by Dylan Allen
“This is your favorite city, right?”
“Yes, it is.” The gleam in his eyes is making me feel even more nervous than I was before.
“Roses are your favorite flower, aren’t they?”
I can only nod. My throat is tight with emotions as I realize what he is saying. I clear it to ask him, “Did you do all of this for me?”
He nods, and his smile grows even wider.
“Why?” I croak.
And this is when my mother, sisters, nephew, Henry, Kyle, Cara, and Louis all file into the room. They are all smiling at me, and I think I am going to have a stroke.
“What’s going on?” I look back at Simon, and he drops to one knee in front of me.
I gasp, tears pricking my eyes as he grasps my hand and presses a kiss to it. Then he starts to talk.
“Addie, before I met you, I didn’t even know people like you existed. Your heart is boundless in its capacity to love. You are so brave, and you’ve made me want to take chances and have hope.”
“You’ve helped me create a family I never dreamed I would have. You’re always talking about rising to the challenges you face, and I’ve watched you not only rise, but shine as you do it.”
“I asked all of these people here today because I know how important your family is to you. I wanted our family—the one we’ve built together—to be here when I ask you the most important question I’ll ever ask anyone.”
I look up at my family, my mother’s tears flow down her cheeks and Milly and Lilly are standing with their arms wrapped around each other.
Anthony is holding a now toddling Henry’s hand and smiling at me like he understands what is happening.
I look back to Simon, who is watching me with so much love shining in his eyes it sets my own tears free.
“Adelaide Dennis, you are the love of my life. I love you in ways I can’t even measure. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a beautiful, black velvet box. He opens it to reveal a ring so breathtaking I can only gawk at it.
He pulls me up from the chair so that we’re both standing, and all I can do is cry and nod as he slips the most beautiful princess cut ring, set very simply in a platinum band, onto my finger.
He leans down to kiss me and right before he does, I whisper against his lips “Yes.”
Later that evening…
“Addie, baby, fuck.” Simon groans as he grinds his hips into me. His fist is wrapped around my hair as he fucks me through my orgasm and then into his.
We had spent the rest of the day with my family, who was going to be making the trip back to London with us and staying for the week.
It was like a dream. We’d had the most amazing dinner in La Belle Epoque near Versailles and celebrated with champagne once we got back to our suite at Maison Souquet.
And then we’ve made love.
It all feels so perfect and peaceful. Simon’s kisses as he lowers himself onto the bed next to me feel like the sweetest benediction to a glorious song.
The kind of day he has given me today is one I know I’ll never be able to top or forget.
“Simon, thank you.” My voice is a whisper in our moonlit room.
“Babe, thank you. And sorry I rushed you, but that quartet could only play for fifteen minutes, and you were taking your sweet ass time.”
I laugh at this and kiss him tenderly. “So this is it. We are doing this?”
“Hell yeah, we are. Nothing else we can do, Addie, you’re it for me.”
“And you’re it for me.” I kiss him again before I start to get up to order a snack for us.
My phone rings and I frown when I see it is Milly. Simon booked them all rooms at the hotel, but it is almost midnight. I can’t think of a single happy reason that would have Milly calling me now.
She and Anthony are here alone. She and Kevin have separated, and even though she won’t talk about it, I think she is seeing someone.
I step into the bathroom to answer the call.
“Mil, what’s going on?” I answer without any preamble.
“Addie, I am sorry to call you now. I wish this could wait until the morning, but…” she trails off
“You are scaring me. What?”
“Addie, they’ve got Dad. They are bringing him back to the US in the morning.”
Six months ago, this would have reduced me to a pile of tears. But now, my first thought is for my mother.
“Does Mom know?”
“Yes, she is packing. She’s saying she is going to the airport to catch a flight back, so she can be there when he’s brought in.”
“Are you serious?” I shout into the phone. Simon walks into the bathroom with concern marring his face. I am grateful I have him now.
“Yes, and I am going to go with her. She shouldn’t be alone.” Milly sounds defensive, like she is ready for me to argue.
I am happy to disappoint her.
“Of course she shouldn’t be alone, Milly. Let me come down to your room and help you guys get ready.”
I hang up and walk back to the room with Simon hot on my heels. I don’t make him ask me what’s wrong, I start talking to explain.
My heart breaks for my mother. Just as my happily ever after is beginning, her nightmare is starting all over again.
I look at the man who just asked me to share his forever and know this is a challenge I won’t have to face alone.
When I am done with my story, Simon is sitting next to me, holding me. “I’m here, Addie, however you need me. And I’m not going anywhere.”
And those words say everything about him; why I love him and why I know that come what may, as long as Simon draws breath, I’ll never face anything alone again.
“I know, Simon, I know.”
THE END
Read Milly’s story and find out how their family copes when their father returns to face justice. Remember will be out in Summer 2017.
To my husband and children who make everything possible and beautiful. Thank you for the time, space, support and silence that allowed me to pursue my dream.
To my sisters who were first friends and are still my best friends. You are my role models, my personal dragon slayers and the loves of my life.
To Layla Boutazout...I wouldn’t have the courage to do this without your constant support. I owe you SO much and I love you.
To my Betas – Ashleigh Wilson, Chelé Pitts-Walker, Kimberley Hatch, Melissa Krehley, Rachael Siegel, Tara Carr and Taylor Roth, thank you for loving Simon and Addie right away and for helping me get this story right. I am grateful beyond measure.
To Cristal Haynes. Girl, just thank you. For everything. You’re the kind of friend that comes along once in a lifetime. I am so glad we met. Your honesty is priceless and cherished.
To Penelope Reid for encouraging me to take this journey in the first place, you are such an incredibly kind person. Thank you for believing in me.
To Melanie Harlow – my blurb fairy and giver of all the writing resources. I’m grateful for your presence along and interest in this journey. I can never EVER thank you enough
To Kennedy Ryan for just being my friend. For believing in me and encouraging me and laughing with me and crying with me. And for your beautiful, honest heart. I love you.
To RC Boldt for your friendship, laughter, encouragement and belief in me. I can’t wait to give you that hug.
To Nicola Rendell for your advice, time, support and friendship. Thank you!
To Kim Nadelson thank you for giving me my first editorial feedback. You don’t know it, but your feedback is what made me realize I could actually DO this and kept me going when I wanted to give up. I love you and am so happy I met this past year.
To Anja Pfister, my editor and my friend. Thank you for everything you made this book shine and I know I wouldn’t be worth reading without your input. Cheers to us!
To Linda Russell, my publicist at Sassy Savvy Fabulous PR who has been my fairy Godmother. Thank you
for holding my hand every single step of the way. You’re amazing. I feel incredibly blessed to have you by my side.
To all the bloggers and readers who took a chance on Rise, thank you from the bottom of my most grateful heart. You are amazing and I will NEVER be able to thank you enough.
Rise and Shine Dreamers!
Dylan Allen is a Texas girl with a serious case of wanderlust.
A self-proclaimed happily ever after junkie, she loves creating stories where her characters chase their own happy endings.
When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.
Dylan loves to hear from her readers.
Email her at [email protected]
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