Leave it to Fate (Fate Series - Book #1)

Chapter Thirty-Two - New Beginnings

When my flight landed, I practically ran into his awaiting arms. Crashing into his chest, he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. He kissed my forehead, moving to one arm around me so he could walk me to his car. I held onto his waist with both arms, not wanting to be even an inch apart.

"I'm happy your back, babe" he said, holding my car door so I could climb in.

"Me, too!" I replied. I hope soon to never leave. I thought.

Colson slid into the driver seat and soon we were on the road.

"What's the surprise?" I asked, not able to wait.

"Dinner first." he answered.

I pretended to pout and laughed. He slapped his hand on my leg, squeezing.

"And we all know my girl loves to wait!" he teased. It was bliss hearing his laugh. And hearing him refer to me as his.

"Food. Where to?" he asked.

"Is that caveman for what restaurant I'd like to go to?" I asked laughing.

"HA HA HA!" He pretended to laugh, slapping my thigh again, "My girl also got jokes!"

"I'm craving sushi," I said, picturing white fish sashimi.

"I know just the place!" His eyes shined as a restaurant came to him.

He turned the music volume up, singing along. The windows down, and the cool breeze coming off the ocean as we passed. This is heaven on earth.

"No, this is heaven on earth!" I cried, taking a bite of sushi that was so fresh, and delicate, it washed over my taste buds and left me in awe. Colson had brought me to Urasawa in Beverly Hills, a high-end restaurant where no photography was allowed.

Colson laughed watching me, "It's good, right?"

I rolled my eyes, "Good? It's incredible!" I reached for another piece. He sat back in his chair, watching me.

Covering my mouth as I finished chewing, I swallowed and asked, "What?"

"I just love that it doesn't take much to make you happy" he said.

"Colson, I saw the price on that menu. This is much."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You know what I mean."

I nodded that I did. "I'm happy just being with you," I said.

"I know." He smiled, "I'm happy too." He reached across the table to take my hand. "Thank you. For, everything."

I squeezed his hand and replied simply, "Anytime."

The bill paid, we left the restaurant as the sun had started to set.

"Hm, we'll have to hurry." Colson decided, taking my hand and rushing back to the car.

"Hurry to what?" I tried to ask, but I was scooped into my seat; the door closed behind me.

Colson drummed on the steering wheel as he drove. He was very excited about something.

"Will you just tell me!" I begged.

He shook his head, "Nope!"

I folded my arms in a mock pout, which as always, cracked him up.

As we pulled up to a curb, Colson turned to me, shaking with excitement.

"Okay babe. You have to do something for me." His energy was contagious. I felt the intrigue flood through me, "And what's that?" I asked.

"Close your eyes. And I mean close 'em right! And do not under any circumstances open them until I tell you."

"Even if there's an earthquake?" I joked.

"Even if the earth splits and a hand comes up and grabs you!" He shot back. I regretted telling him about that dream.

"Okay," I agreed.

"Okay?" he said again, making sure.

"Yes, Colson! Okay!" I complained but I did as he asked and shut my eyes tight.

I could hear the handle of the door as he grabbed it. The sound of the creaking metal as he opened the door. The hot air washing in. It was still humid despite the sun nearly down. He took my hands in his, as I felt my sneaker around for the ground. Right foot, touching the earth, Left foot now on the ground.

"Follow my voice" he said, tugging at me gently to move forward.

"How much longer?" I whined. I pictured myself eventually stepping over a cliff. Stupid, overactive imagination.

"Just. A bit. More." He continued to pull me until finally, he stopped. He grabbed my shoulders gently signaling for me to stop as well.

"Okay" he said with so much excitement in his voice. "You can open them."

I blinked as my eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the setting sun. Raising a hand instinctively to shield my eyes, I gazed at the most gorgeous house I had ever seen.

I turned behind me to see Colson watching my reaction.

My mouth hung open, seeing we had walked through a gated fence surrounding the estate. I gazed back at the mansion a crisp, clean white with the perfect amount of windows. The grass was impossibly green and well kept. I had to resist leaning down to feel it in my hands.

"What do you think?" Colson came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I couldn't help but quote one of my favorite movies when Carrie Bradshaw saw her Heaven On Fifth apartment.

"It's hideous. I hate it. Hurts my eyes!"

He laughed into my hair. "Well, it's ours," he whispered. Are we still joking? I turned to face him. When I didn't speak, he nodded to show he meant what he said.

"You bought us a house?" I clarified.

"Mhm," He caressed my cheek with his hand. "I want us to take that next step. I want us to live together. A fresh start for us, and well. You know. For, me." He finished, referring to him staying clean.

I was stunned. My heart thumped in my chest. This was exactly what I wanted and for the first time, we were on the same page. I had to hold back a scream of glee as I jumped into his arms. He fell back a step catching me, laughing he asked, "Does this mean yes?"

I kissed him hard on the mouth, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. "Yes, Colson. It means yes." His hand moved to the back of the head, to bring me in for another kiss. His happiness melted into mine. In the cooled off the air of the night sky, I agreed to move in with the love of my life.

The End.