Have Me Forever by Ally Blythe
Epilogue
Noah (Four Years Later)
I finished my lecture for the one and only class I have this semester, so I head to my office to get a few other things done before heading home. I throw my bag down and set the coffee mug on the desk when my cell rings. Glancing at the caller ID, I smile as Eli’s name pops up along with the very cute picture of him cuddled against our two cats, Dante and Callan.
For the record, I did not choose their names. I argued that they can’t be named after my characters because it will make me look like an egotistical jackass. Eli argued that his fanboy nerdiness needed an outlet because a streaming service picked up my novels to turn them into a TV series. I conceded, naturally. Anything for that man.
It’s been amazing, though… getting to see my world made into something visual and so breathtakingly beautiful. It’s worth it even though we’re constantly stalked by paparazzi now. They knew me before, but nothing like this, and Eli takes it in stride. I hate having my privacy invaded, but he’s my rock, helping me get through all the craziness. In fact, he’s the one who encouraged me to cut down to one class in the fall, so that I’m on set during filming each spring. That way, I control the content, ensuring I preserve the books on screen. With the popularity, the demand for more books has increased as well. Cutting down on classes has given me more time to write. I’m always busy, but I fall asleep every night the happiest I’ve ever been with the man I love.
The main reason for my happiness chirps through the phone as I answer. “Hi, love. Wanted to call and let you know I’m headed home to get ready for our date night.” I promised to take him out because he spent the last month interviewing at a top five publishing firm for an editorial assistant role.
After graduation, he got a position with a small publishing house that specialized in helping indie authors, but a position opened up recently, and I encouraged him to go for it. At first he wasn’t sure, thinking he’d never have a chance, but he went and landed an interview. Visiting the headquarters, only an hour away, he fell in love with the firm. He would have to travel on site every so often, but the position is remote and paid well enough.
“Hey, babe. I have a few things to get done here. But I’ll be home soon. Did you hear from the publishing company yet?”
I can practically hear the smile through the phone. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
His teasing makes me laugh, his words echoing my own. Every time I start a new project, he asks what it’s about, how it’s going, and my response is always the same. You’ll have to wait and see. Payback is fair, I suppose. “Oh, come on, babe. Please. I’ll give you your present early if you tell me.” I make my voice deeper, gravelly, knowing full well how much he loves the sound, both of us knowing what present I’m really offering.
He moans. “Fuck. I’m driving. Don’t do that.”
“Then tell me.”
He hesitates, a soft sigh traveling through the phone, as I imagine Eli adjusting himself while fighting the urge to tell me. “Fine. Fine. I got the job. I start next month!”
“Fuck yeah. I knew you would. Congrats, babe. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.” What Eli doesn’t know is that I’m also proposing tonight. I rented out the diner where we had our first unofficial date. Cara was so thrilled that she offered to do everything. She’s been sending pictures of the decorators coming in and transforming the space so it has a romantic, fun atmosphere. She’s also catering, though I told her she’s wanted there as a guest.
“As long as I get my present first,” he jokes.
Hmm, I like how that sounds. “It’ll be the best, most mind-blowing present, babe.”
“Hmm. See you soon.”
***
I did, in fact, give him a present before we arrived at the diner. Unfortunately, that means we’re running a little late. Everyone else thinks they’re here to celebrate this huge next step in his career, except for Carmen, Vi, and Cara. They’ve been helping me arrange everything, so it’s perfect.
I open the door for him, and he walks through, gasping at the sight. Getting my first proper look, I can’t blame him. It looks nothing like the usual retro diner we’ve grown to love. Instead, the normally dingy walls have gauzy red and black fabrics draped over them, and fairy lights twinkle from the ceiling. It casts a soft glow, creating a magical ambiance. In a word, the place is perfect.
“It’s beautiful. Did you do all of this just for me?”
“Of course, babe. This is getting you one step closer to your dream job.” He spins toward me and plants a hard kiss on my lips. While he faces me, I signal to everyone.
They jump out, yelling, “Surprise,” his body jerking in my hold. He turns around, eyes wide, face flushed.
“Uh, hi, everyone.” He hits my chest lightly. “A party? This is too much.”
I pull him to me, plastering him against my chest. “Nah. It’s everything you deserve.”
After that, everyone streams toward us, and we spend the next hour greeting and mingling with friends and family. With each congratulations, Eli blushes, and the sight is as beautiful as ever. I love that even four years later I can still fluster him. I smile, knowing he hasn’t seen anything yet.
The crowd of well-wishers thins, and those who are closest to us, who we see regularly, come up to us. First to step up being Carmen, followed by Vi. They give Eli a big hug, but quickly pass as others stream forward. Angel finds her way up, whispering a few happy words along with her date. Then the rest of the Ruiz clan; his brothers, sisters, and father. Finally, Tony and Beth approach. Tony slaps me on the back, winking like he knows this is about more than a new job. I haven’t told him, but I’m sure they’ve suspected for a while.
Soon enough, Cara comes out, informing us that dinner’s ready. We take our seats and the meal is served—a simple pesto pasta dish with bread and salad on the side—the first meal we made together when he moved in after college. He looks at me knowingly, smiling fondly at the memory. We all dig in, but as the time comes closer and closer to the proposal, I get nervous. I know he’s going to say yes, there’s no doubt in my mind how much he loves me, but I want this to be perfect.
Okay, now or never. I can do this. I clink against a glass, pulling everyone’s attention. “Hello, everyone.” Eli gives me a funny look. “I wanted to thank you all for being here tonight to help celebrate Eli’s wonderful accomplishment. He’s worked hard and dedicated so much of his time to become the best damn editor this side of California has ever seen.” Everyone cheers and it only makes Eli’s cheeks flush harder, my mind supplying the rest; a blush creeping over his chest, turning his body the most beautiful pink over tanned, rippling skin.
Then I turn to Eli, addressing only him. “That’s not the only thing that we’re here for tonight. Eli, you are everything to me. From the start, you challenged everything I thought I knew. For instance… liking men. Or liking a man, I should say.” A few people chuckle, but Eli’s too enraptured to sass back. “You made me realize I was only living, functioning, but not truly happy. Not in the way I wanted to be. You showed me with word and action that I was deserving of love when I thought I should give up on it entirely. You have tenderly cared for my heart every day since, and continue to make me better. I have the best partner, and you already know you always have me. I’m here today, in front of our families and friends, to ask… will you be mine?” I drop to one knee and pull out a small box, a platinum band nestled in the fabric. “Eli, will you marry me?”
He’s frozen to his chair, tears streaming down his face, and I wait for his response. The silence stretches, and I start to sweat. God, was this the wrong way to propose? Should I have done it at home, only the two of us? “Eli?”
“Oh, fuck! Sorry. Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you! I’m yours. Always.” I slide the ring onto his finger and he pulls me into his warm, hard chest.
“I love you.”
He pulls me tighter. “I can’t wait to have you home. All alone. All mine. Showing you exactly how much I love you, fiancé.”
Fucking hell. He always knows how to rile me in the best sort of way. All I want to do is drag him home, have him show me just how much he wants me. For now, it’s time to celebrate. After all, he will have me forever.
The End
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Thank you for reading Have Me Forever
by Ally Blythe.