by Kandi Jaynes
As she hiked the large potted plant into the elevator, she smiled. She would leave the plant and tell him she would be willing to help him keep it alive if he wanted. Wondering if she had the courage to actually say the 'L' word out loud, she stepped off the elevator and unlocked the door.
The plant slipped, and in the process of trying to catch it, she knocked the door open.
Inside stood a woman in a peach silk robe. Dark brown hair floated around her shoulders. Startled, the woman squealed, bringing a slim hand with long bright red nails up to her face.
Drake came into the room, wearing only a pair of jeans and drying his hair with a bath towel.
"What's all the commotion?"
Stunned, Kate dropped the plant and ran for the stairs. Drake pulled the towel from his face just in time to see her turn and leave.
Kate got in her car and just drove. She cried so hard she didn't know how she managed to stay on the road. She had been so afraid this would happen. That someday she would convince herself someone could love her, then have the rug yanked out from under her. She had managed to avoid this type of pain her entire adult life. She had accepted how things were years ago, how could she be so stupid? Again?
Hours later, she ended up at her cousin Cheryl's house. Her face swollen and red. She didn't tell Cheryl the whole story and knew she wouldn't ask. Kate just needed a place to stay where Drake couldn't find her. After spending the rest of that day and all of the next taking long walks and crying, Kate knew it was time to go home.
It was almost one in the morning when she pulled into her drive. Kelsie's car was sitting in front of the house; she was relieved it wasn't Drake's. She dragged herself out of the car. As she entered the house, Kelsie met her at the door. "It's about time you got here. Where have you been? We've all been worried sick."
"I've been at Cheryl's."
"Drake left about an hour ago. I convinced him he should go get some sleep. He was going to camp here until you returned, but he has to be at work tomorrow to update them on the situation in Europe."
Kate breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to face him tonight. She'd call in and take tomorrow off. Even if Drake wasn't going to be there she was in no shape to work. At this point she still didn't know what she was going to do about her job. She just didn't think she could continue working there knowing she would have to face him day after day. There were other orthopedic companies in town. She had enough experience, she could probably find another job fairly quickly.
Kelsie smiled at her. "You really are a mess, aren't you?"
"Thanks for noticing." Kate said, dropping onto the couch.
"Are you ready to put yourself out of this misery yet and tell him you love him?"
Kate glared at her, too tired for any more tears. "It's a little late for that now."
Kelsie's voice softened. "Do you really think Drake's the type of guy who would spend so much time with you while sleeping with another woman?"
A tear slipped down Kate's cheek. "I didn't think he was but...." she didn't finish, just shrugged a shoulder.
Kelsie rested a hand on Kate's arm and slowly explained. "Kate, the woman you saw in Drake's apartment was his sister."
Kate's head slowly lifted and she looked at her friend. "His sister?"
"Yes, his sister. He called his parents from Europe and discovered she was going to be flying into the same airport the same day he was, only much earlier. He was able to book an earlier flight to meet her. He told his family about you and they're all eager to meet you. Drake and his sister rented a car in Detroit and drove here because it was going to be quicker than waiting on the next flight to Fort Wayne. They were tired when they got back so after a short rest they were getting cleaned up to come and see you when you walked in, Kelsie said. "I've met Wendy, she's really nice and feels terrible about the misunderstanding. You startled her, then ran away before she could explain who she was. She had to leave this afternoon."
Kate dropped her head in her hands. "I'm such an idiot." She burst into tears, surprised she had any left. "Do you think he'll forgive me for being so stupid?"
Kelsie laughed, "I don't think that'll be a problem." She patted Kate's shoulder. "Why don't you go get some sleep. I'll call the others and let them know you're okay."
"Thanks." Kate didn't have the energy to get up. She just kicked her shoes off and fell sideways on the sofa.
Before Kelsie left, she said, "I don't know if Drake will be able to call you anytime soon. He said he had meetings all day tomorrow. Anything else he could put off, but the damage was pretty extensive over there and needs immediate attention."
"I understand. Maybe that's good. It will give me more time to figure out how to apologize for making such a huge mistake."
