Legacy by M.A. Foster
August
_____________________________
Dylan
“Hey, Dylan,” Hazel calls out as I approach.
“How’s it going, Hazel?”
“Busy.” Turning to the counter behind her, she grabs two to-go cups. “How’s Legacy coming along?”
“It’s coming,” I reply as my gaze moves to the shelf above her head. “Katie is working on the lighting and tasked me with picking out barstools.” I chuckle.
“How exciting.” She turns around and slides the to-go cups toward me. “I can’t wait to see the finished product.”
“I was impressed with her work when I saw Bliss in London, but I think she outdid herself on this one.”
“I don’t doubt it. She does amazing work.” She gestures around.
“She’s an amazing woman.” My attention moves back to the shelf, and I jerk my chin. “Are those for sale?”
She looks over her shoulder, then back to me with a knowing expression. “They are. I got them in yesterday and just put them out this morning.”
“They’re perfect. I’ll take them.”
Hazel grins. “Give me a minute and I’ll box them up.”
* * *
Early morning light seeps in through the windows, pulling me from a restless sleep. Rolling over, I find Katie’s side of the bed empty. Sliding out of bed, I stumble into the bathroom before making my way to the kitchen.
Katie is at the counter, her eyes glued to her laptop. In her hand is the mug I got her for her birthday that says “First I Drink The Coffee. Then I Do The Things.”
She’s wearing a tank top that shows off her colorful tattoo. I made sure I was with her when she went back to get it colored in, and she introduced me to the owner, Zane.
“You’re up early,” I say as I move to the coffeepot and pour myself a cup.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d get some work done.” She takes a sip of her coffee.
Katie is currently redesigning the suites at Laurence Edwards Football Stadium.
A few weeks ago, Katie and I had dinner with Cooper Sullivan and his new wife, Parker. Dinner was going well, Cooper and Katie talked business, while Parker and I discussed promo for Legacy. Just as we were finishing dinner, Cooper took a brief call from his assistant, Marcy. She was upset because the anniversary of her husband’s death was approaching. Kevin was Cooper’s best friend, and the fourth person who died in that accident.
“I finally found the perfect booths for the VIP area,” she says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“For Legacy?”
“Yes.” She grins and does a little shimmy before setting down her coffee. “Come here.”
I set my coffee down and move to her side. She clicks the folder titled “Legacy” on her screen and pulls up a photo of a distressed, tufted black leather booth. Having a designer girlfriend, I’ve learned about textures and colors. Things I never bothered or cared to learn from my mother or Mimi.
“That’s exactly what I wanted.”
“I know,” she preens. “I was so excited to show you, but I didn’t want to wake you up.”
I press a kiss to her temple. “You can wake me up anytime. Although, I prefer you do it with your mouth.”
“Next time. I promise.” She winks.
God, I love this woman.
“Can we talk about today?” I ask, leaning against the counter.
Today is Willow’s fourth birthday. It’s also Bennett’s birthday, and the anniversary of Jade’s death.
She lifts her head. “I’m always going to be sad on this day, but having you with me makes it a little easier. I think we should start a new tradition. We get flowers together. We go to the cemetery and visit our loved ones together. Then we celebrate Willow.”
“I love this new tradition.” I tilt my head.
“I love you.” She pushes out her plump lips, and I bend to kiss them.
“I have a gift for you,” I tell her.
“For?”
“It’s sort of a thank-you gift.” She grins, and I kiss her one more time before heading back to the bedroom. “Wait there.”
When I walk back into the kitchen, I pause, taking her in, committing this moment to memory. She’s leaning with her elbow propped on the countertop and her cheek resting in her palm. One leg is pulled up with her foot propped on the edge of the barstool. Her dark, messy hair is piled on top of her head.
It might’ve taken us eight years to find each other, but this was always meant to be. She’s the love of my life. My soul mate. And no matter what life throws our way, I’ll never lose her again.
* * *
Katie
Dylan returns, placing a wrapped box on the counter.
“Oh, you really did get me a gift,” I say as I push my laptop out of the way.
Tearing through the paper, I open the lid to find two individually wrapped items. It’s obvious by the shapes they’re coffee mugs. One has a small notecard taped to the tissue paper that reads “Open me first.” So I do.
Tearing the hot pink tissue away, I toss it to the side and smile. It says “Let’s have coffee together.”
“It’s a set,” Dylan says as he pushes off the counter and moves to stand in front of me.
Plucking the second mug from the box, I quickly rip away the tissue and gasp as I read the words: “For the rest of our lives.”
My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes. Sucking in a deep breath, I lift my teary gaze to meet Dylan’s. “You said it was a thank-you gift.”
“It is.” He takes the mug from my hand and sets it on the counter beside the other. “Some people come into our lives for a reason. Some people come into our lives for a season. But you… my beautiful warrior, are a lifetime.”
His lips twitch, and I tilt my head. “That sounds like Justin Bieber.”
Dylan throws his head back and laughs, and I can’t help but join in. “I’m sorry. It was too good to pass up. I added my own spin on it. How’d I do?”
“Close enough.” I pinch my lips, amused.
He cups my face, his expression full of love and adoration. “Someone told me that people come into our lives when we need them the most. After finding you, I believe that to be true. I do believe people come into our lives for a reason, but not everyone is meant to stay. I believe we can recover from a broken heart, but I don’t think a broken heart ever fully heals. I believe there is someone for everyone, but the timing isn’t always right.” He smirks, then pulls a ring box from his pocket and opens it. “I believe I was always meant to love you, Katie Bennett.”
“Dylan,” I breathe.
“I told you one day I would ask you to marry me. Today is that day, Katie. You have my heart and my soul. Will you marry me?”
Nodding, I throw myself into his open arms. “Yes. I will marry you.”