AllFreeNovel
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But making our own memories.
Living in the present.
Eating. Drinking. Playing games. Being silly and ridiculous.
Then packing them off into Lyfts when the mules hit hard and the night grows late.
“Come here, butterfly,” Lake murmurs after I finish with the dishes, my feet sore and my cheeks aching from smiling so much, my arms heavy after lifting my camera so much, trying to document as much of the night as possible.
I toss the towel on the counter, move over to him, settling on the couch.
Pride and Prejudiceis playing in the background, the Kiera version, which is my favorite, and Steve is passed out on his bed in front of the fireplace, his paws in the air, his snores almost drowning out the pretty, pretty words of Mr. Darcy.
“What’s up, honey?” I say, curling into him.
“You happy?” he asks.
I glance at the TV then smile back at him. “Incandescently happy.”
He taps my nose lightly, mouth tipping up. “Good.”
Then he surprises me, not by stealing a kiss, not by coaxing me down the hall to the bedroom. Instead, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box.
My throat goes tight.
“Lake,” I rasp.
“No need for the open road, butterfly,” he teases lightly. “It’s not a ring.” A beat. “Not yet, anyway.”
My eyes flash to his.
But the blip of panic in my heart is there and gone in a second—because I want the ring. I want him.
Forever.
“Open it,” he orders.
My hands are shaking, but I follow the command, pulling the lid of the black velvet box back and—
Immediately, my eyes fill with tears.
“Lake,” I whisper, barely able to see it with my vision so glassy.
Barely able to see my butterfly charm, fully repaired, all the way down to the missing diamond.
Sniffing, I launch myself into his arms, hold him tight. “God, I love you.”
He rests his head atop mine, hugs me back. “I know, butterfly.” Fingers through my hair, his warm body pressed to mine. “Because you show me that every single day.”
The road is bumpy.
Surrounded by snowbanks and dangerous blind turns.
But my wings are free.
And for the first time, I feel safe enough to fly.
Ella
