Safe With You

by DeMuzio, Kirsten

  I was looking out the kitchen window while sipping a glass of lemonade when Wyatt came up behind me and brushed my ponytail aside so he could kiss my neck. “I’m going to ride into town with my dad to drop off this stuff. Why don’t you take a nap? I’m sure you’re tired from getting up early.” I turned around and slipped my arms around his waist. “Okay, wake me up when you get back. I want to take a shower before we leave for the fireworks tonight.”

  “Will do. I love you.” He gave me a quick kiss before leaving. “Love you too,” I called after him.

  I rolled over and stretched, my arm landing on Wyatt’s hard stomach. My eyes flew open and I sat up, looking at the sun setting out the window. Wyatt was lying on the bed next to me scrolling through something on his iPad. “You were supposed to wake me up when you got back!” I scolded him. He set the iPad down and pulled me back down beside him. “You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “What time do your parents want to leave? Do I still have time to take a shower? Because I feel kind of grimy from going through Derek’s stuff all day.” I started to rush around grabbing my clothes and toiletries from my overnight bag.

  “Yes, you have time for a shower. We have over an hour before the fireworks start. And…my parents already left.”

  “Oh. Are we meeting them there?” I asked not really understanding why we wouldn’t all ride together. He shook his head, “No, we’re going to stay here. We can see the fireworks from the backyard. If that’s okay with you?” I frowned slightly, “Um…sure. But won’t they be upset that we’re not spending the evening with them?”

  “Nope, they are totally fine. Now go get ready,” he said shooing me to the bathroom.

  An hour later I emerged from the bathroom in a pale blue sundress, my hair in loose waves, and no shoes since we were staying here. I loved to walk in the grass barefoot. Wyatt was on the other side of the room staring out the window, looking deep in thought. I stood in the doorway for a moment admiring the view – his hair was still slightly damp, so I guessed he had gone into the house to shower, and he was wearing cargo shorts and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows showing off his tanned muscular forearms.

  When he turned to greet me a slow smile spread across his face, and it reminded me of the nervous smile he gave me the first day he asked me to have coffee with him. “You’re beautiful,” he breathed, crossing the room to pull me into his arms. “Mmmm, you smell so good,” I said sniffing his neck.

  He pulled back and held me at arm’s length, “So, I have a surprise for you, and I need you to wear this until we’re outside.” He held up a thin scarf and stepped around me to tie it over my eyes. I felt him take my hand and lead me carefully down the stairs and I could tell we were headed for the pond when I felt the soft grass between my toes. His arm around my waist guided me while we walked for a while, I assumed to the far side of the pond. The smell of Wyatt mixed with the fresh summer air was intoxicating, and I was suddenly really glad that it was just the two of us tonight. The light breeze ruffled through my hair and I could hear the crickets chirping.

  We stopped walking and I felt Wyatt’s fingers untying the blindfold. I gasped when I took in the scene in front of me. We were at the spot on the far side of the pond under the tree Wyatt and Derek used to climb as kids. There was a huge blanket spread on the ground with several large pillows, and next to it was an ice bucket with a bottle of wine and a picnic basket. In the trees surrounding us were hundreds of white twinkling lights.

  I brought my hand to my mouth and a tear fell down my cheek. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured. Wyatt cupped my face in his hands and wiped away the tear with his thumb. “You’re beautiful,” he said before pressing his lips gently to mine. “We have a little while before the fireworks start. Are you hungry?” I nodded and he pulled me down to the blanket.

  The picnic basket held strawberries, different kinds of cheeses, and some delicious looking bakery bread. I nibbled on a strawberry while Wyatt poured us each a glass of wine. “No beer tonight?” I asked. “Nah, I thought I would try wine with you for a change.” We ate and drank in silence just looking at each other and grinning like idiots.

  It was moments like this that my heart swelled with love for him, and the feeling was so strong I almost couldn’t contain it. I looked down at the cross tattoo on my wrist and smiled as I thought how I now thanked God every day for my parents…and for Wyatt. Soon he checked his watch and leaned over to flip a switch lying on the ground, and the lights around us went dark.

