Page 22 of Forever

I squeal in delight, hugging him tighter.

As the time passes, and the day we’re actually going to be together nears, I have a feeling the time is slowing down. It’s like destiny or the universe or whatever wants us to stay apart for as long as possible. Days seem to drag slower and slower, and I just want it all to be over already.

“Wait, we? We who?” I look behind his shoulder, like somebody will magically appear behind his back. “Did you bring Si and J.D. with you?”

“Not really.”

“Then who?” I narrow my eyes at him.

“It’s—”

“Bel, honey!”

William’s Mom rushes into my room, her hands wrapping around both of us.

“Emily! It’s so nice to see you.”

I want to get down on my feet to give her a proper hug but they are both holding me tight so I can’t move.

Talk about awkward.

“Well, when William said he was going to come here I couldn’t pass the opportunity to come and visit with him. After all, I think it’s time for me to finally meet your family.”

“Of course! You’re always welcome to visit.”

Emily takes a step back, and I finally get a chance to get down and kiss her on the cheek but as soon as I step beck, William is there to pull me back into his arms.

His mother watches us with a sweet smile on her lips. I wonder if she’s thinking about her late husband or current boyfriend.

Emily and Mr. Shelton came clean to all of us before Sienna and J.D.’s wedding. They were sneaking around behind everyone’s back thinking the kids wouldn’t like the fact their parents who were long-time friends are now together, but I think the boys were relieved in the end. And Emily is one lucky woman. Finding true love not once but twice in her life.

“To tell you the truth, I was a little worried with a transatlantic flight and meeting your family, but all turned out great!”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t come to get you at the airport. If somebody told me you were coming.” I jab my elbow into Will’s stomach to let him know he’s the one to blame.

“Ouch, that hurts.”

I turn around for a second to give him a pointed glare. “I would have come to get you and properly introduce you.”

“Don’t worry, honey. Everything turned out okay. William called your mother to let her know we are coming early. I wanted to book a hotel, but she was having none of it.”

“No hotel. There is more than enough room in the house.”

“That’s what she said.”

William takes my hands in his, his thumb brushing against the ring on my left hand. The only one left on my hands.

After the engagement I decided to take off the rest of the rings. It felt logical. Natural. I grew up and became a strong, independent woman. I don’t need them anymore to remind me of who I want to be.

I tilt my head backward to look at William. His brown eyes look at my hand with wonder. I guess it’s normal because soon after we got engaged I went back home so he didn’t have much time to get used to seeing the ring on my hand.

“I still can’t believe you’re wearing it.”

“Believe it,” my hand cupping his scruffy cheek. “I’m never taking it off.”

William is handsome when he’s clean shaven, but there is something about a few-days-old stubble that melts my insides. I love the feeling of his lips on my skin, his cheeks slightly scratching my sensitive skin and turning it into gooseflesh.

Will brings my hand to his face and places a kiss right over the ring. “That makes you mine.”

I chuckle quietly at his words. “You’re such a caveman, William Price. I was yours even before the ring. Nothing can change that.”

He nods his head in agreement. “Forever, Tinkerbell.”

“Forever.”

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