I'm sorry about my message in the last chapter stating how I got mixed emotions about my story and how terrible it is. You know what, and I'll be honest with you guys. (Just you and me) I've never published a book before online for millions of people to read, so I was afraid that I would get negative comments about my story and then doubt on myself for writing something someone doesn't like. So, in other words, I'm a very sensitive person.
Now, I want to point out that I like—no LOVE my story and proud for what I've written. The book is almost over and I want to say that if one of you readers don't like my story, then I'm sorry it didn't catch your interest.
If one of you readers do like my story, then I'm so happy it DID catch your interest and that you're still reading it.
And I understand that everyone has their own type of book genre they like to read or how they don't like some of the chapters because it doesn't fit or lost its direction with the story.
I wrote the story the way I see it and it's going to stay that way. :)
So, I want to apologize for doubting myself and want to say that I AM GOING TO CONTINUE THIS STORY. I'm not going to quit now or give up because of a little misunderstanding on my part. That would make me feel like a quitter and that's not who I am.
If the haters don't like that... I don't know what to tell you. *shrugs*
I really hope you guys enjoy the rest of the book for the people who are still supporting this story. *kisses*
Sorry for the long rant!
chapter fifty-three
Two years later
I was laying in bed in slumber feeling myself dreaming about how comfortable this bed is. Then I felt someone's arms around my waist as I feel their lips softly kissing the corners of my mouth, to my cheek and to my forehead.
Knowing their familiar gesture, I knew who it was.
Fluttering my eyes open, I narrowed my eyes to clear my vision and saw the handsome man I call my boyfriend, Freddie Benson. I met his brown eyes and felt my lips rise to a smile knowing his face is the first thing I like to see in the morning.
"Good morning, Sam." He whispered.
"Good morning," I smiled. I scoot myself closer to him while we're lying in bed face-to-face with each other. He cups my cheek with his hand and tucks a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear. "That was a nice way to wake me up."
"Yeah? Well, consider me being your alarm clock every morning. And besides, today is a very special day, birthday girl." Freddie smirked.
I chuckled feeling the top of my ears burn, and my cheeks flushed thinking about today and that Freddie greeted me for that. "Ugh... I'm getting old."
"Twenty-three is not old." He laughed as his fingers grab a small hold of my cheeks. "You're still young and perky, yes you are!" He mocked jokingly as he pinched my cheeks.
I slapped his hand away and laughed as I climbed on top of his body and stared down at him. "You're a dick in the morning you know that?" I asked, and he nodded his head eagerly like a child with a big smile on his face, causing me to laugh.
After a minute, his smile faded and he just stared at me; shifting his eyes to mine down to my lips and back to my eyes. His eyes are telling me something that is making me curious and I probably won't know what it is until he tells me himself. But other than that, his eyes are showing love and happiness I see every day which makes me relieved to know he's glad to be here with me.
His hands travel to my hips and cups them gently, bringing me down closer so that our bodies touch as one. Then our faces are an inch closer to each other while I rest my head on the crook of his neck and my hand caressing his cheek. This position feels so comfortable I don't want to move.
"Can we just stay in bed all day?" I asked.
"No, Sam then you wouldn't be able to enjoy your day outside." Freddie replied hugging my waist with his arms.
"But you're so comfortable..." I whined stroking his cheek softly. He chuckled lightly but didn't respond to my comment; he kept his arms around me and cuddled next to me. He kisses my forehead with a soft peck and nuzzles his head against mine feeling the warmth of his arms around me. I know in my mind Freddie has something planned for my birthday like every year and it includes being outside, so I know I won't be able to win today. "So what did you have planned today?" I asked.
"Well, we're going to Pini's for free food and just... drive around town," Freddie answered simply.
"Ooh, just thinking about their lasagna sounds good right now." I moaned, feeling my mouth watery.
"Then you better hurry up and get dressed so we can go." He chuckled, sitting up in bed bringing me with him. "Because we have a long day ahead of us."
"Okay," I brought myself closer near his lips and said. "Maybe in a few minutes." I slam my lips against his, and he responds back gripping the back of my head gently and turning us over on the bed as he's on top of me.
My birthday is already going off to a great start.
So far, my birthday is fantastic. Freddie took me to Pini's like he said he would. We have outdone ourselves with our attire though; me wearing a teal dress hugging my body slash curves with white wedges and a small amount of makeup. (Hey, it's my birthday so not too bad, right?) Freddie is wearing a white dress shirt, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. We looked fancy, but I can let it slide just for today. Anyway, we ordered the best lasagna in town including Freddie ordering a chocolate birthday cake along with everyone in the restaurant singing 'happy birthday' to me.
