"With the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now go live out your happily ever after,"
That's the way my seven year old imagination worked. Little did I know what awaited me beyond the alter.
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Jeremy's P.O.V
The tiny pattering on the window pane had grown into full on bullets blasting down from the clouds above. Rain. Something about it brings comfort and causes the busiest of minds to reset. I'd always loved it even with all the consequences it brought; wetness, damp shoes, shaggy hair, cold bed sheets, and the relentless urge to cuddle with a loved one.
Grace shifted under the blanket that we shared. Her warm body pressed against my chest tightly. She'd rested her head on my shoulders and allowed me to run my fingers through her hair. The movie was nearing it's end and I could tell by the way her breathing had deepened that she was close to falling asleep.
I honestly didn't want to move from our current position. Grace's sweet smell drenched my nostrils and yet I couldn't get enough. The tender feel of her skin on mine made my heart swell with happiness. Here she was, cushioned against my body, an act I'd very much missed. As much as my mind wondered to Levi and how he was holding up, I couldn't help but attempt to soak up every bit of this moment I shared with his mother. Lord knows I may never get it again.
"How come you didn't answer any of my calls?' I heard her little voice question in the dark. It sounded alert, not a trace of sleepiness could be detected.
I hesitated as I thought of how to respond.
"I'd placed my phone on vibrate this morning,"
"That doesn't answer my question," she pressed.
"I went to see someone," I said honestly. I didn't want to get into the day's earlier events just yet. It was some heavy stuff and we both had enough dealing with at the moment.
Grace grew silent. Suddenly her body went rigid and she pulled herself from my arms. Her abrupt movement shocked me and I immediately missed her closeness. I tried to reach for her, but she just brushed off my hands. She was wearing a pout and her lashes clouded her eyes from me. I was baffled and worried at the same time. Was it something I said? And then it hit me. She must think I went to see Cecil. She still believes she's pregnant!
Quickly, I kneeled on the floor before Grace. She'd shut her eyes tight to keep from looking at me, but that didn't faze me one bit.
"It wasn't her Grace. I wasn't lying when I said she made the whole thing up. I know it sounds crazy, heck it is crazy. She's messed up and I regret ever putting you through all that shit, but I swear to you on my life. I've cut all ties with her. I'm sorry that it took all of this for me to finally realized what I had in front me all this time. You're a precious jewel and I should have been handling you with care from the beginning. I mashed up our family. I'm the only one to blame. I allowed my past to continue to live on in my present. I allowed it to hurt you. Baby, I won't stop until I've gained your trust even if we don't manage to work things out together. I owe you that and so much more Grace," I finished before brushing her hair out of her face.
Her eyes stared blankly at her hands for a while. Her lips still pouted, but I could see that she was processing my words, deciding whether she should believe me or not.
"Was I not enough for you?" she asked simply and in a hushed tone.
I felt my chest tighten at her question. Why had I decided to cheat? It was a simple query that had a world of consequences attached to it.
"I didn't plan for it to happen," I began honestly, "but it had nothing to do with you Grace. You were and always will be good enough. I should have been satisfied with all that you were doing for me, but I was greedy and bent on having my way. I should have been fighting for your happiness not picking fights with you. I never deserved your affection,"
"You're right. I never deserved to be mistreated by you," she agreed.
She then lifted her eyes and met mine. Her face held such a serious expression that my gaze almost wavered.
"Do you even remember the reason you fell in love with me?" she quizzed.
"Do you?" I shot back quietly.
"Of course I do. My reason for loving you has never changed," came her reply without hesitation.
"And now? Do you still feel the same way?"
Grace let out a breath I hadn't noticed she was holding. She shifted in her seat as though my question made her uncomfortable.
"You don't have to answer -"
"Yes. Despite all that has happened, I still love you Jeremy... And I haven't decided yet if that pleases me or not," she said curtly.
I nodded in response. That was fair.
"I love you Grace. I mean it now more than ever,"
She said nothing in response to my statement only her eyes regarded me with an unwavering stare.
"It will take more than words to win me over Jeremy,"
"I'm aware of that."
Having grown tired of kneeling, I shifted to a sitting position, making sure to keep my eyes steady on Grace.
"I went to see my father earlier," I relayed in a hushed tone. I hadn't given her the details to her earlier question.
Grace's eyes flashed in confusion for a second before they went wide with understanding.
"Jere -" she started, but I cut her off.
"My therapist suggested that it would be good for me. I only want to get better for you and Levi," I stated.
Grace's hand reached for mine. Her fingers had a warmth to them and I said nothing when they intertwined with mine in an effortless maneuver. It felt natural. Like our hands belonged together. Just like our hearts.
"It was scary seeing him again," I continued with a small sigh, "but he isn't as intimidating as before. I'm not the little boy he tormented anymore,"
Grace squeezed my fingers tightly. She knew what I was talking about although it may not be indepth. Over the years she'd managed to gather an image of my father from the little I'd allow myself to share. I hated talking about the man, but Grace deserved to hear everything from the beginning to now.
So I told her. Every horrid detail I could muster that lived on in memory. I told her what it was like seeing him again after so long. Her concerned facial expressions were enough to stop me a couple times, but I pushed until it was all out.
Hey guys! Sorry for being MIA for so long. I hope this chapter is to your liking. Please leave a comment. I love reading and responding. ❤❤
