Page 68 of Just A Trip

I swallow and focus on the steady rhythm of his heart. “Trent, you have filled every empty hole inside me with love, something I didn’t think possible. You gave me a family, a home, you gave me safety.”

There are tears and sniffles from everyone in the room. And now me as well.

“Come on, babe, keep it together.” I sniff and wipe at my own eyes.

“I guess we know who’s the stronger one,” Sean says and gets another elbow to the ribs. “Oof.”

“I told you once that life is more exciting when you’re straddling life and death. But it's more than that.” I squeeze his hands. “The best moments in life are when you’re faced with fear, but you choose to be brave.”

“Thanks for being brave enough to choose me,” Trent whispers, his thumb rubbing circles between my grandmother’s bracelet and my wrist.

We exchange rings, simple matching gold bands. Trent wanted to buy me something bigger, but I said no. Because the ring doesn’t prove his love,hedoes. And hehas. Hewill. Webothwill.

“Trent, do you promise to love and cherish, and take care of Karli for as long as you live?”

“I do.”

“And Karli are you sure you want to be stuck with this big obnoxious man foreve—”

“We already know I do.” I cut him off before Trent can with another elbow to his stomach. “Just say the words.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Cheers fill the room, but they disappear when Trent kisses me.

I’ve always been on my own. Now I’ll never be alone again. I have all I need. Right choice indeed.

The End

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Bonus Chapter

Sean

THANKSGIVINGEVENING

It’s quiet as I let myself into my parents’ home. The poor family must have missed me terribly. The holiday wasn’t the same. Good thing I came home early so I could spend some of the day with them. It was a brutal sacrifice, though, because I got stuck in road construction for two hours and it’s almost eleven o’clock now.

Trent was right. The magic show wasn’t worth it. And Libby? That girl was a psycho. We never made it out of the hotel parking lot. She tried to steal my wallet. So I gave her a pat on the head and told her to find someone else to bother. I missed my family, however weird that seems. Or maybe Trent’s words cut deep. He said I’m selfish. And fine, I suppose I can be a tad selfish, but I do love my family and I genuinely thought he and I would have a good time in Vegas. But it sucked without him. I didn’t even hit the clubs or casinos. I stayed in the room and kept hoping he’d come back. Pathetic, I know.

It was stupid to bring him against his will, but I missed my brother. He’s been off lately. More withdrawn and reserved. He’s been keeping something from me, I can tell. I thought this trip would force him to talk about it since we haven’t hung out in what feels like forever, and now Michael and Grant are both married. Everyone’s dropping like rocks. But at least I still have Trent. Which is why I wanted to do something fun, to forget that everyone’s moving on with their lives. Except me.

But somehow, kidnapping him didn’t even work. I rub the back of my neck. He might actually hate me this time. I’m losing my edge.

I’ll apologize, things will get better, and we’ll be fine. We always are.

There’s a chorus of laughter and I can't help the smile that finds me. Family is all that matters. I’ve done a terrible job of showing that, but I’ll be better. I promise.

“Twenty bucks says Trent falls first,” Michael says.

So Trent made it home? That would have been nice to know instead of worrying for the last twenty-four hours. But what is Michael talking about? Why would Trent fall for anyone?

“Fifty says he already did.” Grant chimes in.

“She’s a sweet girl, it was nice to have a full table,” Mom says.

Full table? But I wasn’t here. Who replaced me?

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