He smiled again. “Positive. Let’s figure out what our next steps are and get started.”
I ducked my head and gave him a sheepish smile. “I have all the paperwork ready and mostly filled out just in case you agreed. All we have to do is submit the application and get ready for our interviews and appointments.”
Michael let out a hearty laugh. “You’re hilarious. I can’t wait to add Henry to our family.”
I flitted around our apartment anxiously as I put the final touches on the decorations for our housewarming party. Our friends and family would arrive in an hour, and I wanted everything to be perfect.
Michael walked out of the kitchen and chuckled as I rearranged the ornaments on our Christmas tree and our Solstice decorations. “Sweetheart, everything is perfect. Relax.”
My shoulders sagged with relief. “Okay,” I said reluctantly. “Do we have enough refreshments, or should I run to the store again?”
“We have enough food to feed a small village,” he teased. “Why don’t I make you some tea to relax?”
“Thank you, but there’s no need. I’m just nervous about everyone being here. I want our friends and families to get along.”
Michael pulled me into an embrace and tapped my nose. “Our families get along great now that everything has settled down. Even Kristina has come around and warmed up to you. And Julie loves playing with Elsie. As for our friends, we’ll see, but I’m not worried.”
I twisted my fingers together and felt a panic attack building in my chest. Michael must have sensed it because he sat me down. “I can’t help it,” I said, gasping for air.
“Cassie, listen to my voice. I’m here with you, and I promise everything is going to be okay. We’re going to have so much fun, and, in a couple of hours, you’ll wonder why you ever worried to begin with. Breathe with me.”
“Okay,” I whispered and followed his instructions. Within a few minutes, the red splotches on my skin faded, and I felt calmer than I had all day. That was the magic of Michael – he helped me through these episodes better than anyone in the past. Between the work I did with him, and my therapy sessions, these moments were becoming few and far between.
“Better?” he asked sympathetically.
I nodded and smiled. “Much better.”
The doorbell rang, and I glanced toward the door. We both stood. I smoothed my favorite pink floral dress and ran a hand over my wavy hair. I’d left it down and floating around my shoulders.
Michael opened the door and greeted our first guests, my family.
“Hello, hello,” my mother chirped. She had Elsie on her hip and hugged Michael with one arm.
“Hi, Beth. Hi, Elsie,” he said and tickled the baby’s side. She shrieked with excitement, and extended her chubby arms toward him, giving him a slobbering baby kiss.
Fred walked in behind them with a bottle of wine and two wrapped presents. “Congratulations, you two. Building your first home together is a wonderful step in the right direction.”
My mother gushed, “We’re so happy for you.”
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” I said, and hugged them tightly.
We all moved into the living room, and Elsie wanted to be put on the ground immediately. She made her way over to our tree, then sat and stared at the lights, wonder written all over her adorable little face. As soon as my parents settled in and started picking at the appetizers, the doorbell rang again. This time, it was the Godwins.
“Hello, Sweetheart,” Mrs. Godwin said, sweeping me into a hug. More hugs followed from Michael’s sisters and father. Our families greeted each other and were soon wrapped up in a conversation about “the kids,” as they called us.
Soon our apartment was full of friends from all areas of our lives–friends from high school, work colleagues, my book club, and Michael’s former softball team. Much to my relief, everyone seemed to mix well.
The doorbell rang again, and I went to answer it happily. I gasped when I saw who was standing there.
“Hey, Cassie,” said Halle cheerfully. “Did you think I’d miss your party?”
“I, uh, I can’t believe you’re here! You just visited a couple of months ago!”
She grinned and flipped her long, dark braid over her shoulder. “I’m only here until tomorrow night, but Michael told me that this was a party I should attend.”
I wondered when they spoke on the phone, but my mother’s squeal banished the thought when she saw her twins standing together.
