Sitting back, it’s easy to see that he is deep in thought. Reaching across the seat, he opens the glove box and pulls out a small bag. A hint of a smile crosses his face before he closes his eyes and takes a calming breath. When he opens his eyes, they sparkle as they dance over my face. His infectious grin makes me giggle but then he pauses and his lower lip began to quiver.
“Do you believe things happen for a reason, El?” Micah’s voice cracks when he says my name.
I answer with a nod, unsure where this is heading.
His breathing slows before his eyes settle on the road the look on his face looks like he is trying to remember something. “What did you tell me all those years ago?”
“Not sure what you mean?” I can’t help smiling back at him feigning ignorance. Even though I have an idea what’s he’s asking me.
He lowers his chin. “Yes, you do.”
I’m more than happy to go back and relive this part of our past, so I tell him what he wants to hear. “That you’re my soul mate, and I knew it by the way I felt about you all the way to my bones.”
“Exactly.” His body relaxes. Reaching over, he gently cups my jaw, and runs his thumb across my cheek. Closing my eyes, I am resting my head in his hand. His touch alone could calm a thousand storms.
His smiles then lowers his eyes to my lips before settling back on my eyes. “Baby, do you still feel that way?”
Reaching up I cup my hand over his, lacing our fingers. “All the way to my bones, Micah, and I’ve never stopped. Once you give your soul away, you can’t take it back. It no longer belongs to me. It belongs to you and it has since the day my eyes collided with yours five years ago.”
His eyes shimmer with the tears that fill his eyes. Leaning in close, he keeps his eyes locked on mine, even as our lips connect. Holding my head in his hands, Micah deepens the kiss by tilting his head. Breaking our kiss for a fraction of a moment, a breathless Micah rubs his nose against mine in a butterfly style kiss. I normally would giggle, but this moment is anything but funny. The endearment in his feather-like touches and sweet kisses is what makes life worth living.
“Elsa.” He whispers, as his lips caress mine in slow circles.
“Micah.” My reply is more of a whimper.
“Baby, look at me?”
I do, opening my eyes, the first thing I notice is how piercing and commanding his eyes are. He gives me two more quick, passionate kisses, and then stops. He smiles, but still keeps his lips lightly pressed against mine.
“Marry me, baby?”
My eyes widen in surprise. I’m not sure I heard him right. I don’t even have time to answer him because right after he said those words, he crushed his lips to mine in a powerful, thundering kiss that rivals all kisses. The windows are fogging up and before I know it, I’m in his lap, running my hands through his hair and pulling on it with everything I’ve got.
“Is that a yes?” He struggles to say the words because my lips are now taking ownership of his.
Out of breath, I lay my back against the steering wheel and let out a quiet chuckle while wiping my lower lip. “Are we really doing this?”
With a nod of his own, he winks. “Yes, we are.” He says with confidence. I love that about him, but I’m a bit skeptical.
“Are you doing this because it’s what you want, or because of there’s a possibility we may get Michael? It’s important for me to know.”
“I bought the ring a long time ago, actually, it was over a year ago.” He says, then holds up the bag he got out of the glove box with a sheepish grin on his face.
“What?” I’m stunned speechless. A year?
“I’m not kidding. I saw it in a window, and It reminded me of you. I knew one day, if ever given the chance, I’d put it on your finger.” His pained expression is mixed with the fact he is getting his chance to do just that.
“What,” I say in utter shock. “What if you never saw me again?”
Winching for a brief moment, he raises his eyes from the ring box to me. “I would have kept it locked in my safe. No other women would ever have worn it, if that’s what you're wondering. I would never have given it to anyone else, this one was only for you. A reminder of the girl who stole my heart all those years ago.”
Opening the box, I gasp!
It’s the single most beautiful ring I’ve ever laid eyes on. The center square stone is laying with tiny diamonds around it. Each and every one sparkles as the moon’s light hits them. I marvel at its beauty and can’t help but cry, because this moment is really happening.
“I have no idea what to say.” To say I’m surprised is an understatement, but what a pleasant surprise.
With a shrug of his shoulder, he replies. “Simple, say yes.”
Our eyes sparkle when the moon lights up the inside of the car. It’s romantic and it’s the perfect setting for this moment. A few sighs escape my lips, while I gaze into Micah’s dazzling white smile. Making him wait for his answer is slowly driving him crazy, so I look up, pretending to ponder his question. He goes to tickle my sides, so I give in.
“Yes.Yes.Yes.” I lean into arms, never letting go of my ring.
“That’s my girl.” With one last kiss, he takes the ring from the box and gently places it on my finger. And just like us, it’s a perfect fit.
WEEKS AFTER WE got engaged, things moved pretty fast. Mr. Hamilton quickly reached a settlement with the Mitchell’s and had even dragged my parents to several long meetings behind closed doors. I eventually found out Micah’s parents were present at every one of them. Thankfully, they kept most of what was said to themselves. I know Micah had been well informed of what all had taken place, but I explained, I had no interest in knowing the details.
No longer did I want to be hurt by any news or actions from my parents. Skylar and Dave let it be known they were taking over the role of my parents. My family now consisted of the Taylor’s. Two weeks after that announcement, we were in our lawyer's office, signing a stack of paperwork. And by the end of the meeting, Skylar and Dave walked in with Michael. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. Micah grabbed onto my hand and squeezed my fingers until I no longer could feel them.
I couldn’t believe it was happening, but I’ve never been so happy. We were going to be a family from this day forward, and ready or not, this was happening. Micah and I both had smiles plastered on our faces. There wasn’t a dry eye in that room. We all were a bit nervous how Michael would act around us with him not knowing we were his real family. To him we were strangers. But you would have never known that, he came to us willingly. No tears, no hesitation. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief that this transition was going to be better than expected. Michael is four now and there was never an ounce of fear in his eyes. He willingly came to Micah and I like we were familiar to him all along. It was the first day of the rest of my life. I’m not sure who left that building happier that day…Micah’s parents, Matt, or us. The one thing I do know, is that Michael will never have a moment of peace with this loving family he has now.
We quickly established a routine. Literally a few days was all it took for Michael to feel completely comfortable with Micah and I. Out of the three of us, it took me the longest to feel some sort of ease. Every waking moment, I was afraid he would be ripped away from us…again.
It took Micah several long talks with me to soothe my fears and wipe my tears. All three of us would sit for hours at a time, just getting familiar with one another. We rarely let Michael out of our sight. And to my pleasant surprise, we had house guests almost daily. The Taylor family had a new member who was beyond loved and cherished.