“Maddie, thank you for supporting me, loving me, broken and all. You took my broken heart, and you’ve sealed every crack with love and tenderness. You make me a better man. Thank you, Peach, for being here. For loving me, and for being my woman, one I hope to keep forever.”
Looking at Scarlett and Spencer holding hands, both looking at me with admiration and happiness. “You two, little love birds. Spencer, brother, thank you for taking care of my baby sister. For loving her the way she deserves and for being the best brother I could have asked for. Letty, baby sis, I love you always. How does it feel to sit around this table radiating love and happiness, filled with food and Christmas decorations? It's like nothing we have ever seen, yet here we are. You and I against the world turned into all of us standing together, cheering and loving one another. To love, to family, and new beginnings, Merry Christmas to my family.” Everyone sniffles tears back. “Dig the hell in, Mama didn’t cook for hours to serve cold food and salt-drenched tears.” Everyone laughs, including me.
Digging in, we all talk and pass jokes. While the food was delicious, the company was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
After a fantastic dinner, we all take a seat in the living room, gathering around the tree. “Present time!” Anna runs around playing Santa, giving each of us an envelope.
“Levi, sweetie, you go first.” Looking down, I open the envelope. Inside is a key. A car key.
“What’s this?” I ask as David smiles, looking at Anna and back to Spencer.
“Your new car. The car you were fixing, Spencer and I finished it. She’s all yours. Life is yours, son, new car, open road, go wherever your heart takes you, and know we will always be here. Just remember, no matter how far you get, you can always come home.” Now, tears are in my eyes.
“Thank you, thank you so much. This is incredible. I appreciate it, but here is where I want to be. With you guys and Maddie. My life is starting, and I want nothing more than for it to start and end with all of you.”
Chapter 58
Forever and A Day
Scarlett
Ihave never seen Levi smile as big as he is right now, thanking David and Anna for his new car. He no longer has to drive around in a vehicle he hates; we are freeing him of all things Grant.
“Alright, honey, your turn.” Anna turns to me, smiling widely, Levi gives Spencer a goofy smirk, while I open my present.
Digging in, I pull out a small box. Looking at Anna, she smiles with complete radiance. Opening the black velvet box, I see that the small insert holds a pear-shaped diamond ring.No way. I gasp, looking around the room. Levi nods his head.He knew?Anna claps her hands, Maddie shrieks in excitement, while David wipes a tear before it falls.
Turning my eyes to Spencer, he kneels in front of me, placing his hand on my leg.Oh my God, this is happening. Right fricken now. My heart beats hard in my chest, watching Spencer get ready. “Scarlett, I love you. I know I’m going to love you forever in this lifetime and the next; there is no end to my love for you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I promise to stand beside you in all things this life throws our way. Your heart is my home, baby. I just want mine to be yours. I promise to love you endlessly, forever, loudly and passionately, with everything I am. Promise me forever and a day, baby, be my wife. It doesn't have to be now, it could be five years, or ten, just say you'll be Mrs. Collins, say you’ll be mine, when you're ready.” His hand shakes on my lap as tears fill his eyes.
Emotions flood every inch of my body, my heart hammers in my chest asmy familysits around our first real Christmas, where my boyfriend confesses his undying love with the biggest question of a lifetime. “Spence.” Gasping, taking in his words, his confession, his devotion, tears swell in my eyes, “I’m ready to be yours forever, yes, yes to everything. Make me yours.” Spencer slides the ring on my finger, with tears in his eyes.
“Thank you, baby. For trusting me with your heart, I promise to give you mine forever and always.” He says, kissing me until my breath leaves me as everyone around us laps and cheers.
Pulling away from Spencer’s kiss, my heart bursts, removing all the hate and torment I’ve felt for years. Now, all I feel ishappiness mixed with safety and everlasting love, feelings I have never felt until now.
“Thank you guys, for everything. Levi really said it all. Spence, I’m so happy you climbed that trellis. The Trellis Effect saved us. You all saved us; you led us to the light we needed. I love you all so very much.”
Enthusiasm courses through the room. We finished opening gifts, Anna gave me the family cookbook, highlighting all the ones we have made together. Eventually, we plan to do them all, now that we have forever to look forward to. Anna and David gave Spencer a check to spend on whatever he wished to do after high school, whether it was for college, a new home, a new car, or anything else he pleased. Levi gave Maddie the most beautiful infinity heart necklace, with Anna's help.
David smiles, opening a terrible wrapping job that I did myself. When he pulls out a pack of ugly cotton socks, he laughs. “I thought this is what kids get their dads,” I explain, shrugging my shoulders, and he laughs, standing up to come and embrace me in a warm hug. “There is another thing, it's attached to the back.” Turning the socks around, he finds the envelope. Labeled, For Spencer, Levi, and David.
Opening the envelope, he pulls out the paper with a written note: “For the dad I always wished for.” His chin wobbles as he pulls out three season pass tickets to his favorite baseball team. “Baseball brought you guys together, so why not go to as many games as you can?” Spencer and Levi jump to their feet, running to see if it’s legit.
“This is incredible, thank you, Scarlett. The best gift. Sorry, sons, she beat you this year.” They both nod in agreement.
Finally, I gave Anna her gift. “I never had a mom who appreciated me the way you do, who loves anyone the way youlove. Trying to find something for you was impossible because you’ve given us the world. You have given me my world.” Looking over to Spencer, he smiles and winks. “I am so blessed to be your daughter. I had this made for you.” She takes out the wooden oak cutting board, with yarn twisted around the handle. Her eyes meet mine before she turns it around, reading the carved recipe listed down the front.
Recipe for the best Mom
♥?2 Cups Of Understanding
♥?1 Heart Filled With Love
♥?1 Dash Of Laughter
♥?3 Heaping Cups Of Patience
♥?4 Scoops Of Fun
