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ONE

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Chapter Unedited

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I sit in my mother's living room, the same white furniture taunting those who held drinks in their hands. Glancing around the room everything feels warm. A Christmas tree sits gracefully in the corner with presents of various sizes all gathered around the trunk in wrapping papers of golds and reds. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at my mothers OCD tendencies. Each present perfectly wrapped in matching paper. I took a sip of my wine before leaning into the man sitting beside me.

I look into Andrew's eyes. His smile captivating me as I sit snuggled in his embrace. He seems truly happy, and I can feel the love in the atmosphere. The last few months have been amazing. Andrew's obsession with only going fishing for our dates had subsided and eventually, we started doing other things...

"Erin, are you okay?" Andrew's words caught me off guard. I nod my head realizing I probably looked like an idiot. I had been staring at him the entire time, my brain betraying me with thoughts of our relationship.

"Yes, sorry, just thinking," I mumbled, before taking another swallow of the red liquid in my glass. Why wouldn't my mother serve white wine, in case someone spilled on her sofas?

"Erin!" Clara screamed, bouncing through the room before heading in my direction. I jumped from my seat quickly handing the glass of wine to Andrew. I wrapped my arms around Clara, pulling her into the biggest bear hug I could possibly manage.

"I've missed you so much!" I shout into her hair of perfect curls. I lean back to take in her appearance. Her skin had clearly been kissed by the gods, as it was a shade darker than when I had last seen her about two weeks ago. "How was the trip, you have to tell me all about it!" I beam grabbing her hands before pulling her down on the couch next to me. Andrew rolled his eyes before stealing a sip of my wine. I quickly snatched the glass from his hand, glaring at him. My face softened before I turned back to Clara, protecting my wine from Andrew like it was an infant.

"Cabo was the most amazing thing! If you and Andrew ever decide to get married then you should definitely go there for your honeymoon..." Clara paused for a moment before looking off into the distance as if she was thinking, "Wait...nevermind, don't go there. I hooked up with a lot of guys. It's definitely for single people." I slapped Clara gently on the arm.

"You are insane! You did not hook up with that many guys, that's not like you," I was so happy she was back, the last few weeks at the shop without her had been a nightmare. No one does Clara's job like Clara.

"Okay, fine you got me, I didn't actually hook up with any guys, but I did have quite a few drinks and some serious make-out sessions with some of them. It was really good to get away," Clara held her glass up. I copied her motions before clinking them together. We both took a drink. I pulled the cup away from my lips searching the bottom of the glass only to realize I was out of wine.

"Andrew sweetie..." I turned giving Andrew the best puppy dog eyes I could possibly manage. His green eyes danced over my face for a moment before he nodded his head grabbing the glass from my hand.

"I'm proud of you girl, keep your standards high," I smiled at Clara.

"Uh... duh!" Clara rolled her eyes before she began again, "Anyways thank you for letting me go on this trip. It really helped... with you know what..." She whispered the last sentence. Her face searching the room as if people were eavesdropping.

"Hey I don't want to talk about that asshole," I looked around the room as well, but for an actual reason. I prayed no kids were around to hear my language, but something about Richard just pissed me off.

"Erin, so fiesty," Clara teased before removing herself from the couch.

"No one gets to treat you like that Clara!" I shouted louder than I had intended to. My heart stopped as a few members of the crowd turned to look at me. I wanted to die. I sank in my chair waiting for Andrew to bring me some more wine. What was taking him so long? Before I could even further question or complain Andrew was sitting next to me once more. I quickly grabbed the drink from him before mouthing a thank you, then turning to gulp the liquid down.

Clara shook her head before running off to greet someone else at the party. Andrew smiles at me pulling me back into his arms. Leaning down to whisper in my ear, his breath tickling my neck. "How are you doing sweetie?"

His words leave butterflies in my chest, their wings crashing into my ribs. I nodded my head, closing the distance between our lips.

I pull away gazing into the fire, the flames grazing the brick lining the edge of the fireplace, tiny black marks lingering where the heat once was. I swirled the liquid in my glass, the Christmas music echoing through the room. My mother rushes over taking the seat Clara once claimed.

"You two make my heart melt!" She beams, leaning towards as she spoke. Her breath smells of fermented grapes, her teeth taking on a purple tinge.

"Come on Mother, you and father were adorable," I couldn't help but envy my parents relationship. Her and my father did everything together like their life depended on it.

