by MA Lee
Sitting down next to me, Ryan threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to his body. Nestling up to him, I inhaled his sweet aroma and looked up at the vast, black sky. The stars seemed to be winking at us as they glowed brightly in the sky. Fireflies flew around us, providing a soft glow like tiny little lanterns floating in the air.
“Maddi, I want to apologize again for everything I did to hurt you. You have to understand that I love you more than anything. I know I get jealous and I promise you I am working on that. When it comes to you, I guess I just don’t understand how someone as amazing as you want to be with a guy like me,” he said as he looked out into the dark night.
Placing my index finger on his lips, I hushed Ryan. “I love you too. Yes, you were too possessive, but we talked about this. We both need to work on our flaws. All of that is behind us now. As long as we accept one another for who we are and just give each other our love, we will be together forever,” I finished.
I stared deep into Ryan’s eyes, assuring him that my words were true. Kiss my fingers, Ryan grabbed my hands and held them up to his heart. “One day, I will give you a ring and make you mine forever. Until then, I will enjoy every minute I can have with you. Soon enough, we will be at school together. Whatever happens next, I know that I just have to trust that fate will not fail me. You are the love of my life now and forever.”
“Forever,” I reiterated.
“And beyond that,” Ryan added.
Laying us both down, Ryan continued to hold me close. “Engagement. Marriage. Babies. Holding hands in our nursing home. I want it all. But, I promise you I will slow down and just take every day one step at a time.”
Smiling, I decided to just accept his words and know that Ryan would love me forever. It still astounded me how a boy who I met while working at the club grille stole my heart and showed me what true love was.
In a few short months, my life had been completely transformed. I had found a love that I thought only existed in fairy tales. I had found a way to accept my family in my life, and I had found a way to be happy on my own terms.
With Ryan by my side, I knew I could do anything I wanted in this crazy life. While I wasn’t sure what our futures would hold, I knew one thing for sure. I was the only person who could make me happy. I couldn’t rely on Ryan, my family, or anyone or anything else to bring happiness to my life. I was strong. I was confident. I was in love. As long as I remembered who I was, I would enjoy walking down life’s path with my sweet, New Jersey Boy.
The End
