Page 20 of Love Me Forever

“Oh Doll, you’ll be seeing more of me. It was such a good time. Thank you for having me and your brunch, it was delicious,” she says. Damien says, “I’ll walk you out mom.”

I love how caring they are towards each other. It brings me so much hope that one day, this will be a new normal. Sunday brunches with his mother and maybe a few toddlers at our feet playing.

Chapter Twenty-One

Damien

6 weeks later

I love coming home and seeing Amelia in the living room, cozied up on the couch while she’s reading. I finally convinced her to move in last week. She thought it was too soon, that maybe I’d get tired of her. I persuaded her otherwise, and the ring sitting in my night stand drawer proves it is the fucking truth. I already know how and when I’m asking her.

“Gorgeous.” I call out to her, she didn’t even hear me unlock the door or come in. It’s late, almost ten. The meeting I had with the new partner we are bringing in took longer than I expected. I called Amelia and let her know to go ahead and eat dinner without me. I hated doing it, that tightness in my chest tightened more, and it only solidified that Justin and I made the right decision to bring on someone else.

“Oh, hey Handsome. I didn’t even hear you come in.”

I laugh, “Must be a good book?” I ask her.

“Yea, and time just got away from me,” she says as she comes up to me, going to her toes to kiss me, I bend down and take over the kiss. My hands finding her hips. Damn, I love this woman.

We break apart and she goes into the kitchen taking a plate of roast, carrots, and potatoes out along with some dinner rolls. It’s still warm and I can’t wait to dig in.

“Damn Baby, this looks amazing,” I say as I bring a bite up to my mouth. It melts in my mouth. This woman, god damn. She works, comes home cleans, cooks, and is still going when I get home late at night. I’m the luckiest man alive.

I stand at the island and woof my food down, knowing Amelia is ready for bed and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than in bed with her wrapped around me.

“I’ll be in bed, Handsome,” she tells me as I’m putting my dishes in the dishwasher.

“Be there in a minute,” I say and then lock up the house and make my way into the bedroom. She’s curled in the sheets, the television is on, but the volume is turned down low, and she’s fast asleep. Fuck, I hate that she’s asleep before I’m in bed with her.

My chest aches at the thought of her being this tired, yet still doing so much to help me out when I’m not even home. I shower and then slide into bed and bring her towards me so I can hold her. I murmur into the night “Love you more than life itself, Amelia.” She sighs and settles into me more.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Amelia

I could have sworn I heard Damien say he loves me last night, maybe I was dreaming though. I know one thing for sure. I have to tell him. He needs to know with every ounce of my being that I love him.

I’ve been exhausted lately. Birdie’s has been keeping me going all day long and even the college kids I’ve had to come in and help aren’t keeping us ahead of the game. I think it may be time to bring on some full-time help.

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, I’m hopeful to close the shop after all the deliveries are made. Last year we were sold out of pre-made bouquets by three, and that helped tremendously, and it only seems like we’re getting busier each and every year.

I get up and start to get ready for my day. The alarm went off and I turned it off before it could wake up Damien. He’s been just as exhausted as I have been lately. Today I’m going for comfort and wear a pair of jeans. When I go to put them on, I notice they’re tighter than they usually are. I make a note to maybe cut back on rolls, that thought makes me sad. I love everything bread, carbs are my life. I throw on an oversized v neck tee, throw my hair up in a bun, and put my glasses on.

When I’m dressed and hear the coffee pot timer go off, I head into the kitchen. When I get there, imagine my surprise when I see Damien leaning on the counter. His low hung pajama bottoms are giving me the best view ever, and if this week wasn’t so damn busy, I’d drag him back to bed with me.

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