I'm going to hurt him for that later.
Being twenty-three is not different from being the age I was the year before that and the year before that. Melanie, on the other hand, is different. Today is our birthday, and we have different ways of celebrating it; she has a big party with her friends while I just spend time with my parents or Freddie.
She's extra, but that won't change who she is.
This year she's celebrating her birthday in England with her friends, and so far, she's having a great time when she texted me this morning. Speaking of friends, Carly texted me this morning too wishing me a happy birthday and that she wanted to see me later.
Carly and I have gotten very close over the years. She's like the other sister I've never had (Melanie is great of course), and she got along with everyone in my family when I introduced them to her two years ago. She may be a chipper and a little opposite of me, but she's fun to hang out with.
It was nice getting birthday wishes from everyone I know. I don't want this day to end because I know I have to wait next year to get all the attention I'm getting right now. Eh, I sound picky, but who cares.
Freddie is driving on the road while I'm in the passenger seat looking out the window seeing the trees pass by in a blur. I don't know where Freddie is taking us because he said we had one more stop to go to and I'm afraid it's going to be sketchy. I know it won't be like those horror movies where the guy takes a girl to the woods and ends up killing her; Freddie wouldn't do anything like that because he wouldn't kill anybody.
He's just a nub who I love.
As I look through the window, I see we're about to enter a quaint building that seems oddly familiar. "So where are we going?"
"You'll see." He ended at that as he turns into the parking lot behind the building and parks in a random spot, taking the keys out of the ignition. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turns his head to me with a smile on his face. "You're going to Love it." He opened the door, got out of the car and rushes to the other side, opening my door.
I smile, taking off my seatbelt and stepping out of the vehicle. Freddie closes the door and grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers together. "Now what is this place?" I asked as he takes me to the other side of the building.
"Don't worry about it, you worry too much." He chuckled.
We walk to the front of the building and I see unexpected visitors. Freddie and I stopped our tracks and saw Carly, Brad, and Gibby smiling at us with their hands behind their backs. Okay, now I'm really confused about what's going on.
I turned to Freddie and gave him a weird look. "Freddie, what is this?"
"This is your present." He withdrew his hand away from mine and walks in front of me, going backward to the three musketeers. He must've noticed my confusion because he laughed while stopping in the middle of our friends. "Don't worry, Sam. They're going to help me with the present. And here it is."
Next to him, Carly brings out her phone behind her back and shows me the device while waving it before she looks at it, and presses a button. Immediately, I heard a crash cymbal and music starting to play at the beginning. I know what the song is called, but I don't know why Carly is playing it.
Then what happened next got me shook.
"I can't win, I can't reign
I will never win this game
Without you, without you,"
Freddie started to sing while Carly, Brad, and Gibby do the chorus with the music playing.
Oh my gosh, what are they doing?!
"I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you,"
Freddie points his finger at me and I started to laugh.
"I won't run, I won't fly
I will never make it by
Without you, without you
I can't rest, I can't fight
All I need is you and I,
Without you, without you,"
Freddie and the three musketeers danced matching the beat of the song while the chorus started to play.
"Oh my god, what is this?!" I exclaimed over the music.
"Oh oh oh!
You! You! You!
Without...
You! You! You!
Without... you,"
"Can't erase, so I'll take blame
But I can't accept that we're estranged
Without you, without you,"
"I'll take the blame, Sam!" Freddie yelled with his arms out. I covered my mouth to hide my laughter, but I couldn't control myself at this random dance routine.
"I can't quit now, this can't be right
I can't take one more sleepless night
Without you, without you."
"I won't soar, I won't climb
If you're not here, I'm paralyzed
Without you, without you,"
Carly, Brad, and Gibby do the chorus again while Freddie walks over to me slowly.
"I can't look, I'm so blind
I lost my heart, I lost my mind
Without you, without you,"
"Oh oh oh!
You! You! You!
Without...
You! You! You!
Without... you..."
Freddie stops in front of me as the three friends behind him stop dancing with a smile on their face. Freddie uncovers my mouth and holds it, feeling his warm hand against mine.
"I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you,
Without... you..."
Freddie finished his last note gradually, and I was lost for words to what to say. I looked over his shoulder seeing the three adults smiling so big as they try to catch their breaths quietly from dancing. I turned back to Freddie watching him stare at me waiting for me to say something.
"What was that?" I questioned.
"Just a fun routine I made for you," he smiled. "It took us a lot of work to get it done, almost three weeks for finishing it. But we nailed it!"
"Freddie, that has got to be the most cheesiest thing I've ever seen." I laughed remembering all the dance moves and singing that just occurred.
