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SHANDIE
I pressed my skirt down around my knees and glanced at the bottle of Xanax on my bathroom counter. I knew I had already taken one, because I had put a checkmark with a dry erase marker on my mirror when I did it. That was Carlisle's idea. It worked really well. My fresh checkmark promised me I had already taken on. Carlisle erased them every morning so I would know if I had one or not yet that day and so I wouldn’t wonder if the checkmark was from the day before.
I only needed one pill.
Colin would be at the house any minute. We had agreed on a set number of guests. Those people were already arriving for a launch party for the ClickandWed international site. I thought the number of people invited was outlandish but she said it was very conservative. Colin didn’t have anxiety about people, so I wasn’t going with what she thought.
I jumped at the knock on the door. It could be anyone who had shown up already. My breath quickened.
“Shandie? Are you okay?” Carlisle. His voice still calmed me after all this time. It had only been a couple months, but it felt like we'd been together forever. I opened the door and took his hand. He glanced at the mirror and smiled at the checkmark. “Good, I'd hate to see you embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”
I shook my head. “Can you imagine? No, thank you.”
We made our way down the stairs. Colin opened her arms when she saw me, pulling me in for a hug. “Look at you, not only are we celebrating the site’s status, but we’re also celebrating you two. My best success story. I am so proud of you. Have you guys decided to stay together past the time frame?”
I glanced at Carlisle and smiled. But his lips turned down in a frown. “We have nothing set in stone yet.” He reached into his pocket and knelt in front of me. “So I thought I would get a stone to cement it with.” He opened the box and flashed a diamond ring at me that I could barely focus on. He inclined his head. “I already called your dad and asked for his permission. He said I had his blessing. Will you marry me? The wedding can be just the two of us.”
My heart pounded and I wasn’t nervous, it was an excitement at the prospect of a definitive future with this man.
Colin cleared her throat. “Um, I definitely have a problem with that. Let's say at least fifteen people? We can have the ceremony and reception in your backyard.” She cocked an eyebrow at me and I shook my head as I clapped my hands together and looked back at Carlisle.
Carlisle glared at Colin. “This is our moment. Let her say yes first.” His consternation turned to humor and he chuckled as he waited for my answer.
I nodded, unable to contain my happiness. “Yes. Absolutely yes.” I was proud of my relationship with Carlisle, but I was also proud of my strength and ability to welcome people into my home for a one-hour celebration party.
I’d been firm on the time frame. One hour I could control, anything longer than that and my anxiety would shoot through the roof.
Surpassing my expectations and dreams, I couldn't believe that having a happily-ever-after could happen to a felon and an agoraphobe.
Everyone should have a chance at their happy ending.
I was so glad I had been given my shot.
