Chapter Thirty

Welcome Home

*Note: There is a time jump in this chapter. It takes place about three months after 'Double Date Night' so try not to get confused*

I was extremely excited when I woke up on the morning of May 7th. Not only was it my twentieth birthday, but today was the day Chris finally got to come back home to Beckton. For good this time. Addison and I had been staying in Paris since Chris had been there, but we had to go back home to re-stock our clothes since we didn't know how long we would be there when we originally flew out. We were furiously rummaging through the hotel room looking for anything we could have left behind. Satisfied with not finding anything, Addison and I waltzed out of our hotel room pulling our suitcases behind us.

We packed everything into the rental car and headed for the hospital; which was only a five minute drive. Addison sent Ryan a quick text stating that we were on our way over and that they should start getting their things packed up.

We arrived at the hospital and made our way up to the fifth floor. Since he was getting better, Chris had been moved from the trauma floor up to recovery where his shoulder could finish healing and he could undergo some physiotherapy to help strengthen it again.

When we reached the room, we opened the door to reveal a rather messy room and Chris and Ryan scrambling around trying to clean up as fast as they could.

"You couldn't have started any sooner?" Addison asked sarcastically as she entered the room.

"We were playing Go Fish and things got pretty intense. We couldn't just stop" Ryan smirked planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Whatever" she said smiling a little "let's go. You guys have to hurry up before we do some last minute sight seeing"

I nodded in agreement before going over to help them put some of the things scattered everywhere into their backpacks. We hadn't been doing as much sight seeing as I would've liked, but considering that Chris was seriously injured for most of the time we were there eased the slight disappointment.

"Happy birthday baby doll" Chris whispered pulling me in for a quick but loving kiss. He pulled away and I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back for another kiss. He chuckled as he wrapped one arm around my entire waist and lifted me into the air. I wrapped my legs around his waist and quickly kissed him again before giving him a giant hug. I loved this man so much.

"Happy birthday babe" Ryan winked before pulling me in for a massive bear hug and spinning me in the air. I kissed him on the cheek and he set me down again. Ryan had turned into the big brother I never had.

We were leaving on a 4:00 plane to Beckton and it was about 10:00 now. We had lots of time but Addison and I wanted to see everything again. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre everything.

When the boys finally managed to pack everything, we put their stuff in the trunk of the rental and headed to our first destination: L'Arc De Triomphe. Chris and Addison were both huge history geeks so they suggested coming here first. Ryan and I got all of the history behind the city and the Arc while we walked around and admired its beauty.

Ryan got to pick the next location which; to my surprise, happened to be the Louvre. We didn't get to see the whole museum considering our time limit, but we had been there a few weeks ago and saw the entire thing so it wasn't too big of a loss.

Our last destination was mine and Chris's pick. The Eiffel Tower. I loved it. I had drawn it a few times and had different canvases of it and other attractions in Paris scattered around my room. France was one of my favourite countries. We had packed a picnic lunch and ate in the garden in front of the Eiffel Tower. One of the first items on my bucket list. After we ate, we decided to take the elevator to the top.

"Sorry guys. But that's way too high up for my liking. I'll watch our stuff while you guys go up" Addison said.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah"

"I'll stay here with her. Don't want her getting mugged now do we?" Ryan laughed.

"Alright. Are you going to ditch me too or are you up for it?" I smirked turning towards Chris.

"You think I'm gonna pass this up? No way!" he exclaimed.

Chris grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the elevator. I turned and waved to Addison and Ryan before stepping into the metal cage. We slowly began ascending towards the top, and surprisingly, it was just Chris and I on the elevator. I expected it to be packed since it was such a beautiful day.

As the elevator came to a stop at the peak, I slowly stepped onto the observation deck. I was absolutely breathtaking. From the bottom, it doesn't look all that tall, but from the top you can see all of Paris. Chris and I were slowly making our way around the top making sure to get a full panoramic view. I couldn't describe how gorgeous it was. I was standing up against the railing looking over La Seine when, from the corner of my eye, I saw Chris get down on one knee.

I turned quickly and gasped when I saw him looking intently up at me.

"Nicole, from the moment I met you, I knew I would be spending the rest of my life with you. You've put up with me, and all the crap that comes with me and I honestly can't thank you enough for that. Any other normal person would've walked right then and there"

"Are you calling me abnormal?" I giggled.

"Shut up and listen" he chuckled "The day I met you on the beach, you taught me how to do something I thought I might never feel again after my parents passed. You taught me to love again. And that in itself is a miracle. I love you very much. What I'm trying to say here is, Nicole Jessica Collins, will you make me the luckiest man in the world and be my wife?"

"Of course I will!" I said jumping into his arms.

He spun me around multiple times and kissed me with so much love I thought I was going to explode. He slipped the most gorgeous white gold diamond ring onto my finger and kissed me once again.

"I love you Christopher Garrett" I smiled.

