Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
JACK
“How come you’re not coming back to Minneapolis?
” my mom shouts through the phone. “Your sisters are here, your work is here, what did they do to you over there? Is this some kind of spell those barn folks cast on city people?” I suppress a laugh because, unlike Jared, who can literally hear my mom yelling from across the room, I know she’s genuinely worried about me.
I’m a bit tired ‘cause I’ve already had Captain Raines on the phone to tell him the news and he wasn’t so thrilled about it.
“Mom…n-nothing like that,” I say, shaking my head. “Life’s good here. I’ve made f-friends, work’s solid, and,” I clear my throat bracing for impact, “and…I met s-s-someone.” There’s a long beat as she processes the bomb I just dropped.
“Oh.” Her voice is softer now, cautious. She’s never properly met anyone I’ve dated, probably because I never really considered anyone my woman before.
“What is she—how is—what does she—” She stumbles over her words, and I can practically see her gripping the phone, trying to figure out the right question.
“Her n-name’s Alaska. She owns a b-nookshop. You’ll love her.”
Mom clears her throat. “Maybe…we could come visit next month?”
“Next month, yeah,” I say, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “I’d l-love that.”
We aren't as close as she is with my sisters, but maybe with time, things will get better. And once she sees the life Alaska and I are building, I hope she’ll be thrilled.
“I g-gotta go, Mom, but we’ll talk soon.”
“Bye, honey, be safe, alright?” she urges me.
I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling ‘cause even at thirty years old, my mom still talks to me like a teenager.
“You too m-mom,” I tell her before ending the call. Jared kicks his feet up on his desk, eyeing me with a smirk.
“So, this is getting real serious now.”
I nod, grabbing my jacket as my phone buzzes with a text from Alaska.
Alaska
Waiting for you at home around seven.
I reply instantly, my heart skipping a beat at the thought of home, the life we might be building together.
Me
I’m leaving the office now. See you soon, sweetheart.
Jared scoffs, pointing at me. “Come on.”
“What?”
“That look on your face. Is this a permanent thing now?” He scowls, but I can see the amusement beneath it. Was I smiling at my phone like an idiot? I sling my jacket over my shoulder, shaking my head. “Don’t worry t-too much, man, my stern self is still very much here.”
Jared leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “Oh, I’m not worried, I'll be there to remind you what a manly man looks like.” I flip him off on my way to the door with a grin.
He just laughs. “Ah, come on, get out of here, lover boy.”
I step outside, the evening air biting at my skin. The calm of Lakeside hums around me as I get in my car and drive to Alaska’s. To the only place on this earth I’d rather be.
There was a time when I thought peace wasn’t meant for me. That my stutter was just part of who I was, something I had to carry, something I couldn’t shake. Lakeside softened me in ways I didn’t expect. The stillness, the way life moves at its own unhurried pace, gave me room to breathe.
By the time I pull into her driveway, the porch light glows softly, a golden hue over the front steps.
Through the window, I see her silhouette standing in the kitchen.
I raise my hand to knock, then pause, feeling the weight of something in my pocket.
I reach in, my fingers close around the cool metal of her backup keys.
I forgot to give them back to her. Isn’t it ironic how happiness was here all along, right in the palm of my hand?
I just had to be brave enough to hold onto it.
The door swings open on my Alaska, with that disarming smile that never fails to steal the breath from my lungs.
How did I get so damn lucky?
Alaska
“Hey, you,” he says in a breath.
“Hey,” I murmur, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him. Jack tastes like coffee and comfort, like a fireplace you curl up in front of in the middle of winter. His gaze devours me, and it reminds me of that time I saw a hawk in the mountains.
“I’ve g-got good news,” he says, following me into the living room.
My tiny kitchen on the left is already covered with the delicious meal I made for us after work.
Little wings flutter in my belly at the same time my scars tingle.
Isn’t it crazy how they respond to every thought?
Triggered by everything that could knock me off balance.
I used to hate it, how my body betrayed me, whispering, careful, Alaska. Remember what you did. Remember what you deserve. But after he kissed them so many times, my heart could’ve exploded, they are now a blissful reminder. A scar telling me I can forgive myself. That I have the choice.
“Tell me,” I say as I sit on the couch. Jack remains standing in front of me, his black long-sleeve T-shirt and police pants doing things to me I wouldn’t dare say out loud.
A smug smile appears on his face as he kneels on one knee and takes my hand in his, stroking my knuckles with his rough thumb.
“I’m staying,” he rasps, stealing both our breaths. A squeal escapes me, and my other hand flies to my mouth to contain the joy. Jack chuckles, and the sound tastes like whiskey and snow melting on my skin.
“You’re staying,” I repeat, my voice so low it’s barely audible.
“For g-good,” he says, then clears his throat. “I mean…if you st-still want me to.” His jaw clenches, and my heart does the same. Of course I want him to stay. I haven’t changed my mind, and I never will.
“What, when, what do we do now?” I ask, blushing as the news lights up every atom of my body.
