You'll Say Yes

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You'll Say Yes Page 40

by Tri Amutia


  Huh? Camila resigned?

  "You mean Camila Stevenson, Sir?" I asked him in surprise. I've heard she was bubbling about that before, but I never knew she was serious about that.

  He nodded. "Yes. And we need two new employees for junior editor position. I know you are working with Kelly Stevens again and it will not affect your new position. I will promote you to senior editor position."

  I blinked. Seriously?

  Mr. Smith smiled and extended his hand. "Congratulations, Ms. Bennett."

  I chuckled nervously and gingerly shook his hand. "Thank you again, Sir."

  My boss laughed lightly. "I will tell Marianne to set the new office for you and place a new job advertisement for new employees."

  I bit my lip.

  I know someone who could possibly fill the position and I know she will do great in this job. "Um...Sir, I have a suggestion."

  Mr. Smith looked at me curiously. "Please, continue."

  I took a deep breath. "I have a suitable candidate for the position, Sir."

  My boss raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

  I nodded. "Her name is Josia and she just graduated from English Literature. I will give you her number if you want to have an interview with her."

  He smiled widely. "That would be lovely. You can give her number to my secretary, Ms. Bennett. Thank you."

  I smiled back. "You're welcome, Sir."

  ~O~

  I told Joshua about my promotion when he got home in the evening. His tired eyes suddenly lit up when he heard my story. He gave me a deep kiss and offered to cook dinner for me. I had no choice but to accept his offer. At exactly in the moment, Stella texted me and informed me about the design for my wedding invitation. She also reminded me to start making the guest list so she could calculated the catering for the guests. I grimaced mentally. I almost forgot about that.

  Joshua started to make dinner for me when I had my shower. After changing my clothes, I decided to start listing the guests while waiting my fiancé to finish cooking. I sat on the living room floor, in front of the coffee table with some blank papers and a pen in my hand. I scrawled some names; Thomas, Jennifer, Ethan, Samantha, Melinda, Brian, Kevin and his plus one (I positively grimaced to that part), John, my authors, some of my colleagues, my bosses and some of my high school friends. I pursed my lips and realized I must call my parents to discuss which friends of theirs that they wanted to invite. And then I felt two strong arms wrapped my waist and I could feel Joshua sitting behind me. His chin rested in my shoulder.

  "Dinner is ready," He whispered and kissed my neck briefly.

  I shuddered slightly and he chuckled. He was such a cheater.

  "Thank you. I just check this list and then I'll have my dinner," I answered him.

  I could feel him nod. I turned my head slightly and showed him the paper. "Do you want to invite more people? I've just wrote my guests and I think it's fair if you do that too."

  He smiled and took the paper from my hand. He looked over the list and nodded slightly. "I think it's good. I should call my parents and asked for their guest list."

  I smiled grimly. "I've been thinking about that too."

  Joshua kissed my temple. "Thank you for wanting to do this for me. I know you don't like festive and extravagant events, but with you willingly have this kind of wedding means so much to me."

  I chuckled lightly and turned my body to face him. "Just promise me you won't leave me alone with all the guests."

  He scoffed. "I wouldn't dream of it. I will bring the shackles if I had to."

  I made a face. "That's rude."

  He grinned. "Well, you should know that I won't let you stay away from me in our wedding day."

  I sighed, pretending to give up. "I can't believe I'm going to marry a madman."

  Joshua chuckled and wrapped his arms again on my waist. "True, but you love me nonetheless."

  I giggled and he kissed my forehead briefly.

  "Come on. Your dinner is getting cold."

  ~O~

  Everything seemed to pass in a blur. Even though Stella, my mom and Farah helped me with the preparation, still I felt the tension from it. It seemed so many things that Joshua and I had to deal with. His preparations for UNC, my new office and position, my plan to move back to my old apartment when Joshua moved to stay in North Carolina and every single details like wedding cake, the papers, the guests, the venue, the caterings and mostly the dress. Stella already told me she will have long vacation from her work to have dress fitting with me and Joshua. She assured me that everything was fine because she told her boss that my wedding was going to appear for the newest edition. I didn't have much choice but to trust her.

