Chapter 188
Epilogue
5 years later
Ashley’s pov
“You’re home.” Mom gushed opening the door wider to let me in. It was already five thirty, a bit late I may add, thad taken a plane and a but to get here, So that would explain why I reached here so late.
1 smile, place my heavy duffel bag on the floor and walk into her arms. She squeezes me as I inhale her familiar scent that always soothes me. “Ch missed you.” She whispered.
“I missed you too mom.” I answered sincerely.
I had decided to come visit since it was summer vacation and I would not enjoy spending my vacation days cooped up in a small dorm room alone.
My roommate, Andie was an Indian who I got along with fine. She was a bit of a clean freak but could undoubtedly make the meanest grilled cheese sandwich. She decided to spend time with her family and I decided that I spent too long seeing my own.
It was just a few months without seeing them yet it felt like an eternity. One more year at Harvard and I will not have to leave them again.
We pull away and I giggle when she reaches up to wipe the tears away from my eyes. “I can’t believe your brother decided to stay at Yale instead of coming to visit.” She humpths.
I shrug. “The last time I spoke to Arden it was a few days ago. He’s still heartbroken about the breakup with Rosalie. I think he didn’t come to visit because he’s afraid he’ll see her around.”
Arden and Rosalie broke things off two weeks ago because of a photo of a very drunk Arden making out with another girl. Understandably Rosalie got pissed off and called it quits.
Arden has been moping ever since. While he had gone off to Yale, Rosalie stayed here to go to a local college here along with her brother. The relationship had gotten strained ever since and seeing Arden kiss the girl was the last straw.
“If I know my son the way I do he’ll win her back. Afterall he’s his dad’s son. By the way remind me to throw away the playstation Rose gave him as revenge for not coming to visit.” Mom stated and picked up my duffel bag. I laughed.
“Jeez baby, what are you packing in this bag? It weighs a ton.” She complained.
I shrugged and walked up the stairs.
“Just some clothes and books I bought. Nothing much. Where’s dad?” I asked turning to stare at her while asking the question.
There were also a lot of letters Blake had sent me, stacked neatly in a little box. As soon as we left high school Blake had joined the military. He made me promise to wait for him and promise to come back to me.
It was really hard not being able to touch or hear his voice occasionally. It has been a tough five years and I cannot wait until he is out of deployment.
Our only form of communication was the use of sending letters since he was not allowed to use personal cell phones or other devices where they were based.
It had already been two weeks without getting one of his letters and I was beginning to grow worried. Usually it took the maximum of
She pants strutting up the stairs behind me. Your dad should be here in an hour tops. The office called him for something urgent.”
“I can hold that mom.” I pointed at the duffel bag she was struggling with. She nods and walks the remaining steps to meet me then pushes the bag in my hands. I groaned at the weight but either way walked to my room with it.
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Chapter 188
“Thank you.” reald when mom opens the door for me. I stride over to my already made bed and settle the bag on top with a hur
“Where is Avery?” I asked. Avery was my little sister who’s four years and would be turning five in a few months. She’s a little troublemaker but flee
her dearly.
“Her friend Gina is having a sleepover tonight so she’s spending the night there. Don’t worry she’ll be home early tomorrow. She’s excited to see you” Mom laughs knowing that the only reason Avery loved my company was because she treated me like one of her dolls.
Which meant she would force feed me like I was a baby and apply makeup to my face. I ended up looking like a clown after but refrain from telling her soz I cringed. “I missed her but I don’t miss the horrendous makeup.”
Mom laughed agreeing with me.“Well I’ll leave to get settled and unpack. I’m going to start making dinner. Tonight I’ll do your favorite, lasagna.” Mom smiled. The messy bun she had her hair pinned into made her look more youthful.
I grin. “Great. I’ll just take a shower and a short nap. I’m jet lagged.” As soon as I finished a yawn slipped pass my lips.
Mom nods in understanding and leaves after. I sighed and plop down on my bed. University was hard but what I found the most difficult was not being able to see Blake everyday.
