Planning on Forever (24 page)

–
COLLIN –

Once Alexa got into her room, and I knew she was going
to be okay, I left her in Nolan's hands. I was itching to get to the bar to see
my
girl. It was just past midnight when I finally got there. As soon as
Summer sees me walk through the doors, she runs out from behind the bar, and
jumps into my arms. Feeling like a love struck idiot, my eyes well with tears,
and my heart swells almost out of my chest.

I’m so at this girl’s mercy, it’s not even funny.

Picking her up and swinging her around, I smother her in
kisses; making up for all the missed kisses since the last time seeing her.

“Hello, my Beautiful Babe.” Yes, add that to the list of
corny things I do for this girl. During one of our many nights talking on the
phone, we made up names for each other. She’s my Beautiful Babe and I’m her
Sexy Stud. Corny, I know, but it has stuck and I love it.

“Hello, my Sexy Stud,” she replies. Not gonna lie, I
love my nickname.

“Hey! There're some thirsty people over here, ya know!”
her regulars yell from the bar.

“Go on… Get back to work. It looks like you’ve been
slackin’ out here,” I joke, motioning to all the empty glasses on the tables.

“Oh shut it!” she yells as she walks back behind the
bar.

Fulfilling my boyfriend duties, I help pick up the empty
beer glasses and bottles. Come hell or high water, we will be getting out on
time. I’ve been looking forward to getting her home, and in bed with me since
saying goodbye on Sunday. The distance, and not seeing each other is killing my
heart.

And my manhood.

One year later…

–
ALEXA –

Today is move in day. Nolan and I finally closed on our
new home. After graduating from college in May, Nolan received his inheritance
from his parent’s death. With some of that money, we purchased a home one block
from his sister's house. We love the area. It’s so close to the club, coffee
shop, and our favorite Italian restaurant; we are getting the feel of the city,
but in a residential neighborhood.

This fall, I started college at Syracuse University.
Going against my parent’s wishes, I moved into Nolan's apartment after graduation.
Although my parents wanted me to live on campus my first year, I couldn't stand
the thought of not waking up next to Nolan every morning for even one more day.

Nolan started his new job this week as a personal
trainer. He went to school for health and fitness, and with his amazing body,
he definitely fits the part. Finally he is working normal business hours,
giving us our nights and weekends back.

Needing the money, I took a part-time job at the local
YMCA coaching cheerleading. After my accident last fall, I wasn't able to
finish the season; when I mentioned starting it back up in college this year, I
thought Nolan was going to have a heart attack. Needless to say, he wasn’t okay
with that idea. However, there was no way I’d be able to give cheerleading up
completely, so when my mom's friend told me they were looking for a
cheerleading coach at the Y I jumped at the opportunity.

Thankfully, Nolan hired a moving company to move all of
our belongings to the new house today. Before leaving for class this morning, I
made sure I had everything packed up and ready to go. Nolan is facilitating the
move while I’m gone. On top of the move, we’ve scheduled for our new living
room furniture and bedroom set to be delivered today. Having school as an
excuse for not being there, is my savior.

I can barely wait until Nolan picks me up so I can see
all of our stuff in the new house!

Having back to back classes from eight this morning
until now, five o’clock, means I’m exhausted. All I can think about is getting
home, and crawling into our new bed. When I walk out of the building, Nolan is
standing next to his car holding a dozen roses. My eyes are immediately drawn
to how handsome he looks. Unlike his normal attire, he’s wearing a white button
down shirt, rolled up to his elbows, black dress pants, and shoes. His hair is
slicked back perfectly, and his baby blue eyes are sparkling with love. Even
though we’ve been together for a little over a year, my heart still skips a
beat every time I see him.

“Hey, doll,” he says, handing me my flowers and pecking
my lips.

"Wow, look at you all handsomed out...and with
flowers?” I joke, leaning down to smell the bouquet. "All this just for
moving day?"

            “It's a big day today. You ready to go
home?” He opens the passenger door for me.

“I'm more than ready.”

–
COLLIN –

Last year was really rough for Summer and I. Being so
far away from her, and not having much time to visit one another, definitely
tested the strength of our relationship. Thank god for Skype, free long
distance, and baby oil.

To make matters worse, her father's treatments haven't
been going very well. Our original plan last year was that she would move out
near me after she graduated and get a job until I finished school. However, now
that her father was not doing well, I decided to transfer to a Jesuit school in
Syracuse. Giving up football and my scholarship wasn’t easy, but being with
Summer makes it all worth it.

Once I moved back, we moved into her childhood home, the
one her father occupied before becoming ill. The house is paid off so we save a
lot of money, not having to pay rent. Seeing that I spend most nights at the
bar with Summer, they’ve officially put me on the payroll, and I now bounce a
few nights a week. This has allowed Summer to cut back her hours so she can
spend more time with her father.

Not knowing how much time her father has left, I’ve
decided to propose to Summer tonight. We both have the night off and I have a
whole evening planned out at my parent’s house. Although she has never said it,
I know that she is scared that her father won’t be alive to walk her down the
aisle someday. We had planned on waiting until I was done with school to get
married, but I love her more than life itself and I’ll be damned that she doesn't
have the wedding of her dreams.

And I know the wedding of her dreams includes her father.

–
ALEXA –

“Where’re you going, babe?” I ask, noticing that he is
taking the long way home.

“Home,” he says with a big smile on his face.

“Isn't it quicker the other way?”

“Yeah, but doesn't this way seem… um, prettier?”

Prettier?
Since when does
he take the scenic route? Not to mention that the sun is going down and we can
barely see anything. Just as I start to question him some more, his phone
rings, startling him.
Someone’s a little jumpy.

“Hello?...awesome, thanks!” he says into the phone,
smiling from ear to ear.

After taking the “scenic route”, we finally pull in the
driveway of our new home.
Eek, I can’t believe it’s ours!
It’s an old,
white colonial home with a red door that reminds me of a barn, and vines
growing up the brick on the side. Along the side, is a detached garage
connected to the house with lattice work, also covered with vines. With a large
oak tree in the front, complete with a tire swing hanging from it, you’d think
we lived on Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives.

“Welcome home, doll,” Nolan says, squeezing my hand.

After leaning over and kissing him, I swing my door open
and run for the front door. To my surprise, instead of seeing all of our new
furniture laid out as I’m expecting, I’m greeted with hundreds of glowing tea
candles lining every room and hallway, and rose petals carpeting the ground.
Speechless, and frozen, I stand in the doorway.

“Go in,” he whispers in my ear from behind me.

Following the rose petal carpet, I am led into the
living room where I find the words, “Will You Marry Me?” spelled out in rose
petals. Blinking my eyes to make sure I am seeing this correctly, I turn around
and find Nolan, down on one knee, holding a small jewelry box. Finally
comprehending what is going on, I start crying hysterically, barely able to
breathe.

“Doll, I love you so much. You mean the absolute world
to me. From the moment I met you, I knew that you were the one. I can’t imagine
living one minute without you. I want to wake up to your face and fall asleep
in your arms every day and night for the rest of our lives. I want to make
beautiful babies with you and grow old with you in this house. Alexa Arnold,
you are my heart and soul, and I want nothing more than to be with you for the
rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I fall to my knees, cupping
his face with my hands.

“Yes...yes...” I choke out in between tears.

After placing the gorgeous princess cut diamond on my
finger, he swoops me up into his arms, cradling me like a baby, and whispers,
“I love you” against my lips before kissing me. Draping my arms around his
neck, I kiss him back with every ounce of love and passion I have in me,
kissing him like I’ve never kissed him before. He is my love, my forever.

My happily ever after.