Marriage. Kids. The dream.
It’s happening.
“Hey,” he says softly, his palm catching a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen, “nothing happens if-if you d-don’t want it to.” I catch his hand and drop a soft kiss on the inside of his palm.
“I’m so happy, Jack. I don't know how to—” I breathe out, “I never thought this would ever happen.”
“Me neither,” he admits, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. My arms circle his neck as his palm draws slow circles on the small of my back, the other hand roaming aimlessly across my bare legs.
“Won’t you miss your family? The city?” I ask.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “They can c-come visit. They’ve got their own lives now. And I’m not going anywhere away from your sweet f-f-face,” he adds, a hint of a smile in his voice.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t follow you there,” I say, meaning more than just the place.
“That’s alright.” He squeezes my hand. “I wouldn’t have asked you to. I know st-staying here matters to you.” He pauses, then smiles. “And b-besides, I’m good here. It was time I got away from the city.”
“Then…” I hesitate, taking a breath. “I think it’s time you meet my parents.”
“I was gonna t-tell you the same thing,” he says, flashing me an uneven smile that makes my insides clench.
I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. “My mom wants to cook for you a thousand dishes. You have no idea.”
“B-b-bring it on,” he replies, mock-serious. “I’m ready for anything.”
I glance over my shoulder at the dinner I’ve prepared. “I made Parmesan spaghetti with chicken. Is…is it okay?”
“Is it okay?” He frowns. “As long a-as you like it, I’ll like it.”
“No, I mean, I want…” I frown. “Do you remember on our hike, when you said whoever ended up with me would be lucky because I’m a good cook?
” I blush because there’s still so much I want to learn.
“At that time, all I wanted to say was that I wanted to cook…for you. That I would’ve done it every day, for someone like you.
Someone who’d appreciate it, who would see the value in it,” I explain.
“I want…I want to be the best homemaker I can. So no telling me something is good if it isn’t, okay? ”
Jack chuckles, raising his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. I like when you’re b-bossy like that,” he grins, rubbing his thumb over my cheek.
“It’s p-perfect. I’m good with everything you do, as long as it m-makes you happy.
That’s my real answer.” His tone falls low.
“Truth is, I w-want it all with-with you, Alaska.” His gaze burns into mine, his grip tightening as his hand grazes the side of my throat.
“Marriage, kids, the house, and all the things you could dream of,” he vows.
“You at home or-or wherever you wanna b-be, and me coming back to you every d-d-day of our lives.” My heart flutters.
I nod and nod again, biting my lip at the sound of his words, answering every silent prayer I’ve ever whispered.
“Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re not, Alaska. I promise.”
And then he kisses me.
Jack
Those blue eyes will be the end of me.
"Jack," she breathes, breaking our kiss, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"I...I love you." I take her hand in mine, running my thumb over the scars, pressing reverent kisses along the pale ridges of each mark, rewriting the pain that put them there. She shivers beneath my touch, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she watches me, unguarded.
"I love you t-too, Alaska," I murmur, letting my lips linger against her wrist, feeling the steady pulse beneath. Her breath hitches as I trace my fingers up her arm, following the constellations of scars that mark her battles. When I meet her cobalt pools again, they shine with untold promises.
“I’m…I’m not afraid anymore.” Her voice trembles.
My chest tightens as I search for hesitation, anything that tells me she’s second-guessing this.
But there’s nothing there, just trust. A low growl rumbles in my chest as I scoop her into my arms, her warmth seeping into me like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
I carry her upstairs, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
By the time I lower her onto the bed, I’m struggling to breathe, not from nerves, but from the overwhelming weight of what this means.
I hesitate, brushing the hair from her face, my fingers shaking as I trace the curve of her cheek.
I press a kiss to her forehead, then another at her temple, a silent promise that I’ll cherish every part of her.
Kneeling on the bed, I lean over her, caught in the pull of her ocean-blue eyes before claiming her lips with mine.
Our kiss is unrestrained, made of two storms finally colliding.
Her fingers slide up my back, featherlight but possessive, tracing the lines of my body, marking me in her own delicate way.
In the hush of the night, with the scent of her skin and the beating of our hearts, I catch her from drowning.
I lead her to the shore, her shivering body finding shelter in my arms, an unbreakable vow sealing its fate.
At some point, I stop, memorizing her flushed cheeks, her wild tangled hair, the way moonlight spills through the window.
She blinks up at me, a teasing glint in her eye. "What is it?" she murmurs, pressing a kiss to the corner of my lips.
I take in her beauty, her aura, my chest aching from how much I love her. "I love you, Alaska. Until the day I d-die. And even after." Her breath hitches and she gives me a breathtaking smile.
"I love you too, Jack," she chants. And I surrender, wrapping around her like leaves curling into each other, praying for this feeling to never leave us. Happiness morphs into our hearts, and I realize there’s no need to chase it anymore. Because I’m holding it in my arms. All it took was falling for her and I was done for.
My everything.
My Alaska.