Page 93 of Beau & Autumn

Autumn’s mouth is still wide open, gaping in shock at her grandmother’s words, and I have to admit, it’s a shock for me too. But there’s some common ground now, and I see the resolve in her grandma’s eyes as they’re softer than before. I can tell she loves her granddaughter very much, and I’m a hundred percent sure she truly does want to see Autumn happy. “I had no idea.” She tucks the loose strands of hair behind her ears. “And Mom doesn’t know?”

The old woman laughs, her eyes twinkling. “Your mother is my daughter. She’s set in her ways. She loves you, but she doesn’t always go about showing it the right way. It’s black and white to her.”

Autumn shakes her head, her back perfectly straight. “No, Grandma. She wants me to marry Michael; a man who cheated on me and told me lies behind my back! The idea that she wants that kind of man for me just goes to show that she doesn’t have my interests at heart. She has her own, and it always seems to be about keeping up appearances. I won’t live like that. I can’t live like that.”

“And so you have chosen,” her grandma says. “And I don’t blame you. You’re creating your own path, which is all I ever wanted for you. I’ve not seen fire behind your eyes in a very long time, if ever.”

Autumn squeezes my hand. “Beau brings out the best in me.” Her voice is soft, gentle and full of so much love.

My heart feels so full listening to her speak that way about us. About me. About our future together. I can’t get enough of it. No matter what happens, we’re heading out of here today as a real husband and wife. Nobody is going to step in our way. Nobody.

I’m done with faking everything. I’m done with pretending that I’m in love with her when I really don’t have to pretend at all. Now we can just be ourselves and see where our future lies. And I’m here for her, in whatever she wants to do.

“We bring out the best in each other,” I chime. I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. I glimpse over at her grandma. “I know it’s a little late, but your blessing would mean the world to us.”

“If you promise to love and protect her, and never douse that spirit she has inside that I’ve loved since the day she was born, then yes, you have my blessing.”

I can’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. So, we’re okay?

I stare her grandma directly in the eye. “I will love and protect her for the rest of my life. And her spirit is one of the many things I love about her. The rest? I could go on for days.” I see Autumn smile in my periphery.

Her grandma smiles, too. “I suppose time will tell as it does with most things. Promises are one thing, but the real tests will come when the road isn’t paved with roses. There will be bumps in the road, that’s when you’ll need to lean on each other the most.”

I bring Autumn’s hand to my mouth. “We will. I’m all in.” I turn to face my wife. “If you’ll have me?”

Autumn’s smile turns up as she cups my face. Not caring that her grandmother is watching, she kisses me. It’s just a peck but it’s filled with more than I could have ever dreamed. We’re really doing this.

“Of course I’ll have you,” she whispers. “I want to make this work. I’m not afraid of bumps in the road, Beauster. That’s where all the good stuff is.”

The good stuff.

I smile, pulling her into my arms.

“I can’t wait to get a proper wedding invitation.” Her grandmother gives us both a pointed look. “And that better be soon.”

??

We drive back to Stoney Creek hand in hand, Bruiser enjoying resting on Autumn’s lap in the afternoon sun. We’ve been on cloud nine, and even though we still have the issue of Autumn’s mom to contend with, in time we hope she’ll come around. Until then, I want to take my wife into my bed and not worry about the world outside.

I don’t just feel like the luckiest man alive; I know I am. Being one week in and us already declaring our love for each other feels like a dream come true.

“That was quite a speech today,” Autumn says, her head resting on my shoulder when we make it home and we’re snuggling on the couch. It’s been a big day and we’re both exhausted. I think Bruiser must be too as he curls up by our feet and goes straight back to sleep.

“Tell me about it. I thought your grandmother was going to smack me in the face at first.”

She laughs. “She does have that scary element to her.”

“She’d kick my ass.”

“I have no doubt about it.”

She lays in my arms and can’t help but think how doing this simple thing — being together — has never felt so right. “I meant what I said,” I murmur. “I wasn't just saying it in the heat of the moment or because you gave me the best night of my life last night. I mean every word. I’m going to prove to you that you made the right choice by marrying me.”

She sits up, turning to face me as I gaze down at her. “I already know I did.” She brushes my hair off my face with one soft hand. “We were both holding in our feelings in fear that the other may not reciprocate. I know I was. I was scared I was just imagining it and that I’d look like a fool if I told you and you didn’t feel the same way.”

I lean down and press a kiss to her soft lips. “We should have communicated better, and we will. From now on we say how we feel, no matter what, okay?”

“Does this mean I get another pounding from my very big husband?” She snorts a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.

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