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We spend hours talking after I make a list of what I think are the issues in our relationship. He is understanding, supportive even, and suggests we try couples counseling. He says he’ll start looking for one right away because nothing is worth losing me. We make a plan, and I feel like it’s a good start, not nearly enough, but a good start.

He makes it a point to come home from work with a smile on his face. Every other day or so, he brings me flowers or a snack I like.

I fall in love with Jake all over again when he keeps his word and hasn't had so much as one beer at home. He chooses to go to the bar down the street where our friend Cody works when he’s had a long day or needs to get out of the house for an hour. He doesn't come home drunk, and he doesn't stay out all night.

He hasn't found a therapist yet, but we sit down every Sunday and work through anything that happened during the week that we need to get out.

By May, Bianca moves out, unhappy when Jake announces it’ll be a dry house. He takes it hard, but I tell him that if she couldn't support him in making healthy choices, it is better that she does not live with us. I have forgiven her for the problems she caused, but I haven't forgotten. When Jake wanted to get clean, she convinced him he didn't need to and that I was the problem, not the drugs. The last thing we need is for her to convince him that the drinking isn't the problem when it clearly is.

Since we’ve stopped drinking in the house, things have been great. We spend weekends out with the kids and nights at home, cuddling up on the couch and watching movies. Jake tries to teach me how to play his favorite video game, but I am horrible at Call of Duty. He teases me, then kisses me and tells me how much he loves me for trying.

When we start having fun together again, I realize we’d been acting like roommates who fuck and not as a couple. He starts courting me again, bringing me home flowers and planning date nights. It’s like I am seeing him again for the first time.

On Mother's Day, we go to my parents' house and have a big family BBQ. Everyone shows up early to cook so mom doesn't have to, and I am surprised that even Jake’s family has come because they hardly join us for anything.

We are just finishing up setting the table when Jake whistles to get everyone's attention.

“I’m so glad that you all came today to celebrate all of the amazing mothers in this family,”

he says, pulling me into his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. To my mom, Tara, thank you for always having my back, even when I was a shitty son. I know I put you through the ringer, but I’m the man I am today because of you,”

he pauses, holding his glass up as everyone claps before continuing, “To Elle’s mom, Shelly, I’m so thankful for you because you gave me one of the most precious gifts any man could ever ask for. You have raised an astonishing woman, and I thank you every morning that I get to wake up next to her. Not only is she as beautiful as you,” everyone chuckles, “but she is kind, brave, and selfless. She is the most supportive partner I’ve ever had, and it's because of you, so thank you for raising my future wife.”

I’m smiling at my mom, watching tears roll down her face as his words register. I whip my head to him, and he’s smiling down at me, tears gathering at the corner of his eyes as he starts to speak again.

“When I met you, I thought to myself, ‘man, she is going to wreck me,’ and you did, in the most beautiful ways. You’ve changed me in ways I never thought possible. You’ve shown me love, patience, and a strength I’ve never seen in anyone else. I watched you struggle through your addiction and claw your way out of it all on your own, and I don't think I’ve ever been as proud of anyone as I am of you. We’ve overcome so much, and I know that no matter what comes next, as long as I have you by my side, I’ll be okay. So, it would be my greatest honor in this life if you said yes and married me.”

I quickly give up trying to keep the tears from falling and nod my head, speechless. I wait until he places the heart-shaped ring on my finger to throw my arms around him as everyone around us cheers. After kissing him a million times and staring at my finger a million more times between kisses, everyone comes to congratulate us.

I spend the day with a smile on my face and constantly fighting back tears. My parents offered to keep Damian overnight, and Jake’s mom takes Caylee, giving us a night to celebrate alone.

“How long have you had this planned?”

I ask him when we get in the car to go home.

“Long enough to make sure everyone we loved was there. I knew you wouldn't expect it today, but if everyone got together like that on a different day, you would have figured it out.”

He takes my hand in his before kissing my engagement ring.

I'm engaged. We’re engaged.

“I’ve dreamt of seeing your engagement ring wrapped around my dick since I bought it,”

he says as he kisses it again and slowly lowers our hands down his chest.

“Like this?”

I laugh as I unbuckle his pants, reaching in to pull him out. I stroke him once before playfully posing my hand above his dick, showing off my ring with a smirk.

