Chapter 169: Planning the proposal
1411words
Diego was dead. My little brother was gone. I didn't know much about him after I left and it hurt to know I'd never get that chance. He blamed me for a lot of his life's mishaps, but what he failed to see was that I made a choice. I knew that if I stayed, I'd be just like him. I'd be slinging drugs and working for our alcoholic father too. I made a choice to leave. I was sorry he didn't make the same one.
It wasn't my fault. None of it was.
Lynn groaned in her sleep, pulling my attention back to her. I loved watching her sleep. She was curled up beside me with her silky brunette hair splayed across the pillow. It was her peaceful expression that caused me to gawk, though. She was at peace beside me. I was at peace beside her. There would never be another woman like lynn and I meant the words that came out of my mouth last night. I wanted lynn to be my wife more than I've ever wanted anything.
But I wouldn't push her. I knew what kind of marriage she had with Jason and I knew those wounds weren't healed yet.
All I could hope was that she'd trust me enough to know that I'd never do anything to harm her. She was safe with me.
Between everything that's happened, I couldn't stay in bed any longer. I pulled on some sweats and a tee before I headed for the kitchen. A nice steaming cup of joe sounded awesome right about now. I'd check in on Lane when it wasn't so early, then I'd head to the studio and dice back into work. I needed something to distract me.
The house was quiet and dark besides a small light on in the kitchen. Luis and Aunt Rose had stayed in the guest rooms so I tried to be as quiet as I could. But when I entered the kitchen, I saw that I wasn't alone.
Aunt Rose sat at the table with her gaze out toward the desolate street, a cup of steaming coffee in her hands.
"Good morning, Drake," she said without glancing in my direction.
I'd say it was strange to find her here this early in the morning, but she was a strange woman in the best way possible. There was something about this woman that soothed my soul and made me feel comfortable, yet she was a complete stranger.
"Morning, Rose."
I grabbed a coffee mug down and poured the steaming liquid in before I took the seat across from her. My nerves were all over the place and I wasn't sure how to speak to her.
Her chuckle filled the kitchen. "I'm not going to bite, Drake. There's something on your mind you want to speak to me about, isn't there?"
My ears turned red as I glanced away from her. How the hell does she know shit like this?
"How, um, how do you know..." I trailed off, unsure how to even word my question.
"How do I know things? I just do. I've had this gift since I was a little girl." She reached over and placed her hand on mine, freezing me to my spot. "I've never felt the kind of love you and lynn share. It's the kind of love that lasts an eternity, finding one another life after life. You're both very lucky."
"I'm not even sure I deserve her love sometimes," I whispered. It was true. I grew up believing I didn't deserve much and that hasn't left me.
She inhaled a deep breath before she smiled. "You deserve more than life, sweet Drake. The light inside of your eyes and soul is blinding. You may not see it but those around you can. You're very special. Your soul is nothing like your family's. They're dark. Tainted. You're pure. Kind."
"I want to believe you..."
"Then do it. Life is what you make it. You know that more than anyone, don't you? Make the decisions that make your soul feel good. Everything else will fall in line." Her gaze dropped as she pulled her hands away. "You will marry lynn before you know it, but troubles are still coming. I'm leaving when the sun rises, but just know that you two can get through anything together. Don't lose each other."
My heart sank into my gut. "What's coming, Rose?"
Her smile came back but she shook her head. "I can't tell you. We're only allowed to see what we're supposed to. All I know is that more trouble is coming."
"But can't you see what it is?"
"No, sweet boy. My guides are not giving me any insight into the trouble, just that there's trouble coming. Now sip your coffee and know the woman in your bed loves you more than she's ever loved before. Lynn is a gem and you two will be very happy together. Forever."
I took a deep breath and processed her words, smirking when I thought of lynn. She was everything to me so to hear Aunt Rose say all those things made me feel lighter. Lynn loved me. More than anything. The feeling was mutual. Lynn was my forever.
"And now that the imminent danger is gone, why don't you and lynn come back to Seattle for a little vacation? It's Mama Bell's birthday this weekend and I know she'd love to see you both."
My lips pouted as I glanced up at her. As wonderful as that sounded, I knew I couldn't go. My studio needed me now during its most vulnerable time. I wanted lynn to go and enjoy herself but I had to stay. Lane would hopefully be out of the hospital and we could keep moving forward.
"I appreciate the offer, but I-"
"Can't," she finished. "It's okay, Drake. Your company is in the baby stages and hasn't had the chance to really move forward. Your company is going to be a wonderful success. I hope you know that."
I stared into her eyes, wondering just how much she could see. "Am I wrong for not dropping everything and going this weekend?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Not at all. If anything, this will give you time while Lynn's away to pick out her ring and plan something for her return."
The color drained my face again as I lightly chuckled. "You're kind of freaking me out with how much you know."
"It's a gift. Lynn will say yes either way, but I know you're the type of guy who wants to make this special for her. Perhaps you should try proposing again in a special spot for you both."
I thought about what that special place was for a long moment before a lightbulb went off in my head. Lynn first told me she loved me in that little beach cave after we finally connected at that Jazz bar. It was the perfect spot.
"I can see the wheels turning in that head of yours. It's the perfect spot." Aunt Rose winked at me.
"Okay, you have to get out of my head." I laughed. "It's weirding me out."
She laughed with me. "I'm sorry. You'll get used to me." She stood from her chair and set her mug in the sink. "Well, I'm off to get a bit more sleep. You should do the same thing."
I gave her a small nod as she left the kitchen. The steaming cup of coffee caught my attention as I stared down into it and inhaled the intoxicating aroma. Everything she had said hit deep in my soul, but I couldn't stop thinking about the trouble still coming our way. Diego was dead. My mother was arrested. Who else was there? Noah? He doesn't seem like the type of guy to come after us now that Diego and my mother are gone, but I'll play it safe. Maybe lynn going to Seattle for a weekend would be good. She'd be safe there and I'd send luis with her too.
After everything that happened, she needed this break with her best friend. And while she was gone, I was going to plan the best proposal for her. It was really a win-win. I just hoped that the impending trouble Aunt Rose spoke of would hold off until we had both feet planted on the ground.
