I shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe nothing. They'll replace me with another author. I'm worried about some kind of backlash later on. Everyone keeps talking about how much money has been sunk into the tour. It's obviously important to them. If I say no, I'm terrified I'll be making a detrimental mistake when it comes to signing future book deals."
"What is your heart telling you?"
I sighed. "My heart wants to go home. It's my brain telling me to be logical."
"Well, you have a few days to think about it. Tomorrow we'll drive up to Forks and maybe you'll feel inspired."
"I can't believe we're finally going. We've been talking about it for so long. I'm pretty excited."
"Me too. It was well worth putting up with all the teasing back home. So, what's our plan for the afternoon?" she asked, standing up.
"Originally I thought we could do some shopping for my UK trip, but with everything up in the air I'm not sure what to do now."
"Why don't we stick with that? I'm sure you have to be sick of wearing the same clothes every day. A few new outfits won't go to waste, even if you decide against going. I've always wanted to see Seattle, and it seems like a shame to waste another minute inside."
I stood up and gave her a hug. Our talk helped me more than I think she realized. "Thanks, Mom. I love you."
"I love you too, honey. I know you have a lot on your plate, but I promise you, whatever you decide will be the best decision for you. You have a solid head on your shoulders. Your father and I have always trusted you to make smart choices."
Her words gave me comfort through the afternoon as we discovered some of the delights Seattle had to offer. We laughed often, bought too much, and ate until our stomachs hurt. It was an afternoon that reminded me of my childhood. On occasion Mom would pick me up from school early and whisk me away for a girls' day out.
We ate dinner at a quaint restaurant not far from the hotel while we pored over a map on my phone, plotting our trip to Forks the following day. Going to La Push was definitely on the agenda, but we also planned on hitting any other touristy Twilight attractions in Forks.
It was drizzling the next morning when we set out, which made us both grin gleefully. It only seemed fitting to have weather appropriate for visiting the fictional setting of our favorite book series. Luckily we had thought to buy rainproof jackets while shopping the day before.
The drive to Forks passed quickly. All the trees were lush and green just as the character Bella described in the book. We laughed with delight as we approached the town's welcome sign. There was no way we could stop without taking our pictures with it. Being in Forks was a poignant reminder of why I started writing and how I needed to take every opportunity to continue doing what I loved. As the day progressed, the decision I'd been struggling with began tilting toward one obvious choice. Whether I would stick with it was another story.
We made the short drive to La Push, which turned out to be different than I anticipated, boasting oceanfront hotels and a large marina. Mom teased me that I should have known it wouldn't just be a small reservation with Jacob Black's house and nothing else. After driving through the area and taking pictures, we returned to Forks to do some antique shopping and grab a bite to eat. I managed to find the perfect surprise for Alec and stowed it in my bag, not wanting Mom to see it.
By the time we made it back to the hotel later that evening, Mom and I were exhausted but pleased with our day. I had made up my mind regarding the UK trip and went to bed feeling content.
The next morning, I got up early while Mom slept and went to the hotel lobby to call Greg to work out the logistics of my decision. It required a last-minute change in my itinerary, but he promised to take care of everything. When Mom woke an hour later, I ran my decision by her. She seemed pleased, which made me believe I made the right choice.
We packed up our things and checked out of the hotel in time to stop for breakfast before our flight to San Francisco. Between the final week of the tour being cancelled and the change I made to my itinerary, Frisco would now be a quick in-and-out trip for me. Mom would be sticking around an extra day to spend time with her college roommate, but I would be returning to the airport as soon as my signing at a local book store was finished. The more I thought about it, the more eager I became to get the day over with. It would be hectic and time crunched, but I knew I had made the right decision.