"I love you too Nicole Garrett"

I laughed at his remark. I liked the sound of my future name. Nicole Jessica Garrett. I could definitely get used to that.

We stepped into the elevator and began our descent to the garden. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. When the elevator came to a halt, I ran out and into Addison's arms.

"Did you know about this?!" I asked excitedly.

"Maybe" she winked.

"You guys are the best!!" I squealed.

"Lemme see!!" she said grabbing my left hand. Chris walked over with Ryan and slung an arm around my waist.

"Oh my gosh!! Chris it's gorgeous!!"

"Thanks Ad" he smiled smugly.

One of the people manning the elevator came over with a bottle of champagne and congratulated us. I turned to Chris and he said that he had talked to the people who worked at the Eiffel Tower and made sure that nobody was allowed up the tower from around 12:30 until we came back down.

"You're the best" I smiled at him.

"I know honey. I know" he said kissing my cheek.

Ryan came over and gave me a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was considerably taller and bigger than me so when he hugged me, you could barely find me.

We walked back to the car and began to drive to the airport. Addison drove with Ryan sitting shotgun, and Chris and I were in the back. Chris held my hand in his and rubbed circles on it while looking out the window. The drive was absolutely beautiful. Paris was just so scenic.

We waited for about two hours before we boarded the plane. Since it was an eleven hour flight, I fell asleep on my new fiancee. We arrived in Beckton at six in the evening, and even though it was an eleven hour flight, technically it only was a two hour flight because of the time change.

When we finished getting our luggage, we headed for long-term parking to get our vehicles. Chris and Ryan drove in Chris's jeep, while Addison and I drove my car. We were all going to my place for a little homecoming party for Chris and Ryan. I didn't want to make a big deal out of my birthday. Plus, Addison and Chris were kinda living there for the time being.

When we pulled into the driveway, I saw that my dad had hung a large banner that said, "Welcome Home Chris and Ryan!!!" the typical homecoming sign. Nothing too fancy. Our close family and friends were there as well as Ryan's family and a few of his friends.

We stepped in the door and were greeted with clapping and cheering. Everyone happy to see us. I made my rounds and gave everyone a hug and introduced Ryan, Chris and Addison to anyone they hadn't already met. Mostly everyone already knew Addison and Chris but we had to introduce Ryan to everyone.

There were two people standing in the kitchen that caught my attention.

Lena and Kara.

As soon as they saw me, they rushed over and gave me a group hug. They both apologized for not talking to me because they had figured out that it wasn't my intention to kiss Jason, he kissed me and I wanted nothing to do with it. We quickly became caught up and before they could notice my ring, I waltzed over to Chris who was happily chatting with my dad.

"Chris honey, could I borrow you a sec?" I asked politely.

"Yeah sure. Excuse me for a second Mr. Collins" he said.

"For the last god-forsaken time Chris, please call me Everett!" my dad laughed.

Chris laughed and followed me into the hallway where there weren't any people.

"Should we tell them? You know since pretty much everyone is here?" I asked him.

"Yeah absolutely! I was thinking the same thing" Chris smiled giving me a quick peck on the lips.

We walked back into the living room hand in hand and I called for everyone's attention. I dropped Chris's hand and began to speak.

"Alright, you all know that Chris and I have been together for almost a year now and just this morning, while in Paris, we got engaged" I gushed excitement filling my voice.

Everyone erupted in cheers and applause and we were immediately attacked by various family members saying their congratulations. My dad popped a bottle of champagne and made a toast.

"I haven't really been a part of Nicole's life and I regret that choice immensely. But, Rebecca has brought us back together again and I could not be more grateful for that. I know that she would be extremely happy for you two as she loved you both dearly. But, I have been here long enough to get to know Christopher and I couldn't be more happy that he and Nicole are going to be together for many many years to come. As hard as it may be for me to let go of my only daughter, knowing that I will be letting her go to Chris, makes me feel a thousand times better about it. I love you guys and I wish you all the best!" he raised his glass and everyone else followed suit "to Nicole and Chris and a lifetime of love and happiness"

I raised my glass and took a sip. I handed Chris my glass and made my way towards my dad. I ran into his arms and he engulfed me in a heartwarming hug just as he used to when I was little. He stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.

"I love you baby girl" he said "don't forget about me"

"How could I forget about my daddy?" I smiled and he kissed my cheek before

pushing me back in Chris's direction.

We were all having a wonderful time, laughing and catching up, until I saw someone out the window.

And that someone was Jay.

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OMG Chris and Nicole are engaged!! YAY!!!!

Are you beginning to like Nicole's dad or is he still kinda a weird shady character?

What is Jay doing there??? Why does he keep pestering Nicole if he knows how she feels about him?

Keep on readin to find out the answers!!

Remember to comment and vote! Feedback gives me ideas on what to write next!

Happy reading!

Eagle_Eye_13 xx