Chapter 6

"That's the last one, kiddo!" Mr. Anderson, who insists I call him Craig, calls out as he sets a big box of clothes down on the living room floor. The whole place is a mess of boxes and luggage, the couch stacked high with sheets and coats that didn't fit in the boxes. It's a chaotic collection of stuff, but instead of stressing me out or overwhelming me, it makes me insanely happy.

I stand up from where I was fussing about with a box that got squished on the driver over, grinning at Levi's dad. Obviously, I've known his parents for over a year, considering I met them first when I was dating Eddie—their other son. And yeah, it's a little awkward now that I'm with Levi instead, but they've handled it really well.

They were always kind people, sweet and welcoming to me. After Levi explained everything to them and re-introduced me as his girl, they not only continued to welcome me with open arms, but they apologized for the way Eddie treated me.

Hell, they were here helping me move. Craig dusting off his hands after lugging up the last box, and Carissa, his wife, fussing over the glassware as she unpacks it in the kitchen, ensuring none of it is damaged or has a speck of dust on it.

"Was this chip always there, sweetie?" Levi's mom calls out, and I stroll over to see her holding up an old mug I got in college.

I smile. "Yeah, but it's sentimental to me so I couldn't throw it out," I explain with a laugh.

She grins widely, her green eyes sparkling like her son's do. "Ah, I'll pop it away with the others then." She sets the mug down and turns to me fully. Behind us, in the lounge, I can hear Levi and his dad discussing something in low voices, but they're too quiet for me to overhear the exact words. "Lacey, I hope you know that Craig and I are so glad to have you in the family."

I nearly well up with tears because there's so much kindness on her face and honesty in her words. She really means it when she says that. "I know it's been a little…weird for you and Mr—Craig," I catch myself, remembering to use her husband's first name even as I stumble through my sentence. "Well, with everything that happened. I'm sure Edward saying some…not very nice things about me after it all, and I want you to know that nothing happened between Levi and me until months after Edward and I broke up?—"

Levi has already explained everything, but it still weighs on my mind. His parents are important to him, and though he won't say it, I know his brother is too. He hates what Edward did to me, but he's also so disappointed. At the end of the day, that's still his brother, and it sucks that he's turned into a cruel man, no longer the sweet kid Levi grew up beside.

My heart hurts, not for me but for him. I no longer feel anything for Eddie, not even pain. I'm grateful for what he did, well perhaps not the lying and cheating part but definitely the breaking up and canceling the wedding part. Marrying him would have been a huge mistake.

Mrs. Anderson puts her hand on my arm gently, stopping my apologetic rambling. "We know," she says with a motherly smile. "Eddie clearly needs time to figure himself out, and you never should've been caught up in that crossfire. He has shown his immaturity, and we have informed him that, pardon my language here dear, until he has his shit sorted out, he's to stay away from his brother and you."

God, I'm so grateful for Levi and the people who raised him it's insane. "Thank you, Carissa," I say, hoping she knows how much her acceptance and love means to me.

She tuts, a sly smirk forming on her face as she leans in close to whisper, "You can pay me back by giving me some grandchildren to spoil."

I burst into laughter, grinning widely at her suggestion. Though deeper in my chest, I love the idea of that. Of Levi and me married, and kids running around our feet. I want it. And I'm not scared of it anymore.

"Come on, love. Let's get these young'in's get settled in," Craig calls out to his wife. She spares me a wink as she and her husband say their goodbyes, wishing us well.

Levi closes the door behind them and turns to me. For a second, we just stand there, taking in the sight of all my things in his apartment. Our apartment now.

My lease ran out, and I had absolutely no desire to renew it. Plus, I never liked living alone. When I told Levi I was going to have to look at new apartments, he looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I was moving in with him. No questions asked.

It was so easy to agree. I wanted nothing more than to live with him, and his place was amazing. Big, spacious, and cozy. Plus, Levi told me I could decorate however I wanted since he'd done very little with the space. Typical man. I'm already planning what prints to buy for the entryway.