"Eh, I might be cheesy, but it was worth it because there's more to it."
My smile faltered trying to understand what he meant by more. "More?"
He nodded his head and then points his finger at the front of the building without breaking eye contact. "Do you remember this place?" He asked softly.
I turn my head to where his finger is pointing at and see the front of the building with a sign above that looks like it's about to break down with a few cracks, but was still able to be hung up. It had various paint brush markings when the painters tried to make it look cleaner and appealing. The quaint brick small building was something I didn't imagine I would see again in years.
I looked at the sign and read where we are:
Kiddie City Daycare
This place brings back memories, and I looked at Freddie at awe remembering the first moment we locked eyes with each other. "This is the place where we first met..." I trailed off.
"Exactly..." he grinned. "And meeting you was the best thing that's happened in my life. Well... actually the best thing that's happened was when you came into this world because I wouldn't have met you if you didn't. I'm so glad I did though..." he grabs my other hand intertwining our fingers together with a small squeeze. "This is probably the most terrifying thing I've ever had to do, but I can't wait any longer."
I stared at him as I feel my heart beating so quickly. What does he mean by that? Is he going to do what I think he's going to do?
"Freddie..." I paused feeling a lump appear in my throat.
He looks at me as I can feel his breathing come out quickly from his mouth as if he's nervous. I could see in his eyes he's edgy about something and it's starting to scare me.
Freddie steps back untangling our hands and shoves one hand behind his back pocket and takes out something.
He kneels down on one knee.
I felt my heart stop as I looked down at him watching him bring out a small black matte box, holding it delicately up in his hand. He opens the lid, and it shows a small diamond ring that looks to be an expensive carrot band.
I clasped my mouth with my hand in shock not knowing what to do.
What is he doing...?
"Sam... I know we've been dating for two years, but it's not enough. Being with you every day is the only thing that helps me keep going in life. Life is short... really short... and I don't want to waste another second, minute, or hour regretting not doing this sooner. We've been together since we were babies; right here at this exact daycare. We had Mrs. Andrews in Room 204. You were there first, and my mom dropped me off, and she said I crawled up to you. We threw up on each other after a couple minutes of meeting,"
I laughed as I feel my tear ducts filled with tears. I drop my hand and rest it on my side still looking at Freddie while he looks nervous even more.
"The years we've been friends was a blessing given to me. You were always there for me when I needed you, and I was always there for you when you needed me. Those moments will never change because I want to be with you forever..." he paused as I can see his eyes well up with tears but still has a smile on his face. "In the past when we had our ups and downs won't change, but no matter what happens, I want to stand by your side in all of it."
I couldn't blink my eyes fast enough as tears escaped from my eyes at his touching words.
"So... Samantha Michelle Puckett," he takes the ring out of the box slot and holds it up with his index finger and thumb with the diamond facing me.
"Will you marry me?"
I let out a sob that I couldn't control as I looked at the ring then back at Freddie as he's holding the ring with a worried look on his face. I stare at him and have no idea what to say. I met this shithead and amazing guy years ago who makes my heart swell in every piece. Every day of being with him has been the best thing to happen to me, and I don't think I can be away from him for more than a second because I can be myself around him regardless. I feel complete when I'm with him... no doubt about that. I love him so much that it hurts, and I want to be there for him every step of the way.
Finally, after a moment of silence, I smiled at him and gave him the biggest smile out of joy, and I can't control myself for it.
"Hell yes."
Freddie exhaled a big sigh of relief as he scoots closer to me, grabs my left hand, and lifts my third finger, sliding the diamond ring on my finger. Once the cold metal is perfectly rested on my ring finger, Freddie stands up and caresses my face as he made the first move and kisses me on the lips.
I may be crying and the tears are streaming down my face, but I couldn't care less because these are tears of joy and I want to kiss my new fiancé. I responded back wrapping my arms around his torso and melted into his lips as I feel like I'm dreaming about this whole thing.
But this is not a dream, and I'm thrilled that it's reality. Now we're both engaged and I felt myself crying even more, not believing this moment.
Freddie pulled away from the kiss noticing I'm crying and wipes the tears away from my cheeks. His eyes are filled with tears too, and I know they're filled with happiness as well. I brought my hand to his cheek and playfully slapped him in the face as I continued to cry. "You shithead..."
He smiled as he nodded his head. "Yeah, I know." He brought me closer to his body and wrapped his arms around me tightly as I did the same thing with my head resting on his chest.
I can't believe I'm about to start another chapter with Freddie as our story doesn't end. I don't want our story to end yet because there are more years to come as we flip the pages, page by page.
Let a new chapter begin.