First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 93

  I wake up with Taytum's arm draped over me, her face buried against the back of my neck. The first thing I see when I open my eyes is the ring glistening on my finger. For a second I think I'm dreaming. The stone catches the faint morning light slipping through the curtains, and my chest tightens. She really asked me. I really said yes.

  I shift carefully, but her hand follows, sliding down my waist to my stomach like it's been waiting for me to move.

  "You're not going anywhere," she mumbles, voice husky with sleep.

  I smile, leaning back into her warmth. "Wasn't planning on it."

  She kisses the curve of my shoulder, then my jaw, then finally finds my lips. It isn't rushed, just slow and deep, her fingers tracing lazy patterns over my skin. Even after last night, after all the ways we came undone, she still touches me like she can't get enough. And the truth is, I feel the same.

  We eventually pull ourselves out of bed because KK will be up soon. Downstairs, Taytum stands behind me at the stove, one arm snug around my waist while the other helps flip pancakes like we're one body moving together. Every time I try to step away, she tugs me back, lips brushing the side of my neck.

  "You're going to make me burn breakfast," I laugh.

  "Worth it," she grins, her hand sliding over my hip.

  That's when KK pads into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and yawning. She freezes when she sees me, then her gaze drops straight to my left hand when the light catches the diamonds in my ring.

  Her whole face lights up. "Mommy! You've got a ring!" She spins to Taytum, eyes wide with excitement. "Did you do it? Did you ask Mommy to marry you mama T?"

  My throat tightens as tears prick my eyes. Taytum crouches down so she's eye level with KK, brushing her hair back gently.

  "I did, princess," she says softly. "I asked your mommy if she'd marry me and she said yes."

  Taytum stands back up with KK in her arms and KK squeals then throws her arms around both of us at once. "Can I see?"

  I hold my hand up and she brings her little fingers to my ring and touches it while smiling. "It's so pretty mommy. We're really a family now!"

  That's it. The tears spill, hot and fast. Taytum pulls me into her arms with KK, holding us both tight against her chest. I bury my face in her shoulder, overwhelmed all over again by the love I feel for her, for us.

  KK finally settles into her chair, still grinning, still sneaking looks at the ring on my hand like it's magic. Taytum keeps brushing against me as we finish breakfast, then her knee nudging mine under the table as we sit down to eat. While we clean up after breakfast her hand slides over the small of my back every time she passes by. I don't think we go a full minute without touching.

  When KK runs off to the living room with her plate of fruit to watch cartoons, I lean against the counter, staring at Taytum. She's just rinsing dishes, but the way she moves, the curve of her smile, it feels different now. It feels bigger. Permanent.

  I reach for her wrist, pulling her close. "I think we should tell our families today."

  Her brows lift. "Yeah?"

  "Yeah," I say, my voice soft but sure. "I want them to hear it from us, in person. I want to see their faces when we tell them."

  Taytum grins, pressing her forehead to mine. "Lunch with your parents and dinner with mine?"

  I nod. "I'll call mine. Keep it simple, just us, you call yours."

  "Sounds perfect," she says, but she doesn't let me go right away. She kisses me again, slow and sweet, like she can't help herself. Her thumb strokes my cheek, and she whispers, "I can't stop looking at you with that ring on."

  I laugh through the lump in my throat. "You're going to make me cry again."

  "You would still be beautiful," she says, brushing her lips over mine one more time before letting me grab my phone.

  I call my mom, and the moment she picks up, I hear her smile through the line. She agrees they will come for lunch, no hesitation. What I don't expect is her saying, "Oh, Natalie's here at the house right now, I'll tell her to come along too."

  My stomach dips. "Uh..." But she's already talking about what time they'll arrive then hangs up. I hang up slowly, the word stuck in my chest. Natalie.

  Taytum notices my face immediately. "What's wrong?"

  "My mom and dad's coming... and Natalie."

  Her jaw tightens, but she only nods. "Then we'll handle it." She reaches for my hand, linking our fingers. "Nothing she says changes what we've got. Okay?"

  I squeeze back, letting the warmth of her touch steady me. "Okay."

  While cooking, Taytum keeps stealing bites from the cutting board, leaning over my shoulder every chance she gets, lips brushing my cheek just to make me laugh. I can't even pretend to be annoyed.

  By the time my parents pull into the driveway for lunch, the house smells like grilled chicken and roasted vegetables. It's simple, but it feels like more than food, it feels like setting the stage for something big. When the doorbell rings, Taytum's hand immediately finds mine. KK races ahead of us, pulling the door open, her smile wide when she sees her grandparents. My mom and dad sweep her into hugs, laughter filling the space. Then, just behind them, Natalie steps inside.

  I freeze for a second, the tension written all over my face. She looks perfectly comfortable, like she belongs here, like this isn't a knife twisting in my gut after the way things ended last time she was here.

  I force a polite smile, but Taytum squeezes my hand tight, grounding me. She doesn't let go.

  Lunch starts out fine. KK chatters about pre-school, my parents ask about work, Taytum tells a funny story that makes everyone laugh. But I feel Natalie watching. Always watching. And Taytum feels it too, I can tell, because every time Natalie tries to draw her into a side conversation, Taytum just shifts closer to me and pretends she doesn't hear Nat. Her thigh pressed against mine, her arm resting behind my chair, her attention fully on me.

  I don't even think about it, I slide my left hand onto the table, fingers curling around my fork. The light catches the diamond, and my mom gasps.

  "Danielle..." Her eyes widen, flicking between me and Taytum and her hand flies to her chest.

  Taytum grins, and I can't hold back my smile. "She asked me last night," I say as I hold my hand out.

  Dad's face splits into the biggest grin. He pushes back in his chair like he might leap over the table. "You're engaged?"

  I nod, heat flooding my cheeks. "We are."

  Taytum squeezes my thigh under the table, pride written all over her face. She doesn't even try to hide how she's looking at me, and I don't care that my parents see it. She's mine.

  Mom claps her hands together, tears glinting in her eyes. "Oh, honey, I'm so happy for you both."

  Dad decides to lean across the table for a better look at my ring, his eyes glassy. "About time," he says with a laugh, but his voice wavers like he's holding back tears.

  "Yay for mommy and mama T!" KK yells causing every one to laugh. Everyone but one person but I don't care.