After several trips back and forth to our cars, my house was empty. The movers had already taken the heavy stuff, but we’d opted to take the fragile items and what we could easily lift to save on moving costs.
Back in our cars, I followed Deanna. She turned into a driveway, and I pulled up behind her. Disbelief flooded me as I stared at the grey stucco house. Our house! A flower garden bordered the inner edge of the tall fence, making it look less like a fortress and more like a home. The backyard was massive. Perfect for Harley.
A rap on the driver’s window made me jump. “Are you going to sit there all day?”
I cracked open the door, my gaze still on the house. “It feels like only yesterday you said we could never live together.”
“It was said out of fear. Plus, I went to school with a girl who hated her stepfamily. They fought like cats and dogs, and back then, I couldn’t imagine ours getting along.”
It still blew my mind how my timid wee girl had formed a bond with Harley. “But they proved us wrong,” I said.
“And I conquered my fear.” Deanna’s expression was full of tenderness and pride.
“We both did.” When she’d initially suggested we move in together, thoughts of selling my house had terrified me, but not as much as losing Deanna. And what better way to show her how committed I was to us than to sell up?
But it hadn’t been as simple as that. The backyard at my house wasn’t big enough for Harley, and I was apprehensive about moving into Deanna’s home. It would always feel like hers. But we had other options.
When I’d voiced my concerns, Deanna suggested we both sold up and started fresh. Any lingering fears I’d had fled, replaced by the exciting prospect of living with someone I wanted to be with. Not someone forced on me by others or due to circumstances out of my control.
I took Deanna’s hand in mine and kissed her softly. “I love you.” I marvelled at how easily those words came now. “Let’s go unpack.”
Deanna looked at the lavender bush she’d insisted on uprooting. “Let me get that in the ground first.”
“Okay. I’ll leave you to get dirty, then we can get dirty.”
“If I’m not too sore.”
I pulled her to me. “Since when did you let a little pain stop you?”
Her eyes blazed, and I put a hand around her waist, pulling her to me. “There’s no way we’re not christening this house on our first night in it. Even if you have to be a pillow princess.”
“I have never been—”
I cut her off with a kiss. “I was joking.” I held her gaze, my heart beating madly for this wonderful woman. “One day, we won’t be doing acrobatics in the bedroom, and I won’t love you any less. I love what’s in here.” I tapped her chest. “And I meant what I said. You are my world, the love of my life.”
She blinked back tears. “How’d I get so lucky?”
“We both did.” Since meeting Deanna, I’d conquered my fear of abandonment and discovered the true meaning of unconditional love.
***
A week later…
“Aren’t you excited?” Deanna asked as she smoothed down her short-sleeved blouse.
“I am. But I’ll probably be hit by lightning the second I set foot inside.” I popped my earrings in, then spun and wrapped my arms around Deanna’s waist. “You look as ravishing as ever.” I cupped her backside, loving it when she gasped.
“If you want to make it to church on time, you better quit that.”
“Can we call in sick?” I asked.
“No.” She chuckled. “We’re talking about church, not work.”
“Going to church is work.” I turned back to the mirror and finished applying my makeup. When I’d last seen my hairdresser, rather than have my red highlights touched up, I’d gone back to mahogany.
I grabbed my summer jacket, and my stomach flipped. I’d never been in a church, not for a wedding, not for a funeral, and certainly not for confession, but I guessed the time came for everything.
I wandered out to the kitchen to lock up. Harley was outside, and who knew where Casper and Shadow were. They’d settled in with ease and came and went as they pleased.
“Ready?” Deanna asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
We pulled up outside the church, and I took a deep breath before stepping out into the sunshine. It was a gorgeous day, too hot for my jacket, but I draped it over my arm anyway. Deanna met me on the footpath, all smiles and big hazel eyes.
“You love this shit, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yep! Where are they?”
I looked around, spotting at least ten people, none of whom I knew. “Probably already inside.”
