My mom pushes me out of the way when he sets me down and I look around for Bryce. Sheila and Dave have him in an embrace and my breath hitches at the sight. He looks around and when his eyes lock with mine, he lets them go and stalks to me. I leap into his arms and let him spin me, holding on tight. When he sets me down, his eyes are determined and heated. He kisses me lightly and surprises me by dropping down to one knee.
The instant he hits the ground, several men around us do the same. The women in uniform stiffen and gain stance. I look around and my family surrounds me and Sheila and Dave flank Bryce’s back. Everyone stares between the two of us.
“Devon Marie Harris, I asked you a few months ago to give me a chance. To come back to me, the girl I once knew. I hurt you deeply and I’ll never be able to take that away, but I vow to always let you know how much you mean to me. The girl I learned to love as a boy has turned into the woman I love as a man. My days are brighter because you’re in my life. Will you promise to love me forever and marry me?”
Somehow through my tears, I see him pull a box out of his pocket. There’s a glare that cascades with the window light. My knees go weak but tiny hands hold my waist. Quinn.
“Yes.” I say meekly and then gain my voice. “Yes! OH MY GOD YES!”
Cheers explode around us and Bryce sinks into my waist, squeezing me so hard I may have bruises. My mom screams behind me and my dad whistles. I look slightly to the side and see Nate on his knees with wet eyes. I cry even harder.
“Jesus Christ, I’m a lucky bastard,” Bryce whispers in my ears and takes my lips softly. I get wrapped up in the kiss until I feel the metal on my finger.
I break away and look at the antique ring I admired for years on Sheila’s hand.
“Is this?”
“Yeah, it’s my grandma’s ring.” He confirms and I have a fresh set of waterworks. It’s an antique dinner ring with a diamond set in rubies, which is Bryce’s birthstone.
Quinn pulls me away and hugs me tight crying with me into my shoulder. When our eyes meet, she doesn’t look surprised.
“You knew?” I question.
“Absolutely. Do you think he was brave enough to do this without talking to me?”
I look around and everyone has the same expression. “You all knew?”Heads nod and smiles break out on their faces. Everyone swamps me in hugs and I lean into my dad the longest. When he steps back, Nate takes his place.
“I had to make sure it was okay, babe. You are only nineteen.” Bryce kisses my hair and pulls me away.
“Almost twenty, but still, how did you get my dad to approve?”
“I promised him we’d wait to actually get married after you graduated. Just didn’t mention which graduation.” He smiles slyly.
“I can’t believe this. We’re getting married. Me and you.”
“Always.” He lifts me up again but doesn’t kiss me. Instead braces me over his head and my hands rest on his shoulders. Flashes go off around us and I lose myself in the moment.
My Fairytale may just come through.
Epilogue
“Again.” Bryce demands as he glides in and out of me. I feel every inch of him hitting my sensitive flesh since he just gave me an earth-shattering orgasm two minutes ago.
“Yours, forever.” I repeat for the hundredth time since he proposed.
He takes his time building me up and I allow myself to feel the beauty of him. We got rid of the condom on the first night in Destin. He knew I was on birth control, but still insisted on condoms for extra protection. Once we hit the door to our cottage, he took me hard and fast and we both never looked back.
He picks up speed, driving into me with purpose and we moan at the same time. His mouth claims mine as he swivels his hips until I turn my head away gasping. When our eyes meet I push up into him and he lets go, taking me with him as we both yell out. His sweaty, hot body falls on top of me and I hold him close.
The surf crashes against the sand in the background and I see the light starting to peak through the windows. Seagulls fly through the air squawking and the sea breeze flies in the open windows of our room.
The two days we have been in Destin have been spent mostly in bed, reconnecting and celebrating. We’ve only left the room for showers, food, or bathroom breaks. I’m not sure we’ll even make it to the beach today.
It was a whirlwind of activity after we got engaged. My mom arranged for food to be delivered to Bryce and Nate’s apartment and we all celebrated the entire night. That evening all the secrets came out. According to Bryce, once he knew I was truly back to myself and let the darkness go from what happened, he started making plans. He talked to his parents first, then Nate. My brother told Quinn she needed to be at graduation but gave her little details until my parents knew what was going on. She suspected but promised to be quiet.
Bryce planned the elaborate proposal with the help of his ROTC class and then told my parents everything. My mom jumped for joy. My dad was harder to convince. Once Bryce promised to wait until I graduated, he relented.
Even though we were young, no one gave Bryce any flack because they all knew. We were perfect together. He made me happy. Once we finally jumped our hurdles, he held my heart forever.
I also learned it wasn’t his ROTC speech he was nervous about our first night together after six long weeks. It was his proposal speech and the elaborate display by his classmates. Apparently all the guys dropping to their knees was a sign of respect for him. This is not really a common practice but one of the guys told him about it happening before in a similar situation, and they decided to copy it.
