Page 76 of Chasing Elliott
While Kara and her mother hugged and gushed about the day, Cooper came walking over to me slowly as he scanned me up and down and let out a soft whistle. Kara had chosen amaroon dress for me to wear, not only because it was her favorite color, but because she claimsit's the color that looks best on me. It had a slit in the right leg, small straps, and a plunging neckline.
"You look breathtaking," Cooper mumbled as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him.
Grasping my hands on either side of his suit jacket, I smiled up at him. "And you're not looking too bad yourself."
"Alright," Kara's mom said loudly as she clapped her hands together. "It's time to get this show on the road. You ready, honey?"
Cooper spun me around on the dance floor as everyone around us danced like there was no tomorrow. Throwing my arms around his neck, he smiled down at me and in that instant, Iknew that I'd never be able to live without that smile.
Once the song came to an end, I stood there puzzled when it didn't transition into the next one. Turning toward the DJ booth, I saw Kara and Benjamin standing there with microphones in their hands. Cooper slung an arm around my shoulders as I wrapped mine around his waist and waited for everyone to quiet down.
"First off, we just wanted to thank every single one of you for being here to celebrate with us tonight," Benjamin started saying as he looked around the large crowd. "You all mean so much to us and it wouldn't be the same without all of you here."
"I want to say a special thank you to Elliott and Cooper for being such a big help with the planning and just for being such amazing friends," Kara filled in. My eyes narrowed slightly as Ilooked at her and saw a devilish smile appear on her face. "And since they are such great friends, they threw together a medley for us so I'd love it if you two could come up and sing that for us tonight."
Everyone started cheering as eyes fell on us and my cheeks instantly heated up. Rolling my eyes, I slipped my arm out from around Cooper's waist and grabbed his hand, leading him through the crowd up to the front. Giving Kara a hug, I took the microphone from her and smiled as her and Benjamin walked over to two chairs that were sitting in front of the crowd.
"Since this is a wedding and all, we're going to sing a song that we both love that wethought fits this occasion perfectly," Cooper started to say before he pointed at the DJ. Suddenly a soft melody started to play as I turned to him and smiled.
"I set out on a narrow way, many years ago. Hoping I would find true love along thebroken road," Cooper started off as he looked at Benjamin and Kara.
"But I got lost a time or two, wiped my brow I kept pushing through," I continued as Icast Cooper a side glance to notice him do the same.
"I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you," we both sang in perfect harmony as a smile tugged at my lips.
The song continued, a rush of emotions flowing through me. I looked out and saw Everettholding my niece in his arms, his wife holding my nephew. Casting my eyes over the group, Inoticed Nicholas and his girlfriend swaying gently to the music, their arms wrapped tightly around one another and next to them, sitting in a chair, was Alex sitting on his boyfriend’s lap.
Cooper glanced over to me after he did an over dramatic turn before pointing at Kara and Benjamin. "Cause God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."
"Heart beats fast, colors and promises how to be brave, how can I love when I'm afraid to fall. But watching you stand alone all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow," I quickly picked up as I swayed slightly in beat with the music.
I took a small step closer to Cooper, unable to break eye contact with him. "Every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true."
Cooper closed the gap between us, singing as he cupped my face in his free hand. Blushing slightly, I almost missed my cue but thankfully my subconscious didn't allow that. "God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."
As soon as the song came to an end, everyone started clapping and a large smile appeared on my face. Turning to Cooper, I threw my arms around his neck and we embraced in a firm hug. Pulling apart, my smile grew as Kara came running over and engulfed me in her embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered in my ear, squeezing me tightly.
"Of course, Kay," I whispered back, squeezing her just as tightly with my head buried in her neck. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Now, go get your happy ending."
As we pulled apart, Cooper rested his hand on my shoulder and gestured with his head out toward the balcony. I raised a brow at both of them but slipped my hand into his, allowing him to lead me outside as the party started back up again.
As the doors closed behind us, I took a moment to soak up the fresh air and enjoy thequiet. However, when I turned around, I saw Cooper down on one knee with a ring in his hand. Tears instantly sprung to my eyes as I used my free hand to cover my mouth. He grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Elliott, we have been through so much to get to this point, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. You are the love of my life and the only girl I want by my side. I wouldn't put up with anyone else kicking my ass at the batting cages, out-singing me at karaoke night, or stealing food off my plate.
"You are the best damn thing to ever happen to me and I want to spend the rest of my lifemaking you smile. I don't ever want to be without you. So, Elliott Stevens, will you marry me?"
Tears were pouring down my face as I furiously shook my head yes. Cooper stood up and I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Crashing my lips to his, I pulled back and used my right hand to wipe away the tears from my face. As he was about to put the ring on my finger, I stopped him.
"I know you must have made sure Benji and Kay wouldn't care if you did this tonight, butI still want this to be about them," I informed him, wiping at the tears that were still pouring down my cheeks. "You can put that ring on my finger when we get home."
"Deal."
Wrapping my arms around his torso, I smiled up at him. Sharing a passionate kiss, I couldn’t stop the elated feeling that took hold of my chest. This was what I had been waiting formy entire life and I never even realized it. I had spent so much time dwelling on my past that Ialmost missed the future that was chasing after me for a lot longer than it should have.
