A Bond Never Broken

Chapter 32

Atlanta, Georgia

October 16, 2015

10:00 AM

I have been on tour for a month now. Every day, being away from Caroline and the boys has been a struggle. Even if Caroline and facetime, call, and text each other often, it's just not the same. I miss holding her in my arms and kissing her delicate lips. I miss having coffee in the morning, just us and the rising sun, the chirping birds. I miss hearing her complain about the mess I make, the trails I leave behind my footprints. I miss watching her be a mother and care for our three children and Til. I miss watching her walk around in yoga pants with her hair up in a bun even if she says she looks horrible. I miss the little things she does, like hum while cooking a meal or always reading before she'd go to sleep at night. Mostly, I miss her.

Last night, we had done a show in Atlanta. We were here for another day until we headed to Illinois. I sat down in the dinette and opened a folder that kept anything miscellaneous. I pulled out a piece of paper that had an in-the-works ring sketched on it. Now, I know exactly what you're thinking. Who's the ring for Luke? Well, obviously Caroline. I hope to propose in the future. I have no idea when or where though. I'm so busy with my tour and all, so not anytime soon. Anyways, I just thought it would be a good idea to design her ring myself. I know Caroline loves special things like that. It would have more sentimental value for both her and I. As I've been sketching any chance I get, I remember to keep the design simple, yet elegant, remembering that Caroline adores simplicity.

Today I planned on taking a rental car to Caroline's parent's house. I knew I wouldn't be back in Georgia for some time, and if I was going to propose in the future, I needed to get her father's permission and blessing.

I could hear footsteps outside of my bus and I quickly tried to put the sketch of Caroline's ring away, but it was no use. Carter barged through the door and just looked at me to the sketch. He smirked and slowly shut the bush door. I mentally kicked myself. I didn't want anyone to know about my plans just yet. Carter sat down across from me and looked over the drawing. He looked up and smiled.

"Is Mr. Luke Bryan planning on proposing?" He smirked.

I sighed. "Carter, keep quiet about this. I don't want anybody to know about this just yet."

He threw his hands up. "Hey, my mouth is sealed until told otherwise."

I nodded my head and eyed my sketched, thankful Mama made me take a drawing class with her one summer. Don't even make me go over how the women in that class swooned over me.

"Well, in that case, I am," I said, grinning and beginning to feel giddy at the thought of getting down on one knee. "I think Caroline is the one."

Carter looked like he was going to burst out laughing. "You think?" He mocked me. "You think Caroline is the one?"

I squinted my eyes. "I know she is."

Carter looked satisfied as he got up to scrounge in the fridge. He pulled out a beer and sat back down.

"Waiting nineteen years for a woman after leaving her... dude that's a pretty big commitment in its self. Besides, I've never, ever seen you this happy before. As soon as Caroline came back into your life, it was like the old Luke was replaced with a whole new vibrant Luke. You're so much more alive. Man, you look at her like she placed the stars in the sky. I know you want to marry her." Carter explained before taking a sip of his beer.

Carter was right. I did, in fact, know I wanted to marry Caroline. She was the woman I lost before, nineteen years ago, and I sure as heck couldn't lose her a second time. That would kill me from the inside out. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I wanted to make her mine, make her Mrs. Bryan.

::::::::::::

I pulled up to Caroline's childhood home... her parent's house. The last time I had seen them was when they came up to Tennessee for Tate's birthday. Both Waymond, her dad, and Yvonne, her mother, were thrilled to see us back together. Both expressing their dislike for Chris.

As much as I'd hate to admit it, I was nervous. Way more nervous than I should be. My palms were sweating so I wiped them on my jeans. To tell you the truth, I felt sick to my stomach. What would be her father's reaction? Only one way to find out.

I stepped out of the truck I had rented and walked up the walkway. Yvonne must have seen me because she flung open the door, a smile painted across her face. I met her at the doorstep and gave her a quick hug. She looked baffled.

"Luke!" She said excitedly. "What a surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you at all! What brings you here?"

I smiled. "Well, actually I was hoping to speak with Mr.Boyer."

Her eyes lit up, hinting that she had probably caught on to my plans. She nodded her head.

"Sorry, where are my manners? Come in, come in. He's right inside." She stepped aside so I could go in.

I felt like I was going to get sick as I saw Caroline's father sitting in his recliner. His back was to us at the moment.

Waymond said, "Did I hear someone call me Mr. Boyer? You're making me feel old. I know that someone can call me Waymond."

I gulped, feeling like I did when Caroline brought me home that first time back in college. "Sorry, sir."

Waymond stood up from his chair and made his way over to me. Yvonne had disappeared somewhere... most likely eavesdropping. I shook his hand, feeling the familiar manly grip that could make any guy run for the hills and never look back..

"So," Waymond spoke up. "What brings you here unexpected?"

"Well, uh," I scratched the back of my head nervously. "I was hopin' to ask you ya'll something. Particularly you though, sir."

Waymond nodded and smiled. "Sit down then, son. No need to stand."

I followed him to the couch and sat down. He sat in the matching sofa across from me. We were separated by a glass coffee table. I made sure I had most of what I was going to say together before speaking to Waymond. This was huge. Like, this was my future lying in Waymond's hands.

"Well, sir, as you know, Caroline and I have been back together for some time now. I have just had this thing that I could never completely figure out wracking on my brain and heart." I took a deep breath, trying my best to maintain eye contact. "Your daughter is a blessing to me and has made me the happiest man on earth. How she puts up with me, God only knows, but I'm forever thankful that she does. And, uh," I kind of started feeling the knot in my stomach twist tighter and the lump in my throat grow larger than the great state of Texas. I studied the ground

Waymond slightly chuckled. I looked up from the floor, confused as to why he was laughing. "Boy," he said. "Just spit it out already."

"Huh?"

"You know exactly what I mean." He said quietly.

My heart started to beat faster as I began to utter my question. "Mr. Boyer, Waymond," I corrected myself. "Do I have your permission and blessing to marry your daughter."

Waymond was silent for a moment, not showing any ounce of emotion. I felt like throwing up right then and there. I think I about did, but Waymond cracked a smile and nodded his head.

"Luke, you have my permission and blessing to marry Caroline. I never once had a waiver of doubt about you being good for my daughter." Waymond said sincerely.

I grinned and stood up as he did the same. We shook hands.

"Thank you, sir," I said excitedly. "I really truly mean thank you."

:::::::::::::

I crawled into my bunk that night feeling thrilled and beyond overjoyed. I couldn't wait to ask Caroline to be my wife and stand beside me until the day I die. I loved her without a doubt, and nothing would stand in my way of popping the question.