“I’m going to take you up on that offer when we get back to your place.”
“Move in with me,” I blurted out.
“What?” She laughed.
“I’m serious, Amelia. I want you to move in with me.”
“I already practically live there,” she said.
I grabbed her hand from across the table. “It’s not the same. I want all your stuff there. Your clothes, your makeup, all your girly things. I want it all to invade my bathroom and closet space. I want you in my bed twenty-four-seven and I want to know that there isn’t any other place for you to go. I want my home to be your home, our home.”
“Oh my God, that’s so sweet,” some girl sitting at the table next to us said. Amelia looked at her and laughed. “Why don’t you ever say things like that to me?” the girl said as she reached across the table and smacked the guy she was with.
He looked over at me. “Dude, thanks a lot.”
I chuckled as I squeezed Amelia’s hand. Her beautiful blue eyes, which put me in a trance every time I looked into them, stared at me.
“Yes. I will move in with you and the only reason why is because you give amazing sex!” She winked.
The girl at the table next to us reached over and once again smacked her boyfriend.
I stood up with the biggest smile on my face and wrapped my arms around Amelia. “I love you so much, baby. Thank you.”
“I love you too.”
I hooked my arm around her and we walked out of Starbucks. All the way down to FAO Schwarz, I kept kissing her cheek and pulling her into me. We stepped inside and I saw Julia and Jake by the stuffed animals.
“Hey, sis,” I yelled.
She smiled as she held up her arm and waved us over. I bent down and gave Brayden a kiss as he lay asleep in his stroller. “He’s such a good boy,” I said to Julia and Jake.
“I’m happy you think that. I’ll be calling you tonight when he’s up screaming his head off at three in the morning.”
“Ah, no thanks.” I chuckled.
My mom and dad walked up behind us and my mom kissed my cheek and then looked at me strangely.
“You have that look.”
“What look?” I asked.
“The same look your father gets when he’s really happy about something. What’s going on?” She smiled.
I looked at my dad and he rolled his eyes. “Well, I do have some news that I’m really excited about.”
“Please tell me Amelia’s not pregnant,” my dad said with seriousness.
“NO, Dad! I’ve asked Amelia to officially move in with me and she said yes!”
I watched as my dad let out a sigh of relief. “Congratulations, son. Congratulations, Amelia.”
“That’s wonderful,” Jake and Julia said.
My mom stood there and stared at me with tears in her eyes. “Mom. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m happy for the both of you. It’s just my little boy is a man now and you’ve moved out and—”
“Aw, Mom,” I said as I hugged her.
“Come on, Ellery. Let’s take our grandson to see Santa,” my dad said as he put his arm around her.
As Julia pushed the stroller and we followed behind, I saw the Big Piano. “Julia, look!”
She stopped and smiled when she saw it. “Remember when we used to play that as kids?” she said.
“Come on; let’s do it.”
“Okay!” she exclaimed.
The two of us stepped on the piano. “Do you remember what we used to play?” I asked.
“I sure do,” she said as she stepped on a note.
My mom stood in front of us and took a video with her phone. My dad stood next to her with a wide smile across his face. When we finished our song, Julia and I pulled Jake and Amelia in with us and we goofed around, playing all kinds of tunes.
“Excuse me, children, but there’s a baby here who wants to see Santa and the line is getting longer by the minute,” my mom said.
We laughed and stepped off the piano. When Julia set Brayden in Santa’s arms, he screamed and I couldn’t help but laugh. As soon as they took his picture, I called Amelia and my family up and we all had our picture taken together with Santa.
****
“Merry Christmas, baby.” I smiled as I rolled on top of her and kissed her lips.
“Mhmm... Merry Christmas.”
I rolled off of her and reached under the bed where I stored one of her Christmas gifts.
“I would like you to open this now.” I smiled as I handed her the small velvet box.
“Collin.”
“Just open it.”
She slowly tipped the lid up and stared at the ring that sat inside.
“It’s a promise ring. I hope you like it.”
Tears filled her eyes as she took it out of the box. “I absolutely love it.”
“Read the inscription.”
“I promise forever with you,” she read.
A tear fell down her cheek. I took the ring from her and held her left hand. “Would you wear it on your left hand?”
“Yes. There’s no other finger that I’d want to wear it on,” she cried.
I placed the ring on the finger of her left hand and brought it up to my lips as I softly kissed it. “This ring is my promise to you. A promise of a future together and a promise of me being with only you. This ring also is my promise to marry you some day because I can’t see spending my life without you. With this ring, I promise you forever and always and my forever love.”
I held on to her hand as she cried and wrapped her arm around me, pulling me down on top of her. “You have changed my entire life, Collin. I was in a really bad place and, somehow, you were the only one that brought me back from it. I promise you that I’ll never take off this ring. You have my love forever.”
I smiled as my mouth crashed into hers and we made love for the next hour. Of course, we were late getting upstairs to celebrate Christmas with my family, but when we walked in and my mom saw Amelia wearing the ring, she smiled and kissed me.
