Page 27 of She is Mine

“Where’s my daughter?” my dad demands as he stands on the doorstep. Christian offers his hand to shake.

“I’m Christian, sir. I’m your daughter’s boyfriend.”

“Like hell you are,” my dad says, trying to push past Christian, but he’s like a stone wall. I move forward to speak to my dad.

“Dad, listen. I’m only going to say this once. I know you’re upset right now, but Christian means the world to me. We haven’t known one another long, but it feels like I’ve known him for an eternity. And I know that if you look, you’ll be able to see how good we are together. I don’t want to fight over this. I don’t want this to be a big deal. All I want is for you to give me and Christian a chance to prove how happy we are together.”

My father looks surprised at my speech, and honestly, I’m surprised at myself too. I didn’t expect to be able to articulate my thoughts so clearly. But Christian has changed me in such a short amount of time. Looking at him now, I’m filled with love. He is everything I’ve ever wanted to fill the hole in my life. Now that he’s here, I can’t imagine what life was like before him, or how I’d survive without him.

“Sir, I love your daughter,” Christian says firmly. “I have no intention of ever hurting her. I want her to be a part of my family. She’s improved my life so much in such a short time. She’s made me happy, and I know I can do the same for her. I can assure you that she will always be provided for, no matter what. I’ll take care of her. You’ve done a wonderful job raising her, but now she and I want to make a life together. I hope you can understand that.”

All the fight seems to have left my dad’s eyes. It seems like maybe he’s beginning to understand. Benny lets out a playful bark and licks my dad’s hand, softening his face even more. He glances between me and Christian, watching as his hand takes mine, putting on a united front. He’s starting to get it now.

“I...I had no idea. I wish you’d told me…”

“It all happened so fast,” I tell him. “But it’s real, I swear. I know it seems crazy but I know you felt the same when you fell for Mom. That’s how I know I can trust this feeling. You and Mom are the best couple I’ve ever known. Now, I want to enjoy the fact that I can have what the pair of you have.”

Dad is nodding now. He knows he can’t deny me this. He can sense the connection between me and Christian. He knows what this is like for me because he’s lived it himself. I guess our family has been lucky enough to experience so much true love.

“Okay. Okay,” he says. He looks at Christian. “I expect you to take good care of her but I’ll always be her Dad. I’ll always be here to protect her too, so don’t ever think of hurting her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Christian growls. He holds his hand out for my dad to shake again, and this time he takes it. My dad looks at me.

“I do want to talk about this more...but tomorrow. Come to the house and we can talk.”

“Of course,” I say.

“Goodnight, darling.”

As my dad leaves, I turn to Christian in shock. He closes the door and pulls me close to his chest. I feel all the tension leaving my body. I knew this was meant to go well. I just knew that we’d be okay. Christian and me, we’re meant to be.

Nothing will stand in our way.

Christian

Waking up beside Kaylee, I feel as though all my dreams have finally come true. I watch her sleep for a while, her gentle breathing soothing and quiet. I pull her close to me and relish in the fact that she’s mine forever.

But before I can make her truly mine, I need to put a ring on her finger.

It might be crazy to be thinking of marrying her after two days, and yet I know that it’s the right thing to do. Not just because my baby is growing inside her now. Not just because I love her with all my heart. It’s because the universe brought us together. It’s because I waited a lifetime and I don’t want to wait a moment longer. It’s because waiting would be putting off the inevitable. Kaylee is the most perfect creature I’ve ever come across and I know I want her to be mine forever.

I’ve been keeping a ring in my bedside drawer for over twenty years. It was my mother’s, though I’ve had it rest to make it even more beautiful. I know it’ll look perfect on Kaylee’s dainty fingers.

She stirs in her sleep just as I’m taking it from the drawer. I can feel my heart hammering against my chest. I thought when I eventually proposed, it would be a big deal. But something feels so right about doing it right now. My heart is so full it could burst if I wait another moment. As her eyes flicker open, I show her the ring.

She gasps as she sits up. She blinks several times.

“Is this real?”

“It’s real,” I say, in a firm tone. “I love you, Kaylee. You’ve changed everything for me. And now that we’ve found one another, I can’t stand to go another minute without you being truly mine. I know that we’re going to be together forever...so I want forever to start now.”

She stares at the ring, the diamonds glistening in the early morning light. Her eyes meet mine and I know it’s time to ask the question.

“Kaylee, I want to wake up every day with you and feel the same excitement you felt when you saw this ring. The same excitement I felt knowing I woke up lying next to the woman of my dreams. If we’re together forever, I know this feeling will never fade. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Of course I will,” she whispers. “Of course yes.” I smile to myself as I slide the ring onto her finger. I had no doubt about what her answer would be, but I had no idea it would make me feel so good. As we kiss, I know that my entire life has fallen into place. I never expected that this fantasy would become my reality, but now that it has, I know that I’m never going to let it go.

I’m going to be with Kaylee forever.