  The tension was getting thicker when the date was closer and my head almost exploded from all the excitement and the preparations. It was four weeks before my wedding and Stella already arrived in Seattle. Although she insisted she could afford the fees in the hotel, my fiancé insisted back that he will pay for her stay in Seattle. That was the first time I saw Stella couldn't win against Joshua. I think I need to learn how to beat her someday.

  And don't forget my mom. She always found the way to get me embarrassed with her childish mind.

  "I know about your plan to wait from having children. I think it's good, honey. Did you ever think about how to be safe?" She asked me from the phone in one afternoon.

  I could feel my cheeks flushed. "Um...actually I want to talk about that with Joshua, Mom."

  "Hmmm...well, you could try the birth control or reminding Joshua to wear something safe before you guys-"

  "Look, Mom," I interjected. I couldn't believe my own mother was giving me this kind of advice. "I will talk to Joshua, alright? Don't worry. He's a doctor. I'm sure he knows...stuff like that," I stuttered.

  "Okay," My mom said again, seemed oblivious with my discomfort. "I think it's the best way to talk with Joshua, though. It's a good start to have a very-"

  "Bye, Mom."

  Well, that's my mom.

  Today I went home from work feeling exhausted. Joshua was already home and I walked straight to my room to grab fresh clothes and my toiletries bag. I took my shower and after changed my clothes, I collapsed in my bed. My fiancé lay next to me and stroked my hair.

  "Hard day, dear?"

  I sighed and lifted my face from the pillow to look at him. "All of these preparations are killing me. I just wish everything will be over soon."

  Joshua smiled coyly and scooted closer to my body. "If everything is over, you already become Mrs. Walsh and we definitely won't spend our honeymoon in this bed," He said to me with husky voice.

  I shivered and my heart turned erratic.

  His eyes already darken with passion and I knew him well enough to feel his desire to get close to me. My stomach knotted and I couldn't fight the desire in my body too. His head dipped down and kissed me softly.

  Once.

  Twice.

  And then his hand knotted in my hair and kissed me passionately. My brain hazed and clouded. I moaned lightly when I felt his other hand touched my bare skin from under my T-shirt.

  I couldn't think.

  I tightened my hold on his body and pulled him even closer. Our kisses began frantic and our breathing turned shallow. It seemed we couldn't hold back all the sexual tension from the past few months. He took off my T -shirt and I did the same to him. And now we were on the bed with him shirtless and me only with my bra and yoga pants. He leaned his forehead to mine.

  "Abby...love...you don't know how much I want you right now...but, I think we can't do this now...is that alright with you?" He asked me in rough voice and looked at me with dark eyes.

  I took deep breaths and smiled slightly. "Of course, Joshua. Like I said I wanted our first time to be special."

  He smiled tenderly and kissed me briefly. I grabbed my T-shirt from the floor and he did the same. We lay back on the bed with my head on his chest. He gently stroked my back and hummed my lullaby. His heartbeat drummed sof
tly in my ear. I slowly traced random patterns on his T-shirt while thinking about what my mom said. I wasn't afraid to ask him. I was just afraid if he felt uncomfortable. Besides this was the first time for me discussing a very private subject. Well, at least I could try.

  "Joshua?"

  "Yes, love?"

  "You remember when I said that I wanted to wait for us to have children, right?"

  "Of course."

  "Well...I...uh...want to say...something about that."

  I could feel he shifted slightly and I raised my head to look at him.

  "Go on," He encouraged me.

  I swallowed hard. "Uh...you know that I'm still a...virgin, right? And I've never had those kinds like birth control or stuff like that. I..uh...just want to ask you about that. I mean...you're a doctor and you probably know about-"

  I stopped my rambling when I saw the corner of his lips turned into a coy smile. I blushed immediately.

