Thirty-six
Greyson
T he past two weeks with Trinity have shifted something in our relationship. I’ve made every effort to show her I am trustworthy, solid, here for whatever life brings our way. We’ve laughed together, lounged together, just done the basics of life—making space for each other in our worlds, finding a shared world we have in common. It’s mundane but also pretty incredible.
And somehow, in the middle of all that quiet consistency, I think she’s started to breathe easier. She told me the other day that being together doesn’t feel like she’s giving something up. It feels like she’s choosing something better. That might be the best thing anyone’s ever said. And I’m hoping it’s a foundation we can build on.
This evening, the air smells of earth and blooming wildflowers as I lead Trinity up the gentle slope of the vineyard. The su nset is painted in streaks of gold and pink, the kind of sky you don’t soon forget. I look over at her, the way the light catches her hair, the easy rhythm of her steps. She belongs here, even if she doesn’t see it yet.
“It’s beautiful,” she says, her voice soft as we reach the crest of the hill. I nod as I take in the view. The rows of vines stretch endlessly below us, a patchwork of greens and browns, the heart of my family’s legacy. I’ve walked these hills a hundred times, but tonight feels different. “My parents, their parents, all of them poured their lives into this place,” I say, slipping my hands into my pockets to keep them steady.
She turns to me, her brow furrowing slightly. “It’s a lot of pressure to carry.”
“It is.” I meet her gaze, the weight of what I’m about to say anchoring me. “But it’s not about the vineyard. Not really. It’s about what it stands for—family, growth, resilience. That’s what matters.”
Her lips curve into a small smile, but I see the questions in her eyes. She thinks this is about the feud, the sabotage, all the things we can’t control. It’s not.
“I didn’t bring you here to talk about the vineyard,” I say, stepping closer. My heart is pounding. “I brought you here because this place— It’s where my family has built something lasting. And I want to build something lasting with you.”
Her eyes widen, and she takes a small step back, her hands clutching the hem of her sweater. “Greyson…”
“I know it’s fast,” I say quickly, holding up my hands. “And I know we’re still figuring things out. But, Trinity, you’ve changed everything for me. You’ve made me see that life isn’t about control or perfection. It’s about the mess, the risk, the leap. And I want to take that leap with you.”
She’s silent, her gaze darting to the horizon where the sun dips lower, casting the sky in shades of crimson. For a moment, I think I’ve misjudged. Maybe I’ve pushed too hard, too soon.
But then she looks back at me, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Greyson, you drive me crazy,” she says, her voice trembling. “You’re stubborn, impossible, and you make me question everything I thought I wanted. But…you’re also the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out the small velvet box, opening it to reveal the ring. The diamond catches the last rays of sunlight, glinting like a promise. “So what do you say, Trinity? Want to risk it all with me?”
She laughs through her tears, her hand flying to her mouth. “You’re ridiculous,” she whispers, but there’s no hesitation as she steps closer. “Yes, Greyson. Of course, yes.”
Relief crashes over me, and I slide the ring onto her finger before pulling her into my arms. She fits perfectly, like she was always meant to be here, in this place, with me.
We sit on the hilltop as the last light fades, her head resting against my shoulder. The vineyard below us is quiet, but my thoughts are restless. The sun slowly disappears into the lake.
“What do you think about the sabotage?” she asks after a while.
I sigh. “I think it’s easy to blame the Dempseys,” I tell her. “Our families have been at odds for so long, it’s second nature. But…I don’t know. Something about it doesn’t feel right.”
She tilts her head to look at me. “Interesting. I wasn’t sure about Alaric at first, but he’s kind of won me over. He looks at Liz like she hung the moon, so he can’t be all bad. Though I know there are more Dempseys than just him.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “They’re a lot of things, but I don’t see them as saboteurs.”
Her brow furrows, and I can see the gears turning in her mind. Trinity doesn’t like loose ends, but this one is going to have to wait. “We’ll figure it out,” I say, reaching for her hand. “Together.”
She nods, her expression softening. “Together,” she repeats.
As the stars begin to dot the sky, I feel a strange sense of calm. The feud, the sabotage—it’s all unfinished, but for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a burden. Because now, I have Trinity.
Thank you for reading Dr. Greyson . I hope you enjoyed Greyson and Trinity’s story as much I did.