Page 74 of Through the Five-Hole
“Well, Colton would like it if you’d all join us in the living room.He has some things he’d like to say.”
I wiped my hands on a towel and placed the last plate I’d been working on onto the table, then checked the oven, before we all followed Knox into the living room.
Each of us took a seat beside our significant others.I’d just sat down as Colton stood up.
“Before we eat, I just want to thank all of you for coming and joining Emma and I for our first Christmas together.I also want to thank all of you for standing beside me during this year.It hasn’t been my best, and I promise they will only get better as the years go on.Now, hopefully my therapist will have me back playing in a couple months, and I’ll be able to help carry the team to victory this year.”
“Absolutely I will.That is, if you’ll let me treat you instead of whimpering each time I touch you.”Lorelai giggled.
“Stop hurting me and I will.”
Everyone laughed, and then I watched as Dylan pulled out his phone, holding it up to Colton.When he turned my way, I quickly forgot all about the camera.
“Baby girl.Words can’t express how happy I am to have you back with me.I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, but now all we have to do is focus on one another.Now, I’d get down on my knee if I could…”
“What?”I gasped.
“Relax, I’m not proposing.At least not yet.”He chuckled as he watched the panic wash from my face.
“Okay, goodness, you scared me there.”
“Well, just hold on.While I’m not proposing, I am asking for a promise.”
I watched as he reached into his pocket.“What are you doing?”I questioned, looking at the others, who all stood there smiling.
“I’m giving you this,” he said, holding up a ring I’d recognized but couldn’t remember from where.
“It was my mother’s birthstone ring.She’d always told me I was to give it to the one until I was ready to buy a ring of my own to give to her.So, I’m giving you this ring as a symbol of my promise to you, that I am yours forever, until you no longer wish for me to be yours.”
I held my hand out, and even though I was shaking, he slipped the ring onto my finger and held my hand in his.
“I’ve loved you longer than I thought, and even though it took us time to come back to one another, I ask that you be gentle with my heart and never leave me.”
“Oh my gosh,” I heard Aurora gasp.
I looked down at the ring on my finger and then up at those blue eyes I’d always loved and lifted onto my toes to place a kiss on his lips.
“I’ll be as gentle as I can,” I whispered.“I love you.”
“I love you too, baby girl.”
The room erupted in cheers as everyone clapped.
“That’s it, this is going up for the world to see.”Dylan chuckled.“The fans are going to go crazy!”
I leaned in, crashing against his body as he pulled me in tighter and kissed me.Let the fans erupt, I thought.I was ready to burst inside, anyway.I couldn’t wait to start this next chapter with him.