An Act of Courage (Acts of Honor Series Book 4)
Page 21
My watery eyes stray from Christopher to take in all of the children standing next to him and even see Mia in the bunch. Their hands are clasped behind their backs and small faces lit with excitement.
Arnie steps forward as I reach the stage, offering me his hand. I accept it with a smile and he leads me over to where a white chair sits at the edge of the platform. Next he hands me a white wicker basket to hold then warms my heart by pressing a messy kiss to my hand.
“Hey,” Christopher gently scolds into the mic. “No funny business, kid. Lips to yourself and stick to the plan.”
The entire crowd breaks into laughter, including myself. Arnie shrugs, not the least bit sorry, then takes his place at the front of the stage again.
Christopher lowers the mic in his hand and brings them all in for a quick huddle. My palms sweat as I nervously sit in front of the entire town, but my anticipation is stronger as I wait to see what happens next.
When they break apart, the children line up one behind the other. Christopher points over to a man at the stereo and gives a signal.
The tune to Bruno Mars’s “Marry You” booms through the air, the base vibrating the stage beneath my feet.
I suck in a sharp breath, hope inflating my chest.
Christopher’s knee rocks to the beat, his free hand banging through the air, and I notice he’s wearing his bracelet I bought him.
He’s the one to start the song off but the lyrics have changed. “It’s a beautiful life, and I only wanna spend it with you.”
Children: “Hey, Alissa, Christopher wants to marry you.”
A sob of joy spills past my lips, my heart filling with love. The emotion only grows when each child takes turns dancing toward me and hands me a single yellow tulip with a pack of pink Hubba Bubba gum tied to the stem by a ribbon.
Christopher: “You are the love of my life and you make my heart beat, too. Hey, baby, I wanna spend my life with you.”
Children: “Hey, Alissa, he wants to marry you.”
My heart explodes with happiness as the children continue to follow his soul-shattering voice, every lyric falling with love and grace.
When it’s Arnie’s turn to dance up to me, he hands me his flower then tries to plant a kiss on my cheek but Christopher shoos him away while still keeping in beat with the song.
The crowd breaks into laughter once again, as do I.
Mia is the last one to hand me her flower and Christopher trails off as she has her own solo in the song… “Give him your heart because he wants to give his to you. Hey, Alissa, my Kistipher wants to marry you.”
Her beautiful voice and sweet words have me breaking down. My eyes fall to my lap, taking in the dozen of tulips and bubblegum I now hold, overwhelmed with all he’s done for me.
By the time I look back up, Christopher is down on one knee in front of me. Mia stands next to him and holds an open velvet box, displaying a breathtaking rose gold ring with a large solitaire.
“Don’t say no, say yes and marry me,” he sings, his voice softer and eyes conveying so much more than words ever could.
The children all kneel around him and sing the last of the song. “Alissa, say yes and marry him.”
The music cuts and silence falls amongst the crowd as they await my answer. Unable to speak through my tears, I hold Christopher’s gaze and nod.
Cheers erupt through the entire park as he slips the ring on my finger then pulls me out of the chair for a soul-touching kiss. The children dance around us as we lose ourselves in one another, slipping into our own world where no one else exists but us.
Christopher keeps the contact brief since we have an audience, but I remain in his arms, my face only a breath away from his as my feet dangle inches from the ground.
“Sorry it took me so long,” he says, and I don’t miss the double meaning those words hold.
Resting my forehead on his, my tears fall onto his face. “I’d wait my entire life for you, Christopher Walker.”
His jaw flexes and throat bobs with a hard swallow. “I know there’s so much more we have to talk about but—”
I rest a finger against his lips. “Later.”
He nods. “Later.”
When the children start tugging on us, Christopher places me back on my feet and high fives them. I hug every single one, thanking them for the wonderful job they did.
“You’re going to make a beautiful bride, Miss Alissa,” Trinny says, warming my heart.
“Thank you.”
Mia launches herself at me next, her smile bright and infectious. “Surprised ya, didn’t we?”
“Definitely. I never suspected a thing.”
“Guess that means you and Kistipher are going to have babies after all.”
My heart swells at the thought and a laugh tumbles from me. “One day, but let’s have a wedding first, shall we?”
“I can’t wait!”
“Me, too.”
Christopher takes her from me then grabs my hand to walk off the stage, following the children as they run to meet their parents. Many of them congratulate us and tell Christopher how much they loved the performance.
Faith, Cade, and Ruthie join us.
“It’s about time my brother officially made you my sister,” Ruthie teases, giving me a hug.
“I’ve always considered you my sister.”
Her teasing voice softens. “Me, too.”
While Cade shakes Christopher’s hand, Faith moves in to hug me, her arms holding me extra long. “Thank you for loving him the way he deserves.”
I swallow thickly, feeling like those should be my words to her. “He’s worth it.”
She pulls back to look at me. “Yes, he is, and so are you.”
