Losing Him (Mitchell Family #8)(62)

He took a deep breath and brushed the hair out of my face. “I did it because I love you. No, I did it because I’m in love with you and I’d love for you to be wearing it when we walk down the aisle together.”

I was taken aback by his words. “You’ve never said that to me before.”

“Yes I have,” he argued.

I shook my head. “No. You said it only when I asked you to.”

He pulled me into his tight hold and kissed the top of my head. “Well, it’s true. I guess the thought of you leaving made me realize what I wanted.” He grabbed my face again and looked right into my glossy eyes. “I love you, so much. You’re an awesome mother and a perfect companion. I’m sorry for all of the shit that I’ve put you through. So what do you say? Will you be my wife? Will you marry me and come home to me, not because I’m asking, but because you want to.”

I couldn’t help but sob. For the first time, in the whole time we’d been together, I was finally getting the devotion that I always wanted from him. It was almost too much to ask for, but I still didn’t hesitate with my answer. “Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”

We kissed and held our lips there. The moment was perfect.

A little while later, after I’d finally calmed down enough to speak again, we sat down on the couch and I told him all about the bonds and the opportunities that it would give us. It wasn’t like Jessie needed or cared about the money. He lived comfortably and needed for nothing.

I was shocked to learn that Van and Amy had helped him preserve and repair the dress that I thought I’d lost forever.

It wasn’t just that though. Hearing Jessie say those three words, was the best feeling that I’d ever had besides giving birth to my son. For so long, all I wanted was to hear him say those words to me, without being asked or pushed to do so.

Just when I thought that I could move on, those three words changed everything.

Who was I kidding? Jessie showing up on my doorstep was good enough for me.

That night Jessie wanted to take me out to celebrate. Before we headed out, I grabbed two of my mother’s most precious collectables. She’d purchased two crystal angels that always sat in her window box in the living room. After making sure they were all cleaned up, I found two boxes and wrapped them.

I was more surprised when we pulled up at Amy’s house and they asked me inside. I’d never been welcomed like that before. Jessie carried in the two boxes, while Van and Amy grabbed my hand and gawked at the ring I had on my finger. “Oh my God! I guess we know the answer!” Amy announced.

“It’s beautiful,” Van added.

I looked at them both and just started crying. They each just stood there comforting me, like I’d never done them wrong. It was surreal. “I don’t know how I could ever thank you for what you’ve both done for me. I don’t know if I’d have the ability to forgive like you have. I’ll never forget your kindness.”

Van hugged me. “When we were little, we promised we would be professional ice skaters together. Do you remember that?”

I was still crying, but starting laughing. “How could I forget? We duct-taped our shoes to look like ice skates and pretended puddles were our rink.”

She laughed. “Your mother made you that costume and everything. You looked like a princess. I was so jealous.”

I couldn’t believe it. Van was jealous of me? “Why? You had two amazing parents and a happy family, while we struggled.”

“I used to sit in front of my mirror and wish that I’d be as beautiful as you,” she admitted.

I covered my mouth with my hand, while in shock. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride, Heather.”

I cried more.

Finally, I turned around and handed the girls the two boxes. “I brought something for each of you. Can we sit down so I can show them to you?”

We sat down and they opened the boxes and pulled out the two angels. “They’re beautiful!” Amy announced.

I watched both girls admiring the angels. “They were my mother’s favorite. She loved angels, but they were her most precious ones that she owned. I remember she saved up to get them. Anyway, this past couple of months haven’t been easy for me, but somehow I had these two little angels that helped me through it. Maybe things happened for a reason. I know my mother believed that.” I looked down at my hands trying to gain composure before I couldn’t talk anymore. “I want my two angels to have these. You’ve helped me more than you’ll ever know and I didn’t even deserve it. I owe you so much.” Then I turned to Van. “My dress is beautiful again. I don’t know how you did it, or why, but I will never be able to thank you for what you did. You are the most beautiful person that I’ve ever met in my life.”

Van reached out and hugged me. This was someone that I envied, that I fought with, that I hated for many years, all because she had what I wanted. I never should have let a guy come between our friendship. She was the kind of friend that never turned her back on you. My life could have turned out so differently, had I not have wanted Ty so badly.

Then again, I wouldn’t have Jessie, or Jacob. How could I ever regret the two them?

I reached out and grabbed Van’s hand and she didn’t pull away. “You should both come to the Bed and Breakfast for the wedding. I don’t know when it’s going to be, but we’d love to have you there.”