  "Oh, God!"

  I quickly hid my face on his chest while he burst out laughing.

  "This is embarrassing," I muffled on his T-shirt.

  His laughter subsided and then he stroked my hair. "Abby, look at me, please."

  I took a deep breath and peeked to him with one eye. He smiled. "Actually I want to talk with you about that too, love. It's a good thing you talk about that first. Well, it's safe to have a birth control and I will make an appointment for you with one of my colleagues in the hospital. As for myself, I could use something for that."

  I scoffed and leaned back to his chest. "Yeah."

  He chuckled.

  ~O~

  And now, it's the big day. If I didn't feel nervous, that would be a lie. All the preparations were paid off; don't forget my bridal shower hosted by Stella, and now I'm standing in a room which Stella turned to be a dressing room at the church where I will get wed to my childhood friend. A big mirror was in front of me and I looked over to my reflection. There's a beautiful woman with an elegant white dress, a veil in her head and a bouquet in her hand. I took deep breaths several times to calm my erratic heartbeat. I've been waiting for this day when finally I was bond to him in every senses and I was nervous for that.

  A soft knock was heard from the door and I turned to see my dad already standing in the door. He arrived in Seattle few days before my wedding day and stayed at a hotel. I knew how much this day meant to him. He already knew my future husband when I even didn't look at him at all. And I knew he will be so happy to see his only daughter wed with a man who loved her so much.

  My dad smiled. "Are you ready, Abby?"

  I smiled timidly. "Yes, Dad."

  He approached me and looked at my eyes. "You look beautiful, honey. I'm so happy for you. Be happy with Joshua."

  My eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you, Dad. I love you."

  He smiled again and kissed my forehead. "I love you too, honey." He lowered the veil so it covered my face. "Come on. I must take you to him."

  I chuckled and took his arm.

  I walked down on the aisle with my dad in my arm. All the guests were turned to look at me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them. My eyes automatically searched for him and I saw him there. Joshua was already standing in front of the minister and my heart almost stopped when I saw him. This was the first time I saw him after Stella successfully separated both of us two nights before the big day. He was so handsome in his black tuxedo with Dr. Keller standing next to him. I also saw Stella and Josia as my bridesmaids. Josia now worked as a junior editor in my office and she gladly accepts my offer to become my bridesmaid.

  Joshua smiled when he saw me. I locked my eyes to him. So many had going on in our relationship and I was sure there were lots to come, but I knew he will always by my side. He extended his hand and my dad gave my hand to him, an old symbol from the father to the groom, and he took my hand to his.

  I honestly didn't hear what the minister said. I was returned to the ceremony from my daze mode when he mentioned Joshua's name and he answered the minister's question with 'I do'. He looked at me deeply through my veil when the minister repeated the question and I answered 'I do'. His green eyes were lit with happiness. We broke our gaze briefly just to put the wedding ring on our third fingers. I looked over my wedding ring and smiled slightly.

  I am a wife now.

  "You may kiss the bride."

  Joshua slowly lifted up my veil and our eyes locked. He smiled coyly before he kissed me hard in front of the minister and lots of people. I returned his kiss between the clapping sounds and some catcalls voice from the guests.

  He broke the kiss and looked at me deeply. "I love you, Abby Walsh."

  I shivered when I heard my new name.

  Abby Walsh.

  I loved that.

  I smiled and looked at him.

  At my husband.

  "And I love you, Joshua Walsh."

  Chapter 33

  The Happy Ending II

  Four years later

  I nervously fidgeted in my seat. This book launching was very stressful and it took all of the effort from me to finally hold this event. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. It has been four years since my wedding day and Joshua will finish his pre-med next week. That was why I asked the book launching to be held this weekend so I could attend my husband's graduation.

