Page 149 of When There Was You
My teary laugh bubbles out. “God, I love this girl.”
“She loves you too, baby, and that’s another big reason this works.”
We kiss again, tenderly.
“There’s only one last bit I need to say.” His eyes trace the horizon before locking with mine. “Regardless of what difficulties we face in the future, promise me we’ll always work it out. Let’s agree right here and now that leaving each other is not an option. Even if the going gets tough, no matter what, we figure things out. That’s my commitment to you, and I couldn’t bear it if?—”
I won’t make him say it, let alone think it. “I agree a hundred percent. I commit myself to you and to us. I’m not going anywhere, Butch.”
His expression relaxes.
I lean back into him, and our mouths connect, binding our promise of a forever together.
Seventy-Two
Butch heads to his parents’ house so we can pick up Emmy en route to heading home. Maybe for the first time, I truly, bone-deep, believe it’s also my home. Where I belong. With my family. That’s about to be legal since he’s making an “honest woman” out of me. I smile broadly at that.
The tires crunch down the familiar drive, and I’m reminded of my first glimpse of this haven over a year ago. Looks like Liz and her brood are here, plus Jerri’s parents, which means we can tell them the good news. I glance at Butch wondering if this was his plan all along and discover he’s wearing a shameless grin.
Before he’s opened my car door, family members stream onto the porch with Emmy running full tilt down the stairs and straight for us.
She barrels into me, throwing her arms around my legs, her head angling toward mine. “Did you say yes? Did you say yes?”
“I absolutely said yes!”
She screams, hugging me tighter, and my heart flips.She really does wantthis.
One by one, we’re congratulated, embraced, and kissed. My entire being beams with unbridled, unfiltered happiness—like a sunray.
When we get home,I have a few calls to make, the first to my parents, who both get on the call. They aren’t surprised…because unbeknownst to me, Butch called and asked my father for his blessing after sneaking the number out of my address book. Of course he did. He’s a gentleman with values and this aligns with everything I know about this man. Correction:my fiancé.
“You’re happy for me then?” I ask.
“We haven’t met Butch,” my father answers, “but if you think he’s the right man for you, you have our blessing.”
A twinge of irritation snaps thinking back to how that wasnothis take on Mick. My father thought less of Mick because he was a blue-collar mechanic, assumed he didn’t have alife plan, accused him of taking advantage of me, of not being good enough for me. All shortsighted, judgmental bullshit.
“Thank you. He’s most assuredly the one for me.”
“We’re thrilled for you, honey,” my mother adds, a slight tremor in her voice. “Have you set a date or location?”
“He just proposed this morning, so no, but I’m sure we’ll discuss details soon.”
“Perhaps you can plan a trip home, and we can go dress shopping?” My mother sounds jarringly optimistic, yet I can’t imagine she’s got the energy for wedding undertakings.
Honestly, I just hope she can survive the big day without a handful of Valium and gallon of Chardonnay. Can I even expect her to travel here, when it’s so far? Until this minute, I assumed we’d marry in Virginia. But maybe it should be in California…except that would require all of Butch’s family to travel. My head swims.
“Jacqui?”
“Sorry, Mom. Spaced for a second. I’m thinking about the details.”
She laughs softly. “It’s an exciting time in every woman’s life. Just let us know.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“And send us a picture of your ring!”
“We’ll be happy to help pay for the wedding,” my father inserts. “Within reason.”
