Where We Belong (Carolina Rebels 6)

“You’ll see.”

He leads me away from our friends to a courtyard-like area and stops underneath a weeping willow. He’s starting to worry me. Collin faces me and takes a deep breath.

“Jules.” For a moment, that is the only word between us. It hangs in the air, flowing back and forth with the breeze. “I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time. Being with you is more than I ever could’ve asked out of life. Things are a challenge for us, but loving one another has never been a challenge. It’s easy. It’s perfect. And it’s because we belong together.” He takes a deep, now shaky breath. “I say all of this to ask if you’ll marry me?” He falls to one knee and plucks a ring from his pocket.

The diamonds glint from the sunlight filtering through the hanging foliage. My brain is stuck on the marry me part while my eyes are glued to the ring. I don’t think any of this is processing. Am I even awake? Maybe I’m dreaming.

“Jules,” Collin whispers. “You better say something before I get to a thirteen.”

“You’re serious?”

He doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t find my question at all amusing, which is good because I’m serious, too. Instead, he nods and says, “As serious as the worst of what we’ve been through. We’re catching up, remember?”

“Yes,” I answer both of his questions.

His brows furrow slightly. “Yes?”

“Yes, let’s get married.”

Collin grins, stands, and kisses me hard. A few hoots and hollers can be heard in the background. Collin stops kissing me long enough to slip my new, beautiful ring onto my finger before going in for another kiss.

“So,” he begins once our kissing session is completed. “Can we get married this weekend?” My eyes pop. “You can pick out a dress today with Deanna; I’ll get a tux. We’ll get our marriage license and then we’ll have a small ceremony Saturday before taking our honeymoon next week. It’s all planned if you’re ready.”

I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life, even though I wasn’t expecting it at all. It’s funny how life works out sometimes. Marrying Collin was nowhere on my radar, yet here we are and I couldn’t be happier about it. Although, all of his talks about the future lately make a lot more sense.

We’ve been through so much, individually and together. Our journey to this point was a long one, but it was worth it. Being together where

we belong is all the guarantee I need that our future, no matter how low the downs are, will be satisfying, fulfilling, and full of so much love.

When I turn around this time, to face our friends, our parents are now standing with them.

“It’s time, Julie,” Collin says softly.

My parents have joined me via phone for a few sessions with Trace and we’ve made some progress, but to see them here?

I didn’t know how I’d feel. It’s why I kept pushing my parents off when they asked if they could come visit. I didn’t think I would be prepared for it. But I find myself not only happy to see them, but relieved. Part of me wants to act like a little girl and run over for a hug. Instead, Collin and I walk over to everyone. With tears already falling down my face, I throw my arms around the necks of my parents.

“I’m sorry,” I cry.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Mom says.

“Thank you for not asking us to leave,” Dad says.

“We can stay, can’t we?” Mom asks.

I pull back and nod. “I’d be happy if you did.” Things aren’t as awkward as I thought they’d be. The negative emotions that I thought would overrun me aren’t there.

“Shall we split up and start shopping?” Deanna asks. “Julie needs a dress.”

And it hits me what I’ve said yes to. What will be happening this weekend. My gaze finds Collin who smiles.

That feeling I had when I came to North Carolina and kissed him? That feeling of the world finally being righted? I feel it again now. We are exactly where we belong.