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I agree, and we say our goodbyes. Now it’s time to go win back the love of my life.
* * *
Thirty minutes later,I'm standing in front of Ember's apartment. Taking one last fortifying breath, I knock on her door. No one answers, which I kind of expected. I can be patient. I knock again and then press my ear to the door.
I swear I can hear her breathing, but I know that’s not possible. It’s her presence though. I fuckingfeelher. Much like that night after our first date when she hid away inside of her apartment. I know she’s right on the other side of the door.
“Angel, can we just talk?” No response. “I’m not leaving here, even if I have to camp out all night. I need to see your face, beautiful.”
“Don’t call me that!” She snaps. Even though her tone is harsh, I relax ever so slightly hearing her voice. It’s a start.
“Ember, please hear me out. I know you’re hurting. I am too. That article is utter trash, and I had nothing to do with it. I’m so sorry, baby. So sorry any of this petty bullshit got to you and made you doubt us.”
She doesn't say anything, but I hear her sniffling just on the other side of the door. It's killing me to know there are only a few inches of wood separating us. I could probably break down her door if I really wanted to, but she needs to trust me enough to open it up for me. She needs to let me in, both literally and metaphorically.
“There’s no way I could fake how perfect we are together. I couldn’t fake how making love to you, being inside of you, holding you, washing your delicate skin has changed me irrevocably. I know you feel it too. I’m yours, angel. You hold my heart, my soul in your hands. Please just let me fight for you.” I end my plea by resting my forehead on her door. I swear I feel her do the same.
I’ve never been one much for praying, but I’m begging every god I can think of to grant me a miracle. After what feels like a lifetime, I hear the lock click on the other side of the door, and then it swings open, revealing my beautiful, wrecked Christmas angel.
Ember stands in front of me, offering me a sliver of hope. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying, her hair is thrown up in a messy bun with stray pieces falling out and framing her face, and she’s wearing old sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt with holes scattered around the worn fabric. She’s absolutely breathtaking giving me a chance and letting me see her broken heart. Maybe she’ll give me the chance to fix it.
Before she gets a chance to change her mind, I pull out my phone, which already has the original article pulled up. Ember glances down and starts to shake her head.
“Please, I don’t want to be reminded of what a fool I am,” she cries, trying to shut the door. I don’t let her. She’s given me this in and I won’t leave until she hears me out.
“The article was cruel and completely untrue. But look at the response, Ember. Look at what people are saying about us.”
She eyes me warily and then takes a deep breath, opening her hand so I can place my phone in it. Ember scrolls through the comments and gasps quietly, more tears gathering in her beautiful eyes.
“They think I’m beautiful,” she whispers in disbelief.
“More than that, angel. They think you’re gorgeous and that you deserve a happily ever after. They think we are made for each other and even strangers can see the love we share,” I tell her softly, inching closer to her with each word. “But even if they didn’t, I wouldn’t care. I only care about what you think. I only want your approval. No one else matters, baby girl.”
“Wyatt…” she looks up at me, doubt warring with hope. I can work with that.
I reach into my pocket and take out the drummer boy ornament I got for her. Ember looks at me like I’m crazy until I explain. “I know I’m doing things out of order, but this is what I wanted to give you on the last day of Christmas. Twelve drummers drumming. Well, it’s just the one, but I’m hoping what’s inside makes up for it.”
Ember fumbles with the ornament and finds the hidden clasp. While she opens it up, I drop to one knee and wait for her to pull out the engagement ring.
“I bought that for you the day after the Christmas party. I knew even then you were my forever.” I take the ring from her and slip it on the ring finger of her left hand. It’s a perfect fit. “I know you’ve been hurt, I know you don’t trust easily, and I know that stupid article made you doubt my intentions. So let me make myself clear. I love you. I love you more with every breath I take. No, with every breath you take. It gives you life, so I love your breath too. Please, please let me spend every day making you laugh, and every night worshipping your beautiful body. You are perfect, Ember. All of you. Your spirit, your smile, your tender heart, your curves, your sparkling eyes. Let me prove it to you. Let me love you.”
She sniffles and then breaks out into a radiant smile. Ember tackles me to the ground and I wrap my arms around her to cushion her fall. Relief floods my chest and I’m fighting back those damn tears again.
“Is that a yes?” I chuckle.
“I don’t know, you didn’t really ask,” she teases me with a sassy grin on her face.
I smile and cup her face in my hands and brushing away the last of her tears. “Angel, will you marry me?”
The playfulness in her eyes is replaced with a seriousness that puts me on edge. “Wyatt, I’m so sorry I freaked out. I know you, I know your heart. I know how I feel when I’m with you, how good we are together. I let my insecurities drown out everything else, but I promise to trust you from here on out.” The sincerity of her words floods my system and mends the cracks in my heart from the last few hours. I feel like I can breathe again. “Yes, I will marry you, Wyatt James.” Ember smiles at me and rests her forehead on mine.
That one word echoes in my head.Yes. Yes. Yes.
She said yes.
“God, I love you, Ember James.”
“Well, that’s not my name quite yet,” she teases.
