by Liwen Ho
All those times when she had come home to find Ben waiting up for her, never once had he yelled at her. He was just relieved she had come home. Seeing God’s love manifested in such a way through her brother eventually broke down the walls she had built around herself. She had received such grace and acceptance in her life, wasn’t it her turn to give it as well?
Truth be told, Jeremy was still the same man she had fallen for despite his history.
And maybe even because of it.
The tenderness with which he listened to her; the effort he made in putting her needs above his own; the ways in which he believed in her more than she believed in herself…
Could these very aspects of Jeremy that had drawn her to him be a result of the life lessons he had learned over the last dozen years?
Quite possibly so.
Jeremy’s desire to settle down was evident in his actions; she could see it clearly now. Gone was the teenage boy who once thrived on being the center of attention. Gone was the college kid who spent his days and nights recklessly. Gone was the guy who lived moment to moment in order to fulfill his own needs.
In their place was a man who understood the value of commitment, the internal beauty and worth of a woman, and the cost of following the Giver of all good things.
This was the man she trusted, looked up to, and loved.
“Thanks, Mel.” Ashlynn exhaled slowly, finally feeling a bit more hopeful than she had in a long while. “I know what to do now.”
Melanie smiled. She could see Ashlynn’s expression softening and life returning to her eyes. “Good. Tell Jeremy to come over for dinner this week. I’ll make the fried rice cakes he likes so much.” She gestured to the plate of food on the desk. “Now, hurry and eat your dinner before it gets cold.” She hugged Ashlynn and left the room.
Ashlynn took the paper that had been under her textbook. She had found it that afternoon while digging around in her purse for an old receipt.
Even though she had made it clear to Jeremy that she wanted some space, she had still been disappointed he hadn’t made an effort to contact her. But reading his letter today, she understood he had been waiting for her to make the first move. She clutched the paper tightly as she reread the words.
Dear Ashlynn,
I’m watching you sleep next to me now on the plane and the way you look, so peaceful and relaxed, makes me happy. Maybe that’s why I like watching movies with you because you always end up with your head on my shoulder. Those are the times when I feel like I can protect you from all the stresses of work and school just by sitting beside you and letting you lean on me. But I realize now that there are things I can’t shield you from. One of those things is my past.
I am so sorry. I wish I had met you all those years ago and maybe I wouldn’t have made the mistakes I made. You have made me the happiest guy. If you let me, I will spend every day treasuring you for the precious gift that you are.
I will be hoping and praying to hear from you. I love you.
Jeremy
She traced her index finger over Jeremy’s name. It had been over a week since she had seen him or heard his voice. She missed him so much. Her insides squeezed tight as she remembered how lost he had looked when they parted ways at the airport. She had hurt him with her silence and distance. She hoped it wasn’t too late for her to tell him how much he meant to her. She said a quick prayer and picked up her phone.
As her fingers began dialing his number, she heard the doorbell ring.
“Ashlynn.” She heard Ben calling her from the first floor. “There’s someone here to see you.”
She hung up the call on the second ring and threw the phone onto her bed. She walked downstairs and saw her brother at the foot of the stairs with a puzzled look on his face. He muttered under his breath. “Why is he back?”
The figure that emerged from the doorway was the last person she expected to see.
FOURTEEN
“Hi Ashlynn.” The deep voice came from a man with a sheepish grin and dark brown eyes.
Was this for real? Mr. It’s-Not-You-It’s-Me was at her house.
“Derrick? What are you doing here?”
“I came to bring you these.” He handed her a small bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers. “And to hopefully get a chance to talk to you.”
“Um, thanks. Come in.”
Ben shook his head in wonder and closed the door. “I’ll be in the study if you need anything, Ash.” He flexed his arm muscles. “Anything at all.”
“Ben, I got it,” she replied as she gestured for him to leave.
The two of them stood awkwardly in the foyer for a moment until Derrick broke the silence. “So, how are you, Ashlynn?”
“I’m fine. You?”
“Good. Thank you for being willing to talk.”
“Sure, why don’t we sit down.” She directed him to the couches in the living room and placed the flowers on the coffee table.
Derrick cleared his throat. “First of all, the reason I’m here is because I want to apologize. I’m sorry I was a jerk the last time we went out. I’m also sorry for ending things the way I did. It was wrong of me to treat you that way. I realize that now.”
Ashlynn’s eyes widened in surprise. This was the humble and sweet guy she had fallen for originally. She was glad to see him resurface, even if it was many months too late. “Oh, thanks. I really appreciate that. Apology accepted. If you don’t mind me asking, what changed?”
“I, uh, I think it finally hit me that I was being the guy I kept warning my younger sisters about. And I didn’t want to be that guy anymore.”
“I’m impressed you realized that. Your sisters are lucky to have you watch out for them.”
“Yeah, well, they teach me a lot, too.” He sat up straight with a hesitant smile. “I really enjoyed spending time with you, Ashlynn. You’re someone I respect, and I think we got along well, and … what I’m trying to say is, I was wondering if you would give me another chance?”
