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"I was consumed with jealousy because, from the very first moment I saw you, I knew you were mine. I fell in love at first sight."
She opens her mouth, but I stop her with a gesture.
"It was the first time, but not the only time I fell for you."
"What do you mean?"
"One day, I saw you pretending to play the violin in the rain, and I loved you all over again. Then I watched you get emotional at the concert, and once more, you stole my heart. And then, the first time I had you, I surrendered again."
"Don’t say that."
"And then you disappeared, and?—”
She suddenly sits up, catching me off-guard. "And you assumed the worst of me. You used the wrong word, William—you felt passion, not love. Physical attraction. If you truly loved me, you never would have doubted me."
I sit up, staring at the water.
I could counter her argument in many ways. Impose my will as I’m used to doing.
But I’ve already made too many mistakes with Taylor, and I suspect words alone won’t be enough to fix them.
I’ll have to prove it.
"Eat," I say, feigning calm as I open the box of cupcakes.
She looks at me skeptically, then at the dessert I’m offering her. "You’re not going to try to convince me I’m wrong?"
"Not with words. I’ll prove it to you."
"How?"
"By staying by your side. By defending you and protecting you from any harm. By loving you. And most importantly, by punishing those who hurt you."
I intend to tell her what I’ve discovered—about my father’s involvement in her disappearance, my conversation with Sherie, and my confrontation with my mother.
But she’s been through too much already today.
Taylor sits beside me again. "They look amazing," she says before taking a bite of one covered in chocolate.
"I wouldn’t know—I haven’t tasted them yet. But wait a moment..." I pull her onto my lap, straddling me, and kiss her mouth. "The best cupcake I’ve ever had," I say.
She looks at me, serious. "Never doubt me again."
"Never again, Taylor."
* * *
And finally, the day has arrived.
Even though we both already know the answer—since she hasn’t had her period in over three months—Taylor delayed getting confirmation for as long as she could.
If I were even a fraction less determined to stay by her side forever, I might feel uncertain. But I’ll never give up, so I gave her time to process her fear.
In the meantime, I became even more obsessed with her wellbeing and assembled a veritable army to protect her.
She spends much more time with me than with Jackie, and even though we haven’t labeled our relationship, it has never been just dating. She is more my wife than many women who have signed a document in front of a judge to make it official.
But I’m not just a man in love—I’m also a control freak. And I won’t stop until there’s a damn certificate stating to the entire world that we belong to each other.