After I had woken up from the coma five years ago I was pleasantly and surprised to see that Blake was in the same room.
His bed beside mine. He had insisted that he would stay with me and wouldn’t take no for an answer until the doctors placed him in the same room.
From that day I realized that I didn’t want to take life for granted and wanted to spend everyday in his arms. We had nearly died and we survived for a reason. And that reason was to stand by each other no matter what. Love each other no matter what. He was my life and I was his.
I pulled the zipper and took out my phone from the bag. The picture of Blake and I lights up on my screen. We had taken that picture on the day he left. My heart aches as I brush my thumb over the screen, my vision blurred.
“I miss you.” I whispered.
When he was not deployed he’d come to visit me at Harvard. We spent the few days he could spend in each other’s arms, making love, kissing and trying to make up for lost time.
It never was enough. I was selfish but I wanted him by my side every day. And when the time came for him to leave he took a piece of me with him.
I decided to text Ryan that I was home. I missed him. I hadn’t seen him for months and the last time I spoke to him, he started seeing a girl named Kimberly.
That name should ring a bell but it didn’t.
I tried coaxing him to send a picture of the lovely girl that managed to snatch my bestfriends heart but he refused. Wanting me to meet her face to face.
Ryan had decided after leaving high school that he felt a pull to become like his dad, a police officer.
And after going through tough trainings and a few months of dedication he had accomplished it. Making everyone proud, especially his dad.
I placed the phone down on the bed and got up to head to the bathroom. I needed a shower, unpacking can wait.
I groaned, kicking off the covers of my body. I blinked. It was dark which meant it was night
I time. Why did mom not wake me?
I sit up and carefully placed my feet on the floor then reached over to put on the lamp placed on the dresser beside my bed. The room lights up and!
amble over to the door.
My belly growls reminding me that I had not yet eaten. Opening the door I walked downstairs. The living room light is on so is the kitchen. I hear the soft platter of rain hitting the roof and the windows. It’s relaxing.
Chapter 188
My parents are in the kitchen, laughing at a joke that passed between them. I raise my eyes to the clock on the wall, Seven: I didn’t tarp long,
“Mom why did you not wake me?” I grumble striding over to them. They stop their conversing as dad snaps his head to me. He gets up quietly line a up in his arms like he did when I was younger.
Welcome home baby.” He chuckles squeezing me into his embrace.
“Dad I can’t breathe.” I choked out.
He quickly let’s me go and ruffles my loose hair that I had cut to reach mid back.
I scowled fake glaring up at him.” You messed up my hair.” I whine, blowing the few messy strands away from my face.
He snorts. “You mean the hair that was already messed up?”
We all laugh as t come to join them. We talked for a few minutes and they listened to me yapping about university. Mom had placed a plate of lasagna in front of me whilst I sat at the kitchen island.
I was a few minutes digging into my lasagna while listening to dad talk about his work when a horn blares. Then it blares again this time louder, I drop my fork on the plate and look at my parents.
“Were y’all expecting anyone?” I asked confused when the horn blared again.
Dad shrugs while mom bites her bottom lip. “Not that we know of, but to be sure maybe you should check who’s out there. Maybe they need help
somehow.” Dad states.
I furrow my brows. Me? “Why can’t you guys go, y’all are the adults here!” I voiced out.
Dad raise a brow.” Didn’t you tell me a few months ago that you’re an adult and I should not carry you like a kid anymore?”
“But I-” I spurted. He had a point. I sighed and got up to walk to the front door.
I opened it and noticed a jeep parked at front. It was unfamiliar. I could spot the silhouette of a male but because of the rain and the dim street lights! was unable to see who it was.
Standing in the rain? Does this guy want to catch a cold?
“Is there something I could do for you, do you need help?” I shout over the loud platter of the rain.
“How about a kiss and a welcome home baby?” A loud familiar husky tone shouts over the rain.
