Page 115 of Home Is Where You Are

The smile on his face was genuine. He seemed lighter today. Freer than he had since I'd arrived.

I could only imagine what he had to say.

He’d most likely make me cry.

“I was so happy when Mom and Dad told me we’d gotten a sister the day you were born. I felt this overpowering feeling of protectiveness when they told us they were having another baby. Even as a young child, I remember always asking Mom if you were okay in her stomach. I just knew I had to be there for you. And when you came home, I wouldn’t leave your side for days. I slept where you slept. I drove Mom and Dad crazy with being around you so much. I had to make sure you were okay. And to this day, I always feel this need to know you’re happy and loving life. We’ve always been the closest. Some say it’s because we’re closer in age. I don’t agree. We’ve always shared this connection. The only thing I can think to compare it to is that of a twin’s bond with its sibling. I know that sounds crazy since we aren’t twins, but it’s how I feel. I know when you’re hurting before you even tell me you are. I can sense it. And I pray to God that I never have to see you in the pain I did four years ago. Anytime, day or night, I’m here for you. No matter what the future brings. I hope you’ll remember that,” Holden said, and I let the tears I was holding back escape.

Dang him and his sentimental ways.

He came up to me and wiped the wetness from my cheeks before he too kissed me on top of my forehead.

Aspen and Dylan didn’t disappoint when they walked hand in hand from behind the enormous tree.

“I thought you’d be at work now,” I said to them as they walked over to me.

“We got the afternoon off.”

I hoped she’d give something away, but nope. Not Aspen. She was tight-lipped when it came to secrets and surprises.

“I see that,” I replied with a smile that I couldn’t contain as I saw her standing there happily with Dylan. They were totally made for each other, and I couldn’t have been happier that he’d finally told her how he felt.

“Four years ago, at orientation, you, Dylan, and I met, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We laughed together. Shed many tears together. Enjoyed way too many drinks together. And the decision to move to Texas was the easiest we’d made when we found out this is where you were going to be. While leaving our families was hard, we couldn’t leave you. Seeing you happy with Gentry makes me happy for you. You’ll never have to worry if we’ll be here, because you’re stuck with us like glue,” she said as they brought me in for a hug.

Being wrapped in their warmth made me feel so full of love and joy for the people who were surrounding me. The only one missing was the man I loved.

And suddenly Gentry appeared from behind the tree.

The place we’d shared so many secrets.

Our joys.

Our fears.

Our hopes.

Our dreams.

Most of them were all shared around the branches of this sturdy tree.

The ones that weren’t, we’d shared huddled together any place we could find.

“Hello there, butterfly,” he said with a smile that made me weak.

I didn’t waste any time as I rushed over to him and jumped into his awaiting arms.

He caught me just like he always did and carefully spun me around in a circle before he placed me on my feet.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I kept my hands on his shoulders for support. But more so because when he was near, I always felt this need to touch him.

“You mean you haven’t figured it out just yet?”

I shook my head as I waited for his explanation.

“I’m here to make one last confession. The most important one I’ll ever have to make,” he said as he bent down to kiss the tip of my nose.

With bated breath, I waited for the words he was about to speak.

“I’ve loved you since I was a teenage boy coming over to play football with your brother. I fell in love with you when we were just young teenagers trying to figure out what love really was. But I always knew when I would think about who I’d love forever that it would be you. Even when you were away, I knew you’d be back someday and I knew—just like I always did—that you’d be mine for the rest of my life. There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by since I met you that I haven’t loved you. Even when I wanted to hate you for leaving, I couldn’t because all I could do was love you. And for the rest of my life, I will continue to love you,” he said with tears in his eyes as he pulled something out of his jeans pocket.