Seventeen Days

by D. B. James

  Jacques finished her ring last week and sent me over a few pictures of it. I’m not ashamed to admit I cried when I saw it. I’m positive I’ll cry when I pick it up tomorrow.

  She’s spending the day with Savannah shopping, providing the perfect time for me to ask Julian for her hand. It’s also the perfect time to pick up her ring. Maybe Julian will go with me.

  “Julian was sending a car to pick us up. Why don’t you ladies try and find the driver while I grab our luggage?” I’m positive I’ll need a cart to get it all to the car. These ladies know how to pack. Shit, it’ll only be worse when we leave since Savannah is a shopper. Deep down Red is too. She doesn’t like to admit it, but she enjoys shopping almost as much as her aunt.

  “If you insist, we can do that,” Savannah says.

  “No, I can help you. You shouldn’t have to get all of our things. We can help.”

  “Babe, I know you can help but I want to do this for you. It’s been a long day.” Bending, I place a kiss on her forehead.

  “Yeah, and I mostly slept on the plane. Every time I woke up, you were awake. Watching Sam and Dean kick major demon ass. Why don’t you go find the driver and we can grab the luggage?”

  She has a point; she was sleeping while I stayed awake.

  “Does it count if it was the same episode on repeat? Because it was. I had to keep restarting it because I’d get sidetracked by staring at you sleeping and miss what was going on. Every single time. Basically what I’m saying is, I still need to watch the episode.”

  Laughing, she gently smacks my ass. “Go grab the bags. We’ll go find the driver.”

  She’s got a thing for my ass. Not that I can blame her, it’s a stellar ass.

  “What would you like to do today, Harrison? We’re supposed to spend the day exploring, correct? Do you still have Christmas gifts to buy?” Julian asks me over coffee the following morning.

  “Funny you should ask.” Clasping my hands together and taking a deep breath, I continue, “Um, I uh … have something to ask you. And if it’s okay, I have somewhere I’d like you to go with me afterwards. But other than the one place, we can do whatever. You can show me more of your beautiful city.”

  Fuck, I’m nervous, and I haven’t even asked him yet. Man up, Harrison.

  “Well, what do you have to ask, son? Surely, I can take you wherever it is you’d like to go. Morgan will be back around dinner time, yes? Savannah is joining us tonight unless I’m mistaken?”

  “Y-Yes. To most of those questions. Shit. I’m nervous, Julian, I apologize ahead of time. What I want to ask you is important. It’s a question I hope to ask only once in my life, which is why I’m so nervous.” Great, now I’m rambling. He probably thinks I’m a giant jackass on top of whatever else he thinks of me.

  “Ask it already, son. It’s easier if you spit it out, trust me.” Is he laughing at me? He’s laughing at me. It’s amusement I see in his eyes. Eyes the exact shade of Morgan’s.

  “I’d love for nothing more than to have your blessing in asking for Morgan’s hand in marriage.” There I did it. Spit it out like he said to do. No taking it back now. Fuck me. What if he tells me no, how would I deal with that? Could I live with asking for her hand knowing I’d be doing so without her father’s blessing?

  “Yes, you may marry my daughter. I’ve known since the moment I met you, you’d eventually work up the nerve to ask me for her hand. I could see how much you loved her months ago, and you only knew her for days at the time. You’re like two stars colliding. The air is combustible when the two of you are together in the same room. I’ve only had to witness it myself for a moment to know you’re meant to be. Fate has brought you two together. My answer is, yes.”

  Did I hear him correctly? He said yes, right?

  “Come again? I’m almost positive you said yes, but I’m also positive I’m still in bed dreaming. I’d pinch myself but already tried.” Twice, but he doesn’t need to know that. Hurt like a bitch, too.

  “Yes, son. My answer was and shall remain one-hundred-percent yes.”

  I guess I did hear him right the first time. And to think I was nervous to ask him. turns out I was nervous for nothing. So maybe I shouldn’t have spiked my coffee?

  “Phew. Now, one more thing, will you go with me to pick up her ring?”

