a new beginning. ( complete)

chapter 25

piper.

the whole ride home my head was spinning. I can't believe what just happened. neals holding on to my hand rubbing small circles on it like he knows I'm overthinking without even asking. sadie was playing with her toys asking when we could play in our new yard, when we pulled in front of my house I see everyones vehicle and I look at neal with wide eyes.

" what is this?"

he just smiles at me and gets out getting Sadie then helping me out. I look over the house waiting for an explanation.

he gently grabs my hand leading me to the door

" they are here to celebrate with us babygirl"

he says kissing the side of my head.

once again my stomach is doing flips, he told everyone? he wasn't ashamed of the fact that he wants to change his whole life just to be with me?

I don't have much time in my head because as soon as we walk into the back door everyone is standings around and they yell

" congratulations!"

neal and I laugh and sadie hops down and runs to addie and maddy I can see she's showing off her new necklaces. my mom and dad pull me in for a hug Tellin me how happy they are for me and they hug neal.

I can't stop the tears coming in my eyes.

he gives me a small kiss in front of everyone then turns to the crowd of people

" she said yes!"

he says holding our hands in the air and I can't help but laugh.

we're soon pulled from each other as everyone is talking to us and wanting to see my ring.

sadie is enjoying the attention and everyone is telling me how sweet it was of him to do that for her.

when things finally calm down some I sitting in some chairs with my mom, addie and maddy and they are talking about planning and house decorations and I'm just listening taking it all in trying not to get overwhelmed.

mama grabs my hand and squeezes

" you okay sweet girl?"

she asks and I finally make eye contact with her

I'm trying so hard to enjoy this moment and not think negative but I can't seem to shake it from my head.

" yes mama I'm fine"

I say giving her a small smile

addie pushes my shoulder with hers

" stop lying to us. what's wrong girl? aren't you happy?"

I look over my mom and maddy then back at addie I can see the questions in their eyes.

I slowly nod my head

" I'm extremely happy guys I'm just so worried that once the new wears off he's gonna get tired of this"

my mom covers her mouth trying not to cry, addie pinches my arm and maddy smiles at me shaking her head

" girl you really don't see it do you?"

I look at her confused

" see what?"

she laughs

" he loves you girl. and as for the new wearing off I don't think that'll happen. he hasn't taken his eyes off of you since you guys parted"

I raise a brow at her trying to figure out why she'd say that surely he's been enjoying his moment. my eyes scan the yard and I finally find him, in conversation with my dad and blade but his eyes are already on mine. I give him a small smile and he winks at me man me blush

" just enjoy our life piper. stop waiting for the over shoe to drop because I that man loves you"

my mom says and I pull my eyes from neal and give her a nod agreeing. I know I need to stop overthinking. I just don't know how.

neal.

I could tell she was surprised I had everyone here waiting for her, I've been planning this day for a while now hook she'd agree to be my wife.

once we got pulled away from each other I found the new guy bill, I told him to get another guy and move pipers mattress and bedding to the new house. told him to just set it in the living room, also told him to grab us a few snacks and drinks. including whiskey since I know she enjoys drinking it. I plan on spending our first night in the house tonight and having her in my arms letting her know how much she means to me. I know I should probably take her out on a real date but I have a feeling she's gonna be exhausted and overwhelmed by the time we leave our family and friends. I just hope she doesn't have the idea and think it isn't thoughtful enough. I can't stop my eyes from wondering to her even while everyone is still talking to me

" and here you thought you'd never get married" blade says patting my shoulder

and I laugh shrugging

" well definitely didn't see her appearing in my life and changing my world"

he nods his head agreeing

" won't lie bro. you had us a little worried for a while, really thought Zoe was gonna bring you down for good"

I grunt at the thought because honestly it's true there was a time where she could've really f****d my whole life up and I would've just say there while she did.

my eyes find piper and she is looking through the crowd of people until her eyes lock with mine. I can see the shock on her face and the worry in her eyes. I send her a wink hoping to calm her down and she smiles back to me

" you know you still have a long road. she doesn't believe she deserves all this"

I hear her dad say and I look him over trying to wrap my head around his words. the woman is amazing I don't understand how she doesn't see that and I really can't figure out shh she has picked me.

