Ellie's POV
"Finally I'm finished!" I shouted as I placed the last plate down.
I had spent the rest of the day cooking and cleaning, so when my family, Alexis, and Cole get here they will at least be slightly impressed.
I know Alexis won't react how my mother will. Or my family for that fact. Alexis has always been so supportive of me, she's been there for me when no one else was. She's agreed and disagreed on things and she knows when I'm in love. She told me during school one day when Carson was in jail. She told me that she saw it in my eyes and my emotions that I was madly in love with Carson. She's basically my long lost sister who would be there no matter what.
My brother is well, how an older brother should be. He can be pretty possessive of me when it came to boys especially when they would talk about me. He never wanted me to date, and if I ever did he wanted to know the person and like them. And unfortunately he doesn't know a thing about Carson. As much as he is possessive, he is also very supportive.
He looks after his little sister just because he doesn't want me to grow up and get hurt. But life changes, you can't always expect it to be the way you want it to be.
Cole is a whole other story. I never knew that Cole would dare to say "I love you" to me. I had always thought of us as best friends, brothers and sisters as a matter of fact. Never in my mind did I think of us as boyfriend and girlfriend. I never knew that he loved me. I knew he liked me and that was why he had been there for me as well but I never had those feelings back.
And I'm glad I never did.
My parent is what I like to call now, not the most understanding family. They don't know about the things me and Carson do. They don't know about how meaningful our "I love you's" are. They need to understand that their daughter is growing up. That I may make mistakes but this isn't one of them. This isn't just a little crush, this is my whole world. Carson is my whole world.
"Babe we have about and hour and a half until they get here. It's 5:00 now and they get here at 6:30 so let's go! I know how long you take to get ready so you need to hurry!" Carson said coming down the stairs looking as sexy as ever.
My mouth literally watered at looking at this beautiful creation. His brown hair was slightly spiked up but still looking a tad bit messy. He wore a blue button down shirt that clung to his muscles perfectly. He wore dark blue jeans and simple shoes to go with it. It was formal but not too formal. But damn did he look good.
"So do we have to have my parents over? I mean, how about we just skip to later tonight?" I said as I walked towards him.
"As much as I just want to take you up those stairs, rip your clothes off and make love to you, I won't. I want to try, at least, to get your parents to hear me out. I want them to see who I really am." He said as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"I know babe I understand, even if they don't I'll still be with you. I hope they do at least listen." I said as I wrapped my arms around him so he was just holding me in his arms.
"I love you Ellie, ok? Never forget that." He said, his voice cracking.
I looked up at him to see his eyes glossy and his face slightly red as he repeatedly blinked.
"Carson, I love you too. Why are you crying?" I asked as I rubbed his cheek.
"I just, well I never thought I would fall in love. I never thought that I would ever get to experience what love would be like. But I get to experience it everyday for the rest of my life with the person I love. I can't believe that my father wanted you as revenge. But if he didn't ever wanted to take revenge on your mother, than he would have never asked me to kidnap you. And we would have never met. I wouldn't have felt what it feels like to live." He said as tears slowly streamed down his face.
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever told me Caron. I don't know what to say. I as well never thought I would meet someone that I would marry. I thought I would be one of those girls who never got married, they would stay single. I always wanted someone who would hold me at night. I always wanted someone who would tell me I'm pretty because they actually mean it. But I always thought that would never happen. But then it was just one visit to an ice skating rink that changed my entire life. I love you Carson, no matter what. I will always be here, I will always tell you everyday that I love you. Not because I just feel like saying it but to remind you that I'll love you forever. I'll never stop loving you." I said to him as I rewrapped my arms around him.
We stayed hugging each other for a while until my eyes wandered over to the clock that was above the stairs. It read 5:30 causing my eyes to grow wide.
I released my arms from around him and began to panic.
"I have to go! I need to hurry up and get dressed. I have to shower, do my hair and make up, and get ready! How am I supposed to do all that in an hour!" I yelled.
I turned around to run to our room when I was pulled back into a pair of arms and felt lips being placed against mine.
"Calm down, now go get dressed." Carson whispered to me against my lips.
I calmly nodded and walked away from Carson, heading up the stairs and preparing to be the fastest person I have ever been in my life.
*** 1 hour later ***
*Ding dong*
"Carson get the door!" I yell out as I spray perfume on me.
"Do I have too? I'm nervous!" He yelled back.
I heave a sigh and run down the stairs to where Carson is standing looking slightly nervous. I go to the door and open it seeing my family, Alexis, Franci, and Cole.
"Oh my sweet daughter! I've missed you so much!" My mom yelled wrapping her arms around me.
My eyes widened at this bit I immediately wrap my arms around her petite frame. As much as I disagree with her, she's my mother. It's hard for children to go with out their mother. At least for me it is. I inhale her honey sweet sent and close my eyes.
She releases me after a bit and holds me at arms length. "Honey what are we doing here?"
I look over at Carson giving him a smile and he smiles back and gives me a nod.
"Everyone I want you to meet my fiancée Carson Black." I said out loud so everyone could hear.
I heard gasps from everyone in the room and I knew they were all watching Carson.
