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Twenty-Nine
Why not?
Vannah
The moment she opened her dorm door, Byron stepped in and wrapped his arms around her tightly again. He held her for a long time taking in deep breaths. His embraces were always heartfelt, but this felt even more emotional somehow. Xochitl had already confirmed what Vannah thought she’d imagined when she first walked in. Those really had been tears in his eyes she’d seen, and they’d been shed because of the dread he’d been put through. Vannah couldn’t even blame him. He’d already suffered two harrowing and heart wrenching experiences in his life. She didn’t even know how she would’ve handled thinking something might’ve happened to him. Just like all the other times she’d been so quick toforgive and forget his past popping up, she’d already decided she wouldn’t dwell on the whole Irma thing. And she knew why now, just as he had today, Byron had worn his heart on his sleeve from the very beginning and she loved him for it. She’d promised not to hold his past against him, and she was keeping that promise.
It wasn’t until he finally pulled away sniffling, that she saw his bloodshot eyes were flooded again, and she was instantly choked up.
“Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Irma—”
“No.” She shook her head adamantly taking his face in her hands. “I’m glad you didn’t, and I don’t even wanna hear about it now, it would’ve been worse then. It just took me by surprise and shook me for a moment, but I had time to think about it during this stupid standoff and it doesn’t matter. That was before we’d made any promises. You’ve proved more than enough times already, and you’re proving it again now.” She smiled wiping away the tears that escaped the corners of his eyes. “That your intentions are honorable, and your love is as genuine as it gets.”
“Savannah you don’t even know.” He leaned in and kissed her as Vannah brought her arms around his neck. “I already knew I’d fallenhard.And you probably didn’t believe it when I said if I had it my way, I’d marry you tomorrow. But after today, if I thought you’d say yes, fuck the four years of school, I’d get down on my knees, and ask you to marry me right now.” Her eyes went wide, and he shook his head quickly. “I know it sounds like crazy talk, and I really do respect that you want to finish school first. I’m just saying there’s no question about it anymore. I’ll never feel like this for anyone else. You’re it for me. Four years from now, I know I’ll still feel the same. When you walked in through that door today, all I could think of was how the hell I’d let you out of my sight again? How could I convince you to sleep in the safety of my arms every night, for the rest of your life?”
“I think you just did.”
He smiled sniffling, as Vannah tried not to freak out about the words that had just flown out without thought, but clearly, even he didn’t think she was being serious. She was just reacting to his sweet words,hypothetically. Right?
The moment she saw that what she’d just said sunk in; her heart thudded. He tilted his head peering at her suddenly. “What?”
She felt her eyes go wide again as her heart sped up. Did she dare repeat it? It was crazy talk, but she’d already begun to consider Xochitl’s suggestion that she just move in with him. What difference did it make if they were married or not? She already knew she couldn’t live without him. Her old school grandparents would probably appreciate their first grandkid to leave home, to be because she was getting married, not shacking up with her boyfriend. And who said she couldn’t keep going to school while she was married? It’s not like they could marry immediately anyway. Her family would never hear of it. Their first grandchild in the family to marry would get the biggest, fattest, Moreno wedding La Jolla had ever had. The baby making would definitely have to wait but most importantly, there was no question about it for Vannah anymore either. Byron was it for her too. Asinsane as this really was, she couldn’t even imagine her life without him anymore.
Cautiously lifting and dropping a shoulder, her heart raced as his eyes widened. “Why not?”
His jaw dropped. “You’reshittingme?”
“I could still finish school and—”
She stopped, and yelped bringing her hand over her mouth, when he dropped to his knee in front of her. “Marry me?”
“Yes!” she said without even giving it another thought.
Jumping to his feet, he picked her up and spun her around as she laughed nervously, then put her down just as suddenly. “I know that nervous laugh, Savannah.” He searched her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”
She nodded adamantly bringing both her hands to her mouth, feeling her brows pinch as she was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. “Just nervous because I know my parents are gonna freak. But yes. I’m absolutely sure, Byron.” She smirked when she saw the uncertainty in his eyes, but she also knew him too well now. “Am I sleeping here tonight?”
His brows jumped in surprise. “Well, if you’re leaving that up to me.Hellno! You’re coming home with me tonight.”
“And when we get home tomorrow night?”
“Yeah.” He smiled big as if understanding what she was getting at already. “You’ll be there again and every night after that I can convince you to stay. Wemay as wellmake it official.”
Xochitl who’d gone into the bedroom before Vannah had even let Byron back in, walked out into the kitchen. She’d been sure things would get emotional again and wanted to give them their privacy. “Just getting something to munch on, but I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I’m done.”
“We’re getting married,” Vannah blurted out making her roommate spin around so fast she nearly lost her balance.
“What?”
Vannah laughed bringing her hands to her mouth. “He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Why not? It feels so perfect, and you were right. I’m over at his place most the time now anyway. All I ever think of when we’re apart, is when I’ll be with him again.”
“Same here,” Byron confirmed, and she turned to smile at him.
“I should call my mom.”
“No wait!” Byron looked absolutely panicked now. “I mean trust me I have zero qualms about doing this but,phew!” He clutched his chest. “Telling your parents. Can’t we wait a little? At least until I can get you a ring?”
“I don’t need a ring, and you don’t understand. My parents hate for us to keep anything from them. Especially something this big.”
