His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Chapter 39

"Mom," Katie shouted, "everyone is arriving!"

My heart raced as I finished setting the table in preparation of our guests.  Isaac and I had sat down the previous night and decided we didn't want to waste any more time.  We knew from the moment we met that we were meant for each other, like two pieces cut from the same cloth.  Destine to find our way back to one another no matter how hard gravity tried to pull us apart.

Katie jumped down off the couch to run towards the door, practically ripping it off its hinges in excitement.  "Gigi!"

"Hey sweetie," my mom beamed with joy.

Gabriel followed behind, shooting me a smile when he spotted me in the dining room. "Need any help?"

I smiled nervously shaking my head no.  I finished my work as I watched my parents interact with Katie, my heart swelling with happiness.  Katie opened the door several more times, our guests filtering in.  Before long, out small home was buzzing with excitement as Sean, Charles, Becca, and Sam dived into conversation.  Without anyone noticing I slipped away down the hall and into my bedroom.  Isaac was sat at the edge of the bed twiddling his thumbs, clearly as nervous as I.  "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," he smiled as he locked eyes with me.  "Are you?"

"I think so, they are going to hate me.  Especially Becca," I laughed nervously, "she wanted me to open that letter the day the papers came, and I just refused."

"We all make mistakes Em, some bigger than others.  Believe me, I've made them myself when it has come to us.  The only thing either of us can do is look towards the future and hope for the best.  Shall we say it together?"

I nodded.

"You and I through thick and thin, we're in this together until the very end," we promised in unison.

"Forever Em," he smiled genuinely as he stood taking my hands in his own.  "I love you more than I have loved anyone, and I always will."  He leaned forward his lips pressing firmly against my forehead, causing my heartbeat to quicken.

"I don't deserve you."

"The irony in that confession though," he laughed.  "I used to be the one to say that, but I have realized it's not about deserving each other.  It's about wanting one another, unconditionally."  He kissed me again before leading us down the hall and into the room to greet our guests.  Hand in hand I knew we could conquer anything. 

"Hey everyone," I said in an attempt to steal everyone's attention.  "Excuse me," I said a little louder.  The conversations ceased and soon all eyes were on Isaac and me.  "I'm sure you guys are curious why I asked you to come tonight."  I glanced towards Isaac in search of encouragement.  He gave me a nodded and squeezed my hand gently, letting me know he wasn't going anywhere.  I faced my friends and family once again with a smile.  "I was an idiot, Becca thought so more than anyone.  When I received the divorce papers you all heard about the famous unopen letter my stubborn ass refused to read.  Well, its officially been opened.  What I read would have changed so many things in my life, in our lives.  Isaac never wanted a divorce, he just wanted to give me one last chance to decide if I wanted more."  I looked towards him, my eyes pleading for him to take over.

"I love Emily more than anything, I always have.  I was so damn worried about not being good enough for her that I met with an attorney at the airport before flying out on my second tour.  Dumbest mistake I've ever made.  I knew she loved me, but self-doubt got the better of me.  I signed those papers and wrote a letter before sending them, hoping for the best. When I got the news, she had signed I was devastated."  He took in a deep breath, everyone was silent as they waited for us to finish.  "We spent all last night talking and discussed it this morning with Katie, but we will be getting remarried.  We never should have been divorced in the first place, it was the biggest mistake either of us have made."

My heart swelled with admiration.  I had spent all night blaming myself for the divorce, yet here Isaac was placing the blame on us both.  "I want you guys to be happy for us, but frankly if you don't approve that's too damn bad," I laughed, "because I love him.  Always have.  Always will."

"Hallelujah!"  Charles shouted causing the others to erupt in laughter.

"I think we all knew time would eventually push the two of you back together," my mother giggled before approaching us to wrap her arms around us supportively.

We all gathered around the table as a family for dinner for the first time in over ten years.  The joy we all felt was intoxicating.  I knew in that moment I could not have asked to be surrounded by better people.  These fantastic humans have always been and will always be the family I choose.  No matter the mistakes or the pain, the happiness we provide one another will always dominate.  Our loyalty to each other is unmatched by any other.  These are the people I love.  These are the people I need.

"Hey stranger," I whispered when I found Sean on the deck alone.  I took a seat beside him before resting my head on his shoulder.  "I'm sorry if my decision hurts you.  I know you always said you would patient and wait for me, but I will never be able to give him up."

He rested his head against mine as he reached up to wipe away the dampness on his cheeks.  "I knew you never could.  Just know I love you, I always have.  I always will."  He chuckled to himself, "You and I both knew from the day Katie was born how tight of a hold he had on you.  The only person you wanted by your side was him."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.  I single tear escaping.

"Don't be sorry.  Just know I'm so proud of you."

"Why are you proud of me?"

"Because you and I both know you were his only savior."

"His only savior?"  I raised my brow at him mockingly.

"He had given up on himself the day his mom died, but you? You never did.  You believed in him when no one else did.  It was that faith and that love you held for him that brought him back from the edge.  You saved him when no one else could."  He turned his head slightly pressing a kiss against the top of my head.  "I hope I find a love like that someday."

"You will Sean, because you deserve a love like that more than anyone I know.  You are kind and you are pure of heart.  You deserve only the best, and I can promise you I am not that.  You deserve so much, and I know you will find it someday."