Chapter 31
We were on the plane headed to California and Jacob was in his glory with the new X-box games I had bought him for Christmas. He and Jake played on the plane while Julia and I had a conversation.
“I’m worried about Amelia and California,” I said.
“Have you talked to her about it?”
“No, and she hasn’t mentioned it either.”
“Don’t worry about it, Collin. You’ll be there with her and for her if she starts to freak out.”
“She hasn’t been on a boat yet and I’m a little scared about how she’s going to react when we get ready to spread Denny’s ashes.”
“She’s a lot stronger now than she was when you first met her. I’ve seen an incredible change in her. Give her some credit; she’ll be just fine. And if not, you’ll know how to help her.”
I looked across the plane at my parents fussing over Brayden. “Look at them,” I said. “They are so happy to have Brayden around.”
“I know.” Julia laughed. “Mom said she’s babysitting full-time when I go back to work. I can’t wait to see Mason and Landon again.”
“I know they’re excited to us. I talked to Mason about Jacob and he said if things work out with them moving to Cali, then he’ll be more than happy to visit with him.”
Amelia walked over and sat down with us. “You should see Jake and Jacob playing that game. They’re crazy good at it.” She laughed.
I put my arm around her and kissed her head. “I love you, baby,” I said as worry consumed me the closer we got to California.
****
Mason and Landon had a car waiting for us at the airport. As soon as we stepped off the plane, Mason yelled, “Oh my God, give me that baby!”
Julia handed Brayden over to him and the rest of us didn’t exist. “What about me, Uncle Mason? I was your baby, remember?” I said.
“Pfft, Collin. You’re a man now. I’ll shower you a
nd the princess when I’m done with this little prince.”
Meanwhile, Landon hugged us all and I introduced him to Amelia, Diana, and Jacob. We all got into the limo and drove to the house. The housekeeper, Louise, a short woman with short black hair, took care of the house when no one was staying there. I’d known her since I was little. We usually traveled to California three to four times a year to check on the art gallery and to visit friends. It was mostly when Julia and I were on break from school. The last time I was here was right before Hailey and I broke up.
“My babies,” Louise said as we walked up the driveway.
“Hi, Louise.” I smiled as I hugged her.
“Who’s this? This isn’t Hailey?”
“No, Louise. Hailey and I haven’t been together in almost a year. This is Amelia and she’s the love of my life.”
Louise held out her arms to Amelia. “If you make him happy, then welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” Amelia smiled.
We went inside the house and I started to take our bags up to our room.
“Ahem,” Julia said.
“What?” I asked as I stopped on the stairs.
“Are you two sharing a room?” She smiled. “Because I do believe that when Jake and I went to Aspen with the family for Thanksgiving, Daddy wouldn’t allow us to share a room because we weren’t married.”
“Really, Julia? Because I remember that you were only eighteen years old. Wait a minute. I seem to remember Jake sneaking into your room every night after Mom and Dad went to bed. So you did share a room.” I winked.
“JULIA ROSE!” my dad said rather loudly.
“I’m going to kill you, Collin!” she yelled as she chased me up the stairs.
I heard my mom laugh. “That’s not funny, Ellery.”
Julia tried to tackle me on the bed and then I heard Brayden crying. “Your baby is crying. Shouldn’t you go and see what’s wrong?” I smiled.
“I’ll get you back, little brother. When you least expect it.” She smiled as she walked out of the room.
I sat down on the bed, trying to catch my breath, and Amelia lay down on her back next to me. “You and Julia have such an awesome relationship. It reminds me of the relationship I had with my sister. God, do I miss her.”
“I know you do, baby,” I said as I leaned over and kissed her. “Come on; let’s go downstairs and see what’s going on.” I grabbed her hand and helped her up from the bed.
She went into the kitchen with the other women and I stepped outside in the back. I looked straight ahead at the water and watched a boat go by. We were set to spread Denny’s ashes in a few days and I had an idea that would possibly help Amelia feel more comfortable on the boat. I’d put my plan in motion tomorrow. Tonight, I just wanted to spend every minute I could with my girl and my family.
****
“Where are we going?” Amelia asked with a smile.
“You’ll see,” I said as I drove down the road.
I feared the reaction I was going to get when we arrived at our destination. I didn’t know what she’d do. I pulled into the parking lot and she looked at me.
“Why are we here at the marina?”
“I want to show you something,” I replied.
“The only thing here is boats.”
I looked at her and, when she looked at me, I saw the fear in her eyes. Not only did I see fear, I swore I saw a touch of hate. I parked the car and, when I opened the door to get out, Amelia said, “I’m not getting out of this car.”
“Amelia, please, baby.”
“NO!” she spat as she folded her arms.
“Fine. Then you can sit in the car. But I’m going.”
