“Mom, where is Lucas?” I ask.
“He is around somewhere, where do you think the food came from,” she smiles at me. Just then I look up where all the food is sitting and see him talking to Danny. I smile and wave to him. He blows me a kiss.
“Hey, I am going to run to the truck real quick, I will be right back,” Jake says to me.
“Ok,” I smile. I watch him walk out of the hall and look at my mom. She is smiling at me. “What?”
“It’s amazing to see you so happy Jo, usually today is the hardest day for you. Jake has truly made you happy.”
“He has,” I smile. “He has done so much for the girls and I and there is nothing that I could do to ever repay him,” I smile. “I can’t wait until we move into the house and are with him, the girls are so excited, and so am I.”
“We drove past that a couple days ago, it looks like it is going to be amazing.”
“Yes that it will be. It is based off of the house he is in now with a few changes.”
“I’m so happy for you Jo,” my mom grabs my hand.
“Excuse me, everyone can I have your attention,” I hear Jake’s voice on a microphone. Everyone gets quiet and looks at him. I stare at him with my mouth open. What is he doing? “I wanted to say a few words to everyone that is here tonight. I know a lot of you, a lot of you know me. I have recently become a big part of Jo, Lizzy, and Abby’s lives and I have never been happier to be with someone.” He looks at me. “Now most of you know that she and I have only been together a short time, but we have done a lot together. I feel like I have known Jo for a long long time. We have accomplished a lot together, and I am sure that most of you have seen the news reports trying to make our relationship public, then trying to drag my name through the mud, and then there was the time when Jo got shot trying to save my brother, which is still a sore subject,” he smiles at me. “I guess what I am getting at is she hasn’t given up on me and my ability to make things work between us. She has done more than she realized for my family and I. She has been there for me when I needed someone to talk to about things that were going on, she was there for my sister when she had some problems, she saved my brother from becoming someone that he wasn’t, and that is only the things that I have seen her do for my family. This girl’s heart is as big as they come. She would do anything for anyone, and that is why I love her so much. So,” he walks over closer to me. “I wanted to proclaim my love for her in front of her family and friends. She told me when we first started dating that she has extended family. I guess I didn’t realize that meant an entire fire department and police department, but I look around and see how much everyone here cares about her. I know that I can never replace Jarrod, I told her that, and I’m not trying to. I just want to fill that gap in her heart with my love for her. Now, I know this is going to seem crazy, but I’m going to do it anyways. Lizzy, Abby, will you girls come here for a minute?” I see the girls get up and walk over by him and he bends down to get to their level. “Now, I have already taken care of dad,” he smiles. I look at John and he smiles at me and my mom is bawling. I know right then what is coming. “However, I feel like I need to ask you girls something.” They both look at him. He puts the microphone down and whispers something to them and I see their faces light up right away and they both start nodding. “Ok then,” he smiles and gets off his knee then walks over to me and grabs my hand. I stand up and follow him out to where the girls are standing and he gets down on one knee. I hear gasping and I can hear a couple people crying and I can feel tears forming in my eyes.
“Jodene Marie Lewis, I love you with my entire heart. I have since the day that you tripped over your heels and knocked me over at the bar.” I can’t help but let out a little laugh when he says this, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you please do the honor of becoming Mrs. Jackson Adams,” he pulls a ring out of his pocket and holds it up to me. I have to stop my jaw from hitting the floor that is the biggest diamond I have ever seen. I look down into those amazing blue eyes and nod. How can I say no to a man that makes me feel like his love is never ending? He slips the ring on my finger and stands up and pulls me into a deep sensual kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back. I hear everyone cheering and clapping and I don’t care. I am in the arms of the man that I love, and I am going to marry him.
Unexpected Love (Jo's Story) Page 54
