“Shut up and don’t say a word until I finish.” She gives my hand another squeeze before continuing. “I could have never imagined that after all this time you still loved me. That you were staying away because you needed to get better, not because there was something missing in your life.”
She raises our joined hands to her face, nuzzling her cheek into them. “About a month after you left, I started feeling sick. Throwing up everything I ate and no matter what I did, I wouldn’t get better. It wasn’t until Tawny pulled her stunt after Colton’s accident, I realized I might be pregnant.
“I decided to take a test that very night, and that was the last time I saw my supposed best friend.” Tears fill her eyes as she continues. “I had no one and no idea where you were or if you were coming back. I was alone and had no family to turn to, so I went to see the only person I knew would have an idea of where you were.”
“Colton,” I respond barely above a whisper before grinding my teeth together. Lucy nods her head.
“Yes, but I ran into Rylee instead. She knew Tawny and I were friends, but she listened to me cry about not knowing where you were or what I would do. She told me that I had two choices, to have my baby or not.
“She said that she and Colton would help me in any way that they could, but it had to be my choice. That choice was a no brainer. I knew I wanted to keep a little piece of the love we shared. There was no way I would lose the one piece of you I had left.”
“Why didn’t he tell me? I would have come right home to you if I would have known,” I plead with her, trying to understand why my son spent the last three years of his life without me.
“I was angry, Tyler. Angry that you left me with nothing but a voicemail but as time went on, I was angry you didn’t try to come home. I made Rylee and Colton promise if they spoke to you not to tell you about Colt. If you came home, I wanted it to be because you loved me, not because we had a child together.”
Tears fill my eyes as I stare at Lucy. The strongest and most beautiful woman I have ever had the honor of knowing. Emotions continue to bubble to the surface as I contemplate how much love I have for her and our little boy. Our little boy, Colt, who wormed his way into my heart as if he belonged there, because he does.
“Marry me,” I blurt out, unable to stop myself. Lucy stares at me in shock before releasing my hand, but I grip hers tightly. “Don’t shut me out, Lu. I’ve loved you longer than I can imagine, and I love that little boy who I wished was mine. Let’s become a family, the one we always dreamed of having.”
“No.”
“No, never, or just not right now?” I question, hoping I can still read my girl.
“Not right now. We have a lot of things to discuss before we can get married. We need to get to know each other again.”
“I love you, Lu. I’ll wait until the end of eternity for you to be ready to marry me as long as you say you will be mine forever.”
“Forever is a really long time to want to be with the same person.”
“Not to me. Forever isn’t nearly long enough.” Lucy gives me a bright smile before leaning over and placing a kiss on my lips. “You can do better than that, baby.”
I smile against her lips before threading my fingers into her hair and pulling her lips tightly against mine.
Epilogue
Lucy
Two Years later
“Happy birthday, Colt.” I give him a big hug before placing him back on his feet and he takes off toward his friends.
“Our little boy is all grown up,” Tyler says from beside me as he grabs the half empty tray of burgers and hot dogs off the table. Colt’s party is starting to wind down, only family is left.
Today is Colt’s fifth birthday party. Spider-Man decorations cover our entire backyard and the treehouse we had built for him all those years ago. Luckily, his obsession with race cars has toned down some, but his favorite thing to do nowadays is work on cars with his dad.
Colton and Rylee are snuggled into the corner together, whispering to each other. A little birdy told me they will be getting engaged soon, and it’s about damn time. Tyler still works for CD Enterprises, cranking on engines is in his blood.
Who could have imagined how much my life would change in a matter of years. Tyler and I have been inseparable since the accident two years ago. We have had our difficulties, but we remain more in love than ever.
He is still dead set on us getting married, but there was no rush. That was before I saw those two pink lines this morning. Now more than ever, I want to make our family official.
“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Tyler’s voice raises over the few people we have left at the party. “Colt can you come over here, buddy?” My eyes tear up as I remember the conversation Tyler and I had about what to give Colt for his birthday.
We decided all those years ago that we would petition the State to put Tyler’s name on Colt’s birth certificate. We didn’t want to just come out and tell Colt that Tyler was his father because we were afraid it would confuse him and possibly lead to questions we didn’t want to answer for him.
Instead we got him a new birth certificate and requested a name change, which came in the mail a few days ago. Colt is now officially
