Touched By You (The Touch Series) (31 page)

It isn’t easy to go from a heartless bitch to a caring saint over night, but I’m doing my best and that is all I can ask myself for each day.

But today, yes today is the day I’ve waited a long time for. It’s time for Derrick and me to take this next step. After all he’s done for me. I need to do this for him.

He has no clue what is going to happen tonight, but I hope to hell I’m able to pull it off as planned.

I’ve been working for the Boston Red Sox as the field analyst for the past five months. I love everything about my job, the kneecap to kneecap coverage with the team and the fact that I can live in Boston close to my family. I truly have everything I’ve ever dreamed of right here in front of me and now, yes now I need to take matters into my own hands and take a huge step forward. I’m scared, hell yes I’m scared, but it’s time to do this and I’m more than ready.

Looking around my office and at the clock on the wall, I realize that I only have an hour left to finish up this interview spotlight that I’m planning for next week. After this is wrapped up I’m off to go get Riley. I hope that everything is in order that I asked for so we don’t have to spend so much time picking up last minute things.

My phone starts to buzz across my desk and see that Char is calling.

“Hey lady what’s up?” I ask in a cheery tone.

I sure as hell appreciate my sister more than ever. After all I almost lost her this year.

“Hey Chloe, minor problem….but don’t freak.” She says with a giggle.

“Shit Char, you can’t say that and expect me not to freak. What’s wrong?” I say with a pout.

“Well I went to lunch with Derrick today, just like I was supposed to and he said he was going to work late tonight. He has that huge case coming up next week and if he nails this he gets senior partner.”

“Shit! Damn it! Blah! Okay I’m not going to freak out. It will be okay, I’ll just rearrange some things and it will still work out.”

“Yes it will. You’ve got a great attitude Chloe. I must say I really like this new side of you. It’s so much easier to get along with you now.”

“Char, don’t start. I’m trying my best to stay cool and calm.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. It’s just such an exciting night and I want everything to be perfect.”

“Yeah, Char you and me both. You don’t think he has any idea of what I’m up to, do you?”

“Nah, he’s so wrapped up in the case he doesn’t even realize he put on two different shoes today.”

“Shit, Char that isn’t funny.”

“Yeah he didn’t think so either when I pointed it out to him at lunch.”

“Okay well I have to go and finish up here. I’m still picking Riley up, right?”

“Yep! Okay Chloe relax, it will all be okay. I’m so excited I could scream.”

“Yeah just not in my ear this time. Okay I’ll see you later on, thanks for everything Char. Love ya.”

“Love you too Chloe.”

I hit the red end button on my phone and take a seat back at my desk. I can’t imagine if that girl was not in my life. My sister and I have grown so close since the accident. She truly is my best friend and I would be lost without her.

A few days after the initial trauma of the accident we were all on pins and needles waiting for Char to wake the hell up. One night after everyone had gone home I decided to stay so Riley could get some sleep. The poor guy never left the hospital. The staff was nice enough to bring in an extra chair that extended out to a lounge like bed and let him shower in her bathroom. I really do admire the way he cares about her. They are both so lucky to have one another in their lives.

While sitting back in Riley’s chair I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. Thinking it was just my imagination playing tricks on me I went back to doing some work on my iPad. A few minutes later the monitors started to beep and I stood up next to Char. Holding her hand I caressed her palm and started talking to her.

Within a few moments the nurse walked in to check on Char’s vitals. I continued to watch her as her eyelids started to flutter and a cough escaped her throat. I knew at any moment something big was going to happen and I was right.

Char’s beautiful big brown eyes opened and she watched the nurse and me as she tried to focus. It took her a bit till she was able to open them fully, but when she did I felt the tears begin to fall down my cheeks.

I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Riley’s number. Once he answered, I told him to call Mom, Dad and Derrick to get down here quick.

Ever since that day I swore to myself that I would never disappoint or hurt my sister again. We’re closer than ever and spend as much time together as possible. In fact if one of us is not at the other’s house we’re out doing girl stuff while the boys are watching a game or at the pub. Life with us is just perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I glance over at the time on my computer screen, “shit!” I shout. I need to finish this up later, it’s time to get out of here and go get Riley. Pulling together all the papers on my desk and shutting down my laptop, I then lock up and make my way to my car.

I pull into Taylor & Sons Contracting and Riley is already out standing by his Durango. As I slide my car in next to his, he stands there shaking his head at me. I let out a giggle and know that he’s going to give me shit for being late.

He hops in the car and leans over to give me a hug.

“Thanks so much for doing all this with me. I know Char has her hands full keeping Derrick busy, well at least she was supposed to be. Now he has to work late so we’re going to have to skip the game and go right into stage two of the night.”

“Fuck Chloe calm down, you’re talking to me like you’re on speed or something…wait did you take drugs before you came and got me. You know how I hate that shit.”

I smack his arm and put the car in reverse.

“Shut the hell up Riley, my nerves are shot to hell. I don’t want to blow this tonight. It means a lot to me that everything goes perfect.”

“Everything will be fine don’t worry, but I do have one question. How are you getting him there since he won’t be at the pub to watch the game?”

“Well since he’s going to be working late I thought I would text him to come get me at the stadium. I’ll just tell him to come in and get me while I finish up some work. He loves walking around and being nosey, so I should be fine.”

