Life is Bella

Prologue

 "I have the most amazing news!"

"What?!"

"I just talked to my boss and they are highly considering making me a partner!" I squealed loudly into the phone, barely allowing my fiancé to ask what the cause of my excitement was.

"Babe! That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!" He hollered back. I could hear the smile in his voice. I could picture the dimple on his left cheek only slightly popping out, as it always did when his mouth was turned into a Cheshire grin.

"Thank you! I'm so excited! It's so nice to feel like all the hard work and sleepless nights is finally paying off." I couldn't seem to get the grin off my face. It was so true.

All through college, I was either working or studying. Sometimes both. I had maybe one friend all throughout college, simply because I never had time for them. I had classes early in the morning, 8 am or earlier, then straight from there I went to my job nannying for a family in Lincoln Park after school until 6. From there I'd head over to my other job waitressing until around 2 or 3 am. I took classes and found multiple internships to keep myself busy during the summer months, on top of continuing to nanny. The only time I'd ever find to do homework was at a slow night in the steakhouse, during the children's nap times, or in the early morning hours when I got home.

It was awful. Time consuming. Exhausting. I spent a lot of blood sweat and tears on my degrees, and it finally paid off.

"It definitely is babe! I'm so excited for you! As soon as I get home I'll take you out to celebrate okay? Wherever you want." He responded. I smiled. He loved spoiling me. I didn't mind it too much either. Right now I felt I deserved it.

"Okay. Thank you so much. I seriously could not have done this without you. You have allowed me to make all of my dreams come true," I felt my eyes filling with tears at my words, "I am the luckiest woman on Earth."

I truly was too. Without a single doubt in my mind. I could have easily quit everything when I met Dylan. He was a very rich man already with a very bright future ahead of him. He could take care of me easily. He was willing to too. However, when we met I only had 3 months of grad school left. I was determined to finish. So he did everything he could to support me.

He would sit with me for hours, even on days he had games the next day. He would let me teach him the materials, so I could retain the knowledge better, and then he'd quiz me on everything. He had me stay in his apartment so I had a quiet place to study every night, rather than hearing noisy neighbors or loud roommates. On days I cried because the pressure was too much, he held me and encouraged me. When my family and I fell out, he assured me he would always be there. He broughtI always knew he was the one because of those actions. Men like him were only supposed to exist in the movies. Yet here he was. My knight in shining armor.

Four years into our relationship, he surprised me by paying off my students loans on my birthday. I was furious. But then he proposed and said what's his is mine.

"No, I simply treated you the way a queen should be treated. By all accounts, I'm the lucky one my love." I teared up even more at his words. I did nothing to deserve this man.

"That's a lie," I giggled softly, "But I guess we'll see when you get home."

Dylan's season had just started. It was only the 4th away game of the year. This road trip was the first long one of the season, and I already missed him like crazy. I heard him let out a heavy sigh. I knew he hated being away as much as I hated him leaving.

"Only two more days, baby girl." His voice was noticeably softer this time. I could hear the sadness in his words, though he tried hard to hide it. He was definitely a bit of a homebody. He enjoyed going out with friends, playing hockey, and meeting fans, however deep in his heart he would always be more introverted. He had just forced himself to get more extroverted over time.