Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“What’s all this?”
“It’ll always be you,” He smiles. “My personal light, shining brighter than the sun. Changing my life, guiding me, loving me.”
I cock my head to the side, listening to his words.
“Our love has survived the darkest of times, yet never dwindled or dimmed. My light for you simply never goes out,” he shrugs. “You mean the world to me, and I want you to know that no matter what, my sails will only fly white for you. No matter what, I will always come to you.”
My eyes widen, shocked. Surely this is happening because he knows.
He knows.
How?
“Marry me.” He reaches into his pocket.
“You know.” The keys fall out of my gasp, hitting the floor with a loud clank, and we both flinch.
“What?”
“You’re asking to marry me because you know.” My eyes start to water. “How did you find out?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re not mad at me for not telling you?” I walk up to him, anxious. “You’ve made your feelings about it perfectly clear, and you don’t have to marry me for my sake. It’s gallant of you, but unnecessary.”
“Luci, I’m asking to marry you because I want to spend the rest of my life with you as my wife. What are you talking about?”
“You don’t know?” I fathom. “You’re asking me because-”
I can’t believe he’s actually asking me to marry him out of the blue, and not because I’m pregnant. He doesn’t know.
“What is going on?” He swallows nervously, and I do the same.
“Luci?”
“I’m pregnant.”
The color drains from his face.
“But- How-? My sister’s wedding was only last week!”
“It happened in France,” I explain. “There was no access to any day after precautions where we were, and I didn’t freak out because I thought I had my period timed right.”
“You never went back on the pill!” He accuses. “You let this happen on purpose!”
I take a step back, my head tingling, my eyes watering, and my heart pounding.
“It was an accident, I swear!” Wetness slides down my cheeks.
“You know my past!” He shouts. “What a toll it took on both of us. You know my fears, and yet you let this happen!”
“Stop staying that!” I cry.
“Is it mine?”
“I can’t believe you just asked that!”
He turns around, throwing his hands up before covering his face, and I can no longer see through my tears. The next thing I hear is the slamming of a door in the distance.
I grab my purse, pausing, as a new set of waterworks begins. I fall against the wall, sliding down, waiting for them to stop.
When they do, and I can finally see without blurriness, I search through my purse and fish out my phone. I have to have Gracie pick me up.
I sniff, wiping my nose with my sleeve while my body shakes with each deep breath I take and button I press. A few tears drop on the screen, the wetness splashing and rolling under my fingers. I’m startled when the door opens.
“Go away,” my lips tremble.
“I am so sorry.” He falls on the floor next to me, and I give him a dirty look.
“I’m scum.”
I’m silent.
“I’m- I’m-” he sighs. “Clearly at a loss for words. I don’t know what came over me other than shock.” He exhales. “I can see why you didn’t tell me sooner.”
I’m shaking uncontrollably as I stand up, and he gets up too. My upset and sadness turns to anger, and out of nowhere I lift my hand and slap him right across the face. “I am not her, and how dare you fucking say that to me!”
His hand rushes to his cheek, grabbing it.
“I deserve that,” he swallows, stretching his jaw as his hand covers an already very reddening cheek.
I can’t believe I did that.
“Oh my gosh!” I grab my forehead. “I’m so sor-”
“No,” he swallows, obviously in pain. “You don’t apologize, not tonight, not ever. I was completely unwarranted.”
Tears stream down my cheeks.
“Oh, Luci,” he pulls me into his arms.
“I’m scared.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t mean for this!” I wail.
“I know,” he soothes. “I know. I didn’t mean what I said, I swear.”
We’re quiet, standing in a room full of romantic candlelight, having a moment that is anything but what the atmosphere portrays.
“You weren’t feeling well,” he sighs. “I should have known.”
“You had no way of knowing,” I shake my head.
“I wasn’t around with Holly for anything,” he explains. “I didn’t know the signs,” he pauses. “Oh Luci, I know you’re not her. I’m so sorry. Did you go to the doctor?”
“No,” I wipe my eyes. “I’m not sure if I want to keep it.”
“Because of me?” His face scrunches, pained.
“Because of a lot of things.”
He nods. “Like what?”
“First of all you,” I look at him. “In the mall, you said you never want kids. You were very clear.”
He starts to protest, but I stop him.