Looking down, I take a deep breath and find the path turns red. Hanging on Dex’s bathroom door, a red one is positioned similar to the purple one on mine. Itching to reach him, my feet race to the door, taking it down, I go to the note.
All of the roses bundled in my hand, I turn the knob, anxious to see his face. When I open the door, “The One” by Static Cycle begins playing, and Dex starts walking toward me. It was the first song we ever danced to, at his mom’s wedding. Two of the bouquets I made at Lily’s this week sit on the nightstands.
Tears break through and I wipe them from my face, waiting for him to reach me. With every step he takes, my heart expands for this boy-turned-man in all the years I’ve known him. “Thank you,” I say softly.
“One more gift.” He pulls a box from behind his back. A large, rectangular box wrapped in silver paper with a white ribbon and bow tied around it. My mouth dries as he leads me over to the edge of the bed. Nodding his head for me to open it, he turns down the music slightly.
My fingers slip under the tape and lift the paper up. Discarding the lid, I place it on the bed and tear through the tissue paper. Dex at my side, I give him one more glance before finishing. Finding a Western t-shirt, I smile. Picking it up, I hang it across my chest. An envelope at the bottom of the box alarms me. Staring over at Dex, he only nods his head at me. My hands shake as I pick it up and cross my finger over the seam. I pull a slip of paper out of the envelope and read Cashier’s Check, and then my eyes flicker to the amount. It drops out of my hand.
“Dex,” I sigh and shake my head, “I can’t.”
He bends down, picks it up off the floor and then places it in my hands. “You can, and you will.” Placing my hand over my mouth, tears stream down my face, and I shake my head. He’s already given me more than I could ever give back, I can’t accept his money as well. “We’ll figure out the rest after this runs out.” He presses it into my hands.
“But—” I argue.
“But nothing. Chrissy, this is your money as well as mine. Gambling took so much away from you; allow it to give back in some way. You deserve it.” I sit for a few silent seconds debating it in my head. “Say something,” he urges.
Realizing this is my time to thank him and stop pushing him. “Dex! I love you.” I crawl over and straddle his body on the bed. “Thank you so much.” I bend down and kiss him on the lips. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I graduate,” I say.
Shaking his head amused by me, he places his hands on either side of my face, holding me steady for a second. Staring into my eyes, that love I’ve become so familiar with boring into my own, he breaths in and out. “Marry me?” he asks. “I’m not asking for today or tomorrow, but just someday.”
“YES!” I exclaim and sprinkle kisses across his face.
A Month Later …
SITTING IN THE white folding chair with kids running around the tables screaming, “You’re it.” Adjusting my tie, I loosen it from around my neck and unbutton the top button of my shirt. With my jacket long gone already, I’m finally more relaxed.
Chloe stops at my table and sits down next to me. “So, Uncle Dex?” she questions, and I give her my full attention.
“Yeah, Chloe?”
“When will you have a baby?” she asks, and I cock my eyebrow at her question.
“I don’t know. Probably not for a while,” I tell her, and she frowns.
“Why so sad?” I ask, and she shrugs.
She leans in, and I follow suit. “I don’t know, I overheard Kailey talking about someone having a baby in their belly,” she whispers.
“What?” My body straightens in my chair from her peeking my interest.
“Yep. But I guess it’s not you, so I’m on to my next suspect.” She hops off and runs across the yard to Grant, who’s holding Addy in his arms. I practically spit out my beer when his eyes bulge and his mouth gaps open with Chloe’s question. Then his head adamantly shakes back and forth.
“What’s so funny?” I feel her hand on my shoulder, and she squeezes. Grabbing her hand, I swing her around and position her on my lap, where she belongs.
She has no idea how my body reacts every time she comes into my sight. She’s gorgeous in her silver, satin gown that flows over her body. Her hair pulled up off of her neck. I place my lips on the back of it, and she melds into me a little more. “Are you pregnant?” I whisper, and she turns around, narrowing her eyes.
“Shut your mouth. Don’t wish that on us.” She pushes her head back, and then returns. “Yet,” she corrects, and I laugh, happy I’m not the only one that sees a little one in our future.