Inn Love

“I love you too,” I whisper, and then we’re kissing like we’ve never kissed before. This is a kiss I’ll remember for the rest of my life. This is the kiss that defines our future together. I’m so happy that I could burst. Everything almost feels complete.

And I’m the luckiest girl alive.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Elijah

My whole life feels like it began in the last few weeks. Everything before this almost feels insignificant. I can barely believe that I’ve gone from being a lonely man to having everything I’ve ever wanted.

And now, it’s time to get my family on board. Of course, my parents already know that I’m dating Olivia and that she’s important to me, but they don’t know just how much she means to me.

They don’t know yet that we’re going to be having a child together, and they certainly don’t know what I have planned next for us…

Because this last week, I’ve been looking for the perfect ring. I’ve searched high and low for an engagement ring worthy of my woman, and I think I’ve finally found the one. A beautiful diamond-encrusted band that is perfect for my queen, and as soon as I saw it, I could picture it on her finger. I could picture proposing and her saying yes. And I knew that I had to get it.

I guess things have moved fast between Olivia and me, but it feels so right. I don’t want to wait any longer to begin our life together. I want to be married to her. I want our children to know that we love each other so much that we’re committed for life. That’s what marriage means to me, and I’m keen to make it happen.

But I want to tell my parents everything first. I want them to know how happy Olivia makes me. Tonight, we’re all having dinner together since there aren’t any guests to look out for tonight, and Olivia is cooking. I think it’ll be the perfect time for them to get to know her a little better, to learn to love her as much as I do…and then when dinner is over, I’ll tell them everything – about the pregnancy, about my plans to marry her. Of course, I’ll marry her regardless of their thoughts, but that doesn’t mean their approval isn’t important to me.

It’s seven pm when I meet my parents in the dining room. Olivia is busy cooking up a storm in the kitchen area, a salmon dish that smells incredible. My parents seem in a good mood, commenting on how nice Olivia seems.

“She seems like a lovely young woman, Elijah,” my father tells me. He’s only just back from his trip, so he hasn’t known her for long, but he seems keen on her. I smile.

“She’s perfect, Dad. I’ve never known a woman like her.”

“I have to admit…I wasn’t sure about the pair of you at first,” Mom says to me. “But now that I’ve seen you together…seen how happy she makes you…I’m on board. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.”

I nod. “I haven’t ever been this happy. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love her. This is what I want. And I want it more than anything.”

My parents smile at me, and I know this is the perfect time to tell them about all of my plans while Olivia is out of the room. I take a deep breath.

“I want you to know…this is the real deal. I’m not just fooling around here,” I say in a serious tone. “Olivia and I are already planning our future together. We’re thinking of settling down here.”

“You are?” Mom asks, her face lighting up. I smile back.

“Yes. Olivia doesn’t have any family of her own…and I’d like to be closer to mine. I think I’m done with my life in Hollywood, and I want my children to be able to live close to their grandparents…which leads me to my next thing. I’m going to be a Dad. Olivia is pregnant.”

I watch as smiles break over my parent’s faces. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen them smile like this. It must have been way before my brother died. And now, they look ecstatic. I wasn’t sure they’d be this pleased for me, given my mother's original disapproval, but now I see that this is the kind of news they’ve needed so desperately.

“Oh, son, that’s wonderful news. Congratulations,” my father says, gripping my shoulder. “You deserve this. You deserve all of the happiness in the world. You and Olivia will make incredible parents.”

“I couldn’t be happier,” I say, letting a smile take over my face. “And there’s one more thing…I’ve been looking at rings this week. I’ve decided to ask Olivia to be my wife.”

My Mom gasps in glee, and I laugh. She shakes her head in disbelief.