He and Nate’s actual graduation was boring as suspected, but my mom and Sheila still cried. Quinn opted to skip it and stay locked away in a hotel with Dean, which I was jealous of. They came out to dinner to celebrate, but didn’t hang out afterwards. Dean fit into our group well, he was hilarious. Maybe it was my euphoric endorphins but I could see he and Quinn with a future.
I’m not going to lie, the highlight of my day on Bryce’s actual graduation was when Holli showed her pathetic face. She zoned in on Sheila and Dave and hugged them tight. They hugged her back uncomfortably. When she saw me, I didn’t move. But when she saw the sparking diamond, her face paled and she stuttered her congratulations. I didn’t flaunt it at all, but a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed me.
“Baby, if you’re thinking again, I obviously didn’t do that right,” Bryce interrupts my thoughts and I bite softly on his shoulder.
“I was thinking, but it was all good. You think we might actually see the beach today?”
“Yeah, babe. Let’s shower and eat. Then I’ll take my gorgeous fiancée to the beach.”
“I love the sound of that.”
He stays silent.
“Don’t you?”
“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’ll like the sound of ‘my gorgeous wife’ better.”
We get out of bed and head to the shower and my phone starts ringing. I ignore Quinn’s tone and walk into the hot water with Bryce, rubbing my body against his.
The shower takes longer than expected and when we finally get our suits on and ready for the beach I have five missed calls and a slew of texts messages. I decide to check the texts first.
Quinn: Bitch! Check your email. We were both accepted to the summer program. You have to call me soon!
Me: I just got out of shower. BRB
Quinn: You may want to lay Bryce down. This isn’t good, but amazing for our future.
My stomach drops and I sit on the arm of the sofa.
Me: Tell me!
Quinn: No—open the email.
I scroll through my email and find the message I’m looking for.
The opening is pretty generic, congratulating me on acceptance and telling me the details, including the financials and credits received. It’s not until I get to the location that my heart stops. The description of the project is outlined and my enthusiasm starts to rise. I see myself in this environment and bringing the st
ories for my future projects.
But no one is going to support this. My parents are going to have a fit and Nate will forbid. But I don’t care. My enthusiasm spikes.
I text Quinn immediately.
Me: I’m in! You?
Quinn: No doubt. But only with you. Talk to your fiancé first. Not confirming until you have his approval.
Me: I’ll be fine!
“Are you done yet?” Bryce nips my neck and stands in front of me in his swimsuit and nothing else. His chiseled chest makes me lick my lips and I almost forget my news.
“I got accepted to the programs I applied for.” I wave my phone and he takes it.
As he scrolls through the message, his expression goes from excited to shocked when he finishes and hands my phone back.
His stance gets solid and he crosses his arms across his chest, “No way! Absolutely not. You are not going to Israel! You think I’m going to let my fiancée travel to a country in absolute chaos?”
“I think you need to calm down. I’ll be with a guided troupe and we’ll be fine. It says in the email that we have designated families to interview.”
“I’m not letting the love of my life go willingly into the Middle East? No! Over my dead fucking body.”
My mind rages. There’s no way I’m giving up this opportunity. He may think he’s dealing with the sweet and sassy Devon, but he’s wrong. This is a chance that could shape my future. I may love this man with all my heart, but I’m going to Israel, with or without his support.
Game On…
~~~~~
Readers,
Bryce and Devon’s story is far from over. Their journey to forever will be filled with love, hope, and growth. These two will have to navigate through tough times and face hard decisions. Please watch for Staying on Course, due in Spring 2015.
Thank you for taking the time to read about these two young lovers and how they found their way.
Acknowledgements
It is an honor to be included in this box set with such amazing authors. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this.
My amazing beta readers came through once again. Amber, Evette, Rosanna, Erica, and Amy- thank you. This was a new journey for me and you helped me more than you’ll ever know.
Anna, Thank you for stepping in at a moments notice. Even with all you had going on, you made time to help sculpt my words. I do believe, I’m never letting you go.
As always to my family, I know how focused I become when diving into a new project. You’ve always supported me without bounds. Thank you so much. I love you.
Other Books by Ahren Sanders
Surrender Series:
Surrendering (Surrender #1) - http://amzn.to/1JV09hN
Surviving (Surrender #2) - http://amzn.to/1wuHseQ
Standalones:
Reed's Reckoning - http://amzn.to/17Dyi46
Smokescreen - http://amzn.to/1ARuLJB
Meet The Author
Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. They have one amazing daughter.
Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot of time at the beach, which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand. I started writing my Surrender Series, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. Throughout this year, I have been privileged to meet some amazing people that I am thankful to have in my life.
Visit me online:
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Finding Our Way Page 12