"I texted Juana to set up dinner plans. We're meeting them for the luau on the beach at 7."
"It's going to be alright, Daddy. I promise." Elgin moved closer on the bed.
We'd been hanging out in the room since we'd woken up from our nap. I had checked emails about work and the house while he called his mom to check on her.
"How's Kiara?"
"She's great. She loves staying at the house and keeping an eye on the construction projects. I guess she and Melissa are getting to be good friends. They have coffee every morning."
"I'm so glad. Do you want to go for a walk or something before dinner?" I held him close, pulling him tightly against my body.
"Yeah, let's go to the gift shops. I want to find something for Mom."
"Okay, let's go."
At the gift shop, Elgin looked at the sundresses and locally made jewelry. He looked unsatisfied with the selection.
"Can't find the right thing? We have four days on the island to find her something perfect."
"Okay, that sounds good." He didn't sound good, though.
As we strolled along the lush, tropical pathways that wound all around the resort he was still really quiet.
"What's wrong, love?"
"What? Oh, nothing. I'm fine."
"Wow. Nothing? I'm fine? Elgin, baby, talk to me. Something's on your mind. Is it your mom?" I stopped and turned to face him.
"No, it's not my mom. I was just thinking about stuff." He sounded so unsure of himself, which was out of character.
I pulled him off the path and onto a bench. "Please talk to me." I felt worried and I sounded worried even though I hadn't meant to.
His big, beautiful eyes came up to meet mine and he looked scared. I felt my heart lurch in my chest. I wanted to fix whatever was wrong immediately.
"Are you going to get tired of taking care of me? I don't have anything of my own. I don't have any of my own money. It feels unfair."
"Elgin. I love you. I'll take care of you for the rest of our lives, without ever even thinking about getting tired of it. And you will have your own things and your own money, soon enough."
"I know I'll have a real job and a salary through the foundation when it finally gets up and running after we get home. But I still feel like I'm always taking and never giving anything back."
"I know it might seem like that, to the casual observer, but you give me more than I give you, if you ask me." I paused and looked into those incredible eyes.
"Before I met you, I had a good life, a great job, a fancy house and two nice cars. But I didn't have what I really wanted. All I ever wanted was love and a family of my own. I honestly thought I'd never have that.
Then I met you, Elgin. It didn't seem possible that you could be my everything, but you proved me wrong. You are the most amazing man I've ever known. You're kind and smart and loving beyond my wildest dreams. You give me everything I ever wanted and needed. Absolutely everything.
Right now, it seems uneven since I'm older and successful already. I have money and assets aplenty. So it seems like I'm the provider. But you give me love and affection and hope. You know me and keep me calm. You give me life. All the money and success I had meant nothing to me.
You are my true love, my best friend, my partner, my lover, my mate. I can't live without you by my side. You give me everything, baby. I never want you to think otherwise." My tears spilled onto my cheeks.
"I love you, Al." He was crying now too.
"Come here." I pulled him close and held him tight. "Can I do anything to make it better?" I just wanted to make him smile again.
"No. I'm sorry I worried you." He let out a huge cleansing breath. He yawned a huge yawn and leaned on my shoulder.
"I think we're both tired. It's been a crazy month with the auction, the construction, traveling, getting engaged....." I kissed his soft hair.
"Yeah, there's been so many changes. They've all been good, but it's like a tidal wave of good fortune. It's all great, but it's still a lot, you know."
"I do know. When we get home we're going to need a vacation from our vacation." I smiled at him as he sat up and looked into my eyes.
"I love you, Al. I'm so lucky that I found you. I needed you as much as you needed me. I'm ready to take on the world with you." His gorgeous smile was back and I felt relieved.
"Juana and dinner first, then the world." I held his hand as we got up and continued our walk through the gardens.
When it was time to get ready for dinner, we headed back to the suite to change. I was starting to get nervous again as I pulled on a Hawaiian shirt. I button up the buttons, leaving the top two open.
Elgin came out of the bathroom and walked right up to me. He reached for my buttons and undid one more. He turned and went back to the closet and put on a pair of sandals. I just smiled at the comfortable rapport between us.
"Do you want me to leave the ring here?" He stood by the dresser twisting his ring on his finger. I knew he offered since I was so nervous.
"No way. Leave it on. My nerves are ridiculous, but we're not hiding anything. I love you and I'm going to marry you and I want everyone to know."
"Okay, Daddy. How are you going to tell them?" He smiled at me, calming me.
"I still don't know. I guess I'll just figure it out as I go." I took his hand and led him out of the room.
I saw Ursula and Juana at a table near the front, where the stage was set for the luau show. We moved across the sand to join them.
"Uncle Al! Alaska was awesome, but Hawaii is EVERYTHING!" Ursula screamed as soon as we got to the table. She jumped up and hugged me. She hugged Elgin next, surprising me and Juana, and maybe Elgin, too. God, I loved that girl. She was amazing.
We all sat down and listened to Ursula regale us with her stories of Alaska and their first day in Hawaii. She bounced in her chair while Juana smiled genuinely at her daughter's pure joy.
When Ursula finally wound down, I sat forward in my chair and tried to figure out what to say. I just wanted to rip the band-aid off and get it out there. I felt overwhelmed.