I’m listening, but my eyes watch my thumb stroke over her knuckles. I hear what she’s saying, but I still wish she hadn’t felt like she had to do it alone. I wish she understood I could have been there for her.
“Finally, we’ve been discussing my future, and I decided my future needs to be near you. I want to be with you if you’ll take me back. I was a little messed up after all that happened at Halloween, but I feel so much better, stronger even, and I know I’ll be the best me if I’m with you. If you’ll have me.”
“I never wanted to let you go,” I tell her.
“I know, but I needed to do this on my own.”
“Are you certain this town will be enough for you? What about the space and invisibility you wanted in New York City?”
Ella reaches for the image on the table and slides it toward me. She points at the words. “I only want to share myself with you. You’re where I want to be.”
I close my eyes. It’s almost too much to believe.
“You’re all I want as well,” I tell her, and before I know it, she’s on my lap, straddling me. Her mouth covers mine, giving me everything. I pull back for a breath as I have one more thing to say. “Don’t ever run away like that again. If you need to talk, you talk to me. If you need a breather, you tell me you need space, but don’t just leave.”
She nods while her fingers curl into my hair.
“Whatever you were looking for in that image that I love, it’s staring right back at you,” I tell her. “It’s me. I’m here for you. Always. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she says, a smile gracing her face. She practically glows, and it’s a glorious thing. Her mouth returns to mine for another warm kiss, giving me her promise.
“Let’s see,” I say, pulling back and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Grovel, check. Apology, done. Begging, not necessary. That brings us to the favors,” I tease.
“I was hoping for a taste test first,” she states.
“A taste test?” I smirk.
“Yes, what’s on the menu for this new place?”
“The only thing on the menu is you,” I say, taking her mouth with mine before hiking her up on the tabletop. She squeaks as her backside hits the surface, and I spread her knees.
“Shouldn’t I be the one offering favors?” she questions, her voice full of excitement.
“Oh, you’ll be giving me favors, princess.” I lean forward and kiss the inside of her knee. I work my way higher on her thigh, kissing her bare skin under her skirt.
“Here?” She giggles.
“Right here,” I say, reminiscent of her birthday dinner. She’s going to be my feast, and I’ll never be full from her.
Epilogue
Card 33: Maple Leaf Promises
An after-dinner drink
[Ethan]
In the following weeks, Ella settles into her studio, begins production, and designs the interior of her storefront for Main Street, Elk Lake City. She immediately moved into my rented cottage on the edge of town back in February. In March, we take a quick trip back to New York with Jacob and Pam. Ella has another showing of her collection along with the photograph complements, and I don’t want to miss any part of the experience on this visit—the city, the restaurants, the gallery, and my girl in her element.
A week after we return from our trip, I throw a soft opening at The Red Barn Table combined with a celebration for Leon and Tricia. The gathering includes only our closest friends and family, including my parents, Jacob, my siblings, and their significant others. I wish Gavin could attend, but he’s off who knows where. He’ll be arriving in the summer months to celebrate Jess and Emily’s wedding. It will be great to see my older brother again.
Speaking of older brothers, something’s happening between Jacob and Pam during the party. Jacob’s at the bar, and Pam’s starting to look upset. I excuse myself from Leon and Tricia when Ella comes to me, concern etched in her face as she watches her brother and his assistant.
“I’ll take care of this,” I whisper to my girl, pulling her in for a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping up to Jacob.
“Hey,” I mutter, slipping an arm around Jacob as though I’m giving him a brotherly hug. I reach for Pam’s wrist and move them both forward at the same time.
“Take it in the kitchen. Now.”
I give them each a tight smile, but it’s a warning that I don’t want their explosive relationship imploding during the celebration of another couple who are really happy with one another. We’re all getting tired of Jacob and Pam’s shit. Jacob’s been really messing with Pam’s head, and I don’t like it, but it isn’t my place to speak on her behalf.
“You can fight in here,” I state before leaning in to kiss Pam’s cheek. “You have my permission to punch him.”
I step away from them and re-enter the main dining room.
“Everything okay?” Ella asks as I resume my spot next to her, tucking her under my arm and pressing another kiss to her temple. I haven’t been able to stop touching her since she returned, confirming she’s really standing next to me. She’s in my bed every night—our bed—and I plan for us never to separate again.
“It will be once they duke it out,” I tease.
“We all know she’s had it bad for him for a bit,” Tricia teases.
“Now, if only they would recognize how good they are for each other,” Ella adds. Tricia and Ella have become fast friends, and I love how welcoming my family has been of her. With Leon at Tricia’s side, we make quite the foursome, and I hate to admit how happy that makes me inside. This has always been my hometown, but lately, I feel truly home.
+ + +
On April first, I wake before the alarm. As exhausted as I am, I’m excited to start another day with Ella pressed into my chest.
“Nervous?” she asks.
“Eager,” I say, and she chuckles into my skin. Her warm laughter is like a balm over me.
“It’s hours before you open.”
“I know, but I can’t wait.”
“Patience,” she mutters before tipping up her head, and I lean forward for her lips. Patience is not one of my virtues. Not to mention, it’s difficult to keep calm with her around. Like how I want to be inside her at this moment to remind me she’s here.
“In a minute.” She pats my chest before sitting up beside me. Her wild red hair cascades down her back and over her shoulder. She gives me her signature look, but it’s a look only for me.
“What am I waiting for, princess?” Ella runs the flat of her hand over my stomach and then reaches over me for the nightstand. I hadn’t seen the box with a bow as I hadn’t turned for my phone or the alarm yet. She sets the package on my chest, and I stare at the square.
“What’s this?”
“Just open it,” she says, her voice quiet and quivering.
When I open it, I’m shocked. My eyes are unable to move from the item inside.
“Ethan, you’re my home, and I want to be with you always.” She looks down at my chest, no longer able to look at my face. My eyes haven’t moved. She draws a heart shape over my real one which races inside my chest. “Will you marry me, E?”