We end up in a jewelry store, so Aiden can pick up his mom’s gift from his dad. He’d ordered it a few weeks ago and just got the call today that it was in. His dad found out we were coming here and asked us to pick it up for him. I’m browsing around while we wait and end up at the case filled with engagement rings. I’d looked at them when I bought Allison’s necklace, but none of them were the right fit for my girl. I make my way to the end of the case, and that’s when I see it, the perfect ring for Allison. It’s a one carat princess cut diamond with baguettes interlaced down each side, tightly woven. I have been looking online for the last few weeks getting an idea of what’s out there and what I think Allie would like. I ask the sales lady, who has been hovering over me, if I can see it. I examine it in my hands, it’s perfect. I feel Aiden come up beside me, and he whistles.
“Holy shit, are you going to propose?” he asks, shocked.
I shrug my shoulders. “Well, yeah. I love her.” I hand the ring back to the sales lady. “I’ll take it in a size six, please.” I turn back to Aiden. “I have my trust money Hales and I got when Granddad passed, I’ve never touched it until now.” I smile at him. “Do you think she’s going to like it?”
“Yeah, man, I do. It looks like Allison,” he agrees.
I pay for Allison’s ring, Aiden finishes up his shopping, and we start home. We pull into his driveway, and I hand him the bag from the jewelry store. “Keep this for me, man. I can’t hide it in our luggage.” He smiles and shakes his head.
The next few days fly by. This is mainly due to the fact Allison allows me to sleep with her in her room. Hales sleeps over at Aiden’s in the guest room. I make sure she is okay with it. She just smiles and tells me to enjoy my girl. My sister knows what Allison means to me, she also knows how cranky I get when I don’t get to sleep with her in my arms.
Christmas Eve we have a huge brunch that Mrs. Emerson, along with Hailey and Allison, prepare. We eat way too much and open gifts. I brought half of Allie’s gifts for her to open here. She got three outfits and her boots. She got me the new Call of Duty for the Xbox and an iTunes gift card. Aiden and Hales are exchanging gifts tomorrow.
After brunch and presents, Allison wants to go visit her parents’ grave. I beg her to let me go with her, but she says she needs to go alone. She does agree to let Hales drive her. I am relieved that at least she won’t be driving upset. Aiden went to hang out with his parents, and I stay with Gran. We sit, talking for a while, and I suddenly have the urge to show her the ring. I text Aiden and ask him if he could bring it over. Before I know it, he’s walking in the room with a grin on his face.
I take a seat in the chair beside Gran. “I want you to know I love Allison with everything in me. I would like to have your permission to marry her.” I open the ring box and lay it in her hands.
“Oh, Liam, it’s beautiful.” Gran takes the ring out of the box and examines it. “This is perfect for Allison, you know her so well.” She replaces the ring in the box and hands it back to me, grasping my hand. “Liam, I’m honored that you asked for my permission. Allison loves you so much, and you make her so happy. You’ve brought life back to my girl. You’ve already promised me to always take care of her, so, of course, you have my blessing to marry her.”
I kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you, I promise she’ll always be loved and protected, you have my word.” I hand the ring back to Aiden. He shoves it into his pocket and takes it back to his house.
Chapter 31
Allison
I agree to let Hailey drive me to the cemetery, more for Liam’s piece of mind. I know he really wants to be here with me, but I need to talk to my parents about him. I know that sounds odd, but losing them at such a young age, growing up without them, and coming here and talking to them about life always seemed to help. Hailey eases into the cemetery lot and turns off Liam’s Pathfinder. “I’ll be right here if you need me,” she says as she squeezes my hand.
I squeeze hers back. “Thank you for being here, for doing this.”
“Anytime, but promise me you won’t shut Liam out, he loves you and wants to be there for you.”
“I know, and I love him too, so much. When I was little I would come here and talk to my parents about everything and, well, I kind of want to tell them about Liam.” I slip my gloves onto my hands. “I know you’re his sister, but you’ve also become my best friend. Liam, he says he wants forever with me. I know we’re young and haven’t been together all that long, but I want that too.” I watch her closely studying her reaction.
Hailey grins. “So, what you’re saying is that we’re going to be sisters?”
I laugh. “Hopefully, one day.”
“Allison, if Liam told you he wanted forever, he means it. You’re it for him.”
I reach over and give her a hug. “I won’t be long.” I get out of the truck and make my way to my parents’ graves. Sadly, this is a path I’ve travelled many times the last eight years. I lay the fresh flowers we stopped for on the way here at the base of their headstone. “Hey, guys, I’ve missed you. College is good. I’ve met some amazing people. Aiden’s there, and, well, I’ve kinda fallen head over heels for his roommate. Funny thing is, my roommate Hailey is Aiden’s roommate’s sister. Small world, I know. His name is Liam, and he’s amazing. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, Mom. I know you would approve. Dad, he’s the quarterback for the football team, and rumor has it he and Aiden are going to be first round draft picks for the NFL. He’s so good to me, Daddy. He treats me like I’m the most precious gift in his life. Things are serious between us. He wanted to come with me today to meet you, but I wanted to be able to tell you about him first. I love him so much, he’s my future, and, well, I just wanted you to know I’m okay. I’m living life and missing you every day, but I’m slowly painting my canvas as Gran would say. I need to get going, sorry I can’t stay long. Aiden and Liam are waiting for us at Gran’s. We’re heading to Liam and Hailey’s parents’ for Christmas. His parents are wonderful and already treat me as if I’m a member of the family. I love you both and miss you every single day. Merry Christmas.” I kiss my fingers and place them over their headstone, wipe the tears from my eyes, then turn and walk away.
I climb back into the Pathfinder, wiping the stray tears from my eyes. Hailey reaches over and grabs my hand, silently offering me support. By the time we make it back to Gran’s, my tears are under control, that is, until Liam comes barrelling out of the house. He must have heard us pull up. He runs to my side, just as I’m stepping out. He captures me in one of his hugs, and I feel the dam break. Tears flood my eyes, and I sob into his chest. Tears of sadness and tears of happiness combined. Liam picks me up, bridal style, and carries me to the porch swing. He sits down with me on his lap, holding me tight.
He places a kiss on the top of my head as he softly whispers, “I love you.” He doesn’t say anything else. He just holds me close and lets me cry. After several minutes, I’m able to control my tears. “How you feeling?” he asks me.