A little while later, Michael pulled me to his side and called for everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, thank you for coming out today to celebrate this milestone in my and Cassandra’s life together. We’re so happy to have our friends and family around to enjoy the holidays. Before I let you get back to the merrymaking and petting the dog, there’s something I want to say to Cassandra.”
I gasped as Michael sank to one knee and took my hand in his. “Michael, what on Earth…?”
He smiled gently and spoke as if we were the only two people in the room. “Cassandra, when we met in high school, I thought you were the most beautiful, brightest light I’d ever seen. I fell in love with you then and, when you came back into my life earlier this year, I fell in love with you all over again. You showed me what true love is, and you—” He paused and turned his head to the side. “Peaches, shut up. Go to the other room.”
I laughed and wiped the tears spilling down my face.
“You gave me a new outlook on life. With you, everything is brighter, more wonderful, and perfect. Butterfly Girl, will you marry me?”
I shook with anticipation and love as Michael pulled a jewelry box from his pocket, and opened it to reveal a beautiful silver ring with a gleaming diamond in the center. My eyes flew from the box to his face a few times as I tried to get the words unstuck from my throat.
“Yes, Michael,” I cried. “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
Michael slipped the ring onto the ring finger of my left hand and rose, crushing me in a tight embrace. He kissed me with all the love in him, and my heart nearly burst.
“I love you,” he murmured against my lips.
“I love you, too.” I wiped the tears from my face, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. “I can’t wait to live this crazy adventure with you, our animals, and our boy.”
About Jennifer Siddoway
Jennifer is an author from Tallahassee, Florida and a member of the Florida Writers Association.
After receiving a degree in theatre from BYU and working as a scenic artist for twelve years, she changed careers to do what she really loves—writing. Jennifer believes that part of her job as an artist and story teller is to create a narrative that explores a fresh perspective and leaves the audience thinking.
When she’s not busy writing or burying her nose in a book, Jennifer enjoys doing medieval reenactment with her husband and two children.
You can find out more about Jennifer Siddoway and her books at: http://www.jensiddoway.com
Other titles by Jennifer Siddoway
The Earthwalker Trilogy
Dealing with the Devil (Book 1)
The Devil’s Due (Book 2)
Down in Flames (Book 3)
The Earthwalker Trilogy Official Coloring Book
The Daughters of Night Chronicles
Chasing Starlight (Cassandra)
Kissing Cupid (Halle) - Coming Soon!
The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders
Taken by Graeme (Book 1)
Rescued by Valan (Book 2) – Coming Soon!
De Wolfe Connected World
De Wolfe in Disguise
To Tame a Wolfe
The Highlander’s Secret
Reviews are always appreciated!
About Matilda Reyes
Matilda Reyes grew up in the Bronx, NYC, lived in Los Angeles and now lives in South Florida. She believes life is about having experiences that will make great stories. Twist her arm hard enough, and she’ll try just about anything on
ce. As a writer, Matilda is obsessed with pithy dialogue and dry humor. She dabbles in different genres including new adult, paranormal, urban fantasy, science fiction, bizarre, and non-fiction. Her major influences are diverse. Kevin Smith, Jon Stewart, Chris Hardwick, Jim Butcher, Karen Marie Moning, Christopher Moore, Brent Weeks, and Chuck Wendig are current favorites. Matilda loves chatting with her readers, so once you finish one of her novels, please leave a review, follow her on Twitter and Facebook, and drop her a line.
www.matildareyes.com
www.facebook.com/MatildaReyesBooks
www.twitter.com/MatildaReyesBks
www.instagram.com/MatildaReyesBooks
Other Titles by Matilda Reyes
The Vespers Chronicles
The Order of Vespers (Book 1)
The Circle (Book 2)
The Black Knights (Book 3)
The Daughters of Night Chronicles
Chasing Starlight (Cassandra)
Kissing Cupid (Halle) - Coming Soon!
Reviews are always appreciated
Chasing Starlight: Cassandra's Story (The Daughters of Night Chronicles) Page 20