I got out and shut the door behind me. I began walking towards the dock of the marina, hoping she’d change her mind. She didn’t. I sat down on one of the docks that was close to the parking lot. Maybe this was a mistake. Or maybe not. Even if it was her decision never to get on a boat again, decisions are made to be changed. I sat there for two hours and thought about Amelia and how maybe I was the one being unfair. What it came down to was that I needed to respect her choice. It was her choice not to get on a boat. I couldn’t force her to do something that she was so against. Even though taking her in the water worked the first time, this was different. I took in a deep breath and began to get up, when I heard a voice behind me.
“What did you want to show me?”
I stood up and stared at her before I took hold of her hand. “It’s over this way,” I said.
I led her to the sailboat that I had rented for the day and she stood on dock and stared at it. “You told me how much you once loved boats and how you felt at peace on the open water. I want to give that back to you, Amelia. I don’t want you to fear anything anymore.”
She didn’t say a word, but her hand tightened around mine. We stepped up onto the boat and she immediately went and sat down, gripping the side of the boat as tightly as she could. I stood there and watched as her legs began to shake.
What the fuck did I do? What was I thinking?
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I said as I kneeled down in front of her and placed my hands on her knees. “I didn’t mean for this to be so hard on you. Let’s go. I’m taking you back to the house,” I said as I held out my hand.
She shook her head. “I made the decision to come out here and I will stay. I spent the last two hours thinking, and I’m not turning back now. I can’t. I have to do this. You’re right. I can’t live my life in fear anymore. You’ve taught me to enjoy life again. You’ve given me hope and security and love. The least I can do is try.”
“Oh, babe,” I said as I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. “You’re an amazing woman, but I don’t want you to make yourself sick over this.”
“Do you know how to sail?” she asked with a whisper.
“Me? Of course I know how to sail. I’m the master at sailing.”
“Then undock this boat and let’s go. You need to do it now before I change my mind.”
“Okay!” I said as I kissed her on the lips and got ready to set sail.
I was having a hard time getting the boat to the appropriate speed.
“Collin, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, baby. Just relax.”
“The wind is coming from the other side. You have to change the direction of the boat,” she said.
“I’m trying, babe. Just hold on.”
“Oh my God,” she huffed as she got up from her seat. “I thought you said you knew how to sail?”
“I do.”
“Move,” she said as I stepped out of the way and she took over.
Mission accomplished. I smiled to myself.
I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her as she sailed the boat out into the open ocean. The light wind swept across our faces and the ocean air was as refreshing as ever.
“It’s beautiful out here,” she said.
“It sure is, baby. Are you okay?”
“Not really. But, I can do this.”
“Just remember how it used to feel before the accident.”
“I’m trying to. But it’s hard, you know?”
“I know. But you’re doing great. Tiny steps, baby. Tiny steps.”
She turned her head around and looked at me with a small smile. I leaned down and kissed her soft lips, and we continued to sail for the next couple of hours. I never once let go of her. Whether I was holding onto her waist or just holding her hand, I wanted her to feel safe.
We docked the boat and, as soon as we stepped off, Amelia grabbed me and wrapped her arms around me as tightly as she could.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Thank you. That’s all,” she said.
I closed my eyes as I kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t do anything. You were the one who made the choice.”
“A choice I never would have made if you didn’t give me that little push.”
I broke our embrace and kissed her li
ps. “I love you, and I just want you to be at peace with your life.”
“I am because of you.” She smiled.
Chapter 32
“Is everyone ready?” my dad asked.
“We are.” Julia smiled as she held Brayden.
Today was the day that we were going to spread Denny’s ashes across the Pacific. I held on tightly to Amelia’s hand as we stepped onto the yacht.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
“She’s fine.” My dad smiled as he put his arm around her.
“I’m fine.” She smiled at both me and my dad.
It was the perfect day. The sky was bright blue and the sun was shining brightly. Up on deck was a spread of cheese, crackers, an assortment of fruit, and bottles of wine and champagne.
“Okay; everyone listen up,” my dad announced. “I want to thank everyone for being here today. This is exactly what Denny wanted and, even though I wasn’t very pleased at first, I’m happy to do this. It has brought us all together and Denny was a huge part of this family. So I want everyone to eat, drink, and enjoy the ride. As soon as we get out far enough, we’ll spread his ashes over the water, as he wished.”
My mom walked over and sat down next me as I watched Amelia stand next to Jacob. The two of them leaned against the rails and looked at the ocean water.
“How did you do it?”
“Do what?” I asked.
“Get Amelia to overcome her fear of boats?”
“I took her to the marina and prayed that she’d sail with me. It took a couple of hours for her to come around, but she finally did, and I helped her through it.”
“She’s a wonderful girl, and I’m so happy you found her.” She smiled.
“She found me, remember?”
“Just like I found your father. I guess your bad behaviors had their rewards. You sure are your father’s son and I couldn’t be more proud of you. He told me about the cystic fibrosis charity you want the company to start running. I think it’s a wonderful idea and what you’ve already done for Diana and Jacob is really heartwarming. You’re an amazing man, Collin, and you’re my sweet boy.” She smiled as she brought her hand up to my cheek with tears in her eyes.
“Mom, stop.”
“I can’t help it. You and Julia have made me and your father so proud.”