43
There’s a danger in getting everything you ever thought you wanted—you start dreaming for more.The second Jolie told me she loved me, I knew I’d never let her go again.But when she said shechoseme?That’s when I was truly done for.
I’ve had a fantasy since I was fifteen of proposing to Jo.It’s changed and morphed through the years, sometimes more melancholy depending on how lonely I was, sometimes more optimistic, sometimes completely outrageous.But there was always one piece that was the same—she said yes.
I thought it was a pipe dream.
I never thought I’d ever get to kiss her, let alone make love to her, move her into my house, wake up next to her every day, call her mine.But in the last month, all those things have become a reality, and my fantasy proposal isn’t seeming like such a pipe dream anymore.
In fact, I can’t stop thinking about it.So much so, I bought a ring and worked with Becka to make a plan.I really lucked out in the sister-in-law department because she was all too willing to help.
Jolie ended up following through on submitting her portfolio to a few galleries.She apparently did it before we even broke up.So it was a pleasant surprise on top of our happy reconciliation when one of the gallery owners she’d submitted to called her to see if she’d be available in the next month for a show.Despite the short notice, she agreed, and it’s been a whirlwind of her prepping for the show while I prep for our upcoming tour.
But I’m not only preparing for tour.I’m also preparing to make another dream come true, and tonight’s the night.I don’t want to wait any longer.I waited once before and thought I’d lost my chance; I won’t risk it again.
Tonight’s her gallery opening, but the show will run for the week before they switch to another artist.Jo’s been crazy nervous even though I keep telling her she has nothing to worry about.Her photos are stunning, just like the photographer who took them.
The show opens, and despite how nervous I know she is, she shines.She gets patrons laughing and smiling, several asking about her work.I walk around the space and admire the photographs she’s had enlarged for this event.There are several she took during our last tour, and even though I’ve seen these pictures hundreds of times, I’m still amazed at how well she captures the energy and chaos that goes into our performances.
She has a whole section of portraits, including one of me and Robbie.It was one random summer day, and I remember it as clearly as if it were yesterday.We’d been hanging out at Amoeba music looking through old records, and he made a joke—I can’t remember the joke, but I remember the joy.Like always, Jolie had her camera with her, and unbeknownst to us, she captured the moment when we both cracked up.
My heart aches with missing him, but it’s not as visceral as it was last year.Every day, his loss hurts a little less, and the longer Jolie and I are together the less his betrayal hurts too.His faults aside, he was still my best friend.
I move along, admiring the other portraits, the landscape photos she’s taken over the years, and then last, one she took a few weeks ago when we went to the beach together.It’s of me, standing in the surf, my face pointed up to the sky as I bask with the sun on my face and the sand beneath my toes.
“I think that might be my favorite pic of you.”Her voice washes over me, and I spin around to see her looking at the picture before her gaze moves to mine.
“I figured you’d be swarmed with people for hours.”
“I snuck away for a second.”She grabs my hand and gets a mischievous look in her eye that makes me smile.She’s adorable when she’s this happy.
“Come with me,” she says, already pulling me around a corner and down an empty hallway through a door markedEmployees Only.
“Shouldn’t you be—” I start, but I’m cut off by her lips pressing against mine and her weight pushing me against the now closed door.
I smile into our kiss and then slide my fingers into her hair and hold her close to me as I kiss her deeper.This will never get old—this feeling of wanting her, the joy of having her, the relief of finally getting to love her in the open.
She pulls back slightly, and her eyes are bright with happiness.“I can’t believe I really did this.All those people out there are here forme!” She says it like she’s surprised, but I never had any doubts.
“They know a good thing when they see it.”
She melts against my body and tips her face up for another kiss, which I grant immediately.I could kiss her all day, every day.
“I love you, Tristan,” she whispers against my mouth, and my heart slams heavy against my rib cage.I can’t believe she’s really mine.
“I love you too, Jolie.”The ring burning a hole in my pocket is begging to be let out, but I have a plan and she needs to go back out there.I don’t want to have to share her with anyone after I propose, so after one more kiss, we go back into the main room, and she continues greeting all the people here to see her work.
By the end of the night, she’s already sold several photos and had a handful of people ask her about private photography sessions.The gallery owner is pleased, but it’s nothing compared to the cloud nine Jolie is on.
My palms are sweaty as we make the drive home, and Jolie talks nonstop about how much better the night went than she expected.I’m grateful she doesn’t ask why I’m quieter than usual because I’m suddenly nervous as hell.
We pull up to our driveway, and I open the door for Jolie as she continues talking all the way up to the front door.She pulls out her keys and walks inside before stopping only two steps in, her words completely halting and the silence near deafening.I take a step closer and can’t stop the smile spreading across my face, despite my nerves.
Becka outdid herself.
She’s transformed my front room into a romantic paradise with white string lights, candles, and flowers everywhere—tulips in vases on the tables and rose petals scattered throughout.
“Tristan?Did someone break into our house and…decorate?”she says with a slight laugh, which immediately dies in her throat when she spins around and sees me down on one knee.Her hand flies up to cover her mouth.“Oh my God.”
I take a breath to calm my nerves and then hand her my heart.“Jolie,” I start, my voice deeper than normal as I fight back emotions I didn’t plan for.“I never believed in love at first sight until the day you walked into Mr.Glenn’s history class, and I knew right then you were it for me.Not a single day has gone by since then where I didn’t belong to you.You’ve always owned me—heart, body, and soul.I need you like I need air to breathe, and if there’s anything the last year and a half has taught me, it’s that life is too short to hold back, to not fight for everything you want.I want you.I want to be your best friend, your lover, your husband.I want to be your everything—”
“Yes,” she says before her eyes go wide like she didn’t mean to interrupt me.We both let out a laugh.“Sorry,” she says, her eyes shining with happy tears.“Continue.I just got a little excited.”
I let out another laugh and fight back my own happy tears.“Well, that’s good cause it makes this next part a little easier.Will you marry me, Jolie?”
Tears start cascading down her face, but her lips are curved in a huge smile and she won’t stop nodding her head.She grabs me and pulls me into a kiss, whispering the word yes before our lips connect.She pulls away just enough to chant yes over and over before I seal my lips over hers.
Everything I’ve ever wanted is right here in my arms, and for the first time in my life, I feel a peace and contentment I’ve only dreamed about.
Jolie is finally mine.