Chapter 54
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
EZRA
This last year has taught me that the best things come to those who wait.
Even though it pains me to think back at all the missed years I could have had with Violet, I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for everything we had to go through.
I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I owe that all to her—the woman I love.
I thought I knew what true love was, but I was kidding myself, like I was kidding myself with my last marriage.
The one thing that marriage taught me is the strength and willpower I have to put up with such disgust, and I vow to myself that I will never do that again. But I know I won’t have to.
Violet makes my life easy. Even when I’m having a stressful day, just seeing her takes all that stress away.
It’s crazy what being loved by the right person does to you.
It’s everything I didn’t know I needed. She gives me a sense of safety, like I can fully exhale.
She gives me so much support for anything I want to do, with no judgement.
That kind of love makes me show up better not only for myself but for her too.
“Does this look good?” she asks as she walks toward me, the hem of her white chiffon dress brushing lightly against her feet. My eyes catch on the slit running up her leg.
I whistle and raise my eyebrows. “You look beautiful.”
“You clean up nice too.” She kisses me on the lips.
I’m so nervous I’ve screwed up this tie a thousand times with my shaky hands. I finally got it right, and I squeeze my fists together to help the shakes so she doesn’t notice.
“Where are we going again?” she asks while looking at me through the reflection in the mirror while putting on her earrings.
“It’s a private dinner the hotel hosts for its guests. I should be nice. It’s on the beach.”
I stand next to her by the mirror, both of us staring at our reflection. “You look so handsome.”
“Yeah, because I’m next to you.”
She scoffs. “You’re handsome all on your own.”
I smile, planting a kiss on her cheek.
I’m trying not to be obvious as we walk out to our dinner. I’m still shaking, so I’ve tried to avoid holding hands with her, which is weird because I always have her hand in mine when we’re headed somewhere. I’m thankful she hasn’t noticed.
We get onto the beach, and I see twinkling lights up ahead, knowing that it’s for us because the hotel really doesn’t host private dinners for their guests.
“Damn it. I shouldn’t have worn heels. They keep sinking,” she says as she holds onto my arm.
She comes to a stop and bends down to slip off her shoes. I follow her lead, bending down to help. Barefoot now, we continue walking until our feet meet the rose petals scattered across the sand, forming a pathway ahead of us.
“This is cute,” she comments.
Beads of sweat form along my hairline as we keep walking, my nerves tightening with every step. When I spot the sign ahead, I swallow the lump rising in my throat.
“Ezra. Are you sure this one is ours? I think we’re walking in on someone’s proposal,” she whispers as she stops walking and turns around to face me.
I continue walking until I reach the sign ‘Marry Me?’ White roses wrap around it on an easel. I turn around and notice she’s turning back around to follow where I went. The hidden photographer slowly walks around taking pictures of her, me, us.
Violet stands there with her hand on her chest, looking around as if she’s trying to make sure this is for her. When she finally realizes I’m proposing, she slowly walks towards me.
I get down on one knee the moment she gets to me. Her lips are quivering, and her eyes are glossy.
“There is so much that has happened that has led us to this very moment. So much loss, so much healing, but most of all so much love. I lost you once, and I don’t ever want to lose you again because, for the first time, love doesn’t hurt, it heals.
Your love has healed me in ways I never thought were possible.
” I pause for a moment and reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box.
I open it, and she gasps. “Violet, will you marry me?”
Tears streak her face as she bends down and pulls me into a hug.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.”