Page 51 of Anywhere with You
Back home after the Gatlinburg trip, life is good. Allison’s still sad at times, but her tattoo seems to help her in the grieving process. The draft is a few weeks away, and I have her engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket, or Aiden’s drawer rather. Aiden and I have talked a lot about how and when. I didn’t want to do it while she was still so deeply mourning Gran, but now she’s doing better. She’d the old Allison, so I need to get my shit in gear and plan how I’m going to ask her to be my forever. I decide I definitely want to do it before the draft. I need assurance that no matter where I get drafted, if I do actually make the draft, she’ll be with me.
Aiden and I are in meetings upon meetings with our coach and agents.I have a fucking agent.Thisis taking up a lot of our time, so taking Allison away for a night, even to the beach house, isn’t in the cards. I have to improvise with a romantic setting at the apartment. I know I’llneed help, more than just from Aiden, so I call in reinforcements, Mom and Hailey. After swearing Hales to secrecy, I’m able to tell them my plan and what I’ll need from them to pull it off. It’s the week before the draft, and I’m running out of time. I’m a nervous wreck for a multitude of reasons. Mom and Hailey are, of course, on board and over the moon that I’m asking Allison to marry me. Neither one of them were surprised I already had the ring, they were,however, surprised that it’s been almost five months, and I still hadn’t found the right time to ask her. I explain about not wanting to ask her too soon after Gran, because she was mourning. I want her to remember this as a happy time in our lives. A day we can tell our kids about, when we are old and gray. I know, I know, totally losing the man card, but love does that to you.
It’s Wednesday, the day before we fly to New York for the League draft. Today’s also the day that will determine my future, even more so than the draft. With Allison’s schedule and mine, tonight is the only night I can get her in the apartment alone. Hailey’s job is to take her out shopping and keep her away until seven o’clock. Mom, who also brought Dad with her, Aiden, and I get to work on the apartment. We re-arrange the living room furniture, so all the furniture is pressed against the wall. We throw scarfs over the lamps to dim the lighting and place extra-large throw pillows, which Mom picked up, on the floor for Allison and me to sit on. The kitchen is transformed to resemble a romantic restaurant with table cloth, candles, and daisies. Everything is perfect, so I say goodbye to my family as I rush through a shower. I dress in a pair of well-worn jeans and a plain white t-shirt. This is me, and I want her to just see me tonight, just Liam, the one who’s madly in love with her.
My phone beeps, and I quickly read the text.
Hailey:We just pulled in, good luck, big bro.
Me:Thank you.
Game time and this is the biggest play yet. My nerves hit me hard, and I feel flutters in my stomach.Oh, shit! What if she says no?Just as I’m about to break out into full blown panic mode, I hear the handleon the door turn. I walk to the door to greet her, and as soon as I see her, my fears disappear. I love this girl, and I know she feels the same.
I lean in to kiss her lips. I’m afraid to get too close, afraid she’ll feel her ring in my pocket. “Hey, beautiful.” I take her bags and her purse and lay them down on the couch that’s pushed next to the wall.
“Hey, what’s all this?”
“This is me, having a romantic night with my girl. I’ve missed you. Things have been crazy, and with the draft starting tomorrow, I just need Allison time. You keep me calm.” That’s the truth, even though I’m leaving out the proposal. “Come on, I conned Mom into cooking for us. I wanted tonight to be special, so I didn’t even attempt to do it on my own.” At that, she laughs.
I lead her into the kitchen, and she gasps. “Liam, this is beautiful. I can’t believe you did all of this.”
Kissing her cheek, I pull out her chair. “You, my beautiful girl, deserve to be romanced.”
I serve us lasagna and a bowl of salad, placing the bread sticks on the table. I sit down in the chair right next to hers. While we eat she talks about her day with Hailey, I admit I asked Hales to keep her out of the apartment, so I could set all this up. We decide to wait on dessert, so I lead her into the living room, and we sit down on the pillows in the middle of the floor. This is it, I reach for my guitar.
She smiles brightly. “You’re going to play for me?”
I return her smile, even though my insides are shaking. “Yeah, I thought I would play something if that’s okay?”
She nods, so I strum a few chords on my guitar before I begin to play “I Live My Life For You” by Firehouse. I belt out the lyrics, begging her to understand what she means to me. Once I finish the song, I stand and lean my guitar against the wall. I walk back to Allison, offer her my hand, and tug her to stand up with me. I gently wipe the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs.
“Allison, before you came crashing into my life I thought I knew what happiness was. I didn’t think I needed love or someone by my side to share my moments with. Since meeting you, I’ve realized themoments are just that unless you share them with someone you love, that makes them memories. Memories filled with love, passion, sadness, laughs, and tears.” I take a deep breath. “You, my beautiful girl, have captivated my heart and soul. You’re my best friend, and I live my life for you. I don’t want to live without you entwined in every aspect of my life. I love you.” With that I get down on one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket. “Allison Shay Hagan, you are the air I breathe and blood in my veins. Will you be my forever, will you marry me?”
CHAPTER 37
Allison
Ican feel the crocodile tears rolling down my cheeks, and I’m unable to contain the smile I know is shining upon my face. I don’t need to think about the answer as Gran’s words flash through my mind. ’Let him love you, Allie.’ ‘Live and love fearlessly.’I launch myself into his arms and crash my lips to his, kissing him with all the love inside of me. He pulls away, andI groan in protest.I bury my face in his neck breathing him in. Liam clears his throat.
“Um, is that a yes?” His voice is thick with emotion.
I lean back and grab his face with my hands. “That is a hell yes!” I crash my lips to his, opening my mouth, inviting him in. When we finally have to come up for air, Liam grabs my hand and slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen into place. I look up at him, and then back to the ring. “Liam, it’s beautiful.”
Smiling he says, “That’s what Gran said when I showed it to her.”
I snap my head back to look at him. “W—what do you mean, when you showed it to her?”
“I bought the ring before Christmas. I showed it to Gran while we were there and asked her permission to ask you to be my wife. I had no idea that…” he trails off, not wanting to finish his sentence.
“She knew,” I whisper.
“She’s here with you, beautiful girl. She held the ring and said it was perfect for you. Aiden has been hiding it, because I was afraid you would find it in our room. I was just waiting for the right time to ask you. I knew it was you I wanted months ago, I just wanted the timing to be right.”
I have so many emotions running through me. I’m elated Liam wants to spend the rest of his life with me. It’s official, we’re getting married. I’m stunned he’s been holding onto the ring for months. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling, knowing Gran saw my ring and she knew Liam was my forever. I’m sad for the fact Gran isn’t physically here to see me marry the love of my life. Liam says she’s here with us, and I have to believe he’s right. She is here, watching over us.
Standing on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. “I love you, Liam MacCoy,” I speak softly against his lips.
“I love you too, future Mrs. MacCoy.”