  Taking another drink of my whiskey, err … coffee, I nearly spit it out when he all but shouts, “You haven’t gotten her a ring yet, but you asked me for her hand?”

  Hold up, never said I didn’t have a ring. We only need to go pick it up.

  “Oh, I have a ring for her. It’s been commissioned for months. The designer finished it last week. He’s here in Paris. Last time we were here, I hired him. He flew to Alabama to meet with me and go over final designs, I put down a payment and now it’s ready to be picked up.” It’s fucking perfect too. Exactly like I dreamt it would be. “Wait till you see it. It’s stunning. Nothing less should be put upon her finger. My mother’s ring is attached to it, and it weaves into the band itself. It’s absolutely perfect, Julian.”

  “Come on, son, finish your cup of whiskey and let’s go get this perfect ring.”

  Shit, maybe I wasn’t hiding the fact my coffee was spiked as well as I thought I was.

  Julian cried when he saw her ring, too. We looked like two emotional idiots in Jacques shop but we didn’t give a shit. The ring is exquisite. It’s nothing short of perfection. Only the best for my woman.

  Now it’s burning a hole in my pocket.

  I’m not sure if I can wait to ask her until tomorrow. Julian says I should ask her at dinner tonight, since we’re all going to be together. He does have a valid point. Otherwise, I may blurt it out in bed tonight, like I did the day in the grocery store. And she’ll think it’s a joke and I’m not serious.

  After a couple of months, people stopped asking when we were due. They must’ve figured out Jess was full of shit and Morgan wasn’t pregnant. Not like we would’ve cared if she was. Can you imagine little red-headed princesses running around chasing Dog?

  When I paid Jacques, Julian about had a heart attack, I’m not kidding. He was hyperventilating. He told me he paid less than seven-hundred dollars for Savannah’s ring, and I told him it was probably the real reason why she divorced him. He didn’t laugh. Tough crowd. This coming from the guy who paid what I’m sure to be a solid six figures for his car. My paying close to that on a ring for his daughter shouldn’t surprise him. She’s worth it. She’s worth the world to me.

  “Did you make reservations for dinner tonight or are we staying in?” I ask as we exit Jacques shop. If he didn’t make plans, maybe I will. Although, asking Morgan in public probably isn’t such a good idea. Originally I planned on asking her in the morning when Savannah joined us for breakfast. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve so it would give us all the more reason to celebrate if I did stick to my original plans.

  “We have reservations for this evening at seven. We can cancel those if you like and always stay in. I’m sure that’d be fine as well. Whatever you’d like to do, son.” It feels nice to have someone call me son again. It’s been years since anyone has done so. If tears weren’t already gathering in my eyes, thinking about my parents on a day as special as today, him calling me son would have put them there.

  “It’s been awhile since I’ve been called ‘son’. It feels oddly good, it makes my heart feel like it’s being squeezed too tightly, but not in a bad way.”

  “I’m sorry. Don’t take my apology in a negative light. I’m sorry no one is around to call you ‘son’. From what I know of you, you’re an amazing young man. One who’s deserving of respect and love.”

  Swallowing the lump that has formed in my throat, I change the subject. “How about we pick-up a few things for dinner, finger foods and such? A few bottles of wine and candles. If I’m asking her tonight, I don’t want to do it in public. Low key is more her style. Besides, it’ll be more romantic this way. If I wait till tomorrow, I’ll end up ruining it tonight an
d blurting it out. This ring is already weighing me down.” In the best possible way.

  “Then it’s what we’ll do,” he replies as he leads me to the nearest wine store.

  When Morgan and Savannah walk into Julian’s penthouse a few hours later, the whole place is lit only by candlelight. It’s a fucking fairytale come to life. My baby deserves no less.

  “If I didn’t pass my dad in the lobby, I’d swear we’re in the wrong place,” she says to Savannah while walking into the entryway. Julian left a moment ago to grab another bottle of wine. We picked up four bottles, but he didn’t think we grabbed enough. He claims we missed a blush, whatever the hell he means by that, I haven’t a clue. Wine is wine to me.

