It’s time to put what I want first. -Gemma
“I can’t believe I didn’t know Marty was in on this. I’m so freakin’ naïve.” I shake my head again as Gabe inserts the key card into its’ slot.
I feel like such a fool. How could I have been so wrong about a person?I pride myself about being close with my team, but Ihad no idea that Marty was capable of this. Of course, he could be a bit of an asshole at times, but ultimately, I thought he was on my side. I trusted him because he had stayed with me through everything, through scandals with my exes and tabloid fodder.Fuck. Why didn’t I see it?
He turns me to face him and strokes my cheek. I lean into his touch. “Don’t blame yourself, baby. We’ve all put our trust in the wrong person at one time or another. You are the best person I know so you expect other people to be just as good.”
I let out a long breath. “I still should have suspected.”
He pulls me in close. “It’s all over now. All over.”A knot forms in the pit of my stomach.Does that mean we’re all over too?
I pull away slowly and when we’re finally apart, I feel so damn adrift.Will I ever be in his arms again after tonight?
I find myself unable to look into his face. We said I love you to each other, but we never talked about after this was all over. I can’t expect him to stay with me. I’ll be travelling the world and he has a job here in Cupid City or wherever someone needs protection. I can’t tie him down just because he’s become the most important person in my life. If he needs to go, I need to let him go.
I walk into the bedroom. My body is so damn tired. My heart is so damn tired.
I feel his hand on my back and slowly turn. “What happened back there? Why did you pull away? I can see the wheels spinning in your head and I don’t think it has to do with Marty.”
I bite down on my lower lip.Fuck, how do I do this?
“You can talk to me about anything, sweetheart. Anything at all.” His voice is so soft and gentle.
I relent, deciding to just ask the question that’s weighing me down like an anchor. “What happens to us after this? I mean, you have a life, I have a life…”
His eyes gleam with some emotion I can’t name. My heart beats faster when his mouth lifts into a sweet grin. He reaches for my hands. “I’m not planning on us ending after this Gemma if that’s what you’re thinking.”
I’m still scared to let myself hope. “But you have a job here. You have friends here. I’ll be traveling. How would we make it work?”
He pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “No one is as important to me as you are.”
He pauses. “I was going to do this later, in a different setting, maybe with rose petals on the bed or…shit, I don’t know. Something better than this, but I feel like I should do it now. I need to do it now.”
He drops down to one knee so swiftly that I barely have time to register it. I cover my mouth with one hand while he holds onto the other one tightly.
His green eyes are warm as he looks up at me. He gulps hard and I take a deep breath.I expected a breakup. I never expected this.
“I talked to your dad earlier. I wanted to have his permission to do this because I know your relationship with him is special. I knew you would want him to be okay with this. He was kind enough to tell me that he would be honored to have me….” He seems to choke up for a second and I squeeze his hand. I can already feel my eyes tearing up. “He said he would be honored to have me as a son-in-law.”
It takes everything within me to not say something, to not yell yes before he even gets the question out.
“Gemma Victoria Sparks, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” The words come out rushed but the hope in them is undeniable.
“Yes, fuck yes!” I shout and fall down to my knees so that I can hold him close.
I’m sobbing at that point, and it takes several moments before either of us can compose ourselves. He kisses me repeatedly and I revel in this moment.This moment when my life changed forever…
Epilogue
Gemma
Of course, the best songs to write are love songs. Especially when they’re about your own love story. -Gemma
I’ve written a lot of songs about love. About finding love, losing love, and everything in between. Breakups, makeups, andmaking love…none of it is off limits. However, the hardest song I ever wrote was the one for my own wedding.
I sing it softly under my breath while I adjust my dress. I’ve always felt it was a little cheesy when the bride and groom sing to each other at the end of the aisle, so I plan to sing it to my new husband at the reception. My hands shake with nerves every time I think about it.
“I fall for you a little more every day, something in the way you love me, in the words you say…” I trail off, clasping my heart necklace in my hand. “I know you’re here with me today, Mom. I hope you like what you see. I hope you’re proud.”
