Chapter 4

CHAPTER

FOUR

Stanley

Age Twenty, Community College Graduation

We did it. Lena and I both graduated with our associate's degrees. Mine is in business management, while hers is in accounting. Over the last year, we've talked a lot about what's next. Neither one of us really wanted to further our education to get our bachelor's degrees. We're both currently working in jobs we love and utilizing our education.

I was just promoted to dispatch at Nashville Concrete. The guys I work with like to give me shit because I'm young, and in their words, tied down to the old ball and chain, but they're a great group, and we all get along well despite our age difference.

Lena is working for the auditor's office, and she enjoys it. We're both using our degrees in our roles, and we're happy. We're also ready to start the rest of our lives together. That's why we signed a lease on a tiny one-bedroom apartment last night. Lena cried. Not because she doesn't want us to move in together but because she feels guilty for leaving her mom.

This has been hard for her. I might have put a little bug in my mom's ear, and she had a talk with Lena's mom, Lora. I knew that Lena would never bring it up on her own, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that Lora wants her daughter to keep moving forward. She understands that Lena won't live at home forever. That's all part of life.

When Lena called me this morning crying, I was ready to say the hell with graduation, but she assured me they were happy tears. She had a long heart-to-heart with her mom, and she's excited for us, just as I knew she would be.

That brings us to the present moment. This time, Lena and I insisted on hosting. We have nothing but paper plates, plastic forks, and cups because we just got our keys last night, but that's okay. This pepperoni and cheese pizza has never tasted better.

"I like what you've done with the place," Dad jokes.

"Right?" I play along. "We're thinking some lawn chairs over by the window will really liven the place up." I chuckle.

"Oh, don't forget the inflatable pool," Lena calls out from where she's standing in the small galley kitchen with our mothers.

"You know I'd never forget the pool," I call back to her. She blows me a kiss, and like the lovesick fool I am for her, I catch it and place my hand over my heart.

"How are you liking the magic?" Dad asks. I can hear the amusement in his voice.

"It's magical."

He tosses his head back in laughter. His hand comes down to rest on my shoulder. "I'm damn proud of you, son. You're going to do great things."

I turn to look at Lena. She's laughing at something my mom said. "She's the greatest."

"I won't argue with that, but I will let you in on a little secret." He pauses, and I know he's waiting for me to look at him.

"Dad, I believe you. The magic is real," I say, returning my gaze to his, giving him my full attention.

He nods. "Yeah, but it intensifies."

"I don't know how it could be any better than this. I have the love of my life in our home. We're starting our forever. It doesn't get better than that."

"Oh, it does. It gets better when she takes your last name. It gets better with each passing day that you wake up next to her. Then, one day, she's going to be carrying a piece of both of you. She's going to have your baby, Stanley, and when that happens—" Dad shakes his head. "It's a love like you've never known. Not just for her, but for your child."

"I don't think I could love her any more than I already do, Dad."

"You'll see." His eyes are on my mother, and there's a small smile tugging at his lips.

I used to think my dad and grandpa were just giving me shit. You know, like when they send you into the hardware store to ask for checkered paint. But I was wrong. So very wrong. I have no choice but to assume that he's going to be right about this as well.

I lock eyes with Lena and she smiles. I wink at her, and she blushes. I hope that never stops. I hope that when we're retired with a yard full of our kids and grandkids, I can still make her blush. Lord knows I'll never stop trying.

One year post-graduation. Age Twenty-One

I always assumed that I wouldn't be nervous when I reached this point in my life. I thought I'd be confident if I found a woman I loved enough to want to spend the rest of my life with. I thought this part would be a breeze.

I assumed wrong.

I know Lena loves me. I'm not worried about that. I am confident in the love we share. It's the pressure of making this a moment she will always remember. I'm certain she's going to say yes. The love that we share is solid. If you ask my dad, it's the Riggins magic, and while I'm now a believer, I also know that it's us. It's who we are together. It's the love and respect we hold for one another.

That's the real magic.

I want to make all of her dreams come true. I want her to sit on our front porch with our grandbabies in her lap, telling them how Grandpa asked her to be his forever. We're young, but love doesn't know age. I know without a shadow of a doubt that she's it for me. Hell, I knew it the day I first laid eyes on her, our senior year. That's not going to change.

