Broken Wings

Chapter 21: The Promise

*Hunter's POV*
She was beside me during everything. She stood next to me for two sessions of three hour calling hours. She sat next to me at the funeral and held me the entire time. She even hiked up the hill to the cemetery plot where we finally laid him to rest. Paislee denied any pain for those few days, but I knew she was feeling it. Every once and a while I would catch her grimace quickly and then resume her natural resting face.
I don't know if she thought that I really believed that she wasn't in pain, but she tried her damnedest to convince me. I told her that she didn't have to go, that she needed her rest and I would be fine, but she didn't believe me. She seemed relieved at the luncheon when she finally got to sit, eat, and take her pain pills. "I saw that." I leaned over and whispered. Paislee turned her head and gave me a sly grin "Saw what?" She asked. "You finally taking your pain medicine. We can go home and take a nap if you'd like. I'm sort of over all this "family time" it was nice at first, but now.." I laughed. "After, you eat. You haven't eaten in days. When you finish your plate, we can go." She pushed my plate closer to me, and gave me the mom lecture. I just smiled, shoot my head and laughed. It was then that I knew, that I loved her more than anything in the world.
*Paislee's POV*
We walked into my room and laid on my bed. I hurt all over. I could barley keep my eyes open. Hunter was exhausted, all of this grief had taken everything he had out of him. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. My head throbbed, and my whole body thrived in pain. I got up to get a bottle of water from the kitchen. Ryder had just gotten home and grabbed a beer.
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be resting?" He asked watching me slowly walk into the room. I grabbed the counter and guided myself to the fridge, and then a seat. "Yeah, that's my plan for the rest of the night. We had the funeral and stuff today. Hunter's really broken up about it." I opened my bottle of water and took a sip. "Right, that was today. How were you?" "I was okay." I sighed. "Were you in a lot of pain?" "Excruciating. But, I tried not to let Hunter see it. But, he knew." "Okay, now go back to your room and get some rest. You're still recovering!" Ryder scolded me. "Yes, boss." I laughed then got up and hobbled to my room. I laid down next to Hunter. I kissed his head. "I love you." I laid down and went to sleep.
When I got up Hunter was sitting up next to me flipping through channels. "What are you doing?" I asked sitting up. I had a sharp pain in my back when I did. I winced and then smiled. "Trying to find something decent to watch. And, I saw that." He turned and kissed me. "It was just from moving after so long. I'm fine." I denied the pain. "Are you up to dinner? Like going out to dinner?" He asked. "Just us?" "Of course. I've had enough family time. I want some time with my girl." "Yeah, I'm up to that." I smiled and got up. "Good, get ready and we'll go." He got up and kissed me. "You know, we could just stay in.." I trailed off while kissing his neck. "Paislee, get dressed before I change my mind." He lightly pushed me away and laughed. "Hunter!" I groaned. "Don't make me dress you myself!" "You already have to help me get dressed! My right arm is useless for a while!" "Good point." He laughed.
Pretty sure my parents know he and I have sex. They're just at the point where, they trust him so much and they don't care what we do. It's an odd feeling. Like obviously Ryder knows, but Ryder knows everything about me.
We walked into the restaurant and I was more than happy to sit down. We were seated right away, thank God. I was in a fair amount of pain, not as bad as earlier. "I have a question." Hunter asked and I froze. I hate when people say that to me, because it literally could be about anything. "What's that?" I asked snapping myself out of it. "What do you think about us living together?" He asked so calm and casual. "Where?" " Well, my uncle's house is now mine. But, I have a few renovations to take care of. So, it's going to be a while but your dad told me I could live with you until it's done." "How long is it going to take?" "They think anywhere from 5-10 months. I'm basically gutting the whole house. My Uncle wanted to. He talked about how it was mine and yours and how he wanted to move down south after he retired in 2 months."
"Wow, he liked me more than I thought." "After he found out what you did for Zee for so many years, he loved you. He would never stop bragging to people about you, and you and I together." "Awe..... Yes. I will move in with you. I mean you're already going to be living with me for 5-10 months, and I won't want you to leave me. So, I'll just have to go with you." I smiled. He got so much happier. "Really?" "Yes! I love you and I think it'll be great." I leaned over and kissed him. "Good! I have one more question." "Oh boy? What's that?" I asked jokingly. What else could he have to ask me.
"If I asked you to marry me, would you say yes or would you think that it was too soon?" "It's only been a month and a half, but I love you more than anything. So, I'd probably say yes." "I know that it's still early, but I got you this." He handed me a ring box. I opened it, it was a heart shaped diamond ring. "This is a promise ring. It's my promise to you that I will always love you and be by your side no matter what. And, it's my promise that you will get the real ring a little more down the road, and I plan on spoiling you everyday for the rest of your life. I love you Paislee." He kissed me and then put it on my finger. "I love you too, Hunter. And for the record, my answer is yes."