Chapter 23
It was late in the evening on the East Coast by the time my plane landed. Things were relatively quiet in the airport, with very few people walking around. I wasted no time getting to baggage claim and could barely contain myself as I stood tapping my foot while waiting for our flight's luggage to start sliding out of the chute. When the carousel began spinning, I felt like an old lady playing church bingo, praying to god that my numbers would be called. One bag after another appeared without mine showing itself. I became so anxious I caused a middle-aged man in a tie to nearly spill his coffee on himself when I screamed after seeing my suitcase fall from the chute. Throwing a halfhearted apology his way, I snatched my bag up and ran outside, hailing the first cab I saw.
I reached my destination with adrenaline pulsating through my veins. The taxi driver looked at me like I had two heads as he opened up the trunk and I reached around him and grabbed my suitcase. "Keep the change," I said, pressing a few bills into his hand. Honestly, I wasn't even sure how much I had given him, but judging by his enthusiasm, it had been more than enough.
My suitcase scraped along the sidewalk after it flipped to its side when I rolled over a rock. I didn't care. I was within steps of my objective. I rapped quietly on the door, feeling butterflies in my stomach as a light illuminated the room behind the curtains.
The look on Alec's face when he opened the door and found me on the threshold made everything worth the effort.
"Holy shit, Nicole. What are you doing here?" Alec said, sweeping me up in his arms and twirling me around. I'm sure we woke a few people in my complex, but I would make it up to them another day. Tonight was about happiness.
In the end, it was the only decision that made sense. Europe would be there when I was ready. For now, I was a writer and I needed to be home to do what I loved and to be with who I loved. "I told them no," I said, gasping as he dropped a searing kiss on my lips. I pulled back out of his arms after a moment. "Here, put me down. I need to ask you something," I said, pulling the surprise that I had bought him at the antique store in Forks from my pocket. I dropped down on one knee in front of him.
"What the hell are you even doing?" he asked, stepping backward.
"Alec Petropoulos—I know I've made some mistakes, but I love you more than anything. I can't imagine a world where I exist without you as part of my life. I promise my lips will never touch another's, and that my heart will only beat for you for as long as I have my breath. Will you do me the honor of becoming my lawfully wedded husband?"
Alec looked speechless as I remained on my knee, looking up into his eyes. They glistened in the light, hinting at a slight bit of moisture. His grin was broad and wide as he reached down with his strong arms and lifted me against his chest, placing a kiss as soft as rose petals against my lips.
"Is that a yes?" I asked.
"That's a most definitely," he answered. I took his hand and slid the ring on his finger. It was the tiniest bit loose but otherwise looked nice on his hand. I almost passed out when I saw it in the store. The owner said it was made of iron and dated back to the seventeen hundreds. What really drew me in was the intricate design that swirled around the band of two peacock feathers connecting at the top. It was the sign I'd been looking for.
Severus trotted out of the bedroom in his bow-legged glory, weaving between my legs and purring loudly. I scooped him up in my arms, feeling like my heart was going to burst with joy. This is where I belonged. He butted his head against my chin, wanting all the affection I was willing to provide. "I missed you too," I cooed, carrying him to the living room where I could sho
w him the proper amount of attention.
Alec sat down on the couch next to me, scratching Severus on top of the head. "I can't even tell you how happy I am to have you here, but are you sure about all this? I don't want you to think you have to give up your dreams for me."
I reached for his hand, pulling it up to my cheek. "Silly boy. This is my dream. I get to write and have you come home to play doctor every single night. And they're not my dreams, they're our dreams. I want you to finish medical school and become the doctor you dreamed of becoming. This relationship has to be give and take if it's going to work, and I've taken enough. It's time I start giving. That means being here for you."
"Yeah, but your publisher. What are they going to say?"
"I already talked it over with them. There are plenty of industry events I can attend here in the states. For now, my passport is out of service. Besides, when I finally make my way across the pond, I want you by my side, and most likely Olivia, who will insist on tagging along. When Mom and I went to Forks, I realized how important it is to share those kinds of moments with the ones you love the most."
"Will that hurt your career?" he asked, still looking concerned.