“You’re gonna pay for that when we get home,”

he laughs and tucks himself away before grabbing my hand again.

The moment we step through the door, Jake throws me over his shoulder and marches us to the bedroom. I laugh and swat at his ass, bouncing with every step.

“Can we try something new?”

he asks when he sets me down. His hand on my chest pushes me until the backs of my knees hit the bed.

I nod as I sit, and he kisses me before kneeling on the ground to remove my shoes. He pushes me to lie on my back and slowly pulls my pants down while trailing kisses down my legs, stopping when he gets too close to my foot. I move to pull them away, but he yanks my leg back and tells me to stay still.

He moves to the other leg, kissing from my ankle up to my knee before placing both hands on my thighs, pushing them apart and pulling me down to the edge of the bed in one move.

“Is my fiancé wet for me?”

he asks as he drags his hands up and down my thighs. Leaning in, he uses his nose to rub my clit through my panties and groans low in his throat, lifting my thighs to rest on his shoulders.

“Yeah, of course, you are,”

he continues rubbing my clit with his nose, making me squirm, “You always are,”

he uses his nose to push my panties to the side. “Such a good girl.”

I cry out when he bites my clit and my hips jerk.

“Na-uh,”

he says as he pulls away and slaps my pussy, “I said stay still,”

We make eye contact, and he waits for me to nod before he lowers his head again and kisses away the sting.

Fuck. I grab the sheets and begin to shake as he fucks me with his tongue. Every time a shake becomes a jerk; he stops and slaps my pussy. I watch his head rise as he slowly pushes a finger in, and he watches in fascination as he fingers me. When he adds another, I clench around him and he groans, slowly sliding his eyes to mine.

“You’re doing so good,”

he rasps, curling his fingers and making my toes curl, “Turn over. Don't let my fingers move or we stop,”

he says when I start to pull away.

I think about how to do this before I slowly lift my right leg over his head, twisting my left hip under me while he continues to fuck me with his fingers until I'm lying face down on the bed.

“That’s my girl,”

he whispers as he lifts my legs one at a time, placing my knees on the edge of the bed. I start to rise onto my hands when he stands and pushes between my shoulder blades.

I stay there, ass in the air, pussy dripping down my thighs, and I turn around. He steps out of his clothes and grabs an extension cord from the floor.

“Do you trust me?”

he asks, voice low as he walks back to me.

“Always.”

I swallow, looking away from the extension cord to his face, my voice firm, my eyes never leaving his.

“All you have to do is tap me twice and we’ll stop,”

he promises as he lines himself up with me.

I nod and follow the extension cord with my eyes as he slides it under me. He puts his hand on my shoulder, tugging me up until I'm almost sitting upright, and lets go before he wraps the cord around my neck, each hand holding one end behind me. My pulse is racing when I realize what he’s planning.

I feel him slowly press into me while the cord rests softly on my neck. He wraps the cord around one hand and gently rubs my back as he slowly begins to fuck me. Every thrust sliding deeper until he bottoms out, his hips flush against my ass.

“You feel so fucking good,”

he pulls out and slams all the way back, making me cry out and lean forward, the cord tightening around my throat, stopping me.

“I knew you’d love this,”

he says, my pussy squeezing him, making him groan and fuck me harder. His wrist circles and pulls the cord tighter every few thrusts until it’s tight enough to cut off my airway, and my back is pressed against his chest.

“Touch yourself,”

he whispers as he bites my ear, lowering me

I reach down, pressing my fingers against his dick, and use my wetness to rub my clit in fast, hurried circles. He pushes me against the bed, and spits before he starts playing with my ass, slowly sliding his thumb in. Almost immediately, he tightens the cord one last time, my pussy clenching around him.

“Yeah, that's it, cum baby, squeeze me dry,”

he pulls on the cord, slamming into me, grunting and fucking me through my orgasm.

“Such a good girl, taking every inch of me,”

he drops the cord. “Your pussy was made for me.”

Jake is relentless as he fucks me, hands gripping my hips so hard I’ll have bruises tomorrow. He pulls out, and his cum coats my ass before he pushes his softening dick in, both of us moaning as he stretches me.

He did it! He asked me to marry him! Everything we’ve been through has made us stronger, and I’m so glad I stuck it out. He is my future, and I can’t wait to be his wife!!!

-elle