My heart thuds, my eyes filling up with tears. “Blake!?” I cried out already running towards him. I did not care that the rain was already soaking me. All I cared at the moment was to be in his arms.
“In the flesh baby.” He grins opening his arms as I jump into them. He still wore his military clothes which meant he had just arrived here. I smash my lips to his, moaning when he grips my butt.
I pull away to plant kisses on his cheeks then stop to look at him.” I missed you so much.” I cried hugging him.
His eyes soften. Blake’s features had changed alot during these five years. He had shaved his head to a buzz cut that suited him well, he also loved leaving stubble on his face that made him look rough in a sexy way. His muscles also had become more broader than they were.
“I missed you too baby. I’m now out of deployment so you have me all to yourself.” He smiles, kissing my nose as the rain soaks us
I cried and kissed him again as I heard the good news. He pulls away. “You know this reminds me of the scene in the notebook.” He laughs.
I send him a teasing look. “You mean the movie I forced you to watch with me and you said you don’t ever cry for sad movies but you did anyway?”
He narrowed his eyes playfully giving my butt a firm squeeze. “Yes that movie. I remember you saying you want to recreate that scene someday. You
Chapter 188
wanted to makeout in the rain.”
My heart melts in a pile of goo. Why does he always have to be perfect? I had not expected him to remember that since it was about five years ago. “Didn’t think you’d remember that.” I admitted.
“I always remember everything that has to do with you Ley.” He whispers then places me down. He peers down at me with love and longing Butt want to change the scene a bit.” He grins shakily as if nervous.
My brows furrowed only for me to widen my eyes when he gets down on one knee. He peers up at me while I begin to sob. He fishes a small box in the pocket of his uniform. I gasp pushing my palm to my lips in shock.
“Ley I remember the first time I layed my eyes on you. You were a cute little shy girl hiding behind your mom’s legs. You looked like you wanted to be anywhere but there. But when I came to you and held your hand I knew then, that you’d have a permanent place in my life. You trusted me like you never have with anyone else and I did my best to not disappoint you. I wanted to always protect you.”
He clears his throat, his eyes glistening. “But then I fell in love with you and everything changed. I did not see you as the little sister I always wanted to protect anymore, you had become so much more. You took over my entire life that day. My heart was already lost to you, you had it in the palm of your hands without even knowing. God I loved you back then and I love you even more now. I want to protect you for the rest of my life and hopefully protect our children in the future. I want you Ashley Grey, all of you. And if you say no today, know that I will continue to ask you until the answer switches to yes. Because you’re my life and there is no other in this world for me but you. So Ashley Grey soon to be Reed will you marry me?” He is nervous I could tell. I could always tell.
I nod crying pushing out my hands so he could slip the shiny diamond ring on. “Yes Blake I will marry you. The answer will always be yes.” I said on a shaky breath when he stands up to pull me into his arms.
“I love you baby.” He whispers hoisting me up and starts walking towards the house.
“You have no idea how much I love you.” I breathed out holding onto him.
He peers down at me to place a kiss on my lips. “Does that mean we can start the baby making process tonight?”
I giggle. “Blake, my parents are in the house.”
He raise a brow walking into the house with me still in his arms. “So, didn’t stop us back then.” He teased pecking my nose.
“You two are soaked.” Mom scowled.
“Did she say yes?” Dad’s excited voice asked.
“She said Yes!” Blake cheered.
“Oh my God grandbabies are on the way!” Mom squeals.
“Congrats you two. Tell your dad that he’s going to pay for the wedding.” Dad joked,
“Asher you need to pay at least half!” Mom argued.
He turns to her and did the most childish thing. He poked out his tongue. “Blake defiled my daughter before marriage. So that means Ace will pay for the entire wedding.”
Mom glares at him murderously which has him putting up his hands in surrender.” It’s a joke babe.” He laughed.
This is the end of Book 1, book 2 will be out soon. Keep this book in your library so you’ll be notified when it’s here. Thank you you enjoyed it 🙂
ading my book, hope
Chapter 1891
