Page 71 of Love Under Siege

Jacob finally managed to push a few of them off, sitting up with me still by his side. He looked at me with an enormous grin, his eyes sparkling with joy. “I wouldn’t want to back out for anything,” he said, pulling me closer to him.

The laughter and celebration continued, and in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of friends and the love of my soon-to-be husband, I knew that this was only the beginning of our incredible journey together.

He pulled me close, enveloping me in a warm embrace. The strength of his arms around me made me feel safe and cherished. I buried my face in his chest, savoring the moment. His heartbeat was steady and reassuring, a rhythmic reminder of the love we shared.

“I love you so much,” he murmured into my hair. His voice was filled with a depth of emotion that matched my own.

“I love you too,” I whispered back, feeling a tear escape down my cheek. It was a tear of pure, unadulterated joy. “I can't believe this is happening.”

Jacob pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face as he looked deeply into my eyes. “Believe it, Anya. We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The words felt like a warm blanket around my heart, comforting and reassuring. I gazed at him, taking in every detail of his face—the way his eyes crinkled with his smile, the soft curve of his lips, the gentle strength of his features. I wanted to remember this moment forever, to lock it away in my heart where it would always be safe.

As we walked hand in hand towards the car, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come. We had faced so many challenges, and yet here we were, on the brink of a new chapter in our lives. The thought of our future together filled me with an overwhelming sense of hope and excitement.

It’s only been two days since we returned home, and now we’re sitting in my parent’s dining room. My Dad is seated across from us, with my Mom next to him. After Jacob left, my parents visited me every day in the hospital. Our relationship has improved greatly, which I told Jacob about and he was thrilled for me. The last time the four of us were together wasn’t the greatest; there was a lot of shouting and swearing. So, this is a huge moment, seeing us all together again.

I bring Jacob a glass of water and he drinks it all in one go as he talks with my dad. Damn, he must be thirsty, I think to myself as I refill his glass. “Yes, sir, I understand that there will be times when I’ll be away,” he says to my dad before gulping down the newly refilled water. Okay then, I say to myself as I refill his glass for the third time. He finishes that one just as quickly. “Jacob, are you okay? Do you uh... do you need more water?” I ask, not sure why he’s drinking so fast. “Please,” he replies, and I fill his glass for the fourth time in 20 minutes. They continue talking, and in that time span, Jacob manages to drink six tall glasses of water. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” he says as he stands up.

“Yeah, I bet you do,” I quip with a smile as he heads toward the hallway where the bathroom is located.

“So, do you think he’s nervous?” my dad asks with a sly smirk on his face.

“It would seem so,” I chuckle, glancing at the empty pitcher on the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone drink that much water in such a short amount of time.”

Jacob returns and we both sit back down at the table. I refrain from offering more water, knowing he’ll probably just drink it and have to use the restroom again.

“Okay, well Jacob, I want to thank you for talking with me. And even though you’ve already proposed, I still want to say that you both have my blessing,” my dad says, and my heart swells with joy. I never thought I would want my dad’s blessing, but now that we have it, it warms me up inside. I’m so grateful that everything has turned out okay.

As we walk outside, Jacob turns to me and says, “Hey, I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait until tonight.”

“Oh really? What is it?” I ask, knowing he won’t tell me.

“You’ll see. But first, there are a few things I need to take care of. I’ll meet you at 6,” he says before giving me a kiss and walking off, leaving me laughing and curious about what his surprise could be.

I spent the afternoon with my parents, relishing the newfound peace and understanding in our relationship. The tension that had once simmered beneath the surface was replaced with a sense of acceptance and love. It was a subtle shift, but one that filled me with gratitude and relief.

As evening approached, I found myself growing more impatient for Jacob's surprise. I tried to pass the time by reading a book, but my mind kept wandering to what he could have planned. Jacob had always been full of surprises, each one more thoughtful and heartwarming than the last.

Jacob arrives promptly at 6 o'clock and leads me to his car. "Where are we headed?" I ask curiously.

"You'll find out soon enough," he responds with a mischievous grin. We pull up to a restaurant that I've been wanting to try for ages.

"How did you know about this place?" I start to ask, but Jacob cuts me off.

"Your dad helped me out," he explains before I can finish my sentence.

We walk into the restaurant and I'm greeted with a loud chorus of "surprise!" My family and friends have all gathered here for some reason. Lana rushes over to me, "Girl, we're so happy for you!" she exclaims, enfolding me in a hug.

"What's going on?" I turn to Jacob for an explanation.

"It's an engagement party," he reveals. Seeing everyone gathered together for this moment fills my heart with gratitude. Their cheers and best wishes feel like a symphony of love and support, making the evening even more magical.

We enter the room, our hands still intertwined. As our eyes meet with those of our loved ones, the room erupts in applause. I steal a glance at Jacob and we exchange a smile that speaks volumes about our dreams and promises for the future.

"Congratulations!" our friends and family call out, their voices blending into a harmonious chorus of joy.

Jacob pulls me close once again and I rest my head against his chest, feeling the warmth of his love. The night is filled with laughter, shared stories, and the clinking of glasses as we toast to our future. Every moment feels like a celebration of our love and the life we will build together.

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