As we walk into my house, my mom rushes over to me, concerned. “Spencer, I got a call saying you missed your last two classes. What’s going on, son?” I shake my head, not to continue, and Levi and Scarlett follow behind me. My mom smiles until she sees my beautiful Scar. She gasps before trying her best to hold it in.
Reaching for Scarlett, she pulls her into her arms, saying nothing. My mother wraps the love of my life into her arms and holds her, protecting her. The sight of her loving the girl I love is enough for my heart to combust. “Mom, can you release my girlfriend?” I clear my throat, as Levi and I now stare awkwardly at my overbearing mother. My mom releases Scarlett and turns to me, still holding her shoulders.
“Girlfriend!” Excitement crashes through her, washing away her sadness for a quick moment. I smile at Scarlett, knowing she hasn't decided what we are yet, but I've made up my mind, and I am done waiting.
I smile at Scar, “Yeah, if she’s ready, because I’m done waiting, I’m looking at her, Ma, and I’ve never seen a stronger woman. I'm standing here wondering if I should skip right to the big question, the big shebang, because I want her so bad my body is begging to hit the deck and make her mine, forever. You think she’ll say, yes, Ma?” I walk over to Scarlett and my mother, who are standing directly in front of Scarlett. I work my way down onto one knee, Levi standing behind me, watching me. Scarlett's eyes grow two sizes bigger as her pupils dilate, and she flushes. My mother smiles so big that I think she might explode with happiness.
Taking Scarlett's hand, I look into her eyes as she rolls them. “Scar, I know you wanted to fight your battles. I know I told you I’d let you decide when you were ready, but baby, I’m ready. I’ve been ready, and what man would I be if I let the love ofmy life fight a battle alone? I love you, Scar. I am in love with you. Promise me I don’t have to wait anymore. Life is precious, time is short. I don’t want to waste any more precious time that I could be holding you, loving you out loud and with every ounce of my being. Let me show the world my love for you, let me show them how you deserve to be loved. Please say yes, be my girlfriend.” The entire time, my eyes never left hers. I got so wrapped up in my vow of love that I forgot my mom and her brother were standing right there.
She is smiling as tears run down her swollen face, and my mother's. Her mouth opens, but before she can answer, Levi steps up behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Yes. Yes, she will. I can’t wait to be the best man.” He claps his hands, and Scarlett laughs.
I turn back to her, my eyes burning into her. “I’ll beg, I'm not against it.” She laughs some more, wiping away her tears gently.
“Yes, I will. I love you too.” My mother wraps her arms around me and hugs me so tightly I think she might pop me just after I got everything I’ve ever wanted.
I let out a small groan. “Ma, I love you, but don’t squeeze me to death, I just got my girl.” She laughs and lets go. I take Scarlett into my arms, holding her neck gently in my hands, as I look deep into her eyes. I take her in before stealing a soft kiss, feeling her lips on mine, her breath on my face, her body in my hands, everything I need is right fucking here, and I’ll be damned if Grant thinks he can take her from me.
My dad walks in through the front door and finds me with Scarlett in my arms. She turns and looks at him, then quickly looks away. Sadness washes over his face before he runs to her aid. “Spencer, Scarlett, what’s going on?” He sets his briefcase down as I walk Scarlett to the couch. He sits next to Scarlett, andI feel her tense in my hold. I know my dad senses her stiffening and runs his hand across his face.
“Scarlett, sweetie.” He blows out a heavy breath. “What do you need from me, dear? Tell me, because I’d do anything for ya.” He folds his hands together. She smiles at him.
“You sound just like your son.” That makes him smile proudly.
“Do you trust that, like my son, I’d never hurt you, ever?” He gets choked up on his words. “Sweetie, you are safe here. You are always safe in this home; this is yours just as much as it is ours. Seeing you hurt—” His lips press together in a tight line, “You are my daughter, just as Levi is my son, I love you, honey, and anything you need, you just say the word.” A tear falls from her eye, and he slowly moves his hand to her face. Scarlett doesn't flinch; instead, she leans into his touch, surprising both of us.
“I believe you.”
“Can I give you a hug?” he asks softly, and she smiles while shaking her head. They embrace one another, freeing Scarlett of the shackles Grant has had her bound with for so long. My dad just told my girlfriend he loves her; there goes my heart —the one person I have looked up to my entire life —loves my girl. Scarlett is hugging my dad, being loved as a daughter should be loved by a father, and I can see the power he is giving her. My mom calls Scarlett from the kitchen. She nods at my dad, kisses my cheek, and heads for my mom.
My dad leans forward, his hands resting on his knees. I pat him on the back. “Don’t worry, Dad, I’m going to love her how she should have been loved her whole life.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly.
“I am so proud of the man you have become.” He shakes his head to knock away the tears and stands up. We head into thekitchen, finding Scarlett, Levi, and Anna devouring an island full of goodies.
“Dig in, kids,” my mom says with a mouth full of cookies.
“They’re going to stay here tonight,” I say nonchalantly.
Mom looks at me and smiles. “The guest room is already made and ready. Extra towels are available in the bathroom, along with washcloths, additional toothbrushes, and toothpaste. I also got the first aid kit ready for after we get cleaned up.” Surprise takes over my face.
“Damn, Ma, you are not messing around.” She kisses my cheek and leaves the kitchen.
“Not when it comes to my babies!” she yells as she walks up the stairs.
The rest of the day passed quickly; we played games and hung out together as one big family. It was incredible. Now it’s late as shit, and everyone is in bed. Mom tended to Scar after her shower, patching up her bruises and gashes. Now she lies beautifully in my bed, right where she belongs.
Crawling my way over to her, I slip in beside her, where she reaches her arm around my side, pulling me in. “I am in love with you, too, Spence.” Without missing a beat, I kiss her. I steal her lips with mine, listening to her body, loving her harder with each soft kiss, each grasp needing her closer.
My hand travels down her stomach, circling her soft, unharmed skin, thinking of her history, and wanting to do nothing but erase it. I want to take away all the pain she has ever felt and replace it with love. I kiss her mouth, then her neck, working my way down her body, slowly removing her tank top.I take in her luscious breasts and perfect nipples that rise into sharp peaks at my lingering peppered kisses. I kiss my way down her stomach, sliding down her tight pajama shorts, revealing no underwear underneath. I kiss her pubic bone. “Baby, you got into my bed with no underwear?” She shakes her head slightly while biting her lip. My bedside lamp illuminates the room, casting shadows as we move around each other.
“Spence.” I crawl over her, keeping my weight off her. Resting on my forearms. “Can we turn the lights off?” She scoots up from under me.
Rolling onto my side, I place my hand on her arm. “Don’t hide from me. If you want the light turned off because it’s too bright for your head and eyes, yes, I will turn it off. If you want the light off because you don’t want me to see your beautiful face, then my answer is no, baby.” Her eyes meet mine. “So which is it?”
“It feels fine on my head, it's not that bright, I just—” I stop her by placing my lips onto hers.
“Shh, I’m going to stop you there, Beauty Queen. You are beautiful in every moment, including this one. But listen closely; when I say this, it will be the last time you ever have marks on you from anyone. The last fucking time.” I push my mouth into hers, taking her breath, stealing it, refusing to give it back until she agrees. “Tell me you're beautiful, baby.” She lets out a shaky breath into my mouth. “Tell me you are worthy, you are strong.” She kisses me passionately, running her fingers through the back of my hair, tugging and pulling. “Tell me,” I whisper so softly, I tickle her nose.
“I am beautiful.” I slide my finger down her naked body, sliding into her crease of wetness and desire. Sliding my finger, she arches her back.
