I shuddered at the thought of years’ worth of rationing and hunger pangs. “I think I’m done living off the land for now.”
“We can go buy some seeds in the next few days if you’d like? Start a veggie patch in the backyard if it will help keep your mind calm.”
I chose a hard shell thing which I thought was called a taco. Placing it on my plate, I caught her stunning stare. “That would be helpful, thanks.”
“An outdoor kind of therapy.”
I nodded and took a bite. Crunchy lettuce, tasty meat, and a heaping of creamy avocado. I closed my eyes in bliss. “God, I’d forgotten how food can make everything better.”
She nodded, a sad look coming into her eyes. “Were you fed well...before you were on your own?”
I wolfed down the rest of the taco and helped myself to a flaky pastry thing from the Indian container. “Not really. We had more than enough to keep us alive, of course, but it was just bland necessity, not a reward.” I swallowed hard against a swift memory of the times we were given food as a reward. Normally, I would bury those recollections and shovel more earth onto the grave of who I’d been, but tonight, I forced myself to be fully open with Gem.
After everything she’d done for me...I wanted to be better now instead of months from now. I wanted her to be safe with me. I wanted her to be able to fall asleep in my arms and not wake up bruised. “We would earn a big roast meal if we had a...long day serving. If you were bleeding or a guest was particularly proud of what they did to you, they could request a meal as a treat for us.”
Gemma stopped eating and shivered. “God, I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged and took a bite of the pastry. Potato and carrot all seasoned in a curry paste. “It’s in the past.”
“And you’re here now.”
I nodded and held her hazel stare. “With you.”
“With me.”
A shy smile broke her gorgeous face. “And you asked me to marry you.”
“I did.” I smiled back, still shocked and awed, with a mix of terror and pride.
“That was a surprise.”
“To me as well.” I chuckled. “It hadn’t been in my head until that very moment, but I guess it’s been in my heart for a while.”
Her cheeks pinked. “How long?”
“Probably when I woke up and thought you were the genie from my fable.”
She froze, her mind scooting back through all the moments between us. “Wait...you were still heavily concussed. I didn’t think you remembered those interactions?” Her eyes darted to the side. “There were many sides of you that woke during those first few days. And each wasn’t aware of the other.”
I grabbed a bottle of water and sipped, leaning back against the couch. We’d pushed the coffee table away and cleaned up the mess of the TV, leaving a good-sized piece of carpet for our picnic. “I only remembered the other day. In the hospital, actually. You were sleeping across the room, and I was watching you. I had a vague daydream of you saying you’d bring me happiness and felt an overwhelming sense of peace. When I went back to sleep and woke the next morning, I remembered that it wasn’t a daydream but a memory.”
I moved closer to her and pulled her into me. “You said you’d grant me happiness, Gem. That you’d make my wish come true.” My lips touched hers. The moment I kissed her, the air in my lungs vanished, leaving me light-headed with a tortured groan. “And you’ve kept that promise.”
“Always.” She kissed me back.
I yanked her onto my lap, hoping I didn’t just wipe out a bunch of food.
Her hands landed in my hair, and we forgot all about eating.
My headache faded a little as she ran her fingers over my scalp and her tongue lashed against mine.
She swept me away from a day of being the best I could be, allowing me to let go for a moment, to be hers, to be free in her arms because there...I found true happiness.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
DOT18: ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED to The Girl Gravity Can’t See?
User123: Nah, last I heard she’d been abducted by a psychopath. My sister’s friend told my boyfriend who told me that her Jeep was spotted in a lake. Her body was eaten by crabs.
DOT18: OMG, for real?
Scar89: Don’t listen to them. Just ’cause she hasn’t posted a video in a while doesn’t mean she’s dead, guys! Life happens to the best of us.
DOT18: But she always had new content every week! How am I supposed to get my skills up if she doesn’t post anymore? I’m trying to get good enough so I can apply for the Olympics now it’s a thing!
User123: There are other climbers on YouTube, you dick. Learn there.