" hopefully I can get her to understand I'm here for the long run. I really don't won't her stressing over this"

I tell him and he nods his head

" what are y'all planning for tonight? need us to take sadie?"

he asks and I rub the back of my neck

" if you don't mind sir. I really just want to spend the night with her in out new place. I know I should take her out and celebrate but I wasn't sure.."

he cuts me off by putting my shoulder

" son don't over think it. she will enjoy it. just hold her close and let her know what you want is all she needs"

I nod my head my heart racing. I know she normally likes a low key evening but then again we've never celebrated being engaged.

what if I've messed this all up? maybe I should've made the reservations.

fuck. f**k. f**k. Zoe would've laughed in my face at my idea of babies a romantic evening in front of the fire place. she would literally walk out on me.

blade notices my destress I'm assuming because he speaks up

" she's not her. stop worrying and enjoy piper."

I nod letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

bill comes back with my keys and I thank him letting him know I really appreciate it.

I sigh putting the keys in my pocket

" might want to save her before she bolts on her own" her dad says laughing

and I look back over to her and see her blush I and her eyes are wide at whatever the other lady's are saying to her.

I laugh.

" thank you again sir"

I shake his hand and he nods his head

" just treat her right son"

" always"

I make my way to her where she's now standings and I hear the end of her sentence

" oh my goodness guys! let me enjoy being engaged before y'all start sending me to a honeymoon"

honeymoon. sounds like a damn good idea to me.

I wrap my arms around her waist pulling her body into mine she tenses at first but soon relaxes when she knows it's me

" definitely can't wait for the honeymoon" I tell her and she blushes as the other lady's laugh

" oh hush don't encourage them or we will be married tomorrow"

I chuckle

" I wouldn't complain"

her eyes are wide and I chuckle again kissing the side of her head

they other lady's start to talk again and piper leans her body into mine. I lean down and kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear.

" let's get out of here."

her body responds to my words with a shiver and she goes to say something but I take her lips with mine instead

pulling away her cheeks are Rosey

" pea is taken care of and your dad and blade have agreed to take care of all these people"

she thinks for a moment then nods her head agreeing.

piper.

we said goodbye to everyone and of course let my parents know to call of they needed me, I'm not sure where we are headed.

sadie was just happy she for to stay with her grandparents and they should have an easy night since she's gonna be tired from all the excitement today.

once we got in the truck and headed out neal still hasn't said anything and I was so nervous about what was going through his head

" so can you tell me where were headed?"

I ask and he just grabbed my hand and kissed it.

" what are you feeling for dinner babygirl?"

of course changing the subject

" whatever is fine by me"

I say shrugged then I notice were back in the neighbors of the new house. I look over at him and raise a brow and he chuckles.

" just wait babygirl"

I roll my eyes at him and that makes him laugh more.

we pull into our drive way and I still can't believe it's now ours. I let my eyes take everything in, it's getting evening time so the sun is setting making it all look even more beautiful and more like a dream. I was caught up in my own thoughts I didn't hear neal get out until he was by my side with my door open. he offered his hand to help me out of the truck which I took.

we stood in our driveway for a moment just taking the view in together with him standing behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist.

I hear him sigh

" never thought I'd own a home"

he says softly

" it's always been the plan just hadn't saved enough and definitely didn't ever think it'd be my dream home"

I say honestly leaning my body into his letting his warmth calm my butterflies

he gently kisses my head

" had the money just not the right person to make it a home"

he replies.

