Protect Me(87)

She looks out over the water, reflections of the moonlight dancing on the still water, and stares at the sign in the dirt. It’s illuminated by the moonlight and while it’s dark outside, you can clearly read the four letters on the realtor sign. SOLD.

“What’s that?” she whispers as she stares at the sign.

“That’s the property I purchased. It’s adjacent to this property on the opposite side of the creek and has eighteen acres of timber along the creek bank. It also has a small clearing about fifty yards away that, with a little help, can be cleared out further for a house. A house I want to build for us. Our home,” I say as I struggle to suck in deep breaths of air. This is it. She either says yes or she says no. “I want us to build a home and start our lives together.”

Lia sucks in a big, shaky breath and lets it out slowly. “You want to build a house?” she whispers.

“I want us to build a home together because you are all I want for the rest of my life.” I turn her back around and drop down on one knee.

Yeah, I lied. I actually have two questions for her to answer.

“Lia, you entered my life with a bang - literally,” I start, earning a big award winning smile from Lia. “You stole my heart from that first moment I met you, and I can’t imagine a life without you. We’ve been through so much together in a few short months, and I want to spend the rest of my life enjoying those moments. Together. At one time, I never wanted any of this, but now, it’s all I want. I promise to love and protect you for the rest of my life. Lia, will you marry me?” I finally spit out. My mind goes completely blank as I wait for her answer. Shit, answers.

I watch helplessly as tears leak from the corners of her eyes. She gives nothing away as she stares down at me. After what feels like the world’s longest ten seconds, a small smile finally creeps out and spreads across her lush lips.

“Yes,” she whispers just before a breathtaking smile breaks out fully. “Yes to both!” she exclaims as she jumps up and down. From the excitement of the moment or the coldness of the night, I don’t know. And I don’t really give a shit either because my girl just agreed to marry me!

I stand up and sweep her into my arms, crashing my lips down onto hers. She opens her mouth instantly, letting my tongue sweep in and explore her warm, sweet mouth. God, I fucking love this woman.

“So, you’re going to marry me and we’re going to build a house. Together,” I whisper against her lips.

“Together. Always together,” she repeats, and it sounds like music to my ears. Hell, better than music. It’s heaven.

“You bet your ass, always together,” I say as I press my lips against hers for another intoxicating kiss.

Lia’s arms are wrapped around my neck, her legs snake around my waist, and her heart beats wildly against my chest. I will forever hold her in my arms, protecting her with everything I have, until my last breath. And if that happens tomorrow in a fire or fifty years from now, from old age, I want Lia to know that she’s my everything. I will spend every day that I have proving it to her.

She’s my life.

She’s my dream.

And I will protect her until the day I die.

Forever.





~ The End ~