Between the two of us, we didn’t have many possessions. One trip in the moving truck carried her bed, couch, television, clothes, record player, and several miscellaneous boxes of household items—most of them books that she had never been able to display with such a small shelf. Whatever we didn’t have, we would shop for.
While Chelsea watched the twins all day, I took care of the move with Simon’s help. I could afford the day off from the tattoo shop. I’d started leasing the suite in Wayland Square a few months ago, and the renovations were nearly done. I’d taken an assistant coaching position at one of the local high schools too. It wasn’t what I’d been planning or expecting, but when the position became available, and I saw that it was part-time, and seasonal only, I went for it without hesitation.
Life was good, better than good, and today signaled yet another milestone in my life with Chelsea. Starting with my plan to have as much as possible in its place by the time Chelsea arrived. I had one more surprise for her.
After a quick shower, I threw on clean sweatpants and started to make dinner. One thing that had surprised Chelsea over the past year had been my skills in the kitchen. My Italian dishes were her favorite by far. I could tell because she always made moaning sounds that reminded me of her orgasms when she ate them. And then I’d eat her.
She was scheduled to arrive home the same moment I popped dinner in the oven and set the timer. For a final touch, I set out two glasses of her favorite red wine, lit a few candles, and started The 1975’s album on her record player.
Almost as soon as I finished setting up, I heard the jostle of the doorknob and jogged to greet her, swinging the door open in a grand flourish.
“Welcome home, love.”
She was all smiles, that pretty pink flush filling her cheeks and her thick hair tossed up in a crazy bun from playing with toddlers all day. “Oh my God, it smells amazing in here. You moved and you cooked?”
She walked right into my welcoming arms, her eyes busily scanning the space around me.
“That’s right,” I said. “You can help me fill in the blanks, but I think I did a pretty good job—with Simon’s help, of course.”
“We’re definitely going to need to work on filling the blanks.” She laughed and looked back at me with a tilt of her head. “I’m happy to help with that.”
The home I’d ended up buying was definitely bigger than what Chelsea and I needed, but I’d fallen in love with the idea of everything it could be and more. Four bedrooms, three baths, a loft, a large kitchen with a spacious living room, and an office for Chelsea to write in. One day, we would fill it all.
She pulled me in for a kiss with so much passion behind it that I could feel it in my chest. Every day with Chelsea only made me more grateful for our awkward beginning. Before her, I didn’t believe in soul mates or “the one,” but every single day proved just how naive I’d been about love. Chelsea and I were the real deal. Forever. And I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.
When we pulled apart, I squeezed her waist. “Ready to see the house? Don’t worry. I left the decorating up to you.” I winked.
Chelsea jumped excitedly. “Yes. I can’t wait.”
I took her through the living room and kitchen, then showed her the den where I imagined her spending her days. She still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do with the space, but I often caught her looking for inspiration online.
The tour was quick, considering there wasn’t much to see, but I figured the last room I showed her would take the most time anyway. When we reached the door to the largest guest room, I stopped and stood in front of it, my heart racing. “You can consider what’s in this room a welcome home present.” I smiled, barely able to contain my excitement. I’d been planning this for months, and without Simon’s help, there was no way I could have had it ready today.
Her eyes were wide, clearly already surprised. “What? You didn’t tell me you were getting me a present.”
I bit down on my lip before pushing open the door behind me. “I hope you like it.”
She looked past me into the room, and I would never forget her reaction. It was better than the feeling of purchasing our new home. Her eyes flew open. Her hands rushed to her face, and she gasped so loud, my throat instantly clogged with emotion. It seemed she liked it.
She stepped into the room, scanning one wall at a time like she still couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Wall-to-wall white bookshelves lined the room, and the books I’d unpacked from her boxes took up one complete wall. She turned to the next wall, which was empty, and she shook her head as a tear fell onto her cheek.
“Liam, this is—”
“Too much? Perfect? What, love?”
“It’s all the things. It’s a dream. There’s even a ladder,” she said with a shocked cry. “Oh my gosh, Liam, this is too much. And here I bought you a cactus.”
I came up behind her, chuckling, and wrapped my arms around her waist. I pressed my mouth to her ear. “One day you can fill the shelves with all of your books.”
She looked at me over her shoulder and held my face while she kissed me. “I couldn’t love you more than I already do, but this is an incredible gift. Thank you.”
I kissed her cheek and moved back to her ear, my heart hammering away at the last of my surprise. “There’s one more thing.” I turned her to face the final wall.
“What is—” She paused midquestion as she took in exactly what she was seeing.
Hundreds of copies of her second published book sat on the shelves with their spines facing out. I’d arranged them in the shape of a phrase that I imagined she’d finally made sense of when her body started to shake.
WILL
YOU
MARRY
ME?
She turned to find me kneeling before her, extending my hand that held a small black velvet box.
“Chelsea,” I started, hoping to God that I could make it through my speech without completely losing it. “Every moment with you has been one I will cherish forever. From that first glance in Spill the Tea to the cactus that put you in my arms on the same day I found your porn collection—”
She laughed, her eyes flooding with tears that fell down her cheeks at a rapid rate.
“And then our visit to the tattoo shop that started your new addiction, our first kiss downtown while the flames of our love burned all around us.”
She rolled her eyes, still laughing and crying, and I knew my speech was crap, but I wasn’t done.
“You are my best friend, the love of my life, and my soul mate for eternity. Will you put me out of my misery and spend your life with me? Marry me, Chelsea Banks.”
She was nodding viciously before I even finished my sentence, then she threw herself into my arms, her tears blending with mine as she kissed me.
“Yes, Liam.” Her words were choked when she finally said them. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you so much.”
I kissed her again, my heart feeling like it was about to burst in my chest. “I promise to always try to make you happy.”
“You don’t have to try.” She shook her head and leaned it against mine. “We fit for a reason, Liam. Because we’re better together just being ourselves, and I’ll love you forever.” She looked back at the shelf and shook her head with a laugh. “This is incredible.” Then she turned back to me. “I just have one question.”