Page 69 of Drench My Halls

“I thought that with Lucy being the love of your life, her being back would stir up those buried feelings again and you would no longer want me. It frightened me to know I was going to lose you, just like I lose everything I love. I love so fucking hard and all it has gotten me is disappointment and walls so high I can’t even see over them anymore.”

Tears fall down my cheek as I feel the weight shedding off my shoulders. Caleb holds on to me so tightly I can barely suck in a breath.

“Oh hunny. I would kill Caleb if he ever let you go. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to him. I didn’t even like Lucy. She was a stuck-up bitch.”

Caleb laughs as he kisses my lips. I sniff the snot attempting to leak out. I hate crying, I look so ugly.

“It’s true, they didn’t get along. But baby, I am not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”

I nod as I hug him tighter.

“Alright, now that I know you two are okay, I have a Christmas lunch to attend at Connor’s parents house. Love you, bye.”

Madison quickly kisses my cheek, pats Caleb’s back and then heads out the door. Once the door is closed and we hear the lock click in place, Caleb lifts me up and sets me on the counter. His hands caressing my hips as he steps in between my legs.

“Julia.”

“Caleb.” I exhale.

His voice is so sexy when his tone is low, it almost sounds like he is hungry and wants to eat me alive. He is face to face with me as he stares into my eyes.

“Marry me.”

My eyes widen.

What the fuck? Is he joking?

“I’m serious.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red velvet box. My hands automatically cover my mouth as I gasp. My hands are shaking as my stomach turns.

“Caleb.”

“Just hear me out. Okay?”

I nod. Shutting my eyes for a brief moment. I couldn’t speak even if I wanted to.

It’s too soon, right?

What would people think?

What would my parents think?

Oh god, they haven’t even met him yet.

Is it crazy that I want to say yes?

He is incredible. He loves me. He protected me. Would it be wrong to say yes?

Oh god, breathe Julia.

I suck in a breath before opening my eyes.

“I know it’s only been a couple months. But in these months, you have made me feel like myself again, made me want to be a better man, helped me see that I am worthy of love again. I knew you were special the moment I saw you, I fell in love with you instantly. There is no one else in this world who completes me like you do. We don’t have to get married this year, or next year if you don’t want to, but I want to make this clear to you. I love you and want to be your husband and father of your children. I want to grow old and saggy with you. I want to be buried next to you so we can live our afterlife together. I want you, Julia.”

Breathe Julia.

Tears fall against my thigh as I look into his eyes. A sudden warmth crawls over my skin. I look up and its almost as if I can feel a hand pressing on my shoulder as the warmth travels down my body curing me of the shakes. It sounds crazy but I can feel my grandmother near me as my heart beats a faster rhythm. A smile forms on my face as I take Caleb’s cheeks into my hands. I pull him a little closer.

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