by Lisa Shelby
“Happy Anniversary,” I hear Jonathan say in my ear as I slowly come out of my dream-filled haze.
“Anniversary?”
“Yep, six years ago today you flipped my world upside down, and I’ve never been the same.”
“Ah, thanks baby but what time is it? It feels like it’s the middle of the night,” I say on a yawn.
“It’s early, sugar, but I need you to get up.”
“Jonathan, it’s Sunday. What is wrong with you?”
“We have to get to the airport. Our flight leaves in a couple hours so get up Sleeping Beauty!” He says as he gives me a little swat on the butt.
“Our flight? Where are we going? What about Ireland?”
“Ireland’s going to be staying with your mom for a couple of days, and don’t worry about where we’re going. Just get up.”
“What do you mean don’t worry about where we’re going? How can I pack if I don’t even know where we are going? I didn’t even say goodbye to Ireland when she went to mom’s last night.”
He takes me by the hand and slowly pulls me up to a sitting position.
“You can call her when we land, and I already packed a bag for you. Now get that fine ass of yours in the shower before I throw you in!”
I follow his orders and before I know it we’re boarding a plane for San Diego. It’s a short flight, and I spend most of it asleep on Jonathan’s shoulder. I’m exhausted but Jonathan seems to have enough energy for the both of us. What is with him?
The plane lands and we collect our luggage. I did notice there is a lot of luggage for a couple of days, but am too confused and tired to ask any questions. We head to the rental car check out where Jonathan has rented us a jeep to drive, and it’s red. I love jeeps, especially red ones. None as much as Scarlett, but they’re so much fun! Jonathan doesn’t say much as he throws our bags into the back seat, and then drives us off down the road.
I can tell we’re headed in the direction of San Clemente, but I’m surprised when we pull up to the San Onofre Beach cottages. It hasn’t changed a bit, and when Jonathan opens my door and helps me out, he gives me a little grin. But he still doesn’t say a word. Just as I suspected he takes me by the hand and leads me to the same little white cabin we stayed in last time. With each step closer to our cottage, the memories start flooding my mind and my heart starts racing.
Once we’re through the front door, it all comes rushing back even faster. There’s a new couch and kitchen table and chairs but for the most part it’s all the same. The first thing I do is go out to our little patio to look at the view. It’s still early and a little cool, but the weather is beautiful. As I turn around to head back inside, something catches my eye. On the table, just like before, there’s a gift waiting there. There’s a sticky note on it that says,
Diana helped me woo you last time, so I thought I would keep with tradition.
Love you, Georgia
I’m so very confused because last time we were here he bought me a Diana Gabaldon book. This package isn’t a book. I set the sticky note aside and tear off the paper. Inside are the DVDs for Part 1 and Part 2 of the first season of Outlander.
Jonathan appears in the doorway to the patio and says, “I figured it might be nice to watch it together so I can see what all this ‘Outlander’ craziness is about. I liked Downton Abbey, so I figure I’ll give Outlander a shot too. Besides, I need to see why you, Cami and Alex say this Jamie guys is so freaking great. You know how competitive I can be.”
I throw my arms around him and show him my gratitude the only way I know how; with my lips because I am speechless.
He doesn’t let things get too heated because he has more to show me I discover, as he takes me by the hand and guides me to the kitchen. On the counters there are all the ingredients for s’mores and I see a Costco sized bag of fishies. He opens the fridge, and I see it’s fully stocked with contents that all seem to look familiar to me. Next he opens the freezer, and I can’t help but laugh when I see the carton of vanilla ice cream that says Gracie on it, and the carton of chocolate that says Georgia on it.
He walks up behind me, wraps his arms around me and presses his front to my back. I shut the freezer door and say, “You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“Nah, I just want to make you happy. I’ve relived our first week together over and over again, and I just thought we could try to live a bit of it again together. I know we’re in a different place now, but I thought it might be fun to bring us back to where it all began.”
“I think it’s a great idea. Thank you so much for the getaway. I’m excited for some alone time. Just seeing that chocolate ice cream in the freezer makes me want to start reliving some of those memories right now,” I say trying to turn around in his arms to kiss him and see if we can start our trip down memory lane now.
But I am denied.
“Nope. No can do. If we get started, I won’t be able to stop and I have plans for us. Why don’t you go in the bathroom and change into something that you can hike in. I’ll get a backpack ready.”
“We’re going hiking? Really?”
“Yes, we’re going hiking and you’ll like it. Now get moving, woman!”
He hands me my smallest bag, and I can’t help but think it’s weird that he insists I go into the bathroom to change, and not the bedroom. He’s up to something, but so far so good, so I’m not going to question it too much.
Once I’m ready, he doesn’t waste any time getting us out the door and back into the jeep.
I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am when he pulls into the parking lot for the Las Ramlas Trail. I’m excited because this is the home of our first kiss, but I am dreading the hike. It nearly killed me last time, but I guess I was pregnant and probably a little more tired than usual.
