Shattered Secrets

Chapter 21: Roses

I opened the door standing slightly to the side to let him in. The air felt thick with anxiety and anticipation. I was waiting to let him speak first. I didn't know if this was going to end up another fight or if we could finally actually be together like I had been dreaming. I was desperate for the later but I knew what happened when I got my hopes up. I knew he wouldn't have bought me flowers if he came over planning to fight. I walked into the kitchen to put the roses into water so they wouldn't wilt.
"These are beautiful, Arron. Thank you!" I wanted my voice to show how thankful I was and they really were beautiful.
"I wasn't sure what your favorites were but I remembered you mentioning you liked getting flowers." He smiled at me slightly. I loved the fact he remembered little things about me.
"I wish you had been here this morning when I woke up." I was still arranging the flowers in their vase trying to seem nonchalant and like it didn't really bother me. It actually bothered me a lot waking up alone and having to spend the day by myself rather than with him.
'I know I'm sorry, if I'm being fully honest I needed to sort my thoughts out." He started to fidget with his fingers, his tell that he was nervous.
I scoffed, "Sort your feelings out? Well what did you figure out?" I was so irritated with him in this moment I really didn't care what it was he had to say. He had proven time and time again he didn't care about me. That he thought I was a mistake and that I had nothing he wanted. I didn't want to let him hurt me again.

"That I'm madly in love with you and I want to be with you every second of everyday. That I've been horrible to you recently and I am so so deeply sorry. That I desperately hope you can forgive me and we can be together like we talked about all those months ago." He wasn't looking at his hands anymore but holding direct eye contact with me. I stood there in the kitchen shocked beyond words. I had dreamed for months of him saying those words but now that I was actually hearing them I felt like I had forgotten how to speak.
"I understand if the things that Ive said and done are unforgivable and if you want me to leave right now and never come back but, I needed you to know how I feel, how Ive always felt."
"Arron, I have been dreaming of hearing you say that for months but how do I know you mean it this time. You've said similar things to me before only to break my hear weeks later. I can't do this if you're just going to end up being another boyfriend who shatters me."
"I know and Im sorry that Ive been that before but I'm saying now that I will be your husband, in time, if you let me." In that moment my knees went weak. I reached for the counter to keep myself steady.

He stepped towards me placing one hand on top of mine and the other on my waist. My heart skipped a beat as our lips intertwined and I was welcomed by sweet vanilla, coffee, and mint. He must have been chewing gum earlier probably in preparation for this exact moment. He pulled back and smiled keeping our faces close with a small chuckle
"You taste like toothpaste." He remarked. I could contain my laughter and moved my head to rest on his shoulder. The weight in the air had lifted now being replaced with sheer joy.
"I need you to know that I forgive you, I want to make this work with you. I want us, I've wanted us for so long." I lifted my head to close the distance between our faces so he knew that I was genuine.
"I've been falling for you since the moment you walked into the bullpen. I couldn't admit it then but I can now. I meant every word I said, I'm in love with you August Wallace." I couldn't help but blush at this saying my full name. Not just that but yet another admittance of love made the blush run to my cheeks. He gently placed a kiss on the top of my forehead and smiled at me.

We spent the rest of the day cuddled on the couch talking about our dreams and wishes with one another. The things we desperately wanted to do and see. I told him about how much I wanted to spend time with Jack and how I've always thought he was a great dad. He told me about all of the places he wished he could take me. Secret spots around the city that he's never taken anyone that he wants nothing more than to show me. The longer we talked the more entranced with him I became. I adored everything about him and I could feel his adoration of me.
"I wish I never had to leave here, never had to leave you."
"What if you didn't, what if you stayed?"
"You mean like move in here? Together?" He looked at me in shock.
"I mean not right now but we could, I mean why not? We never want to be apart who if we don't have to?"
"Okay, okay let's do it." He nodded with a smile across his face. I moved closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. Now that I was back in his arms I didn't care where we went I was home.