I give her a watery smile, the lump in my throat growing bigger.
Our exchange is broken up when my parents join us. My father shakes Christopher’s hand then kisses my cheek, congratulating us before stepping out of the way for my mother. Nerves twist in my belly as I fear for her reaction, praying she doesn’t ruin this moment.
She doesn’t make eye contact with me, her attention only focused on Christopher. “I must admit, the performance was even better than I expected.”
I tense, shock rolling through me. “Wait, you knew?”
She finally looks over at me. “When Faith informed me that there would be a special performance for you, I dropped by the school one evening last week and spoke with Christopher.” Her eyes shift back to his and she smiles. “We had a good talk and he graciously accepted my apology.”
I glance up at Christopher and he confirms everything she says with a nod.
Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around her. “Thank you. Thank you for giving him the apology he deserved and for finally accepting this.”
Even though it wouldn’t have mattered either way, her support makes this moment so much richer.
“I’m sorry for everything, Alissa,” she whispers. “I only ever wanted the best for you.”
“He is the best, Mom. The best for me.”
“I know, sweetheart. I see that now.”
We break apart when the neighbor crew come and congratulate us next.
The little girls dance around, excited for another wedding, and gush about what dresses they are going to wear.
It’s minutes later when I look up and find Christopher across the way, realizing we were separated amongst the crowd.
His dark eyes hold mine, conveying everything I hold in my heart for him. He pushes his way through the throng of people, his determined strides making my pulse race.
He pulls me into his arms, bringing me against his hard body. “Are you ready to get the hell out of here?”
“More than ready.” My response sounds as breathless as I feel.
Taking my hand, he tugs me forward, offering a quick good-bye as we hurry for his truck.
I giggle as I try to keep up with him, my precious basket filled with flowers banging around as I carry it in the crook of my arm.
Christopher comes to a quick stop and eyes the man curiously. “Yeah?”
“My name is Clay Abernathy, I’m the principal over at Foothills Elementary.”
Christopher shakes the man’s extended hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. That was a great performance you put on, congratulations to you both,” he says, glancing my way.
I deliver my thanks with a smile, my heart overflowing.
His attention returns to Christopher. “Mr. Walker, the school board and I have been talking for months about offering a music program, one with enough backing to compete with other schools in the region. We would be honored if you’d consider meeting with us not only to direct the program but teach as well.”
Christopher’s eyes widen in surprise. “I don’t know what to say.”
Mr. Abernathy pulls out his wallet and hands him his business card. “That’s my personal line at the school. Think about it and give me a call. We’d love to have you on board with us.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Mr. Abernathy bids us a good rest of the day then heads back toward the stage.
“What do you think about his offer?” I ask as we continue to his truck.
“It’s definitely something to think about…” He pauses, glancing over at me. “Later. Right now there’s only one thing I want to think about.”
The most ridiculous smile steals my lips and it never wavers the entire ride home.
As we walk into Christopher’s house, a sense of rightness washes over me, and I realize that in the past several years this is the only place I’ve ever truly felt at home.
I follow him into his room, where he takes the basket from me. He places it on the floor before lifting me off my feet and taking my mouth in a deep kiss, the kind we couldn’t have at the fair.
My arms encircle his neck as I surrender to him and this moment.
“I missed you so fucking much,” he groans.
“Me, too. I had no idea when I would see you again.”
Our moment grows heavy with all that remains to be talked about. Regret enters his eyes, matching what has been echoing inside of my heart.
He takes a seat on his bed, bringing me down on his lap. “I’m sorry I left, but believe me when I tell you it was necessary, for both of our sakes.”
I lift my hand to touch his face. “I understand.”
“Do you?” he asks, holding my gaze.
I nod. “I saw the helplessness you felt. It killed me that I couldn’t make it better for you.”
“You did, baby, more than you will ever know,” he pauses, a pained breath escaping him. “But I hit a bad fucking place, Lis. One that I had to conquer and face on my own. No one else could battle it for me. But make no mistake, you were with me…here.” He moves my hand over his chest. “You, Alissa, were my salvation.”
My eyes close, heart aching to think about all he went through on his own.
“I have to do counseling once a week,” he continues, “at least for a little while, but I’m in a better place than I was.” His hand lifts to my cheek. “I promise to fight every day and be better than I was yesterday.”
I can see it in his eyes. Amongst the pain he will always harbor, I also see the man I fell in love with. A man who is ready to heal.
“I’ll be with you every step of the way through this. I just need you to promise one thing.”
“Name it,” he says without hesitation.
“Let me love you.” The words whisper past my lips. “You don’t have to tell me everything, Christopher. You don’t have to give me the details of what happened if you don’t want to. If there are times you need to be alone with your thoughts then that’s okay, too. All I ask is that you don’t stay away long. That every night you crawl in bed next to me and let me love you through it.”
