Page 86 of The Blessing

Her eyes widen in recognition. “The beautiful one… I’m so sorry, Trevor.”

I shrug, feeling my eyes sting with tears for the millionth time today. I blink the tears away and force a smile for her sake. “I’m fine, now. I swear I am. It’s just so much to take in… I can’t wrap my head around it.” I pause and take a deep breath, feeling so exposed all of the sudden. “Why didn’t she want me, Ronnie? Why would she give me up?” I quietly muse.

“I don’t know, babe.” She says softly as she wraps her arms around my neck and holds me to her. “I just don’t know. People make bad choices all of the time, but maybe you can reach out to her and ask her why she allowed your dad to raise you.”

“I don’t understand how my dad could lie to me for so long. It’s like lying is second nature to him.” I pause, not wanting to say the next part because it’s hard to even think it. “I looked up to him, Ronnie. My entire life he was the only person I could ever count on. Now… now I just don’t know anymore. He’s not the man I thought he was. He didn’t just fuck around on my mom, he lied to me about who I was. He let my mother—Evelyn—dig into me every fucking day. He didn’t stop to tell me she wasn’t even my mom and there was a reason she didn’t like me.” I didn’t even know I was crying until Ronnie wiped a tear off my cheek.

“I wish I knew what to say. You’re right, your father made a mistake. You’ll get through this, Trev. You’re so much stronger than you think you are.”

“Thank you.”

She gives me a confused smile. “For what?”

“For being here,” I say, simply. “I don’t know how I’d deal with this shit without you. I’m so glad you’re here, even when I’m fucking up.”

“You didn’t fuck-up,” she says, her voice ringing with conviction. “You stopped yourself before things could go too far. You wouldn’t have been able to do that if you were a fuck-up, Trev. You slipped up, but then you called me. You did the right thing.” I shake my head, not feeling convinced. She laced her fingers through mine, pressing her palm gently against my bandaged one. “Trevor, you’re a strong man. I wish you saw yourself the way I do.”

I nod, using my free hand to wipe my face. I look at her, astounded by the fact that this beautiful woman loves me. “I love you, Ronnie. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

“I love you, too.” She smiles at me, making me feel fucking breathless. I’ve had the worst day ever, but she still finds a way to make me feel better.

“I’ll love you forever. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you just that if you’ll let me.” I can’t help but feel overly emotional after that life-altering news. She needs to know how I feel, but I can’t help the fact that my confession sounds like a fucking marriage proposal. It’s much too soon for that shit, and yet, it feels so fucking right. I want her to be mine. I need her in my life, and I know I can’t live without her. I don’t want to live without her. I turn my head to look at her in the dim light of her bathroom. Her face doesn’t have an ounce of makeup on it. She’s showing off her natural beauty and her pretty pale skin. She has her hair piled up on top of her head in a messy bun. Never has a woman looked so perfect to me. I want to make her mine forever.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ronnie asks with a giggle and then gives me one of the softest of smiles I’ve ever seen.

“You’re so beautiful,” I tell her because it’s the absolute truth.

She smiles at this and reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. “You are, too.”

I stare at her as if I’m seeing her for the very first time. This is the woman I want to marry. This is the woman I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking about how I’d like you to be mine forever.”

She smiles, reaching back up to cup my face as she gazes into my eyes.

“Would you?”

“Would I what?” she questions breathlessly.

“Would you be mine forever?”

She stares at me for a heartbeat longer, her gorgeous green eyes filling with tears. She nods and lifts her head to bring her lips to mine. They taste salty and sweet, yet they still feel like velvet as they move against mine. I could never get enough of this; I could never get enough of her.

“I’m yours,” she finally tells me before kissing me again.

I’ll see if she truly means that soon enough. As she pulls away, I look down at her left ring finger, noticing how empty it looks all of a sudden. How will other men know she’s taken if I don’t stake my claim? She’s mine already—mind, body, and soul. I want her bound to me in every possible way. Jesus Christ, Trevor! When did you get so fucking sappy? Apparently as soon as I met Ronnie. I suppose having a wonderful son and an amazing girlfriend will do that shit to you.

I suppose I should start shopping around for a ring for her soon. Tomorrow, perhaps. I don’t know when I’ll propose, but it’ll be nice to have it just in case. If she says “yes” to marrying me, I’ll be the happiest man on the whole fucking planet. I’ll show her every day how much I love her and just how much she means to me. I’d give her the world and expect nothing in return because that’s what love is.