  “It’s the right place, babe. We decided to stay in tonight and us guys thought candlelight set the mood. We’re dining on simple things. Wine, cheese, hummus, veggies, pita chips, eggplant. In other words, ‘chick food’. Julian ran out to grab another bottle of wine really quick. Did you ladies have fun today?”

  She runs to me, grabs me by the waist, reaches up, and plants a loud smack onto my lips.

  “Awe, you bought me eggplant. How sweet of you.” If she only knew what else I bought her today.

  “Yes, it was sweet of me. There’s also pizza in the oven,” I reply with a smirk. And it’s loaded with meat. Man food to balance out all the veggies.

  “We had a blast today. For once, though, Aunt Savannah didn’t wear me out. My feet will live to see another day!”

  Running my fingers through her hair, I stare down into her emerald depths. “Admit it, you love shopping as much as your aunt.”

  “I do,” she whispers and winks.

  Those two words feel like a vice grip on my heart. I do.

  “I’m going to go toss all my purchases into the bedroom, I’ll be right back.”

  Making sure she’s out of earshot and can’t hear me, I say, “Savannah, tonight's the night.” Hoping she’ll get my meaning without my having to say anything else. Her eyes go wide with shock. Good, she knows exactly what I mean.

  Julian enters the apartment as Morgan is walking back into the living area from the bedroom. “Hey, Dad, how was your day with Harrison? Did you two do anything exciting?”

  “Oh, yes, we did. We managed to get in last minute shopping and picked up a few things for dinner. May I offer anyone a glass of wine?” he says while exiting to the kitchen.

  “I think we all could use a glass of wine. We all have things to celebrate, after all. Morgan starting school, my business having a successful expansion, Savannah and you being in the same place. What’s not to toast?”

  “Oh, okay. What would everyone like? We have a sweet white, a dry white, a blush, a dry red and a sweet red?”

  Morgan and Savannah both answer, “Sweet white,” at the same time. You can tell they’re related in all the little things they do.

  “Whatever you’re having, Julian,” I say. When it comes to wine, I don’t care either way.

  He comes back into the living room balancing four wine glasses. Once everyone has a glass, we toast to Paris. Guess no one wanted to toast to my idea. Like I said before, tough crowd. Not wanting to wait another minute, I slide down from the couch and get down on one knee in front of Morgan. Once she notices, the only thing that comes out of her mouth is, “Oh shit.” Which causes me to smile even bigger than I already was.

  “Morgana Elizabeth Young, since the day we met, I’ve loved you. My world was dull and colorless, but one glance into your emerald eyes, and suddenly, I could see the beauty all around me. When my parents died, things ceased to exist for me. Feelings ceased to exist. My heart was frozen. One gaze from you and it started to unthaw. The day I hired you was the day I knew I’d never let you leave my life. When you opened up to me and told me your secrets, I told you you’d always be safe with me. You are. I’ll always be your safe harbor. Your gold at the end of every rainbow. I’ll give you the world, hell you are my world. You were always destined to be mine. And I, yours. Make me the happiest man on earth and be mine forever. Will you marry me, Red?

  “Yes, Harrison, I’ll marry you. A million times, yes.”

  Today, I walk down an aisle toward my future.

  One step at a time holding onto the arm of my father.

  To the march walked to by millions of people before me.

  It’s beautiful and timeless.

  Only my aisle isn’t in a church.

  It’s on a beach full of sugar white sand.

  I’m not wearing white; my dress is the color of the sugar sand around my bare feet.

  The seats are filled with the people I love the most.

  There may not be hundreds of them or paparazzi cameras, but they’re filled with the only people who matter to me. My new family. The people I have chosen to be in my life.

  There’s no Sienna, she's out of my life forever. Julian has made sure of it. A few months ago, I finally opened up to him, and he threatened her with a very public trial. She agreed to an out of court settlement. I'm now a very well off college student, one who will never yearn for anything ever again. As part of the settlement she's to never have contact with me unless I contact her first. Since it'll never happen, she's gone. Surprisingly, it doesn't bother me one bit.