Before he’s able to speak the promise I long to hear, I climb off his lap and stand before him. His eyes spark with heat when I reach behind me and begin unzipping my dress, my heart thundering with the secret I’m about to reveal.
The material slips from my body and pools at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my soft pink lace bra and panties.
His eyes sweep down my body like a dark hurricane, but it isn’t until his gaze lands on my ribs that the current between us shifts to something else…something more.
His swift inhale whispers through the room, pure emotion dominating his expression. “Jesus, Alissa. What did you do?”
Stepping closer, I grab his hand and trail his fingers across the lyrics I had tattooed into my skin, the same way they are branded into my soul.
He’s my anchor.
My light
My salvation in the night
My angel, my peace
The best part of me.
“In your letter you said you didn’t know why I chose you all those years ago. Well, this is why,” I tell him softly. “You are all these things to me, too. No one but you has ever made my heart skip a beat with just a look. My breath catch with just a touch. And the first time we kissed was when I knew what love felt like.” The tears I’ve been fighting back begin to slip free. “Let me love you, Christopher, because there is no battle too fierce for us.”
A heavy breath escapes him as he drops to his knees before me, his lips loving the freshly inked words. “That’s all I need, Lis. Just your love and I have it all.”
My fingers thread through his hair as I hold him close. “You’ve always had it.”
“I know, and I swear I will never let you go again.” He follows up the promise with a kiss to my tummy, trailing his lips across my naked skin.
Goose bumps ripple across my fevered flesh as his mouth descends lower. I gasp when he reaches the apex of my thighs, skimming his nose along the center of my satin panties. My hips tilt, silently begging.
“You want more, baby?”
“Yes.” The breathless word tumbles past my lips.
Sliding the damp material to the side, he swipes his tongue through my aching flesh.
“Oh god.” I cry out, my knees almost buckling in pleasure.
Christopher grips my bottom, holding me in place. “I missed this pussy almost as much as I missed you.” His words are nothing more than a growl, adding to the sensations imploding through my body. He ravishes me like a starved man, every swipe of his skilled tongue driving me higher. Then he finds that perfect spot, pushing me into divine oblivion.
His name leaves me on a rush while I drown in the pleasure, allowing it to swallow me whole.
Pressing a kiss to the inside of my thigh, he drags my panties down my legs then makes quick work of my bra, capturing a beaded nipple between his lips. It has me squirming to get closer, my body flaring to life again.
My fingers grip his shirt, dragging it up his back. He helps me clear it over his head then grabs my hips and pulls me to straddle him on the bed. His hands fist in my hair as he takes my mouth in a searing kiss. The taste of me is prevalent on his tongue and so is the love that is constantly growing between us.
My hands move to his jeans, releasing the button and drawing down the zipper. I wrap my fingers around him, stroking up and down while he worships my mouth.
Unable to go another second, I center myself and slide down on top of him.
“Ah fuck.” He buries his face into my neck, the connection between us stronger than ever. “My girl,” he murmurs against my skin. “We’re so fucking perfect, Lis.”
“Beautiful,” I agree.
He wraps his arms around me in a cocoon of passion and desire, pulling me as close as two people can get. Heat invades my body as we move in unison with each other.
Mouth to mouth.
Heart to heart.
Souls on fire.
We find our release together, holding on to the one thing that matters most in this world.
Each other.
He trails the flower lower, passing over the words tattooed on my ribs.
“Do you like it?” I ask on a whisper.
“It’s perfect. Just like you.”
His sweet response brings a smile to my face.
“Although, I don’t like knowing some dude was this close to my woman’s skin.”
“The artist was a girl,” I inform him.
“Thank fuck.”
His relieved breath has me bursting into laughter but it soon softens back into a smile.
“I never thought I would get a tattoo but I love it so much,” I whisper.
He drops a kiss to the lyrics, his lips a vow of love. “That’s because your body was made for my words.”
My heart dances in my chest with the truth of that statement.
“Do you like it here?” His question catches me off guard.
“In bed with you? Duh…” I tease.
His lips kick up in a sexy smirk. “I meant here, at the farm.”
“I love it. Why?”
“Because Cade said he’d give us a few acres of land to build on if we want it.”
“Really?” I ask, excited at the prospect to build our own home right here on the farm.
He nods. “I didn’t want to give him an answer until I asked you.”
My hand lifts, fingers fanning his jaw. “I love it here, Christopher. I’ll live anywhere as long as it’s with you.”
He encircles my wrist and turns his face to the side, kissing my palm. “It’ll always be with me, Lis. From now until forever.”
After all this time, my dreams have come true.
“I still can’t believe you did all this for me. The performance, the flowers, my year supply of bubblegum…” I trail off with a smile. “You’ve made me the happiest girl in the world, Christopher Walker.”
He pushes up on his arms, hovering inches above my face. “It was the gum, wasn’t it? I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.”