A Life Without Fear (Life #2)
Page 18
“You know the whole housewife thing you have going for yourself. I like it, it suits you well. Now don’t you mind me, I’m just going to give myself a tour of the place.”
“Okay, don’t get lost,” I say with a wink as Sammy disappears down the hall.
“Oh Sammy, what would we do without him?” Joey asks no one in particular.
“We would live a very dull life, that’s what we would do,” I respond.
“Good point.”
Walking up to Liam, I hug him gently and show him and Joey into the living room.
“Holy shit, this is slightly different than the scene last night.” Joey walks around and takes in all the decorations.
“Blake hired a decorator to set the ambiance for the evening.”
“Damn! Well, whoever it was does a damn good job.”
“Yes, she did.” Admiring it all again with him.
“May I get you all some wine?” Blake asks the room.
“Yes, you may, doll. Something warm and red please,” Sammy says as he walks past us into the kitchen.
“As you wish, sir,” Blake responds while bowing.
“God Blake don’t spoil him with attention like that, then he’ll expect us all to cater to him,” Joey says with faked annoyance.
“Don’t you listen to him. He just doesn’t know how a real man is supposed to treat his guests,” Sammy snorts.
“You haven’t been a guest in over a decade…you’re family. Like an annoying little brother that I can’t shake away.”
“Pft, hush, you love me and wish I was around more.”
We all laugh at their exchange and follow Blake and Sammy into the kitchen to make our selections of wines to start the evening off with. Then we head back into the living room to snack on some appetizers while dinner continues to cook. As we’re gathered around on the sectional, I notice the way Joey and Liam sit, close enough together that their thighs touch yet they keep their hands in their own laps. Joey complements Liam perfectly. Where Joey is vocal, Liam is closed off, taking a while to come out of his shell. Blake places his arm around my shoulders and draws me closer to him.
“Praise Madonna, what’s in this spread Angie? It is simply fabulous!” Sammy says with a mouth full of food.
“Mainly cream cheese but the secret ingredient is salmon,” I say with a wink.
“Blake you’re lucky I’m not straight or I would’ve snatched up that woman so fast!”
“I know how lucky I am.” His voice has a subtle undertone that makes me squirm in my seat a little.
The rest of the afternoon is spent drinking and snacking. At around five I have everyone help me bring all the food to the table. It takes a few trips—I may have over done it, but eventually we get it all positioned. Once everyone finds their designated seats, I fetch my cell phone and call Granddad and Betty on speakerphone. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always called them before meals on major holidays so that they can lead me in grace. Regardless of where I’ve been or who I have been with, I’ve always done it. Today, being no exception from the rest, I call them to have them both lead our pre-meal prayer.
“Hey there, baby doll,” my granddad’s rich deep voice answers on the other end of the line.
“Hey Granddad, I’ve got you on speaker. We’re about to dig into our Thanksgiving feast and I wanted to call you and Betty first to lead us in grace.”
“Oh Angelica, it means the world to us that you still call us for this.”
“I know Granddad and I always will.”
“Quit hoggin’ the phone and let me talk to her,” Betty calls from somewhere behind my granddad.
“I’ll let Betty do the honors this time, I’ll get the next one.”
“Sounds good, Granddad. I love you.”
“I love you too, and I hope you all have a great meal. Angelica cooked so I have no doubt ya’ll will be enjoying yourselves.”
A chorus of thank you’s is yelled from around the table. I look up and see a soft smile on everyone’s lips, it brings so much happiness that they all wait so patiently for this.
“Hey there sweet girl, you got all that delicious food set and ready?” Betty asks.
“Yes she does and it smells divine. My stomach is growling to the heavens,” Joey calls back.
“I bet it does. Well, let’s not waste any time let’s bow our heads for grace.”
We all silently obey her orders. I sneak a peek to see if everyone is participating and to my joy they all are.
“Dear Father, we thank you for the food on the table before us, the friends at the table around us, and the family we hold near even when we are far. We ask that you bless this meal that our friends and family are about to enjoy and we ask that you make sure you give Rodger a few treats from the big table in heaven. We thank you for this day that’s being spent with those we love the most, and we pray that we’re able to continue this tradition for many years to come. In heaven’s name, Amen.”
“Amen,” we all say at the same time.
I feel the tear falling down my cheek, God bless that woman for mentioning Rodger in such a wonderfully light way. She knows how much that would mean to me.
“I love you, Betty.”
“I love you too child. Now go on and enjoy the fruits of your labor and we’ll see you real soon.”
After a chorus of goodbyes, I end the call and we dig into everything on the table before us. Looking around while everyone fills their plates brings so much joy to my heart. Joey is so blissfully happy with Liam you can practically see it radiating off of him. Liam has relaxed a bit and is opening up. His smile is from ear to ear. Sammy—my ever flamboyant friend—is just a bundle of joy wherever he is. Currently, he has a mouth full of turkey and is raising his wine glass to cheers.