“Another chance?” Ashlynn repeated in surprise. “As in dating each other again?”
“Yes. But this time with more patience on my part.”
Ashlynn saw the sincerity in Derrick’s eyes and she had to admit she was touched by his change of heart. Here was a guy who had slipped up a little, but was now mending his ways. And the best part was that he was offering her a relationship with minimal baggage. That was what she had wanted all along … or was it? “Listen, Derrick, I hope you understand that this isn’t about you. You’re a great person who will be a great boyfriend for someone someday. But I already found the right guy for me. And I really have to thank you for breaking up with me when you did or else I may not have found him.”
“Uh, okay, this is not at all how I thought things would work out,” he stated with disappointment.
“Well, sometimes things really don’t turn out the way we had hoped for, but I’m learning that it can be for the best. We can never imagine how God might use the broken things in our lives to make us whole.” Ashlynn spoke these words out loud more for her sake than Derrick’s. She was finally able to see the evidences of God’s goodness at work in her life. “I really hope things will work out for you, too.”
“I guess I should be happy my mistake led to your happiness. I really am glad you’re happy.”
“Thanks, Derrick.”
The doorbell rang again, and they heard Ben call out from the other room, “I’ll get it.”
A moment later he stuck his head in the living room. “Okay, this night is getting more interesting by the minute. Ash, there’s someone else here for you.”
Ashlynn stood up with a puzzled look on her face. “I’ll be right back.”
She walked into the front hallway and stopped in her tracks. The man before her was the very person she wanted to see. “Jeremy! What are you doing here?”
Jeremy’s blue eyes were dark with worry. “I missed your phone call. I called you back a couple of times, but you didn’t answer. Then
I called the store to see if you were there, but Zoe said you had the night off. I was worried when I couldn’t reach you. Are you okay?”
Her face brightened at the sight of him. “I’m good, actually great now that you’re here. I didn’t mean to worry you. I left my phone upstairs so I didn’t hear it ring. I was going to call you again after …” Her voice trailed off when Derrick entered the hall. She saw Jeremy’s jaw tighten. “Jeremy, this is Derrick. He just dropped by. Derrick, this is my boyfriend, Jeremy.”
Derrick ducked his head as he hurried toward the front door. “I was just on my way out. Nice to meet you. I’ll see you around, Ashlynn.”
“Thanks again for the flowers,” she called out as she closed the door behind him. She turned to face Jeremy. “You’re probably wondering who that was.”
“You read my mind.”
“Remember the guy I told you about who broke up with me the day we met? That was him.”
“Alright. But that doesn’t explain what he was doing here.”
“He came to apologize for ending things on a bad note. And to ask for another chance.”
“I see. I appreciate the first part, not so much the second.”
“Don’t worry, Jeremy, I told him I was taken.” She stepped closer to him. “I was also going to tell him before you showed up that I care about my boyfriend very much and I’m so sorry I shut him out this past week.” She reached out and took his hand. “I missed you so much.”
Relief crossed his face. “I’ve missed you, too.” Jeremy pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her.
She breathed in the familiar, masculine scent of him, one she had missed for too long. She closed her eyes and exhaled. “Can we talk?”
“Of course. I’ve been waiting to talk to you.”
They headed to the living room and sat down.
“Let me start first,” Ashlynn said with a coy smile. “Thank you for your letter. I finally found it today.”
“Today? No wonder it took you so long.” He had been trying to be patient about giving Ashlynn time and space to think. But in all honesty, if she hadn’t contacted him in another day, he would have reached out to her first. “I’m glad you decided to call. Judging by what Zoe told me though, I should have called you sooner.”
“What did she say?”
“That Mopey and Dopey had made their appearances already and she was waiting for the other five dwarves to show up. And Prince Charming had better make things right with his princess or else she would have to dig up her slippers … or was it sneakers? She lost me on that last bit.”
Ashlynn laughed. “Stilettos maybe? It’s a long story.” Her expression suddenly grew serious. “You know what, I’ve had it wrong all this time. I got so caught up with fairy tales and armor and horses that I forgot the most important part of the story - the knight’s heart. It’s not what the armor looks like, but what lies beneath it.” She paused her rambling when she noticed the confused look on Jeremy’s face.
“I don’t think I follow. Are you talking about a new Disney movie?”
“Nevermind all that,” she answered with a grin. “All you need to know is that I love you. I love and accept every part of you.”
“Are you sure about this? About us?”
“Yes, I’m sure now.” She looked at him with hopeful eyes. “There was a time after my parents died when I really doubted God and started questioning whether He had the best in store for me. I didn’t see how anything good could come my way after losing the two people in the world that I loved the most. But I’m finally seeing that He does work everything together for good. I just had to learn to hold His hand and walk through the darkness and trust that He knew where we were going. And He brought me to you. The more I get to know you, the more I see of your heart. And it’s like seeing a piece of God’s heart for me. I know without a doubt that He has the best in mind for me.”