I figured we were here just to look around again without having a relator following us so we made our way to the porch hand im hand and I can't help but think of how I want to decorate it or the chairs I want out front. along with plantings flowers with sadie.

we enter the house and both let out a sigh.

he gently takes my hand and leads me to the kitchen where there's flowers, pizza, snacks and drinks wait for us. I turn to him and smile

" you want to have dinner in our home?" I ask excited and he looks down a little rubbing the back of his neck, I've come to know he does that when he nervous about something

" if you want to go out we can I just thought maybe you'd enjoy spending our first night as home owners here. together"

I can tell when he says it he's unsure I give him a big smile I turn and run my hands along the counter and think about how much fun it's gonna be to cook in this massive kitchen. letting my mind wonder again I completed forgot about what neal had said until he clears his throat

" it's okay I can make reservations still I'm sure"

he says looking through his phone. I pull it from his hands and hop up on the counter and smile at his shocked expression

" I love the idea babe. I was just imagining all the things I could cook in here"

I tell him honestly and I see him relax.

we get the pizza out and he stands next to me while we snack on it and have a glass of whiskey.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating.

about half through my 3rd slice and 2 glasses of whiskey I find the nerve to finally ask him what I've been worried about.

" neal?"

I half whisper looking down at my glass

I feel his body turn to me giving me his attention

" what is it darling?"

he knows me so well. he can tell something is wrong Bec he always calls me darling to calm me down. I let out a breath

" are you really sure about this? I mean the marriage and the house? taking care of both Sadie and I is expensive and I don't want to ask you to do it. and on top of that the shop just got up and running and I've got school bills. I know this is all alot and I know your so used to being on the road I'm so scared I'm changing your life and one day your gonna wake up and see you aren't happy" I let out all in one sentence and he listens to me but I never make eye contact to scared to see his reaction. for a moment he doesn't say anything. and I get even more nervous until he stands between my legs lifting my chin to meet his eyes and he smiles at me before gently kissing my lips then he pulls back watching me with his beautiful eyes as his hands run my arms then he snakes his fingers into my and kisses wedding ring then he looks me in the eyes again.

neal.

" I want this piper. I want this forever. trust me please, I'm not Changing anything about myself that I don't want to change. I know I don't look like it on the outside with the hair and tattoos but this" I look around the house then kiss her again before continuing

" this is what I want, hell I think it's what my heart needs. it needs you and it needs pea because before you guys I had money yeah but I wasn't happy. not in life or with myself. but you've helped me be happy. I told you from the start I'm here as long as you will have me."

once I finish she lands her lips on mine. hard.

her hands wrap around my neck as her legs wrap around my waist and I hold on to her hip with one and her head with the other holding her in the kiss. I slide my tongue across he lips go let me in and she does. our tongues dance together as she holds on tighter to my body.

I squeeze her hip and she lets out a small moan.

I gently pull away giving her another small kiss before resting my head against hers.

catching our breathes

" follow me babygirl"

he cheeks are flushed and I can see the lust in her eyes as I help her down.

I pick her up bridal style and bring her to the living room where I had the guys put her mattress and put flowers everywhere. I just need to light the few candles around and the fire place to make it more romantic.

I set her on her feet and kiss her cheek as she watches me with wide eyes. I light the candles and the fire place as the sun sets outside and I dim the light's. I can only hope at this point that she doesn't have fhe idea of think it's complicated stupid. I know I could've sprung for a nice dinner and he'll maybe even a fancy hotel room but I really wanted this night in the house with her.

I let out a breath and turn to see her reaction since she's been quiet this whole time.

when I turn she's standing there with the bottle of whiskey in her hands smiling as tears are falling from her eyes. I rush to her unsure of what's actually happening.

" I just thought it'd be nice.."

I'm cut off by her lips on mine but I don't argue once she pulls back she looks at me through her eyelashes

" I love it"

she whispers and I wipe a few years from her cheeks and hold her face gently

" then what's with the tears babygirl. I know it's not fancy or what normally happens when you get engaged I just really wanted our first night in the house"

my voice is deep and hardly whisper but she smiles at me lovingly

" they are happy tears neal. I've never been so happy with a man in my life and you've done all this" she looks around the basically empty living room and continues " for me and you and I couldn't think of a better way to enjoy our night together"

once she's done I take her in my arms again. the girl is perfect and I can't wait to make her my wife.