  “Time for fireworks,” he explained. I scooted over to sit in front of him and leaned back against his chest with my arms resting on his thighs. He was right. We had a great view of the fireworks over the trees. It was a much smaller display than what we had in the city, but I loved it. Probably the man I was with had something to do with that.

  Twenty minutes later the finale started and the sky lit up with colors. The very last one flashed in the sky and was a red heart with letters spelling out MARRY ME. “Awww, that’s so cute!” I gushed, thinking some lucky girl was having the night of her life right now.

  Just then Wyatt stood up and pulled me up to stand in front of him. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and dropped to one knee in front of me. My eyes were wide and my mouth dropped open as the realization hit me that I was that lucky girl tonight. He held my left hand in his and looked into my eyes.

  His voice was thick with emotion when he said, “Taryn, when I saw you for the first time in Starbucks, I knew you would change my life. You were off-limits then and I tried so hard not to love you. But a love like ours can’t be denied. You are my heart, my soul, and my reason for breathing. I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you and trying to be the man that you deserve, if you’ll have me. Taryn Ross, will you marry me?”

  Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I could only nod. He opened the ring box and I nearly fainted at the gorgeous ring that lay inside. In a second it was on my finger and I was in his arms with my lips on his. A few minutes later I pulled away to catch my breath and wipe the tears from my eyes. I took a good look at the ring – it was a large cushion cut yellow diamond surrounded by small diamonds, which also ran around the thin platinum band.

  “Wyatt, this is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. But it must have cost you a fortune. I don’t need anything this extravagant.” He took my hand and kissed the ring, “You brought color back into my life, Taryn. I couldn’t get you a colorless diamond, and when I saw this one I knew it belonged on you. Don’t worry about the cost. Private security pays very well.” I grinned, “Well, okay then!”

  I wanted to consummate our engagement right there in the yard, but Wyatt convinced me to go back to our room in case his parents came home soon. We nearly ran up the steps and he swept me up in his arms when we reached the top, only setting me down for a moment to unzip my dress and let if fall to the floor. I pulled the duvet cover back and crawled onto the bed. The lights were off, but the moonlight streamed through the window and across the bed. I licked my lips as I watched Wyatt undress and then he was kneeling over me, his fingertips trailing fire over my body. We spent a long time teasing and cherishing each other, and when we finally came together it was better than ever. His eyes were locked on mine and the emotion I saw there, that was reflected back in my eyes, was indescribable and overwhelming. I had no doubt that we would be together forever.

  The first thing I did when I woke up the next morning to the wonderful aroma of coffee was to hold up my hand so I could admire my ring sparkling in the sunlight. I twisted my hand so I could examine it from every angle, and I thought it couldn’t have been more perfect if I had picked it out myself. Wyatt was sitting at the small table in the corner of our room sipping coffee and reading the paper. “Did Lindsay help you pick this out?”

  “Nope, she doesn’t know that I was planning to propose.” Oh.

  “Does anyone know?” I asked worried that my parents mi
ght be less than overjoyed since Wyatt and I hadn’t been together very long. He smiled, aware of where my line of questioning was headed. “Don’t worry, baby. I asked your parents’ permission when they were in the city two weeks ago. And my parents know of course.” I breathed out a huge sigh of relief.

  “Wait, two weeks ago? How long ago did you start planning this?” He smiled sheepishly and ducked his head, “Well…” I walked over and raised his face up. “Honestly, I knew I wanted to marry you after that first day we had coffee.”

  “Seriously? Well, what took you so long?” I joked. He kissed me and handed me my phone. “You’d better call your mom. I know she’s dying to find out if you said yes.” I leaned down to whisper in his ear, “I would have said yes after our first coffee date.”