"Don't go there, Erin. This is supposed to be a party," Evelyn leans forward patting my knee with her hand. I roll my eyes before chuckling slightly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..."

"Evelyn, come over here, we have to show you something!" A few of my mother's friends shout from across the room. They were clearly under the influence of alcohol, their arms wrapped around each other as they snicker about something on the table set up by the front door. My mother stands, rushing across the room to greet her friends.

Andrew stands as well, his hand reaching towards me. I glance into his eyes before placing my hand in his. He helps me off the couch and we head towards the dining area. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close to him we sway back and forth to the sounds of Santa Baby playing in the background.

"You look stunning tonight," his smile nearly separated his face, dimples framing his lips. I want to kiss him. I hop on my tiptoes, bringing the foot difference in height down to a few inches.

"Kiss me," I whisper.

Andrew's hands move from my waist, quickly grabbing my face, his lips crashing into mine. The kiss deepens but only for a moment before a flash of light brought us back to the party.

"Don't worry, you both look adorable," Clara stood a few feet away, her phone held in her hand, the picture she just took rests on the screen.

"All because of Erin," Andrew turns to me, a toothy grin this time. I shake my head, he was such a liar.

Clara dances around the room, the flash on her camera goes off every few minutes, blinding any patrants unfortunate enough to get in her way. Andrew wraps his arms around me once more, leading me through the room towards the hallway. My mind racing, people disappearing from my range of hearing.

He led us into the guest room, quickly taking a seat on the bed. Collapsing on the sheets he loosened the tie around his neck.

"I am so sick of wearing this thing," he sighs. I couldn't hold in my laughter. I took the seat next to him, laying down. I took in the scent of his cologne, closing my eyes. My brain wanders back to one of my favorite dates of ours. We drove a few hours outside of the city searching for the perfect outlook. We sat in that field all night staring at the shooting stars, making as many wishes as we could.

"What are you thinking about?" Andrews' chest raised slowly as he took in deep slow breaths. I balance my head on his pec, taking in the details of his face. The scruffy beard he hasn't touched in a few days. The scar on the lower side of his right cheek from when his brother and he fought a little too hard, and the way he crinkles his forehead when he looks at me questioningly.

"Just us..." I sigh, staring up at the ceiling. Andrew turns his body so he can look at me. Resting his head on his hand, his eyes dancing over my face and body.

"What about us?" His voice was soft like a child, his words filled with excitement. My heart was pounding harder every time he looks at me. Andrew has treated me so well this last year, and I couldn't imagine I had found him on a stupid app that I barely knew how to use.

"How happy I am that we are an us," My smile grew when the words rolled off my tongue. I was happy we were together. Andrew would do anything for me. He had spent more nights in my studio apartment just hanging out than I had ever spent with any other man. His love for me burns brighter every day. I was truly a lucky girl.

"Oh, so you're not angry that I'm not Tom Cruise?" He questions, shooting me a wink before laying back down on the bed. I felt safe cuddled up next to him. This was the greatest Christmas I had had in awhile.

"Not even the slightest," I felt his arms squeeze around me as the words reached his brain. Oh how I loved his brain, it was always so well spoken, so thoughtful of others, so intricate in its own design. His mind was something I strived to fully comprehend.

"Hey, I've been thinking about some things too..." His words trailed off, he sits up on the bed. My head fell from his chest landing on the now ruffled sheets. I sat up next to him placing my hand on his leg. My eyes search his for any sign of what he was about to say next. "Maybe we should move in together?" He shrugs slightly.

"Move in together?" My words were almost immediate. He seemed confused with my question.

"Yeah, your lease is almost up isn't it?" The words were so simple, so easy to answer, but they held so much meaning, so much commitment. My lease was almost up but I wasn't sure I was ready to let go of that place yet.

"Can we keep the apartment?" My eyes search his once more for a response. I needed him to say yes. "Maybe we could rent it out to Clara, it would be an upgrade from the apartment she lives in currently." I felt like I was begging. My heart racing at the thought of giving up my home. I wasn't prepared for a question like this.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," As soon as Andrew had said that I was able to breathe once again. I was so thankful for the fact that he was able to deal with me. Deal with my obsessive tendencies and my psychotic attachment to things.

"Thank you," I whisper. He leans over to kiss me on the forehead. I couldn't help but blush as his lips brush against my skin. Andrew was the one for me. He was amazing in every way, and I needed him. I jumped from the bed, Andrew grabbing my hand to pull me back down beside him. "I need to go tell Clara..." His finger races to my lips, as if there was something wrong.

