Page 26 of Forever Focused

Michael was smiling, looked so excited, and she was so lost in this moment, taking in everything, while at the same time taking photos to post on her blog. She took a photo of their hands together as they were entering the taxi, caught several of the cityscape, and marveled as they left the city behind, causing her to look at him.

“Where are we going?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“I’m just playing with you,” he chuckled, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it. “I’m just amazed sometimes at how smooth things can be between us when we stop trying to do what everyone else says. Maybe we should take that as a sign…” and his voice trailed off as the vehicle came to a stop.

Poppy hesitated as Michael got out of the taxi, holding out his hand to her, and stared in disbelief. She knew this place. She had written an article on this location last year. This was a tiny little chapel that specialized in elopements and last-minute weddings.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched him pay the taxi driver and get their bags out of the trunk, and as the car drove off, he turned to her extending his hand.

No words.

No questions.

He waited for her – and she knew he would always do so, just like she would for him. There was no fighting this between them anymore, and she didn’t know how he’d arranged any of this. A part of her was too afraid to speak up and maybe she was misunderstanding what was happening, so instead of saying something or questioning it.

She put her hand in his and saw him nod.

They stepped forward together. Michael had both their overnight bags looped over his shoulder and simply held her hand as they moved to ring the buzzer. Was this really happening? Were they actually eloping? He hadn’t proposed, they hadn’t talked about rings or anything; they were supposed to have coffee today, yet here she was.

He held her gaze as they stood there, silent. Neither spoke, and she wasn’t sure she could. Words that she used every day for her blog, her Instagram, her very work— they all failed her as the front door to the chapel opened.

“Mr. Petersen. Welcome to you both. I got the files you submitted, and we’re ready to go,” a bright woman smiled at them, waving them forward as Michael held her gaze.

“Files?” she whispered under her breath.

“For us to marry,” he replied softly, his eyes searching hers. “I’m done with fighting this feeling inside of me and was on my way to see you when you showed up at the house, kissing me.”

“You were?”

“I’ve always loved you – and I can’t do this anymore alone. I would rather bicker, tease, or argue on a daily basis as we figure out what makes us happy… than for me to be alone and feel empty without you.”

His words were so open, raw and honest, combined with the earnestness in his gaze, that she felt tears stinging her own eyes. He was right. Fighting this, being alone and wondering what was going on, was a terrible feeling.

She felt at home holding his hand, experienced contentment like no other in his arms, and treasured the feeling of safety, knowing he would always support her – even from afar. Ever since that first kiss, she had known they were meant to be more and hadn’t fought those feelings until others started making suggestions as to what they should do with their lives.

“Let’s decide for us what our next steps are – and take them together,” Michael began, his voice emotional yet strong. He wasn’t stammering, frightened, or angry, yet felt serene, and it ebbed from every pore of him. He was ready to be at her side and asked her to join him.

“You’re sure?”

“I asked your father’s permission a few days ago,” he admitted, still standing there before the chapel, not moving. No, he was going to give her the option to back out if she wasn’t ready, and she appreciated that. He always put her first until they were separated, but his words rang in her mind.

I checked your website, read your blogs, and watched you from afar…

He couldn’t let go, and she couldn’t either.

“And Madison?”

“She’s the one that helped me plan this,” he chuckled softly. “Everyone always said, ‘Oh, you two could have a double wedding,’ but neither of us wanted that. I love having a twin. Madison’s my best friend, and that connection will always be there, but she understands and respects the fact that we are individual people, too. When she marries Emmett Wilkes, I’ll be supporting her in whatever she chooses because that’s her moment to savor, just like this is ours.”

“And your parents?”

“Are still never babysitting,” he grinned as she laughed aloud. “I think I would prefer to have family vacations with all of us instead of dumping our kids off somewhere with grandma and grandpa – and worrying they are going to shove them in a pantry for their own good.”

“So we’re having kids someday?” she smirked in sheer delight.

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