"I've made it this far by following my gut. I don't see any reason to stop doing that now."
He gathered me in for a hug, making Severus squeak before hopping out of my arms to avoid getting squashed. "We're engaged," Alec murmured, nipping at my jaw.
"We're engaged," I repeated, stroking his cheek with my hand. "Remember when you freaked out that first time I told you I loved you? Did you know then that I would trap you into marriage?" I teased.
"Babe, come on. I was just playing hard to get. This was my plan the whole time."
"Oh yeah, right," I giggled, running my thumb across his bottom lip. He sucked it into his mouth, making my insides tighten with need. "Bedroom," I whispered, anxious to seal our engagement.
"What do you think?" Alec asked hours later as I studied the stunning ring on my finger. He gave it to me while we made love and I was having a hard time looking away. Like me, he had chosen an antique ring. A solitaire sat in the middle of a circle of smaller diamonds. It was simple but elegant and suited my taste perfectly.
I kissed him. "I adore it. I don't ever want it to take it off."
"Then don't," he said, tucking me into the crook of his arm.
Severus jumped on the bed, insisting on more attention now that Alec and I had gotten our nasty on. He climbed on my chest and I stroked a hand over his back. I felt so content I could have purred along with him.
"How do you feel about a spring wedding?" Alec asked, lacing his fingers through mine.
"You're kidding, right?" I tilted my head up to look at him. "Did you talk to my mom?"
"No, why? Does that not work?"
I shook my head in disbelief. "For as long as I can remember, I've always pictured myself getting married outside in the spring, surrounded by flowers and animals and singing birds."
"That sounds like every Disney princess movie ever made."
"Exactly. Think of how amazing it would be. I could dress like Cinderella and you would be the handsome prince. Severus could even be the ring bearer," I sighed, picturing it in my head. The look on Alec's face was priceless. I could have told him I was kidding, but it was more fun watching him try to come up with a response that wouldn't hurt my feelings.
"Or we could do something slightly more conventional?"
"You don't like my dream wedding?" I asked, batting my eyes as I puckered my lips.
He studied me for a moment, obviously trying to figure out if I had fallen off my rocker. "You're screwing with me, right?"
"You should see the look on your face," I laughed. He snaked his hands under the blanket, going for the overly sensitive ticklish spot on my side.
"Okay, I give," I said breathlessly before he reached over and clicked off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
Alec leaned in and planted a kiss on top of my head. "You know, a few hours ago I was laying here trying to figure out how to face another month without you in my arms. I can't tell you how good this feels."
"Ditto, times a million," I yawned, snuggling closer. Severus curled up at my side and I draped an arm over him, loving my life.
***
"The prodigal traveler returns," Zachary hailed, meeting Alec and me on the front porch of my parents' house. Now that I was back in town, I could rejoin the family for Sunday night dinner. "We almost missed your ugly mug around here," he said, pulling me in for a bear hug.
"Don't you dare," I warned when he tried to top it off with a wet willy.
"Aw, come on. Be a sport."
"Having your gross wet finger crammed in my ear isn't going to make me a sport. Where's your better half?"
He grimaced. "Poring over wedding magazines with Mom. I swear if I knew weddings required this much planning I would have dragged her cute ass to Vegas. No fuss, no muss."
I shook my head. Men were so predictable. As if Ashley would give up her dreams of having a big wedding. "Mom would have killed you."
"Holy donkey balls. Is that a ring on your finger?" he asked, capturing my hand.
"Shush. Mom doesn't know yet and I'd rather she hear it from my mouth than yours."
"Hear what?" Tony asked, coming up behind me and giving me the wet willy Zachary had failed to deliver.
"Seriously," I grumbled, using my shirt to clear out my ear. "Don't make me sic my fiancé on you. He'll totally kick your ass."
Tony's jaw dropped. "Fiancé? Well, hot damn," he said, fist-bumping a grinning Alec. "Are you sure you want to marry this stubborn lass?" he asked, stealing a line from one of my books.
