“My life has purpose and meaning when I’m with you. It was empty without you. I was a shell of a man. You’re mine, and I’m yours completely. We’re meant for each other, baby. Your love means everything to me.”
All I feel is anguish at his words. “Aiden, I don’t know what to say. All I can say is I’m sorry. Sorry I hurt you. Sorry I left you. Sorry I treated you the way I did. Sorry I was such an idiot...” I pause. “What you don’t know is how I felt about you.” My eyes focus on his. “That never changed. I always loved you. I never once denied my feelings for you. You’re the love of my life, Aiden. Life without you was bitter and empty. I was incomplete and lonely. I only hope you can forgive me for everything I put you through. I promise you that I’ll never leave you again because… I love you that much.” Aiden smiles and rubs his hand across my back. “I can only imagine what your father will be like with me now.” I chuckle.
Aiden shakes his head and pulls me in tighter. “There’s nothing to forgive as long as you’re here with me. As for Father, you let me worry about him. What I really need right at this moment is that connection we have when I’m buried deep inside you. The reassurance of your love. You’re here and never leaving. Let me show you how much I’ve missed you.”
After a few hours of making love, cuddling, and Aiden telling me how much he adores me, we need to start the first day of the rest of our lives together.
“I guess we should get up and tell Sarah and Chris the news...” I pause. “Actually… are we back together?” I ask hesitantly.
Aiden smiles brightly. “Of course, we are. But Jeni, there is one more thing I need to talk to you about. While we were apart, I started seeing someone about my time in jail…” He pauses then continues, “Would you consider going to a counselor to talk about what happened to you? I think it might help you to come to terms with it a little more.”
I bite my bottom lip. “I’ve thought about it constantly, and I know you’re right. But, can I think on it for a short time? I think rehashing what happened right now… might make me worse?”
“Of course…” he says, though he’s hesitant.
I understand I have to go, but right now, I’m not sure talking about it is going to ease my mind. Maybe if I leave it for a little while, I can get my mind thinking right, and then face it head-on.
“I have something to give you if you want it?”
A blank look crosses my face, but he stands and makes his way to his jacket pocket where he fumbles around for a second or two. Then he pulls out my engagement ring. Elation flows through me as I sit upright, my face beaming in excitement as he walks over holding out my ring. My heart hammers in my chest as he slowly drops down to one knee, making me giggle with happiness.
“Jeni, from the time I crashed into you…” he sighs, “… again,” he laughs, “… I knew we were meant to be together. We will always be together. Will you marry me?”
My chest squeezes so tight as I nod my head emphatically. Aiden takes my left hand, sliding my engagement ring back where it belongs.
I sniffle. “You had me at crashed. Though technically, I crashed into you the second time.”
Aiden laughs as I stand, and he moves in closer, his eyes meeting mine. That spark, that undeniable electric tension fills the air as he leans in kissing me feverishly. The moment his lips touch mine, I feel it—the love, the deep connection we share, it’s everything—as his tongue dances with mine in a perfect rhythm. My hands rush through his hair needing him closer.
How I ever could have let him get away is beyond me now.
Aiden is my home.
Kissing him feels like everything is going to be just fine, no matter how fucked up my head might be.
Pulling his lips away slowly, he rests his forehead against mine as we gaze into each other’s eyes longingly. I glance down at my engagement ring back on my finger, exactly where it should be. Aiden takes my hand, gently planting a tender kiss on my engagement ring, then turns around to grab his suit pants.
He feels them and pulls a strange face. They must still be wet from the rain last night.
So, I yank on my robe, quickly darting toward the door. “I’ll be right back.”
He raises his brow at me in what appears to be confusion, but nods as I scurry out. With quick steps, I rush to Sarah and Chris’ room and gently knock on their door.
“Come in,” Sarah offers.
I peek through their door. “Hey, guys. Sorry to intrude. Chris, can I borrow some clothes?”
They both tilt their heads. “Sure. Who are they for?”
A sly smile stretches over my face in response.
“Jeni, did you bring a guy home?” Sarah asks, but her tone is angry.
“Um… kind of.”
Chris frowns in response. “You know… Aiden’s a good friend of mine, and I don’t think he’d appreciate you shacking up with some random dude so soon.”
“Chris,” Sarah grunts, slapping his bicep.