"What were you and your dad talking about?" I ask, curious and not bothering to hide it. I don't have to hide anything from Levi. The trust we have is a safety net, and I've never felt more secure.

Levi huffs a laugh and makes his way through the box maze towards me. "Eddie got left by his new girl," he informs me, tone making it obvious that nobody feels bad for him. "He's crashing in our parents' garage ‘cause he's got no other place to go. It's karma. He blew his life up, hurt people in the process, and now he's got to deal with the consequences."

I pause, processing this. I think I should feel happy that he's suffering, but instead, I just feel pity for him.

"He needs to go to therapy or something," I say, totally serious despite the confused look on Levi's face. "Happy people don't do the things he did. You've got to be deeply unhappy about something to have ended up like he has. I hope this is the wake-up call he needs."

"You're too good," Levi says with reverence. "My sweet, perfect girl. Even after everything he did to you, you still have empathy for him."

I make a face. "Is that bad?"

Levi shakes his head quickly, fitting my hand in his. "No, baby," he answers. "It just proves that you're a much better person than he ever was."

"Where are we going?" I ask, realizing he's been leading me back to the front door.

"I thought I'd show you the view from the roof," he says with a smile that melts me.

I nod eagerly, excited to have a break before we tackle unpacking. Seeing the city from the rooftop sounds beautiful.

I slip on my shoes and let him lead me up the staircase that leads to the roof. It was designed to be a communal space for the residents of the building, with fake grass and seating areas and a barbeque space for summer. Currently, though, it's empty but for us two. The breeze is a little chilly, but I'm too warm from all the moving activities so I relish it.

"It's perfect," I sigh happily as we pause in the middle of the roof, turning in a circle to see the view. City lights blink like stars, the sunset turning the sky oranges and pinks. Even with the sounds of cars and trains down below, it's peaceful up here.

Halfway through my turn, I realize Levi is no longer standing beside me. Confused, I pause in my tracks, gaze searching for him. My breath snags in my throat when I see him. In front of me. On one knee.

"Levi," I breathe, the sound choked with emotion.

He smiles at me, one of those smiles reserved for just me, a smile that nobody else gets to see. He opens the velvet box in his hands to reveal a sparkling ring. "Lacey, I know the road to where we are has been bumpy and a little…unusual," he starts, making me laugh. "But I wouldn't change a thing. You were always meant to be mine, baby. I was always meant to be yours. And I would be honored if you'd spend forever with me."

"Are you serious?" I whisper, voice trembling. I'm half convinced I'm dreaming this. Is he really proposing?

"As ever," he answers solemnly. He takes my hand, squeezing, proving that this is real. Happiness floods me. "Lacey Scott, will you marry me?"

"Oh my God, YES!" I scream it so loud the whole city below us probably hears me, but I don't care. I want them to hear, to know. Our love deserves to be shouted from rooftops.

I don't even wait for him to stand up, instead falling to the ground with him. Levi holds my hand, slipping the ring on my finger. I wrap my arms around him, and he holds me close, turning his head so I can feel him smiling against my throat.

"I love you," I tell him, releasing him just enough that I can kiss him.

"I love you, too, baby," he says, winding his hand through my hair and kissing me deeply.

The second we pull away, I catch sight of the ring. It sparkles vibrantly in the sunset, a stunning clear oval diamond set on a simple gold band. Absolutely perfect. It feels so right on my finger, the final piece of a puzzle.

"I can't fucking wait for you to be my wife," Levi says, his voice a low rumble that sends a thrill shooting through me.

I giggle. "Take me home to our bed," I tell him with a smirk, "and make love to your fiancée."

He lifts me in one swift motion, carrying me bridal style back into the apartment, through the box maze and to the bedroom. As we tear each other out of our clothes, until I'm wearing nothing but the ring, I can't help but think that everything that happened was worth it because I've never been happier.

I was meant to be Levi's, and now I get to be his forever.