Riley and I spend the next hour getting everything from their house to the stadium. Thankfully the Red Sox are away today and since I am part of the team they granted me access to the field…an awesome perk I think.

It’s 9:30 and go time. Derrick should be here any minute now. My nerves are killing me and my stomach is in knots. I walk out the stadium and glance around the field. The lights are lit and the set up in the outfield looks amazing. I’m so blessed to have so many people in my life to help me with this special night.

I walk out to the pitcher’s mound and wait for him. I can feel my heart beating a mile a minute and I’m afraid I’m going to puke at any given moment. Tonight will change things for us and I can’t wait to share this moment with him.

In the distance I can see him walking along the concourse and see him stop.

Why the hell is he stopping…don’t stop, keep walking. He starts to move again and my heart begins to beat out a steady rhythm.

He starts to walk down the stairs and I can barely make out the expression on his face.

As he continues to walk closer and closer to me I can see his baby blues sparkle from the lights of the stadium. A smile is spread across his face and he reaches his hands out to me as he approaches.

He looks handsome wearing his dress pants, white button down shirt and green tie.

My lips lift in to a smile as he grabs me into his arms. He gives me a kiss on the lips and pulls me in closer to him. I can feel his heart beating and our souls instantly begin to communicate. His touch gives my body a warmth that only he can provide and it makes me feel so loved.

We pull away from our embrace and he looks into my eyes.

“I’m sorry I missed watching the game with you guys tonight, but glad I’m here with you now. What’s going on here tonight anyway?” He asks looking behind me at the white tent set up in the outfield.

“Just follow me. I have something special planned for us tonight.”

I take his hand in mine and start walking our way over to the white tent.

Once we’re inside I’m instantly taken back to that night. Riley, Char and our parents did an amazing job setting everything up like I asked. There’s a table set for two in the far corner and a wooden dance floor in the middle. Soft music is playing in the background and our dinner is set on the table waiting for us.

I look over at Derrick and the expression on his face is like nothing I’ve seen before.

“Chloe, this is amazing. You did this for us? How did you do this? I mean wow!” He says looking around the inside of the tent.

“Well actually I had a lot of help, but yeah this is all for us. I wanted tonight to be special for us. We have a lot to celebrate Derrick.”

He looks at me and smiles. I love his smile. In fact I love everything about this man.

“Let’s take a seat and eat. I know it’s late, but I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“I’m starving.”

We sit down and he takes the dome lids off our dinner plates. It’s so late and I’m starved from not eating all day. Now that we’re here, my nerves are a bit more at ease and feel like I could eat everything on my plate.

Dinner is absolutely amazing and we both clear our plates. I see Derrick glance around the room and I can hear our song start to play. He gets up from the table and extends his hand out to me.

“My I have this dance?” He asks.

“Of course, I was hoping you would ask.” I reply with a flirtatious wink.

He walks me over to the small wooden dance floor area and swings me around into his arms. As we dance to our song, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat, I envision what it will be like to dance with him to this song on our wedding day. He pulls me in closer to his warm body so that I can feel his heart beating against mine. This night is absolutely perfect and there’s just one more thing I need to do.

I pull away from him just enough so that I can look into his eyes again.

“You’re so good to me.” I tell him and kiss his lips ever so softly. “I love you so much Derrick. No matter what we’ve been through we always make it work. You make us work. I love you.”

“I love you too Chloe.”

“Derrick you’re the one constant thing in my life. Through everything we’ve been through the past nine years you always knew we would make it work. I don’t know that I could be where I am without you. I thank god everyday that you stuck with me. You really are my world.”

I hear the song start to play and my hands start to shake. With the melody of Marry Me by Train playing through the speakers I take Derrick’s hands in mine.

“Derrick I can’t tell you enough how special you are to me, or how much I love you. For the past nine years you’ve been my soul mate, the one I find peace with. You’re my forever Derrick and today is just the beginning of great things to come for us. Without you in my life things would be empty. You honestly make me who I am. I’m a better woman now because of you. I don’t want to spend another day of my life without you by my side. I know what I’m about to do is not the customary thing to do, but for us I feel it’s perfect.”

I take a step back from him and get down on one knee. I look up at his tall frame and a smile crosses his face. He steps back and kneels down in front of me. Our hands are interlocked and he kisses me on the lips.

“I love you with all that I am Derrick Mason Peters, will you marry me?”

He looks at me, the smile never falling from his face.

“Chloe you make me the happiest I’ve ever been. Without you, I feel like a huge part of my life is missing something. I would love to marry you, but we need to do this the right way.”

He helps me stand so that we’re still facing one another.

A gasp escapes me as he reaches into his pocket and kneels back down in front of me.

“Chloe, I’ve carried this around with me since the day you moved back into our home. I’ve known my entire life that you would be my wife. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to ask you to marry me and I think I’ve found it.”

The tears begin to fall from my cheeks and I bend down to kiss him.

“Chloe will you marry me, be my soul mate for eternity and always stay by my side?”

I nod my head up and down a million times while shouting yes.

Derrick stands and pulls me into him.

“I want to hear you say it Angel.”

I smile at him and say, “Of course I’ll marry you Derrick, you’re it for me and we’re going to have a beautiful future together. I’ve been touched by you.”