Inn Love

“My goodness, Elijah…all this good news in one go,” she whispers. She reaches out to take my hand in hers, and I squeeze it gently. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispers. “After everything, this family has been through…we’re due for this good news. I always worried that you wouldn’t settle down…that you’d never find someone to make you happy. But now I see you were waiting for the right woman. Olivia is everything you deserve and more. I’m…I’m so happy for you both.”

“I’m so happy too,” I tell her, tell them both. “But you can’t say a word. She has no idea yet that I plan to propose.”

“When will you do it?” my father asks. I smile.

“Tonight. I don’t want to wait any longer. I’m ready to make a future with her.”

My parents are both beaming from ear to ear. I can see that this has brought more life back to their lives. And now, judging by their reactions, I know that they will welcome Olivia into the family with open arms. This is all I wanted from them, for them to accept this life that I want to live. And now I see I never had to worry. They just want to see me happy.

And that’s the one thing Olivia will always make me.

The door opens, and Olivia enters the room with two plates in her hands, our meals finally ready. I give my parents a quick look, letting them know that they need to be cool about this, but they can’t seem to stop smiling.

Olivia serves my parents first, a blush settling on her cheeks.

“I hope you like it. I heard salmon was your favorite, so I hope I did it justice,” Olivia says, addressing my father. He smiles at her.

“It looks incredible, Olivia. Don’t look so nervous. You’ve more than impressed us already.”

Olivia’s cheeks turn even redder. “That means a lot to me. I just wanted to make a good impression.”

“And you have. You don’t need to worry. You’re one of the family now,” my Mom says kindly.

I can see happiness lighting up Olivia’s eyes. It must have been so hard for her to grow up without a family and never feel like she ever belonged. But now, to have a family welcoming her with open arms. I can see that it’s all she’s ever wanted.

I’m so glad I could give her this kind of happiness. She can finally feel like she’s loved, all because of me and my family.

She disappears into the kitchen again to fetch the last two dishes, and Mom smiles over at me.

“That girl deserves the world,” she says gently. “I’m trusting you to give it to her.”

“Don’t worry. I intend to,” I say. And I do. No matter what happens in my life, I know I’m going to do it with Olivia at my side. I know that we’re going to support one another forever. And most importantly, I know that nothing will ever break us apart.

And soon, she will be my fiancé. I’ve got everything planned out for tonight. While she was making dinner, I set up the bedroom for the proposal. I want it to be special for her. I want her to feel the happiness that she’s been denied for so long. I want her to see that she’s the most important thing in my life.

Tonight will only confirm that.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Olivia

Tonight has been incredible. Spending time with Elijah and his family has only made me realize how lucky I am.

I was scared at first that his parents wouldn’t approve of me, that they’d see me as immature and too young for him…but they’ve welcomed me with open arms. They’ve taken an interest in me and my life in a way no one has bothered to before. When I spend time with these three people, I realize how a family is supposed to work.

And finally, I get to experience love. Not just Elijah’s love, but his family’s. They have told me that I belong here with them. They have shown me that I don’t have to walk through life alone. And that’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced.

I love getting to know them all, too. I love knowing more about the history of their family Inn. I love hearing them reminisce about Elijah’s brother with such fondness and tenderness and how they keep him alive in their memories, and I love that they have told me that he’d approve of me. It makes me feel like I’m meant to be here. Like this whole thing has made my life fall into place, finally.

Now, as I head upstairs to go to bed, there’s a warmth in my chest. It’s been there since I met Elijah, but tonight, I’m feeling it the most. For the first time in my life, it feels like there is nothing that could possibly go wrong. I don’t have to be afraid any longer. I don’t have to be miserable and alone. I wake up each morning for the first time, and I know that my life is in a good place. What more could a girl ask for?