In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

127

"I'm so fucking happy," I choked out, then wiped my face. He led me back down the winding staircase, and I ran my fingers along the railing, still not believing that this incredible place, or this incredible man, was mine. We stepped out onto the front porch, and looked around. The big trees in the front yard were creating a thick shade over the house, so the heat wasn't as bad as it should've been. Plus, there was a slight breeze in the air. For some reason, Amber popped into my mind again. I wished that I could share this with her. I wondered if she would be genuinely happy for me. I hoped so. Just then, the breeze picked up, blowing my hair back, and making the porch swing rock. "Where'd that come from?" Colby asked, fixing his hair. Colorful butterflies came up in formation, from the flower bush that was closest to the porch. Blue, yellow, red, gray, all colors, but one in particular caught my eyes. A purple butterfly that almost matched the flowers, left the others and flew towards us. I instinctively held out my hand, and it landed on my fingers. "Wow," Colby whispered, watching the interaction. "Thank you," I whispered to the butterfly, or to Amber. I wasn't sure, but I felt like it was a sign from her, telling me that she was happy for me. Colby and I took our time, walking around the yard, checking out the lake that was in the backyard, and staring at the water for a little while. "You know I went fishing here once," I said quietly, tossing a pebble into the water from the dock. "Really? You actually fished? You didn't just relax while someone else did the fishing?" I laughed, and looked back at him. "You know me too well sometimes," I replied. "Okay, I tried to fish. I remembered my grandpa taking me fishing so I thought I would try it here. Didn't really work out for me. I didn't like baiting the hook. Still don't. I believe that even if I had been able to do that, I wouldn't have been able to get the fish off of the hook. When I went fishing with my grandpa, I swore the fish were staring at me, begging me to let them go." I shrugged. "Not much of a country girl, am I?" He grinned and wrapped his arm around me. "You're a country girl with a soft heart. I love that about you." We were quiet again, just watching the water, the tadpoles swimming at the edge, and the turtles popping their heads in and out of the water, as the sun threw crystals on top of it. "It's really peaceful out here," Colby said, sighing as he rested his head on my shoulder. I nodded. "It is. That's part of why I love it. There's just something so serene about this place. It makes everything, even when life is bad, it makes it seem like everything is okay, that it'll be okay." We enjoyed our time there, and even went back inside for me to take pictures to post on my social media. I had to let everyone know, but not until I told my closest friends. By the time we left, it was almost dark outside, the moon already out with the last remnants of the sun. "I still can't believe you did this," I said, staring back at the house as we pulled away. "You did not have to do this. I would've said yes anyway." He laughed and raised his eyebrows. "You sure?" I rolled my eyes. "Actually, I don't know. You had me in a weak state from looking at the house. Ask me again to be sure." He stopped the car, braking so quickly that my seat belt locked, then turned to face me. "Terra Rayne Brooks, will you be my forever? Will you marry me?" I tapped my chin with my finger. "Hmmm..." He glared at me, and locked his jaw. "Seriously?" he said exasperated. I laughed and shook my head. "No, you dork. Of course I will. Um, but when are we thinking of doing this. Like is this going to be a long engagement, sort of like a promise ring kind of thing, or what?" I noticed that my voice shook with nerves so I tried to cover it with more laughter. Unfortunately, he noticed. "If you're not ready for this T, we don't have to do it. I'll understand," he said softly. He would understand and I knew that. Even if it hurt him more than words could express, he would still understand and try his damnedest to make sure that I didn't know how much it did actually  hurt him. "It's not that I'm not ready. Maybe I'm not. I don't know. I've never really thought about it. With my parents and their marriage, then Amber's parents, most of my friend's parents, it seems like marriage ends up ruining things." I looked him in the eyes then, wanting him to understand. "I don't want us to be ruined." His gaze softened and he leaned over to press his lips against mine. "We will never be ruined because we know how to talk about things that bother us. I do understand though. How about this? We'll make it a long engagement, and you can tell me when you're ready to actually make a permanent date. That way, you have plenty of time to back out, or we can just be engaged forever." I rolled my eyes, then bit my lip. "Are you sure?" I asked, not wanting him to think that I didn't love him with every inch of my heart and soul. He nodded. "I am. Besides, I still have to go through the process of telling the fandom. You might hate me after that anyway." "Please, no one could make me hate you Colby Brock. It's impossible," I replied. He started the car again and we headed towards the motel. This would be our last night here in Georgia. I wasn't sure if I was happy to be going home, or sad to be leaving. I wasn't lying when I told Colby that this wasn't my home anymore.