I squeezed Lex’s hand as we drove, and she squeezed it back. As the days progressed, I got more of my girl back. She was working through all the shit and, in the end, would be stronger.
I pulled into the driveway and shut off the truck. “Dad’s cabin? What a great idea. I think this was just what I needed.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Phew. That could have gone one of two ways. I hopped out of the truck and took her hand as the nerves starting to take over. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“Okay.”
Damn it. She knew something was off with me. Slow deep breaths. I led the way to
the back of the cabin toward the woods.
Lex was completely relaxed beside me. “I remember taking walks here with Dad. We would spend hours exploring, and he would tell me stories.”
Slowing my pace, I allowed myself to get lost in the moment. “I remember you telling me. He told me the same thing the last time we were up here together.”
“Really?” She nudged my shoulder and teased. “I remember you saying you discussed something else then, too.”
Hell yeah, that’s a good sign. I feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about?”
She rolled her eyes and giggled. We kept walking and let the sounds of nature comfort us. Inside I was a nervous wreck, but I was trying to hide it. Earlier, I’d called Mom and Dad to see if they could help me out. Mom was only too eager to get things set up for me.
We came upon the clearing, and Alexa stopped. “What is this?”
In the clearing, a stone fire pit had a low fire burning. To the right, a red and white picnic blanket was spread on the ground with warmer blankets stacked neatly on the end. A wicker basket filled with food sat in the middle. Mom and Dad hadn’t left until I let them know we were minutes away. On the blanket were treats Mom had whipped up for us.
When I didn’t answer, Lex turned toward me. “Thank you. I needed this more than you know.”
She cocked her head, waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath, took the ring out of my pocket, and knelt on one knee. “This was the place I asked your Dad for his blessing to marry you. And this is where I hope you’ll say yes to spending your life with me.”
She started to speak, but I squeezed her hand. I needed to get this all out. “Alexa Marie Owens, I have loved you since the moment I helped you change your tire on the side of the road. You changed my life forever. There’s no one else who could ever compare to you. You own my heart, my entire being. I’m intoxicated by you. There would be no greater honor than if you were to become my wife.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She threw her arms around me. “Yes, I want this more than anything.”
“Thank goodness.”
I slipped the ring on her finger and spun her around.
This was love.
This was life.
This was everything.
* * *
I pulled Lex tighter to me as we lay together in the large sleeping bag near the fire. It would be getting dark soon, and we would need to leave.
Turning over to face me, Lex looked satiated from our lovemaking. “What are you thinking?”
“That finally all of our dreams are coming true.”
It had taken what felt like a lifetime to get to this moment. But in the end, I would do it all again if it meant we’d be right in this spot.
Lex looked at her ring. “It’s so sparkly. I love it. Thank you. I love you.”
She gave me a gentle kiss.