Stranger Things Have Happened, I Know

Ch 39 & 40

Chapter 39

Kate’s Point of View

                Dave didn’t get home until much later that night. I was sitting in my room, reading when I heard him come in. He chatted with my parents for a few moments before heading upstairs. He stepped into our bedroom and closed the door behind him. In a few quick steps he was at the bedside. With a serious look on his face, he plucked my book from my hands and set it on the night stand. He climbed onto the bed and pulled me into his lap, being careful not to hurt me.

                “Dave?” I said, unsure of what was going on with him.

                “Katelyn,” he whispered. “I fucking love you so much…” I had to bite my lip to smother my laugh.

                “Baby? What’s going on?” I asked. He sighed and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against mine.

                “Do you remember Manchester?” he asked finally. I couldn’t help but laugh at this.

                “I certainly do!” I said. “It’s where you found me!”

                “You were sitting alone in that awful hotel bar,” he said, opening his eyes and looking into mine. “I was drawn to you.”

                “You weren’t ‘drawn’ to me,” I said, laughing. “I was just the only girl for miles!” Dave cocked his head and shot me a look. “Ok, ok, you were drawn to me,” I said, wondering what the hell had gotten into him. “What is the matter with you? Did something happen tonight?” He sighed again.

                “I just spent the past couple hours thinking about us,” he said.

                “What about us?” I asked, looking at him intently.

                “Just about our first few days together, about falling in love with you, about watching you walk away from me.”

                “Walking away? In Boston? Before you left for your Euro Tour?” I asked. He nodded and squeezed his eyes shut again, as if reliving it. I kissed him. “That was awful, huh?” I said, remembering my own sadness. “I was sure that was the last time I’d ever see you!” He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

                “Kate,” he murmured. “I know, with absolute certainly, that I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” I squeezed him back and rested my head on his shoulder.

                “Good,” I said, simply, “Because that is what I want, too. And that’s how it’s going to be, you know that, right?” I said, reassuring.

                “I am going to marry you, someday…” he whispered. My heart skipped a beat. “I just… I can’t right now…” Part of me wanted to reassure him that I didn’t need to be married, but the other part of me wanted to know, if he loved me this much, why he wouldn’t marry me. I bit my lip and gently asked,

                “Why not?”

                “It’s just… you deserve better than to be someone’s third wife, Kate,” he said, shame in his voice.

                “As long as I’m your last wife…” I said, smiling and pinching him, trying to lighten the mood.

                “I didn’t take it seriously before… marriage,” he said, sadly. “And part of it was because I was young and stupid, but part of it was because I never knew what real love was until I met you.” I listened, nodding “If I had known that it could be like this, I swear to god, Katie, I would have waited for you.”