Forever Yours

Amanda is a 23 year old girl who is an orphan and has never been loved by anyone. When she meets Connor, she falls head over heels in love. But nothing can last forever....

Amanda smiled as the rush of wind blew through her hair as her horse Everleigh carried her through the fields, galloping towards the woods.  A month ago this would have just reminded her what others had every day and made her even sadder, but not now.  Now, she saw the beauty in everything.  A flower opening up for the first time, the sun rising in the east, a baby bird chirping.  It was wonderful.

   Amanda glanced at her second-hand watch.  It read 6:39 am.  She sighed.  Everleigh was only a rented  horse that she was allowed to ride from 5-7 in the morning, and  only because she agreed to help out in the stables for a few hours afterwords.  Someday though, when she had saved up the money from her job as a childminder, Everleigh would be hers.

   Amanda worked hard at the stables until midday, mucking out stalls, grooming the horses and getting them ready to be ridden on.  She caught the 12:15 bus back to her small apartment in the middle of the city.  She sat down to a lunch of an apple and tuna sandwhich when there was a knock on the door.  She opened it up, wondering who would want her.  She had paid the landlord her rent a few days ago, and she didn't start her shift at the creche until half past one. 

  A big smile came across her face wen she opened the door.  There was a bouquet of flowers on the floor.  The not attached to them read:

Dearest Amanda,

Meet me in La Bella after your shift.  There's somehting I want to ask you.

Forever yours,

Connor

 

   Amanda sat down on her small couch, estatic.  Connor had become her whole world.  He was in her thoughts during the day and dreams during the night.  They had met at the stables and immediately become smitten.  They didn't want to rush into anything, but they were passionately in love and..... well, it was hard to resist.

   Amanda remembered the night last week when they went back to his house in the country.  The kiss he ad given her before they got into bed was so tender, so loving, it was wonderful.

"My girl," he said when he pulled awat to get some air.  "My Amanda.  You don't know how long I've waited for you."  Amanda pressed against his lips, carving her body around his, not wanting to talk, just wanting him.  "Hang on Mandy, we will in a minute but I want to say something first," he gently pushed her away and tilted her head up so their eyes met.  "I love you, Amanda, you know that, don't you?" Mandy meekly nodded her head.  Even though she was crazy for him, she couldn't understand why he felt the same about her.  "And you know I would never do anything to hurt you?"  "Connor," Mandy said tenderly.  " Your the only person I have ever loved, love, and will love.  You are my life now, my reason to exist.  You are all I want, you know that."  He chuckled.  "And I will never be able to understand why.  You could do much better than me.  But come on, I didn't invite you back for a chat!"

  Connor was all Mandy could think about as she worked her three and a half hour shift.  As she calmed screaming two year olds and  wiped up spills, Connor was the only thing on her mind.  He had invited her to La Bella.  The last time they went there, they had gone to his place afterwards.  Was he going to ask herback again?

As soon as the clock on the shelf announced that it was five o' clock she was out of there like a bullet.  She raced down the street, making it just in time for five past five bus.  She was jumping up and down on her seat the whole way there.  But as soon as she got off the bus and turned into the street that La Bella was on, she knew something was wrong.  The posh Italian restaraunt was sealed off and was flooded with police.  She ran up to one and asked him what was going on. 

   "Car accident.  Four adults and two kids pronounced dead on the spot."  He looked her up and down.  "Say, you're not Amanda Harris, are you?"  "Yes, I am actually, why?" she asked, her heart punding against her chest. " This was found in the pocket of one of the men who died.  There's a note with you name on it," he shrugged, handed her a parcel and walked off. 

  Mandy tore open the parcel and read the note.  She easily recognised Connor's short, messy handwriting.  The note said:

Miss Amanda Grace Harris

I promise to always love you and never, ever hurt you.  I can make you happy and help you get over your past.  Please say yes.

Forever yours,

Connor Mason

  With trembling fingers Mandy opened the velvet blue box that had also been in the parcel.  Inside, was a silver engagement ring.