he knew that just by losing some pounds, it could be a little bit better. He could do more things and he’d be healthier. What I’m saying is his wife saw the struggles he had with certain things and threw the idea out there. She wasn’t trying to change him. She loved him exactly how he was. Henry fell in love with the woman you are. He didn’t fall in love with you because you’re deaf. Deaf or not, he still would have fallen in love. If he’d met you, and you had hearing and then went deaf, that would change nothing for him. Just some food for thought.” He gave me a wink as he held out his hand to me.
“Thank you, Carlyle.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. He’s on his way here, just so you know. I sent him a text message while you were putting the groceries away, and I will not apologize for that.”
“I figured as much.” I smiled.
“I need to get back to Lillian and make sure she’s okay,” he signed as he got up from the lounge chair.
“Tell her I hope she feels better.”
“I will.” He kissed my cheek.
As I walked him to the front door, he stopped and looked at me.
“There’s a new world out there waiting for you, kid. Not a lot of people get that opportunity. Think about that.”
After I shut the door, I went into the kitchen, grabbed my phone, and texted my mom.
“I’m sorry I left. I’m in Malibu at the beach house, and I’m fine.”
“I know. Henry called me when he found out. He knew I’d be worried.”
“I have to go, Mom. I have a lot of thinking to do before he gets here.”
I went upstairs and laid down on the bed for I was tired from the flight. Not to mention being in the airport all night. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.
Chapter 39
Henry
When I arrived at the house, my first thought was she went down to the beach. When I didn’t see her, I went upstairs and stood in the doorway of the bedroom as she was asleep on the bed. Relief washed over me that she was safe. I took a seat on the edge of the bed, leaned in, and softly brushed my lips against hers. Her eyes slowly opened, and a soft smile graced her face when she saw me.
“Hi,” I said as I pushed a few strands away from her face.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?” I signed.
“I’m fine.”
She sat up and I immediately wrapped my arms around her, pulled her into me and held her tight.
“I’m sorry,” she spoke.
I broke our embrace and smiled.
“I’m the one who’s sorry,” I signed. “I never meant—”
“I know, Henry. You don’t need to apologize. I never should have overreacted. Your dad was here earlier.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that,” he signed as he bit down on his bottom lip.
“No. Don’t be. We had a great talk. He helped me see things differently.”
His eye steadily narrowed at me.
“Are you sure we’re talking about my father?”
She playfully slapped my chest and let out a laugh.
“He’s a wise man.”
“If you say so.” I arched my brow at her. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.” She smiled.
“Next time you feel the need to run off, can you pick somewhere a little closer? Like, maybe the Hamptons?”
“Can you buy a house there, so I have a place to run to?”
“Definitely.” I grinned as I kissed her lips.
We spent the next couple hours in bed having sex and talking. It felt good to be back in California since New York was getting very cold. We climbed out of bed, got dressed, made some dinner, and then headed down to the beach to take a walk as the sun was getting ready to set. While we were walking hand in hand, I stopped, pulled the engagement ring I’d bought her from my pocket, and got down on one knee. The moment she saw the ring, she placed her hands over her mouth. I had been waiting for the perfect time to ask her and I’d felt this was it.
“This ring is a symbol of my eternal love and commitment. I love you so much, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me, Ellie,” I signed.
“Yes, Henry! I’ll marry you!” She beamed with excitement as she held out her left hand and I slipped the three-carat diamond on her finger.
Standing up, I swooped her in my arms and spun her around as our lips locked