time in forever, I'm excited about my future and the possibilities. We can create any ending we want right now."
"I thought my life was in LA," I murmur.
"Maybe your life is supposed to be with me."
My heart has been ripped apart and put back together in that simple statement.
"You don't even know how you've impacted me, do you?"
Shaking my head, he continues.
"Amelia, you've given me the confidence to stand on my own two feet, even if I don't know what path I'm walking. You helped me find a therapist so I could deal with the trauma I've been ignoring. I want you by my side during these unpredictable times. To support me, challenge me, and maybe even love me in spite of the mistakes we'll make together. You've grounded me, and I'm a better man because of you."
"Love?" It feels like all the oxygen in the room just disappeared.
"I won't get ahead of myself, given the circumstances we are in. You know I've never loved living here, but I'm grateful for this second chance because when you're in my arms, you feel like home."
Swiping a tear from my eye, I'm amazed I have any left in me.
"I don't know what to say," I tell him.
"Maybe don't shoot me down, that's all I ask."
How can I feel happy and broken all at once?
"I was resisting this, resisting you, because I promised my dad I wouldn't let anything happen."
"When was this?"
"In the first week. He was worried this would happen, and I reassured him we didn't even like each other enough to give it a chance."
"And now look at us."
