Jade was in the playroom with a couple of the younger kids and another counselor. They were no more than five or six years old, and they were sitting on the floor playing a game when Cole peaked his head inside the door. Of course everybody loved Cole. They squealed and ran to him for hugs that he always gave away freely.
After he’d given them the proper amount of attention, he looked up at Jade. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
She looked over at the other counselor. “Teyana, I’m going to step out for a second. I’ll be right back.”
Cole took Jade’s hand and led her out of the house to the stables. “Cole, what is going on? Why are you bringing me back here?”
“There’s something I want to show you.”
She laughed. “You better hurry up because I didn’t bring a coat and it’s cold out here.”
Cole was so nervous, he didn’t even realize it, but he didn’t have a coat either. They walked into the stables. Jade always spoke to all of the horses but Jasper was still her favorite. He always got an extra rub down and a piece of sugar that Jade had stashed in her hoodie.
“You spoil that horse.”
She responded cheekily. “I do. He loves me…so what of it.”
“He’s not the only one that loves you. I love you too.” Cole had gone from playful to serious again in the blink of an eye. “Cricket, I know you’ve said you need your independence. I would never try to take that away from you. Whatever it is you want to do, you know I’ll always be there to support you. As a matter of fact, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re working here and registered for school next semester.”
Nervously, he ran his hands through his hair. Jade was starting to get nervous too. Was he breaking up with her? “Is everything alright? I’m getting worried.”
“Everything is good, only I want more.”
Jade was confused. “More? What are you talking about Cole?”
“I want to wake up to you every morning.”
“You already do.”
“I want to come home to you every night.”
“You already do that too.”
“I brought you to this stable because this is where I decided to stop denying my feelings for you.” Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box, then bent down on one knee.
Jade’s hands flew to her mouth. What was he doing? Was he really doing this?
“I never thought I was the kind of man who deserved a wife and children. I always thought I was too messed up. But every day I see myself reflected in your eyes and I feel like Superman. I feel like I can do anything. I want to build a life with you. I want to have at least five children with you.” He lifted the lid off of the ring box and exposed a dazzling five-karat emerald cut yellow diamond. “Jade Cricket Anderson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She couldn’t keep the tears from streaming down her face even if she tried. Without any hesitation, she answered. “Yes!” Jade threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard on lips.
Unbeknownst, to Jade, the staff of Serenity House had all gathered around to film and watch the proposal.
Cole and Jade would never be alone again. They had finally found a home in each other.
Chapter 27
The Wedding
Elise had her assistant, Anna, run out to get an actual paper copy of The Chicago Sun-Times. She needed to see Cole’s wedding announcement herself. All morning, her phone had been ringing off the hook with friends calling to find out if it were true. Technically, she and Cole hadn’t actually confirmed their breakup publically. Cole just didn’t understand how things were done. How could he embarrass her this way? They’d been apart for less than a few months. This was probably payback for the Kevin fiasco.
As soon as Anna came into the kitchen with the paper, Elise snatched it out of her hands and sat down at the kitchen table to read it. Quickly, she thumbed through the pages until she found the Announcement section. Anna stood over Elise’s shoulder, she finally found the article she’d been looking for. There it was. An incredibly larger than life picture of Cole and Jade smiling brightly, while staring deeply into each other’s eyes.
Jade Cricket Anderson
And
Cole Thornton
Are proud to announce a moonlight celebration
In honor of their union
At
Serenity House
It was sickening. He really was going to go through with marrying her. She couldn’t even finish reading it. Elise crumpled up the paper and threw it across the room. “Damn him! I was the best thing that ever happened to him. Only a low-brow woman would ever accept him anyway.” Pissed she yelled instructions to Anna. “He was lucky to have me. I hope they both rot in hell. Send all of my calls to voicemail, and book me a flight to Paris for this weekend. I don’t want to even be in the same country when they get married.”
*****
Serenity House was buzzing with activity. The place was beautiful. This time of year it was hard to find a starry night, but Cole still managed to make it sparkle. He wanted to give Jade back her love of stars. Lights were strung up everywhere leading to the house and courtyard. Inside, candles were strategically placed around all of the rooms. He also managed to fill the entire house with thousands of yellow flowers of all kinds. They’d been flown in from every florist around the country.
The kids from Serenity House weren’t left out of the festivities either. They were excited to get dressed up and attend