He holds my hand and supplies me with water, snacks and conversation as we make our journey up to the flagpole at the top of the viewpoint.
Once there he grows quiet, and doesn’t really say much. He puts his arms around me and holds my back to his front. He rests his chin on the top of my head and gently sways us while we admire the view, and take some time to cool off and catch our breath. It’s been fairly quiet on the trail today, and it’s kind of nice that it’s been just the two of us for the most part. It’s especially nice up here with this view.
Jonathan releases his hold on me and points to the mailbox, “Look, it’s still here. I wonder if our journal is still there too?”
I jump out of his arms and skip towards the box and open it up, but feel disappointed when I see a new journal inside. “Shoot, it’s a new one and not ours. That would have been so cool.”
“Well, I’m sure they filled it up. You better make sure you leave a note though. I’m sure we aren’t the first ones here to write in the new one. You wanna go first this time?”
“Sure, let’s see . . . here we go.”
“What’s the last entry say?”
“It says . . . Oh My God . . . Jonathan . . .”
“What’s it say, baby?” he asks again.
I turn around to face him and find him on his knee with a ring box in his hand.
“Well, read it to me.”
Barely able to see through the puddle of tears forming in my eyes, I read aloud what it says in the book.
“Emily Grace Jacobs, my Gracie. I will love you always and forever and wherever I may be. Would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife, and dancing endless dances in the dark with me? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”
I put the journal back in the mailbox. I walk back to him and join him on the ground, down on my knees. I take his precious face in my hands, and give him a sweet loving kiss. I pull back, look him in the eyes and say, “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting six years for you to ask me that.”
I see the look of confusion and then relief color his expression. As those dimples that I love so much make an appearance, he asks. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, it’s a yes! Of course!” I yell.
“I love you so much!” He plants a big sloppy kiss on my face, puts the ring on my finger and then yells at the top of his lungs, “She said yes!”
At first I think he’s just professing his love for the world to hear—like he once said he would do as he laid in a hospital bed—but I soon realize it is much more than that.
From out of nowhere on the other side of the trail familiar faces start popping into view. First I see Devon and Mick, followed by Liam, Kate, Cami, Gabby—and oh my God Sam and Steph!
I feel like I might be losing my mind for a minute when my mom and Ireland appear, and my baby girl starts running my way. The next faces I see belong to Robert and Fiona. Everybody I love is here, except for Alex. She’s hosting a big event at home but she texted me a bit ago to check in. Now I know why.
“What is happening? How did they all get here? Did Ireland and my mom walk the trail?”
“Mommy, I took a four wheeler on the trail. It was so much fun! Uncle Mick isn’t a very good driver though!”
“Come here, sweetheart. What are you doing here?” I say as I pick her up and swing her into my arms. I won’t be able to do this much longer, she is growing up so fast. “What are all of you doing here?” I say to the group that contains all my favorite people.
“We wanna watch you get married, mommy,” my sweet girl proclaims.
I turn to look at my new fiancé to get some clarification and I think he is actually blushing. Jonathan Kelly doesn’t blush. What the hell is going on?
“Baby, did you mean what you said when you said you had been waiting six years? Because I was thinking why put it off another minute? I was hoping we could get married here, tonight, on the beach where we became an us. What do you say? Too much?”
It should be too much. The old me would have run for the hills—except we’re already at the top of a hill and there isn’t anywhere to run.
I don’t want to run.
This is where I want to be.
Looking around at all the faces of those I love the most, with Ireland in my arms—there is nothing I want more than to marry this man, here in San Clemente, where it all started.
“It sounds perfect,” I say. “I can’t wait to become your wife, so why not tonight?”
There are whoops and hollers all around us, and Jonathan looks beyond relieved. He reaches out for Ireland and she goes into his arms. He props her up on one side, and pulls me into his other side and kisses me on the temple.
“Jonathan?” Ireland says quietly so only the three of us can hear her, and internally I praise her for finally being able to say his name correctly.
“Yes, Princess?”
“If you marry mommy, does that mean you will be my daddy?”
Jonathan turns to me with tears pooling in his eyes and asks me without saying a word what the answer to this question will be. I answer him with a slight nod and he turns back to Ireland and says, “It would be my honor to be your daddy, if you want me to be?”
“I do! I really, really do!” She says excitedly. She reaches for me and we put our three heads together with our arms around each other and she whispers. “I can’t believe I’m gonna have a daddy.”
“What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”
His voice brings me back to the present, and it’s then I realize that I have tears falling down my face while I turn my wedding ring round and round my finger. I often do this while thanking the previous owner of this ring for the amazing man she brought into my world.
“I’m good, sweetie. I was just thinking back to our wedding and how happy Ireland and I both were that night. I still cannot believe you got everybody there. Not to mention every detail down to my dress and a two-week honeymoon in the Irish countryside planned without me knowing. I will never understand how I could have been so dense. How did I not notice that something was up?”
I still wonder this after all these years.
“I had a ton of help and let’s just say I found lots of entertaining ways to keep you distracted. I can show you one of those ways now, if you want?”