Jeremy’s face broke into a wide smile. Ashlynn’s words meant the world to him. He knew what he wanted and needed to do in that moment. “I have something for you. Hold on a minute.” He went out to his car and returned with a black case. He took a guitar from the case and placed the strap over his shoulder.
Ashlynn looked up in surprise. Had Jeremy picked up a new hobby? “When did you learn to play the guitar?”
“This past week. Bobby lent it to me and taught me some chords. The rest I learned on the web.” He took out several pages of sheet music and lay them on the table. His pulse quickened as his nerves took over, but one look at Ashlynn calmed his heart. Her eyes were so kind and accepting that he immediately felt at ease. He began strumming some chords slowly as he tapped the rhythm out with his foot. “I’m sure you’ll recognize this song.”
A slow smile spread over Ashlynn’s face as she heard the familiar tune of God Bless the Broken Road. She watched Jeremy as he sang and was moved by the depth of emotion that poured out on his face. When he finished, she held him in a long embrace. Ashlynn couldn’t believe how well this song suited them. She could see it now, could understand the plan God had laid out for their lives. “That was beautiful. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Jeremy set the guitar down on the floor next to him. He took out a small black velvet box from his jacket pocket and swallowed slowly. He had been holding onto the box every day this week, hoping he would still have a chance to give it to Ashlynn. He turned to her, his throat suddenly dry. He hadn’t planned for things to happen this way, but he had never been so sure of anything in his life. He didn’t want to lose another minute. He knelt down by the couch and faced her. “Ashlynn…”
Ashlynn’s eyes grew round as she began to realize what was about to take place. Her heart began pounding in anticipation.
“Ash, I wasted so much time trying to find my way to you. I didn’t know how lost I would get in the process, but somehow God was gracious enough to redirect me. And I am grateful every day that the broken road I was on led me straight to you. What we have is amazing, beyond anything I could have imagined. You love and accept me and believe in me so deeply.”
Ashlynn held her breath as she listened. The sheen on his bright eyes caused a tear to fall from hers.
“I spent this week pleading with God. Each day that passed reaffirmed how much richer my life has been with you in it, and how much I would be losing if I lost you. I don’t want to live a day longer in uncertainty. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, loving you as best as I can. Ashlynn Joy Peters, will you marry me?” Jeremy opened the box to reveal a one carat diamond set in a platinum band laid out with smaller diamonds. The band began as two separate ones, overlapping one another before melding together near the bottom to form a singular path. It symbolized so perfectly how the two roads of their lives had converged into one.
Ashlynn blinked her eyes several times. This is really happening! Since she was a little girl, she had dreamed about the day of her proposal, but reality was even sweeter than her imagination. Here was a man who desired her and treasured her beyond himself. She choked back emotions of disbelief and awe as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes traveled from the ring to Jeremy’s face and she felt her heart soar to new heights of joy. “Yes. Yes!”
Jeremy took the ring and placed it on her finger. The stone sparkled and shone as brightly as their faces. “Thank you. You’ve made me the happiest man on earth.” He cupped her chin with his hand and kissed her lips gently. They embraced and sat together savoring the moment.
Ashlynn’s head spun with a dozen questions. Engaged, we’re engaged? She looked Jeremy in the eyes and grinned. “This ring is beautiful. How … when …?
Jeremy chuckled at her dazed look. “I surprised you, didn’t I?”
“Surprised is putting it mildly. When did you plan this?”
“Our last night in Boston.”
“Wait, the night we had the big blowup and I told you I needed some space?”
“Yes, that night. You know the next morning when I went out with Chris to s
hoot some hoops? We made a detour to the jewelry store. I’ve been holding onto the ring ever since and praying you’d give me a chance to give it to you. I was going to plan something more elaborate, but I didn’t want to wait any longer. I hope this is okay.”
“It’s more than okay. It’s amazing. Of all the days for you to propose, you couldn’t have picked a better day. Today is my parents’ anniversary. For the past ten years it’s been the worst day of the year for me. But you’ve given it a new meaning and a new memory. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“Now it makes sense why Ben said you might cry more than usual if I proposed on January 3rd. I assumed they would be happy tears.”
“You assumed right. So you talked to Ben about this? When did that happen?”
“Remember that very important call I had to take at the airport? I had texted Ben and asked him to call me as soon as he could. I probably should have clarified that important didn’t mean an emergency. It took me a couple of minutes to calm him down and reassure him everything was okay and you were safe. Then he got worked up again when he figured out the reason I was calling. But no worries, both he and Melanie gave their blessings.”
“You survived his interrogation, did you?”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “I have my ways of convincing people.”
Ashlynn thought for a moment. “And a lot of confidence, too. You bought a ring, then learned how to play the guitar even when you didn’t know for sure when I’d talk to you again. How did you know I would come around?”
“I didn’t know for sure, but I was willing to take my chances. I wasn’t ready to give up on us. If anything, I was more motivated than ever to show you I was serious about you, about us.” Jeremy tipped her chin up with his index finger. “And I remembered what someone very wise once told me. Everyone deserves a happy ending. I just kept hoping for mine.”
“Sounds like you’re becoming quite the romantic, Jeremy Adams.”