Page 25 of Thicker than Blood
He nods.
“I wanted to give you time to get to know me, time to find out I wasn’t some rich douche who thought you were a plaything. I wanted to give you some space, but I couldn’t… just leave you alone, I had to have you with me even if it was just checking in on you to make sure you were alright, that you ate, that you were being taken care of.”
“That’s…”
“Sick, obsessed. I know, okay. It was the only way I could do it without throwing you over my shoulder and tying you to my bed, Sweets.”
“Really sweet. I… I’ve never had someone watch out for me. Well, until you and Eddie.”
“So, we’re getting married. I want you to have my last name and I want to make a life with you where I can come home to you every night and we can be there for each other. I am obsessed with you but…I also love you.”
“You… you love me?” That's even more shocking than him wanting to marry me.
“I knew as soon as I found the right one, I would want to be with them every waking hour, that I would put all this…focus I’ve had all during my careers, hell, all my life, towards loving that person. Loving you.”
I give him a smile and scoot closer to him. “I…I love you too.”
I whisper it too afraid this is a fever dream to say it any louder, but he hears me.
“I was in the city for so long because I was looking to take some time off… so I can be with you. To try to streamline things so I wouldn’t have to work long hours and be away from you. And I am damn sure not going to travel without you. I can’t do it, Sweets.”
“You really love me.”
“Hell yes, I do! I wouldn’t put that ring on just anybody’s finger, sweets. And I'm certain you love me.”
“You are?”
“You wouldn’t just give anyone this sweet body.”
He’s right. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with someone I wasn’t in love with. The realization is profound. “Caspian, I want to marry you. If you ask me, I’ll say yes.”
“Then I’ll ask. Will you marry me, Maple? Will you make me complete? Will you go through this life with me and all its ups and downs and be mine forever?”
I scoot closer to him and wrap my hands around his cheeks, “Caspian, I already am yours, but yes, I’ll marry you.”
He starts kissing me as both of us fall backward ready to celebrate when the door downstairs opens and Maria’s happy voice rings out through the house.
“Kids! We’re home! Eddie’s with me! They let him out today and we wanted to surprise you.”
Caspian grins against my lips, “Wait until they find out our surprise for them, Sweets.”
He runs to catch them before they can start looking for us, so I have time to grab a shower and actually wear clothes for all these surprises. I can’t help but smile as I think, just weeks ago I didn’t have any family at all and now, I have a man who wants to be my husband, a grandfather who wants me to be in the family, and a friend that treats me like a daughter. The old saying about blood being thicker than water might be true but for us - for all of us - love is Thicker Than Blood every time, no relation needed.
Epilogue
Caspian
A Month Later
I look down at the handwritten note in front of me. It takes me back to months ago when the old man sent me a letter in the mail for fuck’s sake. Now I find this one in the dressing room.
My Boy,
I am so proud of you! And I know your grandma and your parents would be too. Me and Maria haven’t been this happy in a long time and I just wanted to tell you before things get all crazy. You’ve made an old man very happy, my boy.
Love you,
Grandpa Eddie