"What's the fuss over here?" Dad asked, rounding the side of the house with a couple of empty flowerpots. His eyes widened when he spotted me.
Clearly Mom had kept our secret of me coming home early. "Hi, Daddy," I said, charging into his arms.
"My girl," he whistled, pulling me in for a tight hug. "You've been gone way too long, baby."
"I know, Daddy. I'm staying put though." I grabbed Alec's hand to flash our rings.
His eyes narrowed for a moment before smiling at Alec. "Your plan worked, I see."
"No, sir. She asked me," Alec answered, tongue-in-cheek. Zachary and Tony hooted with laughter.
"Is this true?" Dad asked, looking back at me.
"Yep, I knew what I wanted and went after it."
He clapped his hands together. "Ha, good girl," he said. "Welcome to the family, son. Let's go tell your mom," he added, putting his arms around Alec and me.
A car pulled up in front of the house before we could go inside. "Hey, I didn't know Olivia was coming," I said, watching as Tony ran to the car to open her door. My jaw practically dropped to my feet when Tony politely helped Olivia out of the car before pulling her into his arms. The kiss they shared should have melted the pavement beneath their feet. It was that hot.
"Holy crap. Did you know about this?" I asked, looking at Alec.
He shook his head, looking as shocked as I was. "Not a clue."
I turned to my father for confirmation. "Dad?"
"I don't know. Ask your mother. She's more in tune with these things. All I know is right after we all drove up to see you in Gainesville Olivia has been showing up for Sunday night dinners. And your brother's been walking around like a rooster showing off his feathers."
"Wow," I murmured. "Look at them. What happened to my friend?" Olivia hated public affection and here she was sucking face in front of everyone, with Tony no less. I wouldn't have been more surprised if a giant pig flew over the house.
By the time Tony released her, Olivia's face was flushed as red as a tomato. I met her halfway across the lawn. "You have some explaining to do, slutbag," I said, giving her hug. After all, if Tony was allowed to embrace her, I wanted my turn. She didn't even stiffen up like a tree. There could have only been one explanation that made sense. Aliens had come to Earth, abducted my be
st friend, and left a clone in her place.
"I'd say you have some explaining too, fool." She looked pointedly at the diamonds on my left hand that were sparkling in the sun.
"You were next to find out. I swear. Right after Mom," I said. We both smiled and she actually initiated a second hug.
Mom burst out of the front door, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "What is this I hear about another wedding?" Her eyes sparkled as brightly as the diamonds on my ring.
I glared at Zachary. "I told you I wanted to tell her, you butt-wipe."
He held his hands up innocently. "Hey, it wasn't me, manure breath."
"Stop it, you two," Mom chastised. "Your father told me. You know he can't keep a secret more than a few seconds."
"Daddy," I scolded.
"Sorry, baby. I can't keep anything from your mother," he said, sliding an arm around Mom's waist.
Mom clapped her hands and grabbed Alec and me for a mini group hug. "I'm so happy for you both. Now if I could just get all your other brothers to settle down."
"Good luck with that," I joked, eyeing Olivia who stood at Tony's side. He may have gotten his foot in the door, but imagining Tony and Olivia getting married was like a parting-of-the-seas kind of event. That only left Riley as the remaining confirmed bachelor in our household. Even he couldn't hold out forever.
I slid my hand into Alec's as we trailed my family into the house. I couldn't remember a time I'd felt so complete.
"Well, that went better than I thought," Alec said, pulling me in close.
"You were worried?"
"Your dad can be pretty scary. I was half expecting him to chase me off with a rifle."
I giggled. "Hmm, maybe a bat. Daddy doesn't have any firearms. Would that have kept you away?"
"Not on your life," he said, pulling me in for a kiss. "You're mine and don't you ever forget it," he said, claiming my lips with his own.
Yes, I was most definitely his.