Page 40 of Fixing Emilee

“Emilee Hill.” My name is called, and I notice that I’m at the end of the row and it’s my turn. Everyone was asked to hold their applause until the last student was called, but no one listened. I see my family sitting in the middle of the bleachers in front of me. Mom, Carly, and Tiffani all have tears streaming down their faces. My brothers and Dad seem to be holding theirs in. Luna and Larry are sitting with them as well. Zak is missing, but I don’t have time to pay too much attention.

“Go, sissy.” I hear Adam and Levi shout at the same time.

“We love you,” my parents yell.

I don’t fight the grin that overcomes my face because this is precisely what I want. This is the family I wanted, and I will not be embarrassed by their affection for me. When I reach Mr. Clark, he extends his left hand, for me to shake with my right, grabbing the paper that says I did it with my left hand.

“I’m so proud of you, Emilee,” he whispers.

“Thank you,” I reply. As I head back to my seat, my eyes land on a pair of brown eyes swimming with tears. Sitting directly in front of me, smiling and clapping as loud as my family is Christian. I feel a tingle in my nose, and my vision blurs as my tears fall.

“I’m so proud of you,” he mouths.

“Thank you,” I mouth back. We might not be the best friends we once were, but it’s safe to say we are friends. In a sick and twisted way, without him in my life, I wouldn’t have what I do at this very moment. I wouldn’t be the person I am. I will never condone what he did or wish my situation on anyone, but it’s my story and what got me here.

While Christian started me on this path, there is one person without, whom I wouldn’t be standing here. And as I turn left, he finally comes into my line of sight. Parker Eugene West is my one true love, soulmate, hero, and forever. The person that saw me drowning in a sea of misery and heartache but chose to jump in even when he didn’t have to. He is the first person who truly understood me and had my back from the moment he saw me, even when I pushed him away. He picked up every broken piece of me that was shattered on the floor and helped me glue them back together one by one. The good thing about having this diploma is that I’m no longer a student here, and the rules don’t apply to me. Especially the no public display of affection rule.

Like he always does, Parker sees what I want in my eyes and will give it to me. He nods, throwing me a wink before standing up and moving out of his row. When he passes the last chair, I take off at a dead sprint as he opens his arms for me and catches me effortlessly. He never falters as his hands go under my ass, pulling me into his hard chest. My gown rips in the process, but I don’t care one fucking bit. I wrap my legs around him, holding onto his neck. Our lips meet in the middle for a heart-stopping kiss. The world around me fades as his tongue slowly strokes mine, and I melt into him.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Butterfly,” he says against my lips.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you,” I reply, shutting him up with another kiss. While technically, my dad saved me that day, Parker pulled me from the darkness, showed me the light, and made me want to live again. Does that make me a little like Jenna? That my life revolves around a guy? Probably. But the most significant difference is that Parker enhances my life, not takes from it. He gave me a reason to live, loved me in the darkness, and I started to love myself because of his love. So while I did get better for him, I also got better because of him.

Parker pulls back from our kiss, unhooks my legs from his waist, and slides me down his body. I start to pout because I was perfectly happy where I was. The sound of music fills the gym. Parker looks behind him, waving at someone. I lean around him to see who he is smiling at. My eyes easily find Zak standing at the door to the sound system with a smile that says trouble.

“What did you guys do?” I ask Parker as he pulls my face to his.

He doesn’t give me an answer. He pulls me into his chest more as “Your Smile” by Nathan Grisdale blares for everyone to hear. Grabbing my left hand, he holds it in his, sinking to the floor on one knee. Just like in the movies, my hand goes to my mouth as tears spring to my eyes. There is no way in hell this is happening here. I look to my left, finding my dad. There is a smile on his face, and he nods, letting me know he knows what’s happening. Turning back to the man I don’t deserve but will work my ass off to keep, I see he is also crying.

“Parker,” I squeak out. He opens the small box in his hand. My eyes land on the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

“From the moment your eyes met mine in this building, I knew you were it for me. It may have taken me a little bit to understand the feelings rushing through me, but I got there in the end. I’m not worthy of someone like you, but if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life striving to be the person you deserve. I love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Will you make me the happiest person ever and marry me?” The song has stopped playing, and I hear the murmurs around us, but I let it fade again.

“Of course I will,” I say, dropping to my knees and pulling his face to mine.

I started this year off walking through the doors a broken mess. Now I’m leaving this place with my head held high, my family together, friends by me, and my heart so full of love. All thanks to the guy kissing me like he will never have the chance to do it again.

The guy who was determined to fix me, Emilee Hill, soon to be Emilee West.

EPILOGUE

FIVE YEARS LATER

My eyes are tired from staring at the screen in front of me for hours all day. Rubbing them, I save the Word document shutting down the computer. Standing up, my back pops, and a groan leaves me as that feels so good. I love what I do, but sitting at the computer all day makes my back stiff. Heading out of the spare bedroom, I turn off the light shutting the door behind me. My phone is in the main bedroom, where I leave it while I work because if not, I will spend all day messaging Parker. Like clockwork, when I grab it, it rings in my hands. A smile forms on my face as I take in the photo that pops up as the name Husband flashes on the screen.

The picture was taken a little over five years ago. The day after we graduated from high school and the day that I made that man mine forever. We are standing on the front porch of my parents’ home. Parker looks handsome in his black button-down shirt, green tie, and black dress pants. He is leaning against one of the wooden beams and smiling at me. I still have the little white sundress my mom surprised me with that morning. She added a green ribbon around the waist to match his tie. My arms are wrapped around his neck, and I’m wearing the biggest smile ever. Anyone looking at this photo can instantly tell we are in love with each other. And I still feel that love when he looks at me like that, and he often does.

“Hello, Husband,” I say, bringing the phone to my ear.

“Hello, my wife. How was writing? Did you hit your goal for today?” he asks. I hear the sounds of the shop he and Zak opened a couple of months ago through the phone, letting me know he’s still at work.

“Yes, the scene just flew out of me. I didn’t want to stop writing, but I have this annoying person that should be home in an hour, and if I don’t feed him, he can get a little cranky.” I say, grinning as I head down the hall and into our tiny galley kitchen. We sacrificed to stay in this small two-bedroom apartment while he started his business, and I try to finish my first book. It might be small, but we have been here for four years, so it holds many wonderful memories.

“If you want to write some more, I can always pick up something, or you know Mrs. Haines is always up for feeding us, Baby.” God, I love this man. He does everything to make sure that I come first.

“No, Baby, I did most of the prep this morning. All I have to do is throw it in the oven. But there is one thing that you could do for me if you are up to it.” I drop my voice an octave to hint at what I need from him.

“Hold that thought, Butterfly,” he growls as the sound of a door shutting comes through the speaker. “I know that tone. Was my good little wife writing a dirty scene today?”

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