It’s funny, when I used to hear lovers talk about how their partner completed them, I always thought it was a bunch of bullshit. I also never thought I’d turn into one of those people. You see, this all started nearly three years ago. Well, let’s be honest, Callie and I truly began when we were about sixteen years old, but I’ve digressed.
Three years ago, I finally got what I’ve been waiting for my entire life. The return of love and affection from my lifelong sweetheart, Callie. It was at Aiden and Jeni’s wedding where the ball really started rolling, which has landed me where I am right now.
Where’s that you ask?
Well, I’m standing here waiting for my sweetheart and absolutely shitting myself.
What if she says no?
What if she doesn’t want a second chance at marriage—with me?
What if this all blows up in my face, and she decides that she doesn’t want to be with me anymore?
I’ll lose the love of my life. And if I lose Callie again, I lose everything.
Goddammit, I’m freaking out.
Hold it together, old man!
I know Aiden indicated she’d say yes, but I’ve never asked a woman to marry me before.
What if I do it wrong or it’s not romantic enough?
Exhaling forcefully, I try to expel all my overactive thoughts while rubbing the back of my neck. As I wait, my mind wanders back to when I first thought of asking for Callie’s hand. I’d been thinking about it for, well, my entire life. But if the truth be told, it was mainly for a couple of weeks before Aiden and Jeni’s wedding.
At their reception, I noticed they’d disappeared, so I went looking for them. Their guests were starting to wonder where they were. I knew they’d be off somewhere enjoying some alone time, but I’d built up the courage to ask Aiden, and I needed to do it then and there otherwise I’d probably back out or be shit out of luck.
Aiden has a funny way of showing his approval of my love for his mother—sometimes he’s ecstatic about it, and other times, it’s like he’s trying to make me think he isn’t happy about our relationship. I think mostly he’s stirring the pot, but I can never tell.
Searching for Aiden and Jeni, I found them in the first place I looked—they were sharing a moment alone as I thought they would be. I didn’t really want to interrupt, but I’d grown some balls and decided it was now or never.
I cleared my throat to gain their attention as they were locked in a steamy embrace. I couldn’t hide my smirk when Aiden took his lips from Jeni’s and turned around to glare at me.
“Sorry to interrupt, but your guests are wondering where you both escaped to,” I questioned, and Aiden chuckled. He reached for Jeni’s hand and went to leave. My stomach was in knots, and honestly, I felt like I needed to be physically ill, but like I said, it was now or never.
Callie means everything to me, so I took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Before you go, Aiden, I wanted to ask you something if you have a moment?” I asked with conviction even though I felt like I was going to pass out—Aiden’s approval meant absolutely everything to me.
“Sure, Mike, fire away,” Aiden said, with a gigantic smile beaming across his face, which immediately eased the tension.
I gulped in some air and needed to do something with my hands because I couldn’t stop fidgeting, so I straightened my tie and cleared my throat. I don’t think I’d ever been that nervous in my life. If Aiden didn’t give his blessing, well, I didn’t know what I would’ve done.
I took in a deep breath and let it all come out as quickly as I could. “Okay, so here goes… Callie is the love of my life, she always has been. I was forced to take a back seat when her parents shut me out, and I wasn’t allowed to see her. Then your father came along…” I paused for a few reflective seconds. “ I’ve loved Callie from afar, and I never thought I’d have the opportunity to be with her. I won’t let another minute go by where I’m without her. Aiden… Callie means everything to me. She always has and always will…” I inhaled deeply preparing myself, “… I guess what I’m trying to say is… Aiden… do I have your blessing to ask Callie to marry me?” I questioned, and somehow had the courage to keep eye contact with Aiden the entir
e time.
He smiled so wide, making me instantly relax, and before I knew what was happening, Aiden lunged and embraced me tightly. I laughed and hugged him back. The relief I felt at that moment was immeasurable.
Aiden was happy.
I thought maybe it was too soon after Niall’s untimely death to be asking this question.
At least it looked like Aiden approved, and that made me the happiest man on earth.