*****
The next morning, Drake was frantic. He had been so tired he slept through his alarm and was now running half an hour late. He tried to call Kate during the drive to work, but she didn't answer. He did manage to reach Kelsie. He at least knew Kate was home and she knew about his sister, but he wouldn't feel completely relieved until he talked to her himself.
By three-thirty, Drake was at his wits' end. He had been hustled from one conference room to another all day, having to recite facts, figures, and projections when all he wanted to do was talk to Kate. Having been told she called in for a vacation day, he was back to being frantic. He tried to call her during his short lunch break, but again there was no answer.
He looked at his watch again, only five minutes since the last time he checked. He tapped the crystal, wondering if the battery was getting low and it was losing time.
Bill noticed the gesture. "I think we could all use a break. Why don't we all stretch our legs a little?"
Drake stood immediately. He left the room so quickly he almost knocked down the lobby receptionist. "I'm sorry, Cindy. Wow, that's quite a load you have there."
She grinned, "Yes, it is, Mr. Hampton. And it's for you."
He stood dumbstruck staring at her. "Me?"
"Yes. Here you go." She handed him a large vase with what looked to be two dozen roses and a small white box with a silver ribbon.
"I... thanks." he stammered. Bill was the only one left in the conference room. Drake stepped in and set the flowers down. Opening the small white box, he saw a note on top tissue paper. He unfolded it and read, This is to apologize for being such an idiot. Hopefully, this will tell you how sorry I truly am. Kate
Drake pulled back the tissue and grinned. The box was full of white chocolate. He set it down and removed the larger than standard card from the flowers. When he pulled it from the envelope a small object wrapped in tissue paper fell out. He caught it and read the card. I'm hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me for all that I've put you trough. On the chance that you haven't given up on me completely, I wanted to make sure you had a way to find me so I can finally tell you how I feel about you. She knows the way home, Kate.
He slowly unwrapped the small object to find a well-worn key with a mustang emblem on it. He threw his head back and yelled, "Yes!"
Bill jumped slightly, then laughed. "Good news?"
"Bill, I know these meetings are important, but you're going to have to do the last one without me. Right now there's a much more important proposal I need to take care of."
Bill slapped him on the shoulder. "Congratulations! You go right ahead. I'll finish up here. Tell Kate I'm happy for you both."
"Thanks, Bill."
*****
Kate had been pacing the floor for the last hour. Looking at the clock with every pass. Had he gotten them yet? Would he come over? Would he listen to her if he did? Had he given up on her? The questions were endless, and about to drive Kate insane.
Finally, she heard her car come up the drive. Her whole body began to tremble.
Drake didn't bother to knock. He pushed open the front door. She stood with her arms wrapped tight around her middle. They simply stared for a moment, each unable to bre
athe.
"Kate..."
Tears clouded her eye. She slowly walked to him. "Drake, I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Kate, there's nothing to be sorry for."
She reached out and took his hand leading him to the sofa. When he was seated, she sat on the coffee table facing him still holding his hand.
"Kate--"
She shook her head and held up her hand to quiet him. "Drake, I know I've put you through an awful lot, and you deserve an explanation."
She looked down at their entwined fingers and started to speak. "I was passed around from family member to family member most of my childhood. I know those people loved me, but the way someone loves any member of an extended family. I was never special enough for any one person to want to keep me. I was taken in when someone felt obligated, or wanted to do my parents a favor. But no one ever just wanted me for me. The people I've been closest to are Sue, Missy, and Kelsie. We were all misfits in school, and with our families, so we stuck together." She smiled slightly, "They've always teased me about my obsession of owning my own house."
She drew a shaky breath, "I've always needed that stability. I needed to have a place that was mine. A place where other people could come and go if they needed, but that I could stay forever. A house where no one could tell me I have to move because they need my room for someone else. A place where I can feel safe and not wonder who's going to replace me, and when. A home where everyone that comes through the door is equally important."
"I came to accept early on when my friends were all talking about someday getting married and having children, that those things would never be an option for me. That no one would ever love me enough to want me around all the time. I've been very careful to not let myself become attracted to a man so I wouldn't have to deal with the heartbreak when they found someone more important."
