She walks slowly into the little space, trailing her hands over the soft fabric. There’s a soft green throw on it to wrap up in. She sees the little table and her tears track down her cheeks faster, her fingers trailing across the smooth, sealed wood that holds the rehabbed photo of her parents.
Then she sees the lamp and a watery giggle slips out. “Where did you find it?”
“I searched online for weeks.”
“This is too much.” She shakes her head, clearing her throat. “It’s so beautiful. You shouldn’t have done it.”
She steps closer to the pictures on the shelf. A smile tilts her lips when she sees the old pictures of us. Then she focuses on the one of us last Christmas. She picks it up and looks from it to me.
I nod my head. “I knew I loved you even then. I just didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not gonna lose me. I love you too, Jeremiah.”
“That’s not it, you know.”
Her sparkling eyes slew to me. “What else?”
I lead her to the bedroom. We changed out the bed to a soft pale wood and added bright emerald bedding with gold trim on it. There are soft gold and pale green throw pillows on the bed. The walls are painted a pale beige just like the living room and kitchen. It’s just a backdrop to everything else.
“I wanted this to be ours. I agree that you can’t rub out your history. That’s not necessary. It’s who you are. But I feel that we need a reset button on this room. It’s ours. It’s for our future. A future that I intend to spend loving you wholeheartedly. I’m yours, Midge.” I can see the love in her eyes and it feels like the right time.
I hit my knees and all of her friends gasp. Her lips fall open and she covers them with her hand.
“I messed up, baby. So fucking bad. But I knew that I had to find my way back to you. And now that I have, I hope you can take me back. That you realize how much you mean to me. How much you’ve meant to me all these years.”
I hold out the box with the silicone ring in it. It’s mixed with crushed emeralds and diamonds. But it’s safe for her to wear at work. And I need her safe. That’s my job from now on.
The girls laugh behind us but Harvey smiles, knowing exactly why I’m giving her this ring rather than a diamond engagement ring.
“I want to spend my life making all your dreams come true, Midge. I want to love you through good times and bad. I promise you that no matter what happens you’ll always be the only woman for me. My heart is yours. For always. Just promise me that yours is mine as well.”
Her watery smile warms my heart. “I’m yours,” she whispers. “I will marry you. Not today or tomorrow. But soon.”
“I don’t need to marry you that soon. You can plan the wedding of your dreams. Whatever you need to make this right.”
“All I need is you,” she says. “Well, them too. But I don’t need something huge.” She walks up to me and leans into my chest while I slip the ring on her finger. Her face turns up to me.
“I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
“I would do anything to make you happy. That’s my job from now on.”
“It’s not going to take a lot. Just being with you makes me happy.”
I lean over and whisper in her ear. “I think we should christen this room tonight.” Not quiet enough.
“TMI, Jeremiah!” Amanda and Jamie cover their ears. My sister glares at me.
“Seriously, man. I don’t need to hear that.”
Harvey smiles and jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms and legs around me. “I love you, Jeremiah!”
I grin and cover her lips with mine. We barely hear the chorus of groans when they leave the room.
I lose myself in her kiss, her soft lips and the heavy panting when my hands glide down to caress her ass through her jeans.
I pull away when I hear Ruth holler. “Get out here you two! It’s not a party without the guests of honor.”
“Ready?” I whisper, holding her closer, unwilling to let her go.