Helpless

Grenade

The meeting with Dior was very uplifting. I was flattered and grateful that my fans had continued to support the cologne, even when my reputation had been at stake. And even more so that Dior took a gamble by keeping me as their spokesperson for their brand. I felt so grateful that even though I knew my life would never be normal again, I had happiness in my life again.

"That was nice of them," Christi smiled.

"Yeah," I nodded. "I have a very loyal following."

"You really do," she smiled. "I don't think I've seen you this happy since your kids were born. I mean, look at you. You look healthy, you're sober, and you have that twinkle in your eye, again."

"Thanks," I laughed.

"I mean it," she continued. "Jen has been very good to you."

"She has," I nodded with a smile. "I would have never thought that I would fall in love again. And that I would find love in the industry. But then she came along."

"Mom would have loved her," she nodded. "I think mom would have admired her just as much as I do. She's accomplished so much even though she comes from a famous family. She's not your typical heiress or socialite. She has worked hard for what she has without relying on her family. I respect her so much. I love seeing you with her."

I smiled. She was right. Jen was different from all the other women I had dated in the past. And though I had loved every single one of them. With Jen, everything felt different. While I had a temper, she was able to control hers. I was impulsive, she was logical. If we had arguments, she was able to immediately diffuse them by being logical and empathetic. She was the first one to apologize. She made me feel loved from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to sleep. Always telling me she loved me. Always pushing me to find that light at the end of the tunnel. She was the love of my life.

"I have never been happier," I confessed. "It used to scare me. Because I had promised myself that I would never fall in love again. Not at my age. I would have never imagined she would fall in love with me."

"She adores you," she reached out and squeezed my hand. "She doesn't even have to say it. Her eyes say it all."

"I adore her," I smiled.

"So," she sighed. "Is she the love of your life?"

"Absolutely," I nodded.

"Are you gonna marry Jen?"

Woah. I hadn't expected Christi to ask me that. The truth was that I wanted to be with Jen until my last breath here on earth. The thought of marriage terrified me. Did we really need to be married to be committed to each other? Jen and I had never really discussed the topic of marriage. We had talked about being devoted and committed to each other. And that we would be together forever. But marriage? No.

"No," I responded. "I'll never marry, Jen."

"Johnny," Christi sighed.

But before she continued, we heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called out.

Jen walked in with Sean right behind her.

"Hey," Jen smiled. "Sorry for interrupting. I just thought I would bring you guys some homemade lemonade before starting my next meeting."

"Thank you, baby," I smiled.

She placed the lemonade on the table and was about to walk out.

"Wait," I said, grabbing her hand. I leaned in closer to her and placed a kiss on her lips. "I love you, thank you for being so amazing."