Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
I was in no rush to change anything. Both he and his mom tried to make each of them into something I would love. They had pictures of our families together over the years and so many other small details of things I pushed to the back of my mind.
My parents might not be here with us today, but their lives and love show throughout our homes. The Valentinus family made sure of that. I shouldn’t be surprised in the least. They’ve always taken care of me.
It was the small things that really tugged at my heart strings. Such as some of the paintings my mother not only made herself but also some from her favorite artists. I hadn’t seen them in so long. I was sure they were in storage, but I was wrong. They have hung in Valen’s place this whole time. God, I love this man.
He told himself he was going to give me space while all along creating what some might call a trap for me to fall into. I didn’t fall. I leapt. I mean, I would have run into it if I knew it would lead me to him sooner.
Even when I was a young girl, Valen held my heart. I recall my mother telling me that in time I would get what I want in love while my father told me a man that loved me would wait an eternity to make me his. Both had been right. Often their foresight gave me chills, thinking that they saw what might come, but my parents were always thinking ahead when it came to me. I was their only child, and it had been hard for them to conceive me.
Tonight we’re in a restaurant where anyone can see us. There is no more hiding what Valen and I have together. Sure, everyone knows we’re getting married tomorrow, but words and pictures are two different things.
Of course, people aren’t openly taking pictures, but I know they are sneaking them. I’m also sure my soon-to-be husband knows my blush has nothing to do with that. I don’t want him to stop. In fact, I find it endearing how open he is with his affection for me. I can already see the gossip blogs posting about it now. The always reserved Vaughn Valentinus being openly loving and affectionate is something that isn’t normal for him. That makes it even juicier for them.
Some have speculated that we have been in a relationship for years and hiding it. I suppose they’re not wrong to a degree, maybe we have been. That’s neither here nor there. Valen never touched me in a sexual way until way past my 18th birthday. That’s not for a lack of me trying on my end.
My soon-to-be husband might think he has no control when it comes to me, but I know after experiencing his love for me that his control is unlike any others. I don’t know how he held back for so long. I also know I didn’t make it easier for him.
Back then, I would openly flirt and be provocative toward him. He did not have the same privilege. I didn’t understand that before. I was basically torturing the man I love. But I’ve been making up for it. The only time we’ve spent out of bed is when we had to attend to wedding plans. I run my finger across my wedding ring. It’s been on my finger since that first night Valen took me home.
As of today, neither of us care what others think about our relationship. We both know life is too short to give a shit how others perceive us. I've known since I was a little girl that Valen would be my husband one day. I know that is easier for me to say, coming from the woman that was younger and I understand why Valen had to keep me at arm’s length.
Don’t get me wrong; it drove me crazy at times, but I get it, and I respect it. At the end of the day, all that matters is that we got to where we needed to be. Love always conquers all.
Tomorrow on Valentine’s Day, Valen will become my husband. While it’s simply paperwork, it’s still something I want. To stand up in front of the world and declare our love for each other. The wedding will be small with only the people who mean the most to us attending.
“It’s nice to have you both back,” David says, taking a sip of his wine. I’d asked him to walk me down the aisle, and of course he agreed. Both he and Judith have always been like parents to me.
“Things happen when they’re supposed to.” Judith reaches over and takes her husband's hand.
“I think things happen when you make them happen,” I say with a laugh to Judith. It had been her idea for us to get married on Valentine’s Day. Which had been a week away from when Valen had slipped the ring on my finger.