Amy Lynn Steele [Teach Me 02] Lessons Learned (epub)

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.For my husband and daughter who inspire everything that I do.Thank you for your love and support, always.Thank you to all my loyal readers who inspired Allison and Cooper’s story to continue.It is because of all of you that their story is still being told.This one is for you!“But for love! Can I help it? You are always new.The last of your kisses was ever the sweetest, the last smile the brightest; the last movement the gracefullest.”-John Keats to Fanny Brawne, 1820Chapter OneAllison“Stop staring at me like I’m going to keel over in my pasta primavera.” I growled at Cooper as I slammed my fork down, sending a clattering echo through the intimate Italian restaurant.His bright blue eyes looked strained and light sweat beads appeared above his brow.I know he’s concerned.Everyone seems concerned.But, I’ve been home from the hospital for three months and it is time for me to get to go back to school.I need to focus on my high school graduation, which will be taking place in just a few weeks.Coop reached across the table and took my hand in his.I couldn’t help noticing that his palm was damp.“Ali, I’m always going to worry about you,” he said while he squeezed my fingers.“I almost lost you.”The intense look in his eyes caused my own eyes to fill with tears.He’s right and I know I shouldn’t be so flippant about it.However, I want to move forward and the way people have been treating me prevents me from doing so.It is as if everyone wants to keep me stored away in that hospital bed from three months ago.I suffered from an aortic aneurysm that should have taken my life, but it didn’t.I survived because of this amazing man in front of me.If he hadn’t acted as quickly as he did when the weak walls of my heart began to fail, I wouldn’t be here today.It wasn’t just the quick response that made a difference.I believe that Cooper’s love is what really saved me.I can remember bits and pieces of that day.I felt so dizzy and unstable watching Cooper coming toward me with wild concern in his eyes.Then, in a blink of an eye, I was on the ground and Cooper’s hands were cradling my head.I remember thinking finally! Finally he is going to hold me again and explain everything.I wanted to say something to him, to touch his anxious face.And yet I couldn’t move.“Ali, listen to me,” Cooper was whispering frantically.“I need you to be okay.I need you to fight.”I shuttered involuntarily at the memory.We both could have lost so much, but I was given a second chance.Not only at life, but of a life with the man sitting across from me.I tightened my fingers around his and blinked back the tears that threatened to flood my eyes.“But you didn’t lose me,” I reassured him.A genuine smile pulled at his lips and I felt some of the tension release from his grasp.“You won’t ever lose me,” I practically whispered, my voice thick with emotion.Suddenly Cooper stood from the table causing his chair to wobble.My hand was still in his, which left me looking up at him in shock.“I love you so much Allison,” he said with his voice quivering.“I know,” I whispered, mentally urging him not to make a scene.I tugged on his hand, subtly hinting for him to sit back down.He shook his head and knelt on the floor in front of me.“I don’t think you understand just how much,” he said and took both of my hands in his.I could feel my cheeks start to burn with color.“Cooper,” I sighed, my voice faint.“I love you to the point where my heartbeat stops and yours begins.It is a love that can overcome any obstacle and will only grow with the years” Cooper proclaimed.“Allison Starr, I’m asking you for forever.I want you to share a future with me, make babies with me, and grow old with me.I want you for today, for tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives.Marry me Allison.I love you.”The restaurant was silent.I didn’t have to look to know all eyes were on us.I swallowed and my throat felt thick.Cooper had asked me to marry him in the hospital and I had said no, at first.I had a change of heart – yes a heart joke – and the nurse brought him into the operating room, where I had told him yes.I hadn’t wanted him to live a life that could end with me dying on the operating table or being sick all the time.After I recovered I thought of it more as a promise between us.I felt that Coop asking had been a gesture of commitment.But, here he was asking me again.Hot tears ran down my heated cheeks.This is what true love feels like.“Yes,” I breathed.“What did she say,” an older man in a corner booth yelled.A few nervous giggles floated through the air.“Yes,” I said louder and got to my feet.Cooper stood with me and pulled me to his chest.“I love you,” I whispered into his ear and realized that I was crying.Rather hard, actually.Cooper took a step back and was crying as well.I glanced around the room and found that nearly everyone had grown misty-eyed.“Give me your hand,” he said in a low and very sexy voice.I joyfully did as I was told, watching as he slid a quite large diamond ring on my finger.For a moment, the only thought in my head is sparkly.“Do you like it?” He asked nervously.Sparkly.“Oh Yes,” I sighed happily, looking at my outstretched hand.Engaged.I am really going to marry Cooper Ryan Perez.This incredible and wonderful man was going to be my husband.I grabbed his shirt and pulled him fiercely into a kiss.The restaurant exploded with applause.However, I was oblivious to all by the steady beating of Cooper’s heart as I pressed my head to his chest.A few short weeks later I walked across the stage in the high school gym and accepted my diploma sans engagement ring.I already received more glances and whispers than I cared to count and wearing the incredible piece of jewelry would draw more attention than I ever wanted [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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