  I texted my mom a picture of my ring and she immediately called. I had to hold the phone away from my ear, because she was squealing so loudly, which caused Wyatt to laugh at us. She wanted all the details of the proposal, and I thanked her for being okay with this. “I knew the first time I saw you two together that you were meant to be. Your father needed a bit of convincing, not because he doesn’t like Wyatt, just because he will always see you as his little girl.” We hung up quickly since I would be seeing her when we got home later today. I didn’t want to tell Lindsay over the phone, because I wasn’t sure how she would react since she had been so out of sorts lately. At breakfast Anne and Robert congratulated us both, and Anne admired my ring, complimenting Wyatt’s good taste.

  It was a quick trip and I wished we could have stayed longer, but we had to get back for the next few stressful days. Tomorrow was the fundraiser dinner where my dad would officially announce his intention to run for President, and the following day was the taping of my interview. It would run on Sunday night, and Lindsay was already planning a viewing party. I cringed at the thought of watching myself on TV, but I could always bury my face in Wyatt’s chest and cover my ears if I just couldn’t stand it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Announcements

  It turns out I didn’t need to worry about Lindsay’s reaction to my engagement. The second I stepped into the apartment her eagle eyes zeroed in on my ring. “Oh my God! You’re engaged!” She screamed running over and grabbing my hand, nearly pulling my arm out of socket. Her eyes bulged out of her head and she gave Wyatt the Lindsay stamp of approval, “Nice job, Wyatt.” She screamed again and grabbed both my hands, making me jump up and down with her.

  Dominic came to investigate the commotion, rubbing his eyes like he just woke up. “What’s all the screaming about?” He asked. Lindsay shoved my hand under his nose. He looked at it and shrugged like he didn’t get what all the fuss was about. Lindsay rolled her eyes and said, “Taryn and Wyatt are engaged, dumb ass.” Dominic scrunched his eyebrows together and took another look at my hand.

  “Oh! Congratulations!” He gave me a big bear hug and slapped Wyatt on the back. Rosa was excited for us, and I texted Selena a picture of my ring with the news. She immediately texted back that she was choosing a different dress for me to wear to the fundraiser, because the green dress would clash with my ring. I laughed and thought she would just have to get used to matching my outfits to my ring, because I was never taking it off.

  Lindsay stayed home from the fundraiser, not wanting to deal with her parents. So, it was my parents and Wyatt and me in the limo on the way to the banquet hall. Dominic rode in front with the driver and Ethan was meeting us there along with Roland and a couple of others from his security team. My mom and dad would need full time security after tonight as well.

  Wyatt was not working tonight, but accompanying me as my fiancé. I was thrilled to be on his arm instead of under his watch, and he looked awesome in a tux. Selena had switched out the green dress for a champagne colored cocktail dress with small sequins across the one shoulder bodice and chiffon ruffles falling to mid thigh. She said the neutral color of the dress along with my French manicure would let my ring shine, and she was right.

  My mom was talking to Wyatt about setting up a time for his parents to visit so they could all meet, and my dad was watching me admire my ring with an amused smile. “Are you happy, Taryn?” I looked over at Wyatt and then to my dad, with his black hair graying around the temples and dark blue eyes, “Yes, Dad. I’ve never been happier.” He nodded once, “Good.”

  My parents exited the limo first and walked the red carpet stopping for photographers and shaking hands. I assumed people would turn away after my parents were inside, but the second Wyatt helped me out of the limo, the photographers were shouting my name and people were holding out pictures for me to autograph, most of them being the steamy picture of Wyatt and me from the paper. I looked to Wyatt for help understanding, and he whispered, “They love you, Taryn.”

  It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I regained my composure and slipped my left hand through Wyatt’s arm, and we posed for the photographers. Soon everyone noticed the glittering ring on my finger and there were shouts of “Taryn! Are you engaged? Is this the mystery man from the paper?”

  I stopped to sign a few autographs, and Wyatt even had a few requests as well when it became clear who he was. We reached the doorway and someone shouted loudly, “Tell us! Are you engaged?” I turned back around and flashed my ring and smiled before pulling Wyatt in for a long kiss. Flashbulbs exploded around us, and I knew my life would never be the same after that.

