"Are you sure? Think about this, Xan.Reallythink about this. The other guys will have women all over them. They'll fuck groupies on a regular basis. What's it going to be like for you to go through this for however long until I can go with you more often?" I ask.
"I've been part of that already, Tera."
"But it was only for three months. Think about six months or year-long tours. If I'm in college, I'll have a heavy class load, which means I won't be able to get away like I did. This is senior year and my classes are easy."
"What brought this on, Tera? I thought we talked about this before the tour? Do you not trust me?" he asks. I can hear the hurt in his voice and it hurts me in return.
"I trust you, Xander. I just don't want to cheat you out of opportunities and experiences that go along with being a rocker. I wanteverythingfor you, Xan."
"I'll have everything I could ever want when you say 'I do' in a few minutes. I've been without you and I don't want that ever again. I don't want to fuck random chicks, T. I want you to be my wife. I want to fuck the hell out of you when I first see you after weeks of being without you, and then I want to make love to you all night long. You. Just you. Okay?" he asks.
I wipe the tears that slip free and nod.
"Um…"
I laugh. "I was nodding."
He chuckles. "Are we okay? Doyouwant to still marry me?"
"I want to marry you more than I want to take my next breath."
"I kinda need you to keep breathing," he teases. "No doubts?"
"None," I answer honestly.
"Good. Just so you know, I love you more than anything in this world," Xander says softly.
"I love you so much, Xan."
"Good. Then I'll see you in about ten minutes?"
"Ten minutes, it is."
The door closes and I move to stand in front of the mirror once again and there stands Dr. Mac.
"Oh, Tera. You are so beautiful."
"Thanks, Dr. Mac."
"Dad," he says.
"What?"
"Call me Dad, if you like."
"I would love that," I admit. He's always been like a father to me, but now it'll be official.
"I brought you something," he says, handing me a flat, large, rectangular box.
I take it from him and sit on the edge of my bed. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know. I wanted to."
I snap the lid open and inside is a beautiful strand of pearls and dangly pearl earrings. My breath catches. "These are gorgeous."
"They belonged to my mother."
"You didn't give them to Xander's mom?" I ask.
