We stay for another hour or so before calling it a night and heading back to the hotel.
I check my cell on the way back to see I’ve missed a few texts from Zoey, so I quickly reply back to her.
Lauren: Hey! Sorry I missed your texts earlier. Sam surprised me last night and flew in. His transfer was approved, and we went out looking for a place to rent and found the perfect townhome! I’ll send you pictures of it tomorrow! We both love it so much!!!
Lauren: We then went out furniture shopping and have a few new pieces being delivered tomorrow! Sam will bring the rest of the furniture when he drives here in a few weeks. I’ll be expecting your decorating skills to help me with the rest of the place in the next few weeks!
I drop my phone back in my purse as we pull into the hotel parking lot, and we head straight up to our room. We’re both so exhausted from our busy day that we fall into bed, and promptly fall asleep in each other’s arms.
33
Sam
3 months later
Lauren and I have been living together now for a few months. I got everything moved back home and we’ve settled nicely into our townhome. She’s been busy with teaching, and I’ve been buried in a big case since shortly after arriving and getting settled into the new office. I miss working with Dave all the time, but I’ve started to make friends with a few of the other agents here. Nothing compares to coming home every night to Lauren, though.
Today is her last school day before we head into the Thanksgiving week holiday. Her district is off school for the entire week, so as soon as she’s home tonight, she’s off. This will be my first Thanksgiving home in probably five years, so to say my mother is happy is an understatement. My parents are so happy that we finally found our way to each other, which ultimately brought me back home. I stayed away all those years, not wanting to risk running into Lauren and know she couldn’t be mine. I thank God every day that changed. She’s my perfect other half, and I couldn’t imagine doing life without her next to me now that we’re together.
Being back home and getting to see my parents on a more regular basis has been great. I know it bothered my mom especially, that I didn’t come home to see them very often over the years. Now we’ve started having dinner with them at least once a week, sometimes more, if our schedules allow for it. Sometimes it’s just with them, and other times it’s with both sets of our parents, or even Lauren’s grandparents, and Steven, Renee, and Ethan, as well.
Sam: Hey, are you leaving right away once school lets out or do you have to stay late?
Lauren: I’ll be leaving in about 10 minutes, are you off yet?
Sam: Yep, just got home.
Lauren: Perfect. I need to stop at the store, I want to get it out of the way before the shopping craziness of the weekend happens. Do you want to come with me?
Sam: Sure, swing home and then we can go out to dinner tonight when we’re out and about.
Lauren: Sounds good. See you soon.
Marry Me (Lyrics and Love Book 1) Page 17