  My parents were waiting for us inside with Blake, who grinned at me and said to my dad, “She might just be your ticket to the Oval Office, James.” He rubbed his hands together greedily and ignored my dad glaring at him.

  Wyatt didn’t leave my side the whole evening, through the cocktail party, dinner and dancing. He was a surprisingly good dancer and I had to remind myself that we were at a classy event and not press myself obscenely close to him. I even suggested we visit the bathroom, but he quickly shot down that idea.

  Even though he was enjoying himself as a guest, Wyatt’s eyes still scanned the room out of habit. He snickered and motioned for me to look towards the bar where the Mayor’s wife had once again cornered Dominic. Now that I wasn’t being manhandled by Ryan, I could enjoy the show. Dominic looked extremely uncomfortable and mouthed “Help me” but Wyatt just winked at him and waved. I’m sure Dominic would get his revenge – those two were always trying to outdo each other with practical jokes.

  Towards the end of the evening, the press was allowed in for my dad’s speech. The room seemed to hang on his every word and then erupted in applause when he announced he would be running for President in 2012. We stood up along with everyone else and clapped. I was so proud of my dad and vowed to do whatever I could to help him win this.

  The champagne from the fundraiser and Wyatt’s warm arms around me lulled me to sleep that night, but my stomach was full of butterflies the moment I woke up the next morning. Selena would bring my dress over at 10:00 and I had to be at the studio for my interview by noon. Wyatt was actually still asleep when I disentangled myself from his arms and jumped out of bed. He rubbed his eyes and watched me run around the room like the Tasmanian devil.

  “What are you doing up so early?” I quickly glanced at the clock and saw it was not quite 8:00. “Selena will be here in two hours and I have to take a shower and eat breakfast.” I pressed a hand to my nervous stomach and doubted I would actually be able to keep anything down.

  Wyatt grabbed my hand as I rushed past and pulled me on top of him, holding me there with both arms wrapped around my back. “Taryn, look at me.” I did, and I could feel the calmness I always found in his eyes seeping through me, settling my rattled nerves. He continued to speak in a low calm voice, “You’re going to be fine. This is not live, so if you mess up they will just do a retake. And I’ll be with you the whole time. Okay?” I bit my lip and nodded, then dropped my head to his chest and let the steady rhythm of his heart soothe me back to normal.

  Several hours later I was sitting in the green room with Wyatt,
Lindsay, my parents and Blake. I smoothed my hands over the navy blue sheath dress Selena had chosen and nervously tapped my beige high heeled shoe on the floor. I alternated between twirling my ring around on my finger and twisting a lock of my hair.

  Lindsay batted my hand away, “Stop it, Taryn. I spent half an hour flat ironing your hair.” She pulled my parents and Blake out of the room and pointed at Wyatt, “Calm her down.” When the door closed behind them he pulled me over onto his lap and ran his hand over my leg. He pulled me in to kiss me, and in no time I forgot what I was nervous about. By the time Blake knocked on the door signaling it was time to start, I needed to reapply my lip gloss. Lindsay patted Wyatt on the back, “Good job.” I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, following Blake out to the room where my interview would be filmed.

  My parents were there to watch and for moral support, but they would not be part of the interview. The network had asked to talk to them as well, but Blake thought it would be more effective if it was just me. A production assistant named Erin led me to a chair on set, and someone else came over to arrange my hair and powder my nose. Erin fiddled with my microphone and had me try out crossing my ankles versus crossing my legs. In the end she said I could do whatever was most comfortable to me, so I crossed my legs and placed my hands in my lap, willing them to be still.

  A minute later the anchor of the nightly news, Andrea Caldwell, came onto the set and greeted my parents before seating herself across from me. She smiled warmly at me, “Taryn, dear, it’s so nice to finally meet you. Don’t be nervous; we will run through all of my questions, which are mostly focused on your early childhood and your adoption, and then we can go back and reshoot anything we need to later. Okay?” I nodded, not trusting my voice to be steady enough to speak yet.