“I’d like to make a toast. To Angelica for working her sexy little ass off to feed all us manly men and to Blake for opening his God damn gorgeous home to us. Thank you both.”
“You’re all very welcome. It was a pleasure to make all this food for you all, thank you for coming.”
Two hours later after dinner’s been eaten and dessert is long gone, Sammy bids his farewells. Joey and Liam stay a little longer with us and we enjoy each other’s company in front of the fireplace. At around nine they make their way out, thanking us yet again. When it’s just Blake and myself we lay on the couch together. He’s behind me holding me around the chest. I’m lying on his arm enjoying the silence and the feel of the warmth radiating from the fireplace. This moment right here, this moment of completeness, is one that I’ll try to always strive for. A day spent with most of the best people in my life and ending just like this, in the arms of the man I love. A life without fear, what a wonderful life this will be…
SIX MONTHS LATER
The water’s a rich shade of blue that I’ve never seen before. The air is so fresh and clean it’s almost too pure. The late afternoon air is the perfect temperature, in the low to mid-seventies. Walking hand-in-hand with Blake along the narrow roads of Greece is everything I thought it would be and more. The people of the neighborhood wave as you walk by, other tourists ride by on donkeys. We’ve been here for almost a week and I never want to leave, the way people live here is making me envious. Things are so much slower than they are back at home. No one is in a hurry to get to work or an appointment and there are no taxis screeching past us. It’s just him and me walking around taking in the sights. Every day we find something new.
Today Blake is taking me on a private tour of one of the churches that rests on the edge of the cliffs. Their bright blue dome-shaped tops almost match the water below. A man waits for us at the entrance, welcoming us in his broken English. He starts to give us the tour of the church telling us the history that comes along with it.
At the end of the tour, they have set up a small table with a few snacks and water. We sit and enjoy the silence. The sun is slowly starting to make its decent and we have an incredible view. Blake excuses himself to use the restroom and I ju
st sit in the silence and enjoy this moment. I’m so glad that we took the time to make this trip happen and I hope that we make this happen more often. Being able to unwind and forget about life, for just a little while, is such an awesome thing.
“Angelica?” Blake calls from behind me.
As I turn around to look for him, I’m taken aback. There’s Blake, down on one knee and behind him there are lit candles everywhere. My hands instantly come up to my mouth, I’m in utter shock and disbelief.
Is this really happening?
“Angelica Marie Cane life, since I've met you, has been nothing short of perfect. You’re everything and anything I could’ve ever dreamed of. We’ve been through so much in the short amount of time that we have known one another, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I couldn’t picture living this life or the next without you. Please, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears are streaming down my face uncontrollably. This man…this man before me is beyond perfect. How did I get so lucky? He brought me all the way to the one place I’ve always wanted to go, and as if that wasn’t memorable enough this is where he chooses to propose. My smile is so big it almost hurts. I nod my response and very quietly respond, “Yes.”
He stands from his spot in front of me and wraps me in his arms. I hug him back with everything I have. Placing me down he gently pulls the ring out of the box. I was so distracted by his words that I didn’t even notice it. Good God almighty it’s huge! He slides it on my finger and it fits perfectly.
“Do you like it?” he asks, a little worry in his voice.
“I love it, Blake. It’s perfect. Just like you.”
“I love you, Angelica, and I will for the rest of my life.”
“And I love you, Blake, until my dying day and beyond.”
If you are in emotional distress or struggling to cope, and are affected by any of the issues covered in this book, please contact:
The Samaritans USA 1(800) 273-TALK
The Samaritans UK 08457 90 90 90
‘Unchained Melody’ by The Righteous Brothers
‘Homegrown Honey’ by Darius Rucker
‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol
‘Take Your Time’ by Sam Hunt
‘Linger’ by The Cranberries
‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis
‘American Kids’ by Kenny Chesney
‘Take Me To Church’ by Hozier
‘I Will Follow You Into The Dark’ by Death Cab For Cutie
‘Always Be My Baby’ by Mariah Carey
‘Fast Car’ by Tracy Chapman
‘Time After Time’ by Cyndi Lauper
‘God Gave Me You’ by Blake Shelton
‘Summer’ by Calvin Harris
Thank you for reading A Life Without Fear.
If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase and on Goodreads. It means a lot to me to hear what you think.
Check these links for more books from Author C.S. Jacobs.
Goodreads Links
Click on the links below to add to your TBR list.
A Life Like This
A Life Without Fear
Amazon Links
A Life Like This
Email: cs.jacobsauthor@yahoo.com
Facebook
Goodreads
CS Jacobs lives in Southern California with her husband and three young children. She has a slight obsession with reading and Starbucks. She spends most of her time reading, writing or rescuing animals.