“I guess I had just been feeling so confused. I didn’t want to betray Lily but I didn’t want to stay how I am in my life. Every time I am near you I just wanted to hold you” he told her. “That is why I came over today. I know you told me you loved me the other day. If you’re still willing to take a chance on me I would really like that because I love you Shelby.”
“You do?” she asked him. “Of course I do. I did the minute you demanded to know why I wasn’t talking to you after we met at your dad’s.”
“Oh Stephen” she said and hugged him. He held onto her tightly and when they looked at each other they both had tears in their eyes. “I can’t promise that things will always be perfect but I will try my best.”
“I will try my best with you also” she told him smiling. They sat there and rocked in the porch swing talking for hours. They had been away from each other for so long and they had so much to say to each other. A few hours later Stephen left giving her a hug and telling her he would talk to her tomorrow.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Are you sure about this?” Stephen asked looking at Shelby. They had decided to go hiking and it was only supposed to be five miles round trip but now that they were out here it looked pretty steep. “Of course surely we can walk five miles. This should be nothing” she told him grinning. “Alright” he told her and they started to walk. Four hours later and they had only walked four miles. Shelby felt like if she took one more step she would die.
“How are you doing?” Stephen asked her. “Maybe we should have thought this through a little bit better.”
“You think?” she said laughing. Shelby looked at the man she loved and smiled. She loved the fact that they had been getting to know each other better over the last few months. No one had seemed to mind their age and both of their families got along great. “Alright climb on my back” he told her. “Are you crazy?” You have to be exhausted.”
“I am but I am used to this from being in the army and you’re not. Come on so we can get off this horrible mountain” he grumbled while she laughed at him. They made it down and decided to go to the diner for some ice cream. It was late September but it was still hot outside. When they came inside John was waiting on a customer and turned to see them enter. Stephen looked exhausted and Shelby was limping. “What in the world happened to you two?”
“Well your daughter thought it would be a great idea to go hiking today.”
“It was only five miles but were exhausted and hurting” Shelby said smiling. “I thought we could both use some ice cream to make us feel better” Stephen told him. “Coming right up” he said grinning. He sat and talked with them while they ate and loved seeing his good friend and daughter so close to one another.
“Well I hate to cut this short but I think I am going to go home and soak in a hot bath” Shelby told them. “I will walk you out” Stephen told her. “I will talk to you later dad” she told him. “Get to feeling better” he told her. When they got to the vehicle Shelby hugged him goodbye and he kissed her softly on the lips.
“Try to get as much rest as you can. I will call you tonight” he told her smiling. She got out and left and Stephen turned and sighed. He needed to talk to John and Cody and knew it was the right time. He came back in with a serious look on his face and John looked at him concerned. “Hey is everything okay?” he asked him. “I need to talk to you tonight when you get off.”
“Of course” he told him. “Why don’t I order us some pizza and you can come over for dinner.”
“That sounds great I will see you tonight and one more thing.” “What is that?” he asked him. “Invite Cody” he told him. After he left John grew worried wondering what was going on. That night the pizza had just arrived when there was a knock on the door.
“Hey Stephen come on in” Cody told him. They sat down to eat and Stephen looked nervous. “Alright I have made myself a nervous wreck this whole afternoon. What did you want to talk to us about?”
“I bought something the other day I wanted to show you.”
“What is it?” John asked him. Stephen reached in his pocket and opened the ring box to show him. John looked at it and smiled. It was not a huge ring but it was one he knew that his daughter would love.
“What is going on?” he asked him. “I wanted to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”
“Of course you have my permission. I have never seen her as happy as she has been since you two started to date.”
“Thank you” Stephen said looking down frowning. John and Cody couldn’t understand why he was so sad. They were happy for them. “Stephen what is it?” Cody asked him. “I need to tell you something else and it might change your mind about me marrying Shelby.”
“What is it?” Cody asked concerned.
“As you both know I retired from the military about a year ago. I noticed that the littlest things seemed to tick me off. Whether it was people being too loud or hearing a loud sound. Not to mention all of the nightmares I had.”
“Well that is to be expected after everything you went through” John told him. “That is what I thought at first also but then things became a little worse. Shelby noticed a few things and went to talk to my sister about it. I thought that I would go to the doctor and prove them all wrong. When I went in I was diagnosed with PTSD.”
“What does that stand for?” Cody asked concerned. “It stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People with this problem are usually in the military and are coming home from war. It can be as small as getting agitated at people but as bad as fighting and not realizing what was happening during it. When I went I was put on medication and I go see a counselor once a week. It has been helping a lot.”
“Does Shelby know about this?” John asked concerned. “Yes Shelby and Samantha are the only ones that know.”
“So what is the problem then?” Cody asked him. “I didn’t want you to think I would become a bad husband to Shelby. I have never got upset with her over anything and I don’t think that I ever would but I wanted you to know.”
“I know that couldn’t have been easy for you” John told him. “It doesn’t change a thing as far as I am concerned. I know that my daughter loves you and I can tell that you love her also.”