Tears were now streaming down her face. She chanced her first look at Drake. She looked back down, knowing if she watched him she wouldn't be able to continue.
"I've loved this house from the first moment I saw it. I knew it was a place I could feel at home. Feel safe. Secure in the fact it was mine."
She looked back at Drake. "Until recently that is. Lately, I haven't felt safe. I've felt so vulnerable. You came in and ripped the security out from under me. I tried to tell you to go away, but you wouldn't. I tried to explain to you I couldn't handle a serious relationship, but you didn't listen. You wouldn't simply turn away like everybody else had. I realized some time ago how deep my feelings for you had grown, but I figured I would eventually get over it and my life would get back to normal. But you didn't get tired of me and leave." Her head dipped as she ran a hand across her cheek to wipe the tears.
"I also realized not long ago this house no longer felt like home. Being with you did. I only felt that sense of peace when you were around. I started to let myself believe maybe you really would stick around. Maybe you really did care enough about me to stay. I let myself think it might be okay if I allowed myself to have a relationship with you. It seems silly now, but I bought you a plant and was going to let you know I wanted to be around enough to help you keep it alive. I was even contemplating telling you how I felt that day."
She drew in a breath and blew it slowly between her lips. "Then I walked into your apartment and, well, obviously mistook the situation. What I couldn't mistake though, is what I felt when I thought you had turned to someone else. I knew right then these were not feelings I would ever get over." Her eyes came up and locked with his. "I love you, Drake."
He dragged her into his arms, squeezing her so tight she could barely breathe. She wasn't sure which one of them was trembling more.
"Kate, I have loved you since the day I met you. I can assure you that you have been, are, and always will be the most important person in my life." He sat her back on the coffee table and reached into his pocket. He slid off the couch and dropped to one knee. Kate, still trembling, brought a hand to her mouth. He took her left hand. "I've wanted to ask you this for so long. Kate, will you marry me?"
Sure she wouldn't be able to push words through her vocal cords, she nodded her acceptance. Drake slid the most beautiful diamond ring Kate had ever seen onto her finger and pulled her into his arms, with tears welling up in both their eyes as he kissed her.
Sliding her onto his lap, Drake held her tight until her breathing was normal and she stopped trembling. "We need to discuss eventual living arrangements." He turned her face to his and grinned. "I've not looked for a house myself because I was waiting until we could decide together where we wanted to live."
Astonished, she said, "Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"
His eyes sparkled. "Just optimistic." He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I know how much this house means to you. I want you to know, I wouldn't ask you to move."
She dropped a soft kiss on his cheek. "I appreciate that, I really do, but I think it would be best if we found a house together." She sat up so she could see him better. "This house helped me probably more than anyone could know. It gave me the security and stability I needed, and a sense of belonging." She looked around and sighed. "I love this house, and always will, but I don't belong here anymore." Emotions threatened to engulf her, but she managed to get the words out. "I don't belong alone, in my house, anymore. I think we belong together, in our house, wherever that may be."
*****
Now emotions threatened to engulf him. Because of the lump in his throat, instead of speaking, he pulled her close showing her with a kiss how much that meant to him.
The phone rang startling them, but neither moved to answer it. Sue left a quick message and hung up.
Drake dropped his forehead to hers. "You know I like your friends, and don't mind having them around, but do you think we could do something about this open door policy of yours? At least for a little while?"
Kate laughed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "They all have keys. How about a call-before-you-come policy?"
"Great. Now, however, I think you should call them so they can congratulate you on your wonderful new fiancé."
Kate threw her head back with a laugh, "My wonderfully modest new fiancé," she corrected, feeling happier than she ever remembered being.
The End
About Kandi Jaynes
Born and raised in Northern Indiana, I live on a quiet country road with my husband, two lovely daughters, and our many animals. I try to enjoy all aspects of life from work to relaxation, traveling and exploring new places, to simply curling up in my yard swing with a good book. I’m a firm believer in the phrase laughter is the best medicine, and believe nothing is as bad as it seems if you can find some measure of humor in it.