“We are careful about who we let in, but when I think about who could have had their hands on you…it makes me sick. And how close it all came to happening. But I got to you in time.”
I was struggling to understand what the thing was that he was trying to be honest about. “I already knew that you basically called dibs on me early on. Elle explained to me how that works.”
“Yes, but there is something else that Elle didn’t know about all of this.”
“What’s that?” I asked, truly confused at this point.
Neil looked me straight in the eyes. “Samara, I was going to pay for your brother’s surgery anyway. I had it on my agenda that day to make the call to Brad to find out who I needed to speak to about paying the medical bill. I had already written the blank check out to your parents, but then I saw your name.”
He paused to look at me, measuring my response. I was surprised by his admission, but not shocked. So he had always been willing to pay, that wasn’t a question. What he was admitting was that he had used the situation to his own advantage, to get to me and get what he wanted.
I reached up and touched his cheek gently. “Neil, I can hardly blame you. I had no way of knowing that you were going to do that for my brother. But it’s so kind of you. I think it shows the kind of heart you really have.”
He grasped my hand and pulled it to his chest. “The kind of heart I have is the kind that would do anything to get close to you. I would have paid anything to have this week with you. The fact that it could have ever been reality was more than I could have dreamed of.”
I leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips.
“Last day,” I said.
“Indeed,” he nodded. “Are you ready for me to take you home?”
I looked out across the expanse of the cityscape and shook my head. It was too beautiful to leave here just yet.
“You know, I think I can stay a little longer.”
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Six Months Later
I palmed the back of my neck nervously and then turned to look up at Neil. He smiled, looking down at me, indicating everyt
hing was going to be just fine. It had been a long road for my brother. The transplant had gone well although they had kept him in the hospital a little longer than expected as a precaution.
I could feel the sweat in my palms as I stood hand in hand with Neil on my parents front porch. Everyone had been invited to celebrate Josh’s return home. He had been released from the hospital a month prior but my mom felt it would be better to wait rather than to have so much anxiety and commotion so soon afterwards.
Neil and I had been inseparable since our first week together. We were two people that molded together like a puzzle. We were each other’s soulmate. People always say one is lucky to find their soulmate and that sometimes it doesn’t happen at all, so I guess we could both count our lucky stars that we found one another. After spending so much time with Neil, I quickly learned that he had the same interests and goals in life as me. He was a true family man at heart and when I had the chance to meet his folks two months ago it made me fall in love with him all that much more.
The kicker was when we had dinner with his folks one evening. We were all about to dive into the wonderful meal his mother had just cooked for us when Neil stood with his glass of champagne in his hand.
“Mom, Dad, I have an announcement to make.” He said, looking at both of them and then he turned to me and smiled. His eyes sparkling with a happiness that I had come to enjoy seeing. “Honey, you are the love of my life.” Neil paused and sat his glass on the table as he got down on one knee and reached into his pocket. I watched in shock as he pulled out a burgundy velvet box. Neil looked up at me then and smiled, “I know we have only been together six months, but you, Samara are everything I have ever dreamed of. You make me complete in every way. Would you do the honor of becoming my wife?” Neil asked as he opened the box revealing a five carat yellow canary princess cut engagement ring.
In one fluid motion my hand flew to my mouth. I was in shock and had absolutely no idea that he was going to propose. I could feel the tears pool in my eyes and then spill over onto my cheeks. I smiled and finally whispered, “Yes! Yes! I would love to be your wife!” I couldn’t stop my hand from shaking as he slid the large engagement ring onto my finger. I was mesmerized and then finally snapped out of my reverie and threw my arms around his neck. A moment later his parents started clapping and we turned to them to see their smiles.
“Oh honey. We’re so happy for you.” His mother said, getting up and giving us both a hug and his father followed suit right after.
So now I stood here on my parents porch with the love of my life, nervous as hell as to how everyone will react to the news. A moment later I opened the door and walked in to see my parent’s small living room busy with friends and family chatting among themselves.
“Honey, you made it.” My mom said, rushing over to greet us.
“Of course, Mom. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I kissed her gently on the cheek and then motioned to Neil. “Mom, you remember Neil?”
“Yes, of course. It’s so nice to see you again.” She said, pulling him in for a hug. My mom was never one for hand shaking. “Come in and say ‘Hi’ to everyone. I’ll let your brother know you’re here.”
We made our way into the room and my rounds of hello’s and hugs to everyone while introducing Neil to the folks he hadn’t met yet, when finally Josh walked in from the kitchen. A grin from ear to ear splayed on his face. God, it was so good to see him feeling stronger; his old self.
“Hey you.” I said smiling and pulling him into a hug. “How you feeling?” I asked looking up him.