  I still worked in my office while Joshua lived in North Carolina. I managed to visit him twice a month or more when I had the chance to ask for day offs from my boss. As for Joshua, he always had the good grades and spent his holiday with me in Seattle. Sometimes we visited my parents or his parents whenever we had the chance. Joshua's aunt, Carissa, still lived in France and we still kept in touch with her. Joshua's relationship with his aunt slowly turned to normal, especially after Carissa and her family attended our wedding.

  As for my best friends, Stella finally walked on the altar four months after my wedding and both my husband and I attended her big day. Stella still lived in New York with her husband and now she was senior editor on her office. Ethan White finally wed Samantha a year ago. I didn't know why he waited so long to get married. Joshua and I also attended his wedding and my husband seemed a little bit relaxed when he met Ethan again. I guessed my best friend already passed from the 'loving me' stage. They now still live in Long Beach.

  Joshua also had a good friendship with Kevin Morgan after learning that he helped me once. Kimberly and I didn't make it to a good friend term yet, but it was started to get better.

  "Abby? It's time!"

  Josia's voice halted my daydreaming. I blinked several times and looked at her. She still worked at my office and as I predicted, she was good in her job. She was my best friend now.

  "It is?" I asked weakly.

  She chuckled. Her dark eyes twinkled. "I know this is your first time, but don't worry you'll get used to it. By the way, where's Joshua? I thought he'll be here."

  "Looking for me?"

  A warm voice was heard from behind me and I turned around to see my husband already standing close to me. My heart almost flipped when I saw him. It's been four years, but he still could make me feel this way. I looked back to Josia. She smiled warmly.

  "I'll be on stage." And then she turned around and walked away from me.

  I turned back to my husband when suddenly he hugged me and kissed me fiercely. I froze and couldn't think of anything. I moved my lips slowly against him, and then he broke the kiss and smiled on my lips.

  "Hello, dear. I missed you."

  I chuckled nervously. "I missed you too. I was afraid you will not going to make it." Joshua will start his full duty in the hospital soon and he just took care some of administration files to do that.

  He raised his eyebrows and offered his arm to me. "And missing your first published book? I'll still come here even if my legs were chained."

  I rolled my eyes and took his arm.

  Yes, this was my book launching.

  My own book launching.

  I almost forgot
about the draft that I wrote before I got married and apparently my lovely husband found that in my laptop. No, he didn't intentionally open my laptop. Even though we were married, he will never trespass my personal things like that. It was in the afternoon when I was working with my laptop, but it won't work. Joshua was visiting me before he had his mid-term test.

  *Flashback*

  I frowned when I saw my laptop won't make it to the office application. I want to finish the chapter, so I could spend my time with my husband. I re-started the laptop several times until I gave up. I hung my head in my hands.

  "What's wrong, dear?"

  I sighed and raised my head. Joshua just finished his shower and I must admit he looked sexy with his half-dry hair. My body surged with desire to pull him for a kiss, but I shook my head slightly from that thought.

  I chewed my bottom lip. "Something's wrong with my laptop. I guess I need to buy the new one."

  Joshua furrowed his eyebrows and sat next to me. His scent clouded my thoughts and I clenched my fists to hold myself from attacking him.

  "Let me see that."

  I took a deep breath. "I think I need a coffee."

  He frowned at me. "No coffee. You already had two cups last night."

  I rolled my eyes. "All right. No coffee."

  I rose from my sitting position and walked to the kitchen of my old apartment. I moved back here after Joshua moved to North Carolina and I was the only married person in this building. John was my personal 'bodyguard' while my husband stayed in NC. I made myself a tea and walked back to the living room. I could see my laptop already working, but my husband still sat there and seemed reading something. I furrowed my eyebrows and walked slowly to him. My eyes widened when I saw what he read.

  It was the draft that I wrote in the cafe years ago.

  I gasped.

  My husband slowly turned his head to me. "You wrote this?"

  I swallowed hard and hastily grabbed my laptop, but he stilled my hands. Our eyes locked and I sighed. I sat next to him.

 

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