"Hello." Carson said shyly.
"Now, I know some of you may not like this but please just hear us out." I said quickly before someone might interrupt me.
There was an awkward silence so I cleared my throat.
"Please, come in and sit down." I said as I held the door open.
My parents exchanged looks before my mom sighed and walked in. My dad looked at her and then at Carson and slowly walked in. Alexis beamed a smile at me and walked in. Franci as well smiled and walked in. Blake slowly and cautiously walked in. Cole looked heart broken and turned to leave.
"Cole please don't leave." I called out.
He stopped in his tracks and turned around. I was about to take a step forward when I felt an arm from behind me pull me back into someone's chest.
"Why Ellie? Why would I stay here? Why would I want to watch you love someone else other than me. Why would I want to watch the person I love be stolen away from me? You don't know how much you mean to me. But you never will because of him. I could have treated you amazingly. I could have loved you like no other. I could have been the one to be waiting at the altar for you. But no, you chose him. So I'm leaving. I'm not going to watch you love him. But just tell me why you chose him and not me?" He asked after he was done with his speech.
I stood there shocked but regained my senses and cleared my throat again.
"Because Cole! We are friends! I never saw you like that! I never wanted anything more from you. I just wanted you to be my friend. I didn't want you to like me. That was never my intention! I always saw you as another brother!" I shouted at him trying to get him to understand.
"Yeah well you can't help who you fall in love with." He said.
I didn't know how to respond to that so I just stood there staring at him. He shook his head and turned around and walked away.
Where he was planning to go was beyond me. I mean even I don't know where Carson's house is located.
I sighed and watched him as he retreated. Carson's arm was still wrapped around me while his hand was resting on the frame of the door.
I felt him tug on my waist to pull me back as I soon saw the door close in front of me.
Guilt washed over me as I saw Cole's face in my mind. The heart broken look is what really made me feel guilty.
"Princess come on let's settle down on the couch." Carson said as he led us to the living room.
I sat down with Carson on a sofa made for two as Alexis,Franci, and Blake sat down on a sofa to my left while my mom and dad sat on the sofa to my right.
I opened my mouth to say something when Carson beat me to it.
"As you all now know that I proposed to Ellie, it wasn't because of her looks or money or anything absurd. I proposed because I love her with my whole being. My whole life revolves around her and I couldn't ask for anyone else than Ellie. I just hope you guys understand that I never planned to kidnap Ellie. Wait let me rephrase that, I mean I kidnapped her but it was for a reason. And I know that sounds stupid and that what I did was no excuse but please hear me out.
My dad, Rick, was using your daughter as revenge. Ms. Saunders, do you remember ever receiving a video with Ellie in it?" Carson asked my mom, referring to when I had to pretend I was hurt.
"Not that I remember." She said slowly thinking about it.
"So you never got a message at all? Not one telling you where to meet us at all or the time?" Carson asked.
"No not at all. I don't know what you're talking about." She replied.
So what she's saying is that I recorded a video for nothing?
Carson sighed but continued his speech anyways.
"Alright well basically you had an ex boyfriend named Daryl. Do you remember that?" Carson asked.
"Yes of course I do." She said sheepishly looking at my dad who frowned.
"Well apparently after you broke up with him, he went into one of those drinking phases. He was driving home drunk last night and got in a car crash. He was sent to the hospital, got into a coma, and died. Well Daryl's brother, my dad, wanted to get revenge on you. He thought that it was your fault for killing his brother. My dad wanted you and him to meet up. He was going to make you either give up your husband or he would kill Ellie. So he wanted me to kidnap her. Of course I said no at first but then he said that if I didn't he would kill my mom right in front of me. So I had no other option than to kidnap Ellie. But I promised her that I would take care of her, provide her with anything she wanted, and keep her safe.
Along the way I'm pretty for sure my dad completely forgot about Ellie because he never really put his plan into action. Also along the way, Ellie and I grew feelings for each other. We can't help who we fall in love with, and in our case we fell in love with each other. I couldn't ever ask for a better person than Ellie. She has shown me how to love, how to care, and how to be a better person.
I vow to her, and you guys that I will cherish, respect, care, and love Ellie every passing day for the rest of my life.
May I please marry your daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Saunders?" Carson finished.
By then I had tears pouring out of my eyes and I also saw both my parents eyes filled with tears. Actually let me rephrase that, my mom had tears and my dads eyes were glossy.
I looked up at Carson and he looked down at me as he smiled. I smiled back and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He took my face in his hands and wiped away my tears with his thumbs as he stared into my eyes.
"Ugh, how can I say no to that!" I heard my mom shout.
I turned my head towards her to see her pointing at us with more tears running down her face.
A smile spread across my face and my heart leaped with joy.
"Ellie, you may have another man in your life but you will always be my little girl do you understand?" My dad asked as he wiped away the small tear that slipped out of his eye.
"Of course father!" I said with a smile.
My mother and father shared a look and turned their attention back to us. By now, Carson had our hands linked together as I gripped his in a death grip, praying that they will say yes.
"With that being said," cue drum roll, "Carson, we give you permission to marry our daughter." They said in unison.
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Hope you guys enjoyed the extra long chapter!