Chapter 40

Heath POV

It is two weeks before Tonya gets out of the hospital. I stayed with her throughout her stay. I did not want to leave her. I have to admit that I have fallen in love with her. I know I have not known her long, but I need her in my life.

Over the two weeks, we had many deep conversations. Tonya was happy when I told her that Dakota and Jade are getting serious. I wanted to know how she would react. I needed to know she was over him completely.

I was surprised that Jade did not throw a fit when I told her that I was moving Tonya in with me. She decided to sell her beach house and move in with me. I know it is quick, but there is something special between us.

I decide to cook Tonya a special dinner her first night home. This is a special night for us, and I want everything to be perfect. I am not a good cook, but I managed to make something memorable for the two of us.

I help Tonya into the dining room. I help her to sit down at the table. I fix her a plate and a glass of wine. I sit down beside her. She looks beautiful. She hardly has any makeup on her face, and her hair is flowing around her face. She is everything I have ever wanted in a woman.

“Tonya, I want to talk to you about something, and it is very important,” I say to her.

“I am all ears,” Tonya says.

“I have something for you,” I say to her.

“You have done enough for me, and you keep showering me with all kinds of gifts; you do not have to do that,” Tonya says to me.

“I know I have gone a little overboard, but this is an extraordinary gift,” I say to her.

“Now, I am interested,” Tonya says, laughing.

I get up from the table. I go into the cabinet where I have hidden her gift. I take it off the cabinet and walk back to the table. I set it down on the table in front of her. It is a small box with a pretty purple ribbon on it.

She looks at it and then looks at me. She takes the ribbon off of the box and then opens it up. Inside the box is a small ring box.

“Oh, Heath, is that what I think it is?” Tonya asks me.

“Why don’t you open it?” I say to her.

Tonya opens the box, and I kneel in front of her. She opens the box and holds it in her hand for a moment inspecting it. She looks down at me, kneeling in front of her. I take the ring out, and I place it on her ring finger.

“Tonya, I want you to be my wife. I have never known anyone like you. You mean everything to me. I need you to be mine always,” I say to her.

Tonya begins to cry. “Why do you want to marry me? I am a terrible person. I do not deserve you,” Tonya asks me.

“Because I love you,” I say to her.

She shakes her head yes. I kiss her on the forehead. “I love you too,” Tonya says.

“I want you to know that Jade helped me pick out the ring; she is happy for us,” I say to her.

“I did not think she cared much for me, and I do not blame her one bit. I am not the same person I was. You have changed me so much,” Tonya says to me.

“I think we have changed each other. I said I would never get married again, but I cannot imagine my life without you. I do not want you living here as my live-in girlfriend. I want you to be my life. I want you to be with me forever,” I say to her.

“I want that to for us. There is nothing I want more than to be with you always,” Tonya says to me.

“We have changed each other for the better. All I want is you to be open and honest with me about everything,” I say to her.

“I think you are right, so then, I can be honest with you then, right,” Tonya says to me.

“Please do,” I say to her.

“You are a terrible cook,” Tonya says.

“That I can agree with you completely,” I say to her.

“We can order food and fuck while we wait on it to arrive,” Tonya says.

“There is my sassy woman,” I say to her.

“Good, then take me to bed,” Tonya says.

“Do you want me to order food?” I ask her.

“No, just take me to bed, daddy,” Tonya says.

I pick Tonya up and carry her to bed. I never thought I could love again. It amazes me the circumstance we met under and how things worked out for us. Tonya is my obsession.