I giggle and smack his arm.
“Some things never change.”
“Not when it comes to you and me, baby. What we got is a forever thing and that ain’t ever gonna change.”
“I love you, Georgia.”
“Love you, Gracie”
Take Your Time by Sam Hunt
I Don’t Want This Night to End by Luke Bryan
Give Me A Try by The Wombats
I Met a Girl by Sam Hunt
Lips by Marian Hill
Treasure by Tori Kelly
Bottle It Up by Sam Hunt
Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake
Would You Wait for Me by Brett Young
Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys
Fix You by Coldplay
Back Where I Belong by Jack Savoretti
Life to Live Again by Brett Young
Lost Stars by Adam Levine
Sugar by Maroon 5
Love You More by Raccoon
The Face by Kings of Leon
Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Stressed Out by twenty one pilots
Count On Me by Bruno Mars
Roses by The Chainsmokers (feat. Rozes)
Someone Like You by Van Morrison
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Lauryn Hill
Brand New by Ben Rector
Make Me Like You by Gwen Stefani
Mess Is Mine by Vance Joy
Hold Me by Janine and The Mixtape
Every Other Freckle by alt-J
Break In by Halestorm
Die A Happy Man by Thomas Rhett
I’m Yours by Justine Skye (feat. Vic Mensa)
Fire and The Flood by Vance Joy
Not A Bad Thing by Justin Timberlake
You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Somebody by Natalie LaRose (feat. Jeremih)
Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) by Alicia Keys
By Your Side by Sade
Lost by Six60
Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
The Scientist by Coldplay
Just Breathe by Pearl Jam
Nobody ‘Cept You by Jack Savoretti
Parachute by Chris Stapleton
Ascension (Don’t Ever Worry) by Maxwell
Special by Six60
Back Together by Jill Scott
Baby Baby Baby by Joss Stone
My Love by Justin Timberlake
Forever by Six60
Lisa Shelby is a contemporary romance author who calls the Pacific Northwest home where she resides with her husband, their son and two dogs. Reading has been an obsession and writing has been a secret passion of hers. It was that passion that led her on the journey to write a book for her husband. What began as a gift turned into an inspiration of love, and with the encouragement of family and friends the desire to share that love with everyone.
CONNECT WITH LISA ONLINE:
You & Me would not be without the never ending love and support of my best friend and husband. I would have never had the courage to write this story, let alone publish it. Thank you for pushing me outside of my comfort zone, and not letting my rampant insecurities get the best of me. Whether I was excited, scared, anxious or over-joyed you always listened. You were there every step of the way. Thank you and please don’t ever forget that I will always love you MORE.
To my kind, charming, supportive, and handsome son. Thank you for being so understanding when I was preoccupied or ‘writing’. You have been more than supportive of your mom trying something new. When I told you that I was writing a romance novel—that I didn’t want you to read because of some of the adult scenes—you never seemed embarrassed or acted like you wished I wouldn’t. In other words, thanks for being so cool about all of this. I can’t tell you how proud I am to call you my son. I love you, buddy, more than you will ever know.
Allison, where do I begin? Y
ou were the first person, besides my husband that I shared my ‘little secret’ with. Your unwavering support since day one means more than you will ever know. Thank you, and your boys, for all of the personal time that you sacrificed to help me with my passion project. Thank you for being just as excited as I’ve been with every milestone met. Here’s to toasting with cake pops and high five’s that burn like a mother!
Nadia, thank you. Thank you for teaching me that it was okay to ask for help. That I couldn’t do everything on my own and that I needed to delegate. I’m not sure I’ve mastered the whole delegation thing, but I’m working on it. Thank you for your time, creativity, talent, and expertise. Most of all thank you for putting up with me. I know that I want things how I want them, but I am insanely indecisive at the same time. I cannot even imagine how many times you wanted to strangle me. Thank you for not strangling me and for making everything so pretty. Most of all . . . thank you for your years of friendship. Love you, chica.
Angie, Tiffany, Sesha, Crystal, and Jackie—the first to read You & Me. Thank you for your constructive criticism, advice, encouragement and for keeping it real. You went in blind, without any kind of synopsis and just read the book. You took the time out of your busy schedules and read the story of a novice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To all of those official and unofficial members of the The Black Hole, you know who you are, thank you. You are all living proof that it really does take a village. Thank you for keeping my secret, my sanity and for still speaking to me after I asked you to share your opinion time and time again. It’s not like you guys have work to do or anything, right? Thank you ladies!
Stacy, thank you for your excitement and encouragement. You aren’t too bad for a little sister—I think I’ll keep you. Mitch and Krista, thank you for understanding why I would want to stay back at the hotel rather than go out on the town that night in Vegas. To all my friends and family who didn’t tell me I was crazy or laugh in my face when I told them I had written a book, thank you. There has not been one person in my life that has been less than supportive and I am so appreciative.
To my editor, Laura Allison. I’m sure there isn’t enough cider in the world to help you recover from this job. Thank you!