Mystic Falls: Beginnings

17

I

The past two weeks had passed by and I couldn't have been any happier. Sheryl and I were in love and her grandfather had basically handed me the ranch. I was making all the decisions and, for the first time, I felt like I could become the man I had always wanted to be.

Back home, things were a mess. My brother took off because of the pressure Mia and her parents were putting on him and neither family was currently speaking to the other. I was worried about my brother but I knew he would be okay, he just needed a break and to clear his head.

"Care to share your thoughts?" I heard Sheryl say as she walked in.

I looked up from the papers I was looking at and smiled. "I was thinking about Markus."

"Still no word?" She asked as she walked behind the desk and sat in my lap.

"No. Mom is worried but I know he will be back soon."

"I'm sure he is fine. I can't imagine how he feels."

"Oh, I can. I thought I had lost everything."

Sheryl put her right hand on my cheek and said, " but you didn't."

"No I didn't and I thank God for that."

I kissed her on the lips and as the kiss got deeper she moaned, causing me to smile. I pulled back and said, "I love you."

"I love you too."

As I looked into her grey eyes, I said "marry me."

Sheryl didn't say anything but looked at me as if she thought I imagined saying those words.

"I mean it honey, let's get married."

I adjusted her on my lap and opened the top drawer of the desk and pulled out the ring my dad gave me.

"I know this isn't an ideal proposal but I love you and I want the world to know it. Say yes." I handed her the box and she opened it. As I looked at her, she had tears in her eyes. She grabbed the ring out of the box and said, "I guess you had better put it on me."

I grabbed the ring and, with a giant smile, I put the ring on her ring finger and then kissed her.

As the weeks went by, we planned the wedding but there was a huge hurtle to pass. Her aunt and uncle refused to come if my parents were coming but Sheryl told her family it was their choice if they came or not. She was not going to bend to their will, but she would make sure they remained separated from the other family. I knew she didn't care if they showed up or not, but I didn't want her to regret them not being there later in life. I tried my best, as did her grandfather, to bring peace to both families, but it was a no go and I had to accept that fact.

The week before the wedding, the men and I were busy working on the ranch but also setting up the ceremony and reception space. We decided to get married in front of the lake as the sun set with candles floating in the water. Rodgers, one of the ranch hands, built a beautiful arch out of wood with carvings in it, while the men and I took fallen trees from the woods and built log seats. I wanted it to be perfect for her.

The night before the wedding, her grandparents asked to speak to us in the dining room. As we all sat around the table, a man I had never met before joined us. He was middle aged, wore a suit and had a brief case with him.

"This is Mr. Smith, the ranch attorney," her grandfather said.

"Grandpa, we don't need a prenup," Sheryl said as she grabbed my hand. I squeezed it, trying to comfort her.

"He is not here to have you sign a prenup."

"Then what is he here for?" She asked.

"Your wedding gift."

Her grandfather paused for a moment, then said, "as you know, your father was supposed to take over the ranch but he chose a different path. I know you love this ranch, Sheryl and Drew has been running it since he got here, even making improvements I never thought of. You two will make this ranch into your own and it will thrive. Your grandma and I have decided to hand the ranch over to you."

I knew this was going to happen but I didn't think so soon.

"Thank you," I said and Sheryl sniffled. She was crying.

"What will you and grandma do? You both have been running this place for so long."

Her grandfather smiled and looked at his wife with love in his eyes. "I plan to take your grandmother around the world. We have always talked about traveling and now is a perfect time for us."

"That sounds nice," Sheryl said as she stood up and hugged them.

"I have the paperwork ready to sign when everyone is ready. Sheryl, I am going to assume you plan to change your last name. I have a special form for you to sign."

"Okay."

Once the papers were signed, her grandparents decided to go to dinner with the attorney and we decided to go for a walk.

"Can you believe it? We have our own ranch and home," Sheryl said as we approached the spot we would get married at.

"I can. Your grandfather had mentioned it awhile ago but I never imagined it would be so soon."

"I never thought they would give it to me. I always thought one of my cousins would get the ranch."

"I don't think your grandparents are happy with your aunt, uncle and cousins right now."

"Same."

As we walked back towards the house holding hands, I couldn't help but smile. I had the woman I loved and tomorrow she will be mine till the day I die.

-Thanks for reading and waiting on this chapter. I wrote four different versions of this chapter and finally chose this one. On Sunday the last chapter will be uploaded along with a small glimpse of the next story I plan to write. Since this book is wrapping up the Mystic Falls series, my next book will be a stand-alone and the book after that will be a 2 for 1 story about Chelsea and her mom's story. Working out the kinks on that book. More details about the name and uploads for the new book on Sunday. -