I look around our small apartment, making sure I have everything set. My future mother-in-law gave me her blessing and agreed to get Lena out of the apartment today so I could get everything set up.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans and dim the lights. Moving to stand by the door, I wait. My heart races, the sound whooshing in my ears. Tapping my pocket, I feel the ring box. Everything is set, and in just a matter of minutes, Lena will be my fiancée.

I hear her keys in the door. I exhale and turn the knob before she can open it herself. "Welcome home, gorgeous." I lean in for a kiss before stepping back so she can enter the apartment. I quickly shut the door and move to stand before her in the small entryway—blocking the rest of the place from her view—and wrap her in a tight hug. "I missed you."

She laughs, and I swear that sound soothes my soul. "I missed you, too, but I was only gone a couple of hours." She holds up her hands, showing me her manicure. "I got the same color on my toes."

"Sexy," I say, kissing her again. I take a step back, and she moves with me.

"It's light pink. That's sexy?" She chuckles.

"You are sexy. So yes, if your fingernails and toenails are painted light pink, that's sexy too." I grin down at her as I continue to walk backward, leading her further into our apartment.

"Stanley Riggins, what am I going to do with you?" She shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips.

This isn't how I planned it, but she gave me the perfect opening. Dropping to one knee, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box. My hands shake as I pull open the lid and present it to her.

"Marry me."

Her lips part as tears begin to well in her eyes.

"I had this big speech planned, and I was supposed to do this over there." I point behind me where the light pink—her favorite—and white balloon arch I spent the last two hours putting together awaits us. "But you asked what you were going to do with me, and well, I can't think of anything better than you taking my last name."

She sniffs, and her hands tremble as I present the ring to her.

"You're my entire world, Lena. Everything I am begins and ends with you. Will you do me the incredible honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?"

She's nodding before I'm finished. I pluck the ring from the cushion insert, toss the box to the side, and slip the round half-carat solitaire onto her finger. It's not much, but one day, I'll be able to upgrade her ring to one that shines just like she does. I don't have time to stand before she's bending down and crushing me in a hug. We fall back on the floor, and she straddles my hips. She's holding herself up with her hands pressed to my chest.

"I love you, Stanley Riggins."

"I love you too, future Mrs. Riggins."

Her lips crash with mine. I bury my hands in her hair, and she begins to rock her hips. My cock hardens. I want to tear our clothes off and sink inside her, but I know that I can't. This night, it was meant to be romantic. I have champagne and dinner that's warm in the oven, thanks to my mom's help.

"Slow down, baby."

She pulls her mouth from mine. Her chest is heaving with each breath she pulls into her lungs, and she's glaring at me. Desire swirls in her eyes, and it's killing me to stop this. "Stanley Riggins. I just agreed to be your wife."

"I know, baby." I smile up at her as I tuck her hair behind her ear so that I can see her face.

"Have you ever heard happy wife, happy life?"

I smile but quickly mask it because she's not smiling. "I want this to be a night you'll always remember. I had a plan."

"Plans change, Riggins." She gives me a pointed look. "What better way to celebrate me taking your name than being a part of me?"

"I'll always be a part of you. I'm supposed to romance you tonight." My cock knows what she's asking for. I want her. I always want her, and I know what her pussy feels like when she's milking my cock, but I had plans. I wanted to romance her and take things slow. My future wife didn't seem to get that memo.

"Fine."

She moves off me, and I swear my cock weeps at the loss of her heat, even through our clothes. She lies on the floor next to me and spreads her arms out wide. "Have your way with me. Show me what you got, Riggins."

"I have dinner and champagne."

"But I want this. I want you."

There is nothing I won't give her, and if this is the memory she wants, it's the one I want to give her. I lie back on the floor and spread my arms out like hers. "This is your show, baby."

She grins. It's a little devilish as she rushes to straddle my hips once more. "Are you sure you're ready to be at my mercy?" she taunts.

Lifting my hand, I rest my palm against her cheek. "Forever." Her eyes soften, and she gives me a quick kiss before climbing to her feet. "I'm gonna need you naked, Riggins."

I can't hide my grin. "Yes, ma'am."