"But, I have another question to ask you," He had just asked me to move in with him, what else could he really want to ask me tonight? As if it was all happening in a movie, my brain realized what was happening. My breath hitched in my throat as Andrew slid off the bed and down onto one knee, a tiny black box had been placed under the bed. He quickly removes it holding it up for me to see.

The velvet box fits perfectly in his hand, he reaches forward opening it quickly. A large diamond ring sparkles in the soft glow of the room. It was stunning!

"Erin Rose..." He pauses for a moment. My heart stops dead in my chest as I look down at the man I love. Grabbing my hand he continues to speak, "I have spent over a year of my life now loving you. Loving everything you do. I've helped you when the shop has become too stressful, I've helped you in your finest moments. I want you to know I will always be around to help you. I love you with every part of my being and damn Erin I am not letting go this time. I almost lost you when we first started dating. I made a stupid mistake yelling at you like that and that will never happen again because you are the girl of my dreams. You are who I want to spend the rest of my life with, I want to protect you from all the harm this world offers, all the madness this world brings. So Erin, I know it's cheesy to do this on Christmas Eve, but..." He pauses again like the words were stuck in his throat. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I listen to his speech. This was all a girl could ever ask for.

"Will you marry me?" Suddenly it was out there, the words were in the air hanging heavily, waiting impatiently for their answer. I nod my head vigorously, not sure if I can speak before choking out a muffled yes.

"Yes Andrew, I will marry you today, tomorrow, and forever!" I was finally able to get the words out. I lunge forward wrapping my arms around his neck as I kiss him. He lifts me up, his arms holding me close as he spins me around. Everything felt like we were in a movie.

"As nice as this is, we should probably get back," Andrew pulls away, his words crashing around me, breaking me from our moment. I want to stay here forever, hugging him tightly and just being here. Finally, after a few more kisses we head towards the door. Andrew puts his hand on the handle twisting it slowly before turning to look at me.

"Are you ready?" His smile beaming, his eyes watery with excitement, his hand shaking from nerves. I nod my head, pulling my blonde hair around my neck so it hangs delicately on my shoulder.

"Merry Christmas," He whispers opening the door. Guests stood to wait for us, my mother front and center. She faces nearly splitting her smile so large. She holds her hands close to her chest waiting eagerly for a response.

As soon as my brain put two and two together I held my hand up, flashing the new shiny rock delicately placed on my ring finger. My mother was the first to rush over, her hand yanking at mine as she scoured the ring.

"You did good Andrew," she said after a moment of inspecting the ring. My heart flutters with all the attention. Clara was next in line hugging me.

"You all knew?" I question, the crowd growing larger the second.

"Of course!" My mother was thrilled, the idea of her knowing he was going to do this and her not telling me stung slightly, as I thought we were closer than that, but that pain subsides with all the congratulatory comments.

"Guys, we need to get to the living room, it's almost midnight!" An elderly lady with white hair, one of my mother's friends shouts. As soon as the crowd had appeared they dispersed to the living room. Andrew and I follow hand in hand.

"Three...two...one!" Everyone shouts, confetti falling from the ceiling as poppers explode. My mother always went all in on any of her parties and her Christmas party was the most important of the year. Andrew leans down kissing me quickly. Clara comes rushing over to us, two glasses of champagne in her hand.

"Here, it's time to celebrate!" She hands the glasses to Andrew and me before pushing them together, when the rims hit they make a loud clink noise and Andrew and I began to drink.

"Here's to a wonderful Christmas!" Clara shouts turning on her heel holding her very own glass high in the air, disappearing into the crowd of people. Andrew and I stand on the edge of the living room, watching everyone dance to the music. Smiling people sway through the room eating Christmas cookies and other holiday delicacies.

Becky, a woman from the shop who works in the back with my mother on alterations comes toward Andrew and me, a few cookies in her hands. Once she is in front of us she places the cookies in our hands giving each of us a big bear hug. I smile, the smell of her rose perfume familiar.

"You two are so beautiful," She beams. I place the cookie between my lips quickly taking a bite of the delicious sugar dough. The frosting crumbling to the floor as I chew. "Erin, are you going to all Carter and tell him the good news about you and Andrew?" Becky places her hand on my shoulder as I lunge forward nearly choking on the bite of cookie in my mouth.

Coughing, and spitting, eventually, the cookie was free from my throat.

"Carter?"