Chapter one

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I hold my breath as I wait for mom and dad to say something. Mom is still examining the sparkling ring on my finger. My other hand clasped in Leo's hand. This is painful. Watching my parents' faces go through emotions like shock and pain and anger. Finally, joy settles on my mother's face, "Congratulations, Lindsey."


My father cleared his throat, "Yes, my girl, we're happy for you." He averts his eyes before saying something into my mother's ear. She pats his knees and then she sends me a smile, "Let's get some tea." I squeeze Leo's hand and get up to help my mom.

"Are you sure about this?" She asks as she takes cups from the cupboard. "Mom, it's not like we're going to be getting married tomorrow."


"I know this, my dear, but this is happening too fast." She continues. "We just met the boy." I hand her the sugar and get the milk, "Like I said, we're not getting married soon. It's just a way to make an already committed relationship just so much more committed."

"He didn't even come to ask your father for your hand." She says in a whisper. I roll my eyes, "I told him not to, it's a stupid thing to do. I am not a thing to be given away. I am a person, and it's my choice to whom my hand goes." I hear her sigh, "Lindsey, will you just please listen to me-" "Mom!" We both look to the back door. Levi, my youngest brother, standing in the door. His hair is covered in green goop. "What happened?" Mom asks hurrying over to him. I look through the window and see Daniel and Will snickering to themselves. Of course. They used to play those tricks on me.

Mom ushers Levi inside and disappears out of the kitchen. I let out a sigh of relief. I try to think of how to justify this engagement to my parents. They are old school, but I need them to accept this. I am my own woman.

"Little sister." I turn around and see Will coming inside. He pulls me into his chest and crushes me in a hug. "We haven't seen you in a while." I push him away, "Like you've been visiting all that often." He shrugs, "I'm here, aren't I?"

"William Tanner Moore!" We hear mom call from further in the house. Will sends me a smile, "Let me go explain the green goop to mom." He leaves the room with a wide smile. He will surely not be in trouble. Will and Daniel always had the best excuses for why they did the things they did. No one could ever argue with them and they were off the hook while mom scrubbed us clean or helped with the mess.

I jump when I hear a chuckle from behind me. I forgot Daniel was there. He's leaning on the wall, hands stuffed in his pockets. "It's not funny, you know?" I say, half irritated at his smugness. Haven't they grown up at all?

"It is." He protests, still looking just as amused and relaxed as he's always looked. "I still remember when you played your little pranks on me," I say recalling a vague memory of the boys dumping a large bucket of green-tinted water over my head. The green water turned my blond hair a funny greenish colour for weeks. Mom had to wash my hair every night in an attempt to get rid of the green.

I watch as he pushes off the wall and stalks over to me, coming to a stop only inches away from me, "You sure have come a long way since the pigtails and princess parties, Lindsey." He says softly. I take in a deep breath and step away from him, "I have, yes." I feel a light touch on my arm, but I don't dare to look down, I hold his blue eyes.

"Lindsey!" I hear Will call. I break from the trance and quickly hurry to answer Will's call. I step into the living room, still trying to calm my heart down. I see Leo, on his feet, ready to shake Will's hand. Crap. I forgot about Leo. I hurry to his side, "Yes, Will?" Will's eyes are set in a glare, eyeing Leo.

"Who's your friend?" He asks through gritted teeth. I am suddenly very aware of everyone watching me. Daniel is leaning against the door frame, arms folded, waiting. Levi and mom were also there, Levi's expression mimicking Will's. Dad seems very irritated and Leo is still keeping his smile on his face.

"Will, this is my fiance, Leo." I quickly take in my place next to Leo. Will's face pulls into a scowl. "Be nice." I encourage. He doesn't seem to have heard me. "Dad, you gave this," he stops and thinks of a word, probably not wanting to be scolded for the language used by mom, "You agreed to this?"

Dad shakes his head, "This is the first I've heard of this." I want to scream. What is this? The 1800's? Why the sudden need to treat me like property? "Will, please-" He shakes his head, "He should have asked." "I am not property!" I yell, "And you all should stop treating me as such." "Linds, it's fine really, I see this is important to your family, I'll just ask-" Leo starts, but I shake my head, "No, I am not their's to give," I argue. He takes my hand, "I know, but let me do right by them, I'll just ask your father and everything will be fine. Everyone will be happy." He says, sliding the ring from my finger. "Except me." I choke out.

Leo turns to face my father, "Mr Moore, I ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." Before he can even say it, I knew what father was going to say. "I don't give you my blessing." I hear mom gasp from where she's watching this happen. I see Leo's face fall and his whole posture slumping in defeat.

"Daddy." I manage to get out before the tears chocked me up. I cup my face in my hands and for a second I want to cry, how can he do this? Then a fit of rage overtakes me. I look up at my father, "You don't have a say in this." I glare daggers at him, "You don't have any say in this. This wedding will happen with or without you." I look over everyone, from a stone stiff Daniel to a very shocked father.

"I will marry Leo and no one can stop me." I declare before grabbing Leo's arm and leading him out of the house and to our car. We get in and start driving. "Linds, I don't want to upset your family," Leo says halfway into the drive. I shake my head, "No, they were wrong not me." "But, you're so close to them." He presses. "Then they're supposed to understand. They should know how I feel about this." Leo doesn't argue any further and I'm grateful.

When we arrive back at my dorm, Leo turns to face me, "I'll go back and ask him again. I'm sure I can persuade him." Before I can argue he adds, "Then I get to ask the most beautiful woman in the world to be my bride again." He kisses my forehead. I don't want to argue with him so I just nod and give him a soft kiss before leaving to go to my dorm room.

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