It was dark when we pulled up to his little home in the woods. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen the cabin, and a thought came to me suddenly. I hoped it wouldn’t be the last.
Last summer, when Sabrina and Hunter went on a date, Clay had picked me up and we’d toured Anchor Point. After that, we came back to his cabin and talked for hours about anything and everything. Here we were, six months later, about to have a discussion about our relationship.
Clay led me inside, and I stood at the doorway while he found his LED lanterns. He turned them on and placed one on a table and the other on top of a bookcase. They lit up the room quite well. He had a woodstove to keep the space warm, and the heat felt nice on an evening like this. He took off his coat and then motioned for me to sit on the couch with him.
It was surreal that I’d gotten through this entire day, and, now, we were about to discuss our future. All this time I’d managed to remain calm, but I was suddenly restless and uncomfortable. My stomach clenched and made a gurgling noise, betraying my uneasiness.
“You hungry?” Clay asked.
I laughed. “No. Guess I’m just anxious to get this over with.”
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”
I bit down on my bottom lip and glanced away. “Yeah, I’m sure.” But I didn’t sound like I believed it for a second.
“Since when have you been a pessimist?”
I laughed outright. “I’m more of a realist.” Typically, I tried to look on the bright side of things and truly wasn’t a negative person. This situation was bringing out all my worst fears though.
Clay took my hand and squeezed it and then waited for me to look at him. “Jazmin, I love you.”
“I love you too.” I didn’t hesitate to say it because it was the truth. However this turned out, I wouldn’t deny my feelings.
He stared at me for a long moment and then he cleared his throat. “I accept that you can’t have children. Perhaps God will do a miracle and override what the doctor said, or maybe He won’t. Either way, I want to marry you.”
My heart did a little flip, and so much joy rushed to the surface that I almost forgot to breathe. And then I returned to reality and attempted to be more sensible. “Have you thought this through? Once we’re married, there’s no going back. We both believe in a lifelong commitment, so make sure you’re one hundred percent certain.”
“I am certain. Do you know how I know that?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you for one day since we met.” He laughed. “I should probably amend that to one hour.”
“That’s…really sweet, but all that proves is that you have feelings for me.”
“I don’t think you understand. No one has captured my attention the way you have. No one.”
I was silent, my chest rising and falling with my breaths as I listened to what he had to say.
Clay shifted in his seat so he faced me. “At the rehearsal dinner, I realized something. I want to grow old with you, Jazmin. I want to wake up next to you every day. There is no one else for me. You are the love of my life, and I will not rest until you become my wife.” He paused. “I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but I don’t want it unless you’re a part of it. There is no doubt in my mind that you are the woman God has for me, and that He’s put us together for a reason.” He lifted himself off the couch and kneeled in front of me. “You’re my soulmate.”
My eyes teared up, but this time they were tears of happiness. “Is that a proposal?”
“Yes. Will you marry me?”
Chapter 13
Clay
Jazmin was anything but predictable, so when I asked her to marry me, I was almost certain she would say yes…but not one hundred percent. I was absolutely sure she loved me, though, and I was willing to wait as long as it took.
A smile broke over her features, and her face radiated with sheer joy. “Yes, Clay. I’ll marry you.” The last part came out in a squeal, and she clapped her hands together and stood to her feet.
I stood with her and pulled her into my arms, holding her there for the longest time and then I kissed her with the ferocity of a man who had waited long enough for the woman of his dreams.
I reluctantly drew back. “Hold on one second.” I darted into my bedroom and found the cherry wood jewelry box that used to belong to my mother. There inside was the engagement ring my father had given to her when they were younger. Money had never been an issue for him, so it was of the highest quality. A square two-carat diamond was surrounded by tiny diamonds lining the French-set band. I picked up the ring and brought it to Jazmin. “This belonged to my mother, but if it’s not to your liking, I’ll buy you a new one.”
Her eyes bugged out, and her mouth dropped open. “Wowzers, that’s a rock.”
I laughed. “Yeah, Mom and Dad had expensive taste.”
She took the ring and held it up to the light from the LED lantern, and the diamonds sparkled and glittered. A huge smile broke out over her face. “Clay, I want you to know that I’d wear