  As for Amanda, last I heard she was on her second stay in rehab for crystal meth and was kicked out of Columbia after only one semester. And Celene, she's on track to follow in Amanda’s footsteps. I'm incredibly blessed to not have them and their toxins in my life any longer.

  Today, I walk toward the only man I’ll ever love and pledge to share my life with him.

  He dared me to love him within seventeen days.

  It took me less than seventeen hours.

  Today, we become one.

  Today, I become Mrs. Morgana Elizabeth Montgomery.

  Forever.

  THE END

  So, here we are… my first ever acknowledgments in a book! Is this real life? Quick someone pinch me; I’ve got to be dreaming.

  When I was in high school, I had dreams of becoming a superstar. No really. I was focused on singing. 100% completely focused on singing. The only other thing in my life that mattered was my senior English class. Why? Because my teacher that year focused on creative writing. When I wasn’t on the stage that year, I was writing for class. Singing, performing, drama, plays, writing, reading… that was my life my senior year in high school. I won awards for my singing and was chosen as 1 of 2 to represent my state in a National Honors Chorus and travel aboard. What I’m trying to get at is this, writing become second nature to me that year. It was another creative outlet for me that I was surprisingly good at. That year a new test was given statewide and it focused on writing. Normally I dreaded tests of any kind, but not this one. I wanted to take this test. Guess what? When the results came in, I was placed in the top 2% of the state for writing. After graduation, my life took all sorts of twists and turns and creativity took a back seat for a few years. Concert photography brought back my creative outlet about 10 years ago. When life threw me yet another curveball, I decided to open up a Google Doc and start writing. For myself. Not caring if anyone would ever see my words. I wrote Morgan & Harrison for me. As an outlet to escape the bars that real life had placed around me. If I could escape into my own little world for a few hours a night, it made me happy. And for that, I’m thankful. And I’m grateful for you. The reader. For actually taking the time to give my words a chance to take you away from your own life for a little while.

  My parents. For giving me everything. For not being like Sienna. For always believing in me and my dreams. If it was painting sets for my senior year musical or attending every choir concert, you both have always been there for me. No matter what life throws at me, you’re there. I love you.

  Megan Gunter. Your friendship means the world to me. You’re not only my friend, you’re like a sister to me. When you came into my life a little over 2 years ago, I never would’ve guessed that we would have the bond th
at we do. I’m thankful for you every single day. We’re as different as we are the same. I love you. Thank you for always encouraging me.

  Dawn Billings. Lady! I love you so hard. Again, when you came into my life, I never imagined that we’d have the bond that we do. (And we’ve never met in real life!) Thank you for being a part of my journey. Thank you for being you. Never change. I love you just the way you are.

  Dawn Ramkissoon, I love you.

  All my beta-readers. THANK YOU! The early betas tore me apart, and I needed that. You’ve helped me grow as a writer.

  BookSwap! You assholes bring sunshine into my life on the darkest days. We may be a “book” group but let’s face it, when do we ever post about books? You’re daily posts about random shit are the highlight of my day. You ladies (and Cody!) are simply, amazing. You’re the best assholes in the world. Thank you for giving me the nickname to which I write by. ;)

  Colleen Hoover. What can I say to you that hasn’t been said before? I’ve thanked you countless times for the friendships that you’ve unknowingly brought into my life, and you’ve shaken those thanks off. I know how you are about feelings of any kind so… I hate you. I love you. You’re horrible. You’re wonderful. You’re books suck, never write another word. Please never stop. In all seriousness never stop being you. You’re perfect the way you are. I and love and you. <3

  D.B. James is an indie author of New Adult Romance. Seventeen Days is her debut novel. In her spare time, she's an avid reader. Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher, Teagan Hunter, KA Tucker, Linda Kage, Renee Carlino, and Abbi Glines are a few of her obsessions. She is a mother to one spoiled rotten fur-baby named Frasier. He’s a bi-colored Persian cat, who thinks he’s royalty and can’t be told otherwise. She's a Michigan girl through and through but currently resides in sunny Florida. Sarcasm, Supernatural (team Sam!), Harry Potter and coffee are among her favorite things.