“Shall we?” Deanna held out an arm.
I slipped mine through hers, and we wandered inside. I glanced around, taking in the opulence—stained-glass windows, high ceilings, statues of religious figures, the pulpit and pews.
My gaze landed on Sadie and Victoria, and my heart swelled on their behalf. Any discomfort I felt was worth it to be there for the christening of baby Carissa. A name derived from the baby name game that no one else came up with.
After the priest said his thing and dripped water on Carissa’s head, people lined up for a photo with the happy couple and their baby girl. With each person who stepped up, the knot in my stomach tightened.
By the time we were called up front, it was hard to force a smile. The only saving grace—no pun intended—was people had moved outside after their photo.
Sadie’s mum, Victoria’s dad, Hannah, Odette, and Wiremu remained milling around the front of the church. I’d last seen Grace when she took Amaia outside during the sermon. A couple I didn’t know had done the same when their toddler started rolling around in the aisle. That had been a shame because I’d personally found it entertaining.
“Soraya and Deanna.” Victoria waved us over.
My stomach jumped to attention before I could get my feet to work.
“Come on.” Deanna tugged on my arm. “It’s only a picture. Lightning’s not going to strike you down.”
I forced myself to smile around my anxiety, which was through the roof. And that was saying something, considering how high the ceilings were.
“Thanks for coming,” Sadie and Victoria said in unison.
“Here.” Sadie extended an arm, and I stepped aside, letting Deanna take Carissa. I liked kids, but I was terrified of dropping them when they weren’t much bigger than a rugby ball.
Deanna rocked Carissa, cooing to her softly. “Aren’t you a cutie?”
I leaned in close and stroked Carissa’s cheek, marvelling at how soft her skin was. She blinked her little eyes at me, so full of trust, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy.
“Ready?” the photographer asked.
Sadie and Victoria moved in close. We all smiled, and the flash went off, blinding me momentarily.
When my vision cleared, my gaze landed on Wiremu, Hannah, and Odette watching us closely. I turned my back, doing my best to tune them out. The photographer looked to Victoria, who gave him an affirmative nod before fading into the background.
This was it.
With my heart in my throat and sweat trickling down my spine, I got down on one knee. Deanna gasped, hand flying to her mouth before I’d uttered a single word. I gazed up into the eyes of the woman I loved more than I knew possible.
“Deanna, you’ve made me the happiest woman alive.” I swallowed the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. “Will you do me the honour of being my wife?”
She tapped her lip as if pondering the question. If it hadn’t been for the tears in her eyes, I might’ve cried myself.
Finally, Deanna’s eyes lit up, and she bounced on her heels. “Yes! Yes! Yes! All the yeses in the world, yes!” She flung her arms around my neck. “I love you so much.”
Odette and Hannah swiped at tears. Wiremu let out a shrill whistle. Carissa started crying, and Victoria shot Wiremu a disapproving look.
“Oops.” He slapped a hand over his mouth.
I turned my attention back to Deanna. My wife-to-be. The thought made me delirious with happiness. Now it was time to make it official. I pulled a small box out of my jacket pocket. My heart expanded as Deanna blinked back tears.
She popped the lid and stared at the white-gold ring with a royal-blue sapphire and two small diamonds. “I love it!”
“Allow me.” I removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. And just like that, we were engaged to be married.
Initially, I hadn’t wanted to intrude on Sadie and Victoria’s day, but when I’d confided in Victoria and she’d made the suggestion, the idea grew on me. It was the perfect cover, and we got to have the moment captured by a photographer.
Hand in hand, Deanna and I exited the building. I doubted I’d marry in a church; that was something we were yet to discuss. But I no longer feared I’d be struck down by lightning simply by walking through the doors of a place that offered comfort to so many.
Whether it was the setting, the people around me, or the woman by my side—I couldn’t say for sure—I finally felt worthy of love.