As if they knew I was thinking about them, my phone pings with a text message alert.
Courtlynn: Lorn and I are grabbing dinner.Does anyone need anything?
Leighton: Kelly and I are shopping for her sister’s baby shower.We’ll grab something while we’re out.
Me: Copeland and I just got back from dinner.Be safe.
“That was my sisters.They’re both out for a few hours,” I tell Copeland.
He nods.“What do you want to do tonight?”he asks, pulling me into his arms.
“This.I just want you to hold me.”
“Done.Down here or up in your room?We could go back to my room at the inn?”
“Let’s go upstairs.”I kiss him under his chin before taking his hand and leading him up to my room.Once inside, I close the door and turn the lock, giving us more privacy.Not that I expect my sisters to come home anytime soon.
Copeland sits down on the bed and opens his arms for me.I step into his embrace and hold on to him with everything I have.Closing my eyes, I soak up the feel of being with him, where I was always meant to be.When I open my eyes, I spot the small plastic tote sitting on the dresser.
I want to know what those letters say.I want his words.I need to read them.
I know we’re solid.This baby, it’s our gift, this new chapter of life we’re writing together.And no matter how sad those letters make me feel, our future is bright, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that Copeland is with me in this.
We both had the chance to experience life without the other, and neither one of us wants to do that again.“I think I’m ready to read them,” I tell him, pulling out of our hug.
“You sure?”he asks, his brow furrowing.
“Those are your words to me, Copeland.I’m still mad at her.I don’t know if I’ll ever get over what she did, but they’re here.We’re starting a family, and something inside me says I need to read them.I know I said that I wasn’t ready, but I am now.Will you… Will you stay with me?”
“Baby, I’m not going anywhere.I’m your shadow for the rest of our lives.”He winks before he stands and moves around the bed to grab the box and bring it back to me.“How are we doing this?Am I reading them to you?Do you want to read them on your own?”
“I want to read them, but I need you here.I need to feel you close.I know these letters are going to hurt, and I need to remember that it’s our past, and this little one”—I place my hands over my belly—“is our future.”
“Not just this baby, Ells.We are each other’s future.You and I, we’re a team, and we’ll tackle anything life wants to toss our way.Together.There is no more Copeland and no more Ellison.It’s now Copeland and Ellison, a cohesive unit.”
I smile.“I like the sound of that.”
“Good.Now, let’s do this.”He kicks off his shoes and settles on the bed, patting the spot next to him.I climb in beside him and lean against his chest as he wraps his arms around me.
Reaching for the box, I pull out the first letter.They’re still in date order.I carefully open the envelope and start reading.
Ellison,
I miss you.It’s barely been a full twenty-four hours, and I’m already questioning my decision.I’m sorry I didn’t discuss my leaving with you sooner.I wanted to, but if I’m being honest, I was scared that you would convince me to stay, and it was too late for that.I thought waiting would make leaving easier, but I was wrong.Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.I imagine it will be the hardest thing I’ve ever faced in life.
I love you.
I made this choice for us.I was talking to Chandler, and he joined for a short stint and opted to have his pay saved for spousal support should something happen to him.He saw what happened to Mom after we lost Dad, and baby, everything he said made sense to me.I understood his decision, and that’s why I made the same one.
I left Magnolia Ridge and you, but I’m coming home, Ellison.I will always come home to you.I’m only planning on four years, and then I’m back.I’ll come home, and we can make sure every dream, every plan we ever made comes true.
I’m not going to ask you to come with me.By the time you graduate, I’ll almost be done.I will ask you to hold on for me.Hold on to the love we share, and I’ll be home soon.
I miss you, Ells.
I love you so much.Never forget that.
Love,
