It’s Like That (20 page)

His hand slid up her side in a subtle caress before using one finger beneath her chin to tilt her face up. He just looked at her, holding her with his eyes for long moments.

Finally, so softly she almost didn’t hear him, he said, “I love you.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and returned his gaze. Her eyes filled with tears, spilling over before she could blink them back. He leaned over and kissed the tears from her cheeks.

She pulled away from his lips and held his gaze with hers. “I love you too,” she whispered.

They spent most of the day lounging around, Chris in loose-fitting jeans and Callie in the pajama pants and T-shirt he’d tried to give her the night before. Callie didn’t know if he was supposed to go to work or not, and didn’t ask. She called the hospital around noon to check on Rebecca, and even talked with her for several minutes before a doctor arrived and she had to go.

Chris was sweet, intense in the way he’d always been, but focusing all that intensity on her to make sure she wanted for nothing. They ordered Chinese food for lunch and ate on his couch since his kitchen table was disassembled in the dining room.

When they were done eating he pulled her into his lap, undressed her with awkward movements that had them both laughing, and urged her to ride them both to orgasm. They lay cuddled on the couch afterward dozing and watching DVDs since he hadn’t connected cable yet.

It was a lazy day, and she loved every tender minute of it. He didn’t ask her about the day before, and she was glad. She would talk about it soon, probably with Rebecca, but for now she was content to enjoy the day.

Late in the afternoon he left to pick up some of her clothes from her apartment, along with dinner and a new phone. She read a book on her phone until he returned about an hour and a half later looking very smug, carrying take-out boxes, an overnight bag from her apartment, and a bottle of wine. He kissed her and said, “Stay here. I’m going to put the table together so we can eat like civilized people.”

He’d done fairly well choosing her clothes, and once Callie was dressed in comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, she returned to the book she’d downloaded. She tuned out the muffled thumps of him putting together the table and tried to focus on the plot. She didn’t notice when he went silent, but a few minutes later he gently took her phone from her and set it aside. He pulled her to her feet and silently led her to the dining room.

She followed, assuming from his silence that he was hungry. As he led her to the table, though, her eyes widened in surprise. The dining room was lit by candles and a vase of red roses sat in the center of the newly assembled table. She smiled and turned to him, delighted that he’d done his best to make the evening romantic.

“It’s beautiful, Chris.” She rose up on tiptoes and kissed him. “Thank you.”

He nodded and jumped when the doorbell rang. With a muttered, “Back in a minute,” he left the room. She sat down at the table to wait. She wondered who was at the door, figuring it was the landlord or a neighbor until she heard male voices and laughter coming toward her.

She looked up as they walked in the room. Alan and Sara were with him, as well as five other men. She recognized three of them as groomsmen from Alan and Sara’s wedding. What were they doing here? She looked at Chris inquiringly and he shook his head before saying, “Just wait.”

He dug in his pocket and pulled out his new phone, scrolled through a few screens and held it to his ear. He put it on speaker and sat it on the table.

“Hello, Chris!” a cheery female voice answered. “You’re on speaker!”

“Good,” he said. “Wait just a minute.”

He left the room and Callie looked around her, dumbfounded. “What the hell is going on?” She wasn’t sure who the question was directed at, but Sara answered.

“Just wait, Callie.”

Chris returned with her phone and set it on the table beside his.

This time she recognized her mother’s voice when she answered.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Alexson?” Chris asked.

“Yes, Chris, it’s me. I’m ready when you are. And thanks for including me!”

He breathed deeply and moved in front of Callie, taking both her hands. Finally, she thought she understood and blinked rapidly to stop the tears. It didn’t work. They fell anyway. Her hands trembled, but his, so strong and warm, steadied them.

He took another deep breath, squeezed her hands, and began. “We haven’t known each other long. And there are still so many things we have to learn about each other. But I know all I need to. And I don’t want to spend another day without you. You were with me in my darkest hour, and even though I still have more dark hours to come, I hope you’ll be there then too. And so, I have a question for you. And I wanted to ask in front of all the people that mean the most to you and to me.”

He dug around in his pocket again, and when he pulled his hand out he sank to one knee in front of her. She couldn’t control the sob that escaped her, and she lifted her hands to her face in shock and joy. Her heart drummed in nervous excitement.

“Callie,” he said earnestly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Will you be my wife? Put up with me, fight with me, share your life with me, and let me love you until the day I die?”

Callie nodded, and though the tears clogged her throat and made it hard to speak, she choked out an emphatic “Yes!” before sinking to her knees in front of him and taking his face between her hands. She kissed him over and over, her heart feeling too big for her chest. She pulled away finally and, laughing, she whispered, “So it’s like that, is it?”

He grinned, slid the ring on her finger, and said, “No, baby. It’s better than that.”

The End

Author’s Note

PTSD is a very serious and damaging condition. It can ruin lives, tear apart families, and in certain extreme cases, can even end in death. It’s a sad fact that so many who suffer from the condition never seek help and never receive a diagnosis.

As a veteran, sufferer of PTSD, and wife of a sufferer of PTSD, I feel it is my responsibility to share this with you:

You are not alone. There is help and support available at absolutely no cost to you. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek treatment and advice.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ This is the Veterans Administration Web site where you can find information, advice, and support for PTSD. The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Or you can send a text to 838255.

To talk with other sufferers of PTSD or others who offer support to someone with PTSD, you can visit: www.ptsdforum.org.

I implore you, please seek help. A friendly and understanding ear can sometimes alleviate so much emotional pain. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Until next time…

All my love,

Kristin

Kristin lives in Georgia with her husband, children, and their two dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found in a canoe or tent enjoying the outdoors. A proud military veteran, and wife of a veteran, Kristin offers her support to the men and women of the armed forces and the spouses that are waiting for their loved ones to return home.