42 Hours (Time for Love 3)

“Thanks, Gabs,” TJ said in my hair as he squeezed me back. “I’m just glad she said yes … Can you imagine how embarrassing that would be?”

I slapped him, laughing, and said, “Oh, shut up. You knew that was never an option.”

Then I turned to Sasha and squealed, “Oh. My. God. You’re getting married!”

“I know!” she squealed back, and we both started jumping up and down with our hands joined.

Shelly ran over and stuck out her tongue when Cal cautioned, “No jumping, Shel,” before squealing with us, “We get to plan a wedding!”

“Oh, lord,” one of the guys said from behind us. It didn’t matter who it was, the guys didn’t have any say in this anyway.

We stayed and celebrated a few minutes longer then returned outside to clean up and see off the last of the guests.

“Can I have your keys?” Suzy asked when I returned. She had everything loaded up on the cart ready to go.

“I’ll help,” I began to argue, but she held out her hand and said, “I’ve got it.”

I folded up the table when she left, placing it up against the wall for the time being.

“Hey,” Scott said as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I turned and put my arms around his waist as well, leaning into him and breathing deep. He smelled fantastic.

“Did you know?” I asked him, content to be in his arms.

“TJ told us he was going to propose, but he didn’t say when,” Scott admitted. “But when he said he wanted us all to gather together, I figured that’s what he was going to do.”

“It was beautiful,” I said with a sigh, laying my head against his chest and listening to the beat of his heart. It was steady and strong, just like him.

Chapter 29 - Scott

When we arrived at Cal and Shelly’s, the excitement in the house was palpable. Rose, Calvin, and Craig were already there, along with TJ and Sasha. As soon as we walked in, Gaby went to the kitchen to join Rose, Shelly, and Sasha and help them set out the food. I could hear Sasha happily telling Rose about TJ’s proposal as I joined the guys in the living room.

“Congrats again, brother,” I said, clapping TJ on the shoulder.

His face was alight, perma-grin in place, as he responded, “Thanks, man.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised,” Calvin said with a grin for TJ. “The two of you look great together. I’m sure you’ll have a long and happy marriage.”

TJ, obviously emotional at Cal’s dad’s words, just nodded to the older gentleman, his pleasure apparent.

“What a fantastic day,” Cal chimed

in. “I can’t believe we actually did it.”

I watched Gaby move through the house with plates full of food, and my heart clenched at the site of her. Maybe it was the love and happiness that filled this house, or maybe it was the small smile on her lips and the way her body swayed as she walked, but I was suddenly so overcome with emotion, that I felt I had to tell her how I felt. Immediately.

Oblivious to the guys smiling after me, I walked into the dining room after Gaby and took her hand in mine.

“Scott?” Gaby looked confused as I dragged her through the hallway and into the bathroom. I shut the door and leaned against it. “What’s going on?” Gaby asked as she turned to me.

I probably looked half-crazed, leaning against the door, breathing as if I’d just run a marathon.

I was half-crazed.

I looked down into her sweet, honest, and always open face and told her what was in my heart.

“I love you, Gaby. I love who I am with you. You make things easy and carefree, and you give me the opportunity to try new things, and make mistakes. I love the way you smell like cupcakes and never take anything for granted. I love the way you are with your family, always there for your mother and sister. You’re so generous, Gabs. I want to build a family with you. You can teach me how to raise our children with love and patience. I want to live my life making you happy. I’m a better man when I’m with you … Tell me we can do this, that we can make this real and long lasting.” My eyes pleaded with her as I spoke.

“We can do this,” she assured me as she ran her hands up my chest and clasped them around my neck. “I love you, Scott.” I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding at her declaration, and I brought my forehead down to rest on hers as she continued, “I love the man you are, with or without me, and I love the way you’ve always supported me. I know we’ll have a happy and fulfilling life, and you will be a natural father, you won’t need me to teach you.”