“Thank you” he told them. They finished eating and a while later Stephen left to go home. Cody stayed around to help his dad. “Do you think he would ever hurt Shelby?” Cody asked him. “Honesty I don’t think he could. The only thing that I ever see in his eyes when he is around you sister is his love for her.”
“I think your right” Cody told him smiling but that would not stop him from talking to Shelby about it to make sure. The next weekend Stephen prepared a trip for him and Shelby. They were going to go somewhere fancy to eat and then he was going to drive her up to the mountain they hiked and propose. When he told her where they were going to eat she was nervous. She had never been anywhere so fancy and he had been acting weird all week. She tried to put all of that aside when he had come over to pick her up. They had a great dinner but Shelby was getting worried. Stephen had not been himself all night. She didn’t know if he was having an off day or not. She figured the way he had seemed upset he would take her home but he drove up to the mountain they had been last week.
“Up for a hike?” she said teasing him. He blew out a breath and smiled. The whole day had gone from bad to worse. When he went to get in the vehicle that morning he had a flat tire. He almost forgot to make the reservation for the restaurant, and it was so foggy tonight he wasn’t sure that they would even be able to see each other tonight. “I want to show you something” he said and ran to her side to let her out. “What is it?” she asked him. He took her over to look down on the city. “It’s so beautiful” Shelby said. She turned around to look for him to see him kneeling on one knee. She gasped at what she saw.
“Nothing about tonight has seemed to go right until we made it up here. I was hoping that this would be the perfect spot for this. Shelby I have lo
ved you for months. I know that things have not always been easy between us but I promise to try to make our life the best it can be. I am here on bended knee to ask you if you would do me the honor or marrying me. Shelby I love you so much. Will you marry me?” he asked her. “Yes” she said with tears streaming down her face. He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up. He put his hands on her face and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I love you” she told him smiling. “I love you two and I promise to continue to until my dying day.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
A few months had passed and everything was getting set up for the wedding. They had talked it over and decided they would be married the Saturday after Thanksgiving with just some family and friends present. Shelby was waiting at the airport for her grandmother to arrive. “Sweetheart” she heard and turned to see her grandmother standing there. “Grandma” she told her smiling. “It’s so good to see you.”
“I am so excited about the wedding.”
“I am so happy you could come. What has been going on with you?”
“Oh not too much” her grandmother said suspiciously. Shelby looked at her but her grandmother didn’t say anymore. “So what is the plan?”
“Well I thought I would take you over to my house and get you settled.”
“That sounds great but I want to see this man you’re marrying first” she told her. “Right now?” Shelby asked worried. “Of course” she told her smiling. Shelby was a little nervous. She loved them both and she wanted for them to both get along. They pulled up to the building.
“Why don’t you grab him? It will probably take me that long to look presentable” Paige told her laughing. Shelby laughed with her and went inside. When she entered she seen Samantha filling out an order. “Hey Shelby, how are you? I thought that you were picking up your grandmother?” she asked her. “I did but she wanted to meet Stephen.” “Oh great he is just finishing putting on some new tires. Go on in and I will go talk to your grandmother.” Shelby walked in and watched as he put on the last tire. Stephen felt someone looking at him and looked behind him. There was Shelby standing there and smiling at him.
“Hey sweetheart what is going on?” he asked concerned. “I thought that you were going to meet your grandmother today.”
“I did but she insisted on meeting you” she told him biting her lip. Stephen looked at her and knew something was wrong. “Baby what is it?” he asked her. “I just want you guys to get along, because I love you both so much” she told him. “Sweetheart I am sure I am going to love her and I will be on my best behavior.”
“Hey I can finish this up” Ryan told them. “Alright come on” Stephen told Shelby holding her hand. They walked out to see Samantha talking to Paige and laughing. She looked up and smiled. “Grandma I know you’re already talking to Samantha and this is her brother Stephen.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you” Stephen told her. “No it’s an honor to meet you. I have never known anyone that could make Shelby as happy as you have.”
“Thank you” he told her. “I take it your all coming over for dinner tomorrow night?”
“We wouldn’t miss it with Cody’s cooking. He is quite the cook but I hear that Shelby has been taking lessons from him” Samantha said smiling. “I think that we all are” Shelby said laughing. “Well I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.”
“I will call you later” Shelby told Stephen. The next evening Cody had dinner ready and everything looked amazing. “This looks great” Shelby told him. “Thanks how are you doing? You only have one more day until you’re a married woman.” Cody had felt bad about going to her about Stephen. She had been so angry at him. “I feel wonderful I can’t wait to start this journey with Stephen.”
“Look who I found” her dad said coming in the kitchen. In followed Stephen, Samantha, and Ryan. “Grandma I know you met Samantha and Stephen yesterday but this is Ryan. He is Samantha’s husband.”
“It’s nice to see you all again and nice to meet you.” Stephen came over and gave Shelby a kiss and laid some dessert on the table. He noticed Cody eyeing it and he smiled. “Don’t worry its store bought.” Haley came over and shook her head. “It looks great why don’t we all sit down.” They sat down to eat dinner and John looked at them. It amazed him how much had changed this year. This was as full as he could remember the table being since his Hannah had died.
