Strong arms caught my hips and my head slowly lifted from the cake to the man standing behind me. Tears filled my eyes as I met Harris’s aquamarine gaze. I could see the anxiety staring back at me, the uncertainty mixed with the hope. Unconsciously, my gaze went back to the cake and I read the words again.
Will you marry me?
With his hands still at my waist, Harris dropped to one knee and the entire club seemed to grow silent. I couldn’t find my voice, couldn’t breathe. All I could do was watch as he released my hips and took my left hand in his own. “Lucy, I’ve loved you for so long I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you. You are my peace and my sanity. Without you, nothing makes sense. I know you’re mine, but will you take one more step with me and become my wife?”
Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
I wasn’t sure if I’d said the words aloud or not, so I nodded my head wildly. It must have been enough because through my tears I watched as Harris slipped a marquise diamond on my finger and then I was finally where I’d wanted to be all day—in his arms, with him kissing me and telling me over and over again how much he loved me.
I didn’t hear the congratulations from our friends and family and the many VIP patrons who had been in attendance. I didn’t feel the pats on the back or hear my mom and Natalie crying.
All I could see was Harris.
All I could hear were his words of love.
I had everything I had ever wanted right there, and I wasn’t ever letting go.
Self-harming is there when it feels like no one else is, but there is always light in the darkness. Reach out when you are ready. You’re not alone.