"Come with me, please."
Her brow furrowed. "Where are you going?"
"I want you to come home with me. To Nova Scotia."
She stared at me, speechless.
“Leaving you behind was one of the most painful things I've ever done, Holly. The entire drive, all I could think about was you. It’s all I can think about now. How you made me feel. How empty I am without you. How empty my life will be without you in it.”
Her eyes were wide with surprise. I kept talking.
"I thought I was happy before. I thought my life was settled. But it's not. I'm not. I've been waiting for something, and I didn't know what it was until I found you. I was meant to break down that night. I was meant to find you." I paused. "We need each other, Angel.
"You told me you wanted to find your place in this world. Stop looking." I wrapped my hands around hers. "Find your home with me." I stepped closer. "I’ve found mine with you." I kissed her hand softly. "You said you wanted to belong somewhere." I paused. "Belong to me."
"But…"
I shook my head. "No buts. This is real. It's right. I feel it. We'll figure out everything—together. What you want to do about school. Living together as a couple. We can do it all if we're together. I’ll support whatever decisions you make about your life as long as I can share it with you.”
She blinked.
“Our home can be your safe place, Holly. I can be your safe place. You can be mine.”
One lone tear ran down her cheek.
I took in a deep breath. "I love you."
Her voice was incredulous. "You love me?"
I shrugged self-consciously. "I know I don't have a lot of experience with that emotion. But if loving you means wanting to be with you, to make you happy, then yes. I want to protect you, care for you, like you did for me. I want to watch you smile. Wipe your tears. Hold you at night. Wake up with you." I paused. "If wanting to do all those things and be that person for you for the rest of your life means that I love you, then yes, Holly Cole. I love you."
She stared at me, speechless. Her gaze moved between our hands and my eyes.
"A very smart person told me to be happy. You make me happy. Carol told me to hold on to whatever it was I found that made me feel this way. So, I am. It's you. It's all you.
"I love you, Holly. I know this with a certainty beyond comprehension. Stop being alone and searching for your place in this world. It's with me. Let's live our lives together." I smiled at her, even as a tear ran down my cheek. "I want to give you what we saw the other night. A home. One filled with lights and love. A family we created together."
"You want children?"
"With you. Yes. I want everything with you." I tightened my hands around hers. "Please, Angel, rescue me one more time. For the rest of our lives."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Evan," she breathed.
"Don't say no, please. I couldn't bear it. I know it's fast, but please, give us a chance."
"I want to," she whispered.
I pulled her into my arms, relief and joy coursing through my body. In that one instant, everything in my life shifted and settled, becoming perfectly clear. If I had her, I could do anything. Be anything. As long as she was mine, I would be okay.
"What if I can't be what you need?" she asked, searching my eyes with hers.
"You already are."
"Say it again," she pleaded, her voice vulnerable.
I looked down at her sweet face. "I love you, Holly."
Her beautiful smile lit the room. "I want and feel all those things for you as well. I-I love you too, Evan."