“Alright it’s time for our yearly tradition. We go around the table and tell what we are grateful for. I will start I am thankful for everyone coming over today” John told them. They went around and Cody and Haley were thankful for each other and the diner and Samantha and Ryan were thankful for their new friends and family. “I am thankful that God brought you in my life” Stephen told Shelby. “I am thankful that he brought you into mine also.” It was time for Paige and she looked pale.
“Mom are you alright?” John asked her. “I am fine I guess it’s my turn. I am thankful for my husband” Paige said. “I miss dad every day too” John told her sadly. “That is not who I am referring to” Paige told him. “What are you talking about grandma?” Cody asked confused. “I decided to get married a few weeks ago” Paige told them. “What?” John yelled out. “There is no reason to get upset” Paige told him. “I am sorry my mother just told me she got remarried and you tell me not to get upset”
“Who did you marry grandma?” Shelby asked her. “His name is Cliff he is the one I told you about that I talked to about his son.”
“Really?” Shelby asked smiling. “Yes” she told her. “Why are you smiling?” John asked her angrily. “I am happy for her” Shelby told him. “So am I grandma” Cody told her smiling. “Thanks guys” she told them. “I can’t believe you’re so happy for someone we haven’t even met.” “This is my life son” Paige said with tears in her eyes and leaving the table.
“Dad was that necessary?” Cody asked frowning. “You two have got to be kidding me. We have never met this guy.”
“What does it matter dad? Your mother has been a widow for years and she has finally found love again. Can’t you be happy for her?” Shelby asked him. “I guess you’re right. I will go talk to her” he told them. John walked out to the porch to see his mother sitting on the porch swing.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked her. “It depends are you going to be angry?” she asked him. “I am sorry momma” he told her giving her a hug. “It was just a shock. I didn’t know that you were even dating anyone.”
“I hadn’t been dating anyone until after Shelby came to visit. She made me realize that you don’t need to hold your feelings inside. So I went to Cliff and talked to him. It seemed like he was always in a bad mood with me and I wanted to know why. He admitted he was attracted to me and we started to date. When you get my age son you don’t waste time” she told him.
“Mom you act like your old you’re only in your sixties.”
“That is sweet of you to say but I am getting older and I was beginning to feel it. When I started to date Cliff I felt like I was young again” she said laughing. “You seem really happy about this mom.”
“I am I think that you’re going to love him.”
“Well when exactly am I going to meet him?” he asked her. “He was going to come out with me but I told him that I wanted to tell you first by myself so he is coming in tomorrow night. He wanted to be here to celebrate Shelby’s wedding with me.”
“Great I can’t wait to meet him and I will be nice he told her.”
“You better” she said laughing at him. That night Paige went into her room and was about to lay down when her phone rang. “Hello” she said. “Hey sweetheart” Cliff said. “Hello Cliff how are you?”
“I am more worried about you, how did it go?”
“It went just fine” she told him. “Are you sure?” he asked concerned. “Yes they can’t wait to meet you and I can’t wait to see you. I have missed you today.”
“I know the feeling I have missed you also. I will be on
a flight out there in the morning. I love you Paige and I will see you soon.”
“I love you two” she said hanging up. She was about to lay down when she looked by the door and seen Shelby smiling. “I am happy for you grandma.”
“I am happy for you two. I think that Stephen will make you very happy.”
“I think so too” she told her. She gave her grandma a hug and went to her room. She thought about all the last minute things she had to get done before the wedding. She couldn’t wait to begin this journey with Stephen. She closed her eyes with a smile on her face.
CHAPTER NINE
The next day ran by fast for everyone and before Shelby knew it Stephen was dropping her off at her house. “So this is it” he told her smiling. “I can’t believe that the day is here” Shelby told him. “I know I can’t wait for tomorrow. I will never have to go to bed without you next to me for the rest of my life. I love you Shelby Ryan” he told her. “I love you two Stephen Matthews and I can’t wait to become your wife tomorrow” she told him. That night Shelby laid in bed and thought about how her life was about to change. She couldn’t wait to start this chapter of her life with Stephen. The next day everyone was rushing around to get everything ready. Shelby had just got into her wedding dress when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in” she called out. John opened the door and gasped. Shelby looked so beautiful in her wedding dress. It was a long white dress with a train and she had her veil on her. “Sweetheart you look amazing” he told her smiling. “Thanks dad” she told him. “I just wanted to talk to you before you walked down the aisle.”
“Alright” she told him. “I know that you’re about to get married and start a whole new life but I want you to remember that I am always here for you. If you ever need someone to talk to I am here.”
“Thanks daddy” she told him giving him a hug. “I have one more thing for you” he said reaching into his jacket for an envelope. “What is this?” Shelby asked him. “When your mom got sick with cancer and she realized there was nothing that they could do for her she asked me to bring her a paper and pen. She wanted to write you a letter for your wedding day.”
The Decision Page 4