Page 148 of Under Your Scars

Bethany left soon after we finished the decorations. I gave her an extra-long hug before she left and sent her back to Texas on my private jet as a small gift to her. I didn’t get her, or anyone in Elena’s family, a gift for Christmas. I got Elena something, of course, and I suppose the million-dollar check I wrote for Justin and Travis as a wedding gift was enough, but I didn’t even think about getting her parents anything. When Bethany landed, I texted her letting her know that her next vacation was on me.

Elena and I spend Christmas morning cuddled up on one of the couches in the living room near a fireplace, going through old family photos. I don’t have nearly as many as her, so most of the time is spent listening to her tell detailed stories about every photo in the album.

I laugh at her relentlessly when we get to her middle school days, where she went through her ‘emo phase’ and there was no purple to be found in her life for two whole years. She shows me the first time she won a gold medal at a dance competition, reminiscing about how tight her bun was and how bad it hurt to take it out.

We go through her senior prom photos, and she is sorely disappointed to find out that I did not attend my own senior prom, because I got suspended for three days for fighting. I crinkle my nose in disgust at a photo of her and her ex-boyfriend at her college graduation.

Elena starts getting fidgety halfway through the day. Restless. Her nervous energy comes off her in waves.

I use a hand to brush some of her loose hair off her shoulder and place a soft kiss to the curve of her neck. “What’s going on?”

“I’m nervous.”

I chuckle. “I couldn’t tell.”

She smiles and then presses her lips to mine. “I need you to go to our room and stay until everything’s ready. I’ll text you when you can come out. Oh! And make sure you’re wearing a suit.”

“What are you up to? You’re acting suspicious.”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “Go!”

I do as she says.

About forty-five minutes of waiting pass, and I get dressed as instructed. I put on one of my best-fitting suits, my shiniest shoes, and my nicest Rolex.

As I straighten my tie in the mirror, I look around the room in the reflection and realize how accustomed I’ve become to sharing my home with the woman I love.

Her bar exam prep books and notebooks are scattered across the table. A stray bobby pin is discarded on the floor. A cardigan is draped over the sofa to my left. That picture of her dad she used to have in her office sits on my bookshelf next to my own family photos.

Everything about her presence in my life feelsright. Like this is exactly where I was always meant to end up.

For the first time, I regret nearly ending my life. I almost missed out on the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I get the text to come out, and I do one final look in the mirror to make sure I look sharp. I leave the bedroom with my footsteps echoing through the quiet corridors of the mansion. When I get to the foyer, I pause, raising an eyebrow at the state of the floor.

White rose petals create a path, winding through the foyer, lined by tea lights. I follow the path slowly, and it comes to a stop in front of the fireplace.

I hear the distinct sound of heels clicking against the floor behind me, and when I turn, the entire world and everything in it fades away. Elena’s hair frames her face in big, loose curls down her back. She’s wearing a white satin dress. It has thin straps and a cowl neckline and ends mid-calf. Shining brightly around her neck is the Harry Winston necklace I bought her in Mykonos, accompanied by tiny, diamond studs in her ears. Her lips are painted in bright red lipstick, making her slight pout look absolutely irresistible.

I let out a shuddering breath, because I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful. So magnificent. So stellar.

So perfect.

She walks down the little rose petal path towards me, and when she’s close enough that I can touch her, I cradle her jaw, look into her eyes, and whisper, “Stunning.”

A glossy sheen coats her eyes, and those honey-brown irises sparkle up at me.

“Ask me properly.”

I don’t understand at first, but then the pieces start to fall together. The rose petal path. The white dress.

She’s giving me aweddingas my Christmas present.

Pulling out the ring I had made for her out of my pocket, I slowly sink down to one knee without breaking eye contact.

“I’d offer you my heart and my soul, but you’ve had both of those from the moment we met. What more of myself do I have left to give that you don’t already possess?” I sigh wistfully. “I have my last name, if you think it's worthy enough to follow the five letters you’ve carved into my heart.” I take a deep breath. “Elena Louise Young, my angel, my love, my life, will you marry me?”

Elena nods, giving me her finger. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”