Chapter 35 Lyra #2
"From the moment I met you, you've challenged me, healed me, and reminded me what it means to feel alive. You gave me a reason to be more than what I was raised to be. You taught me to love without fear. And when I look at you, I see everything I never knew I needed."
He opens the box to reveal a ring that catches the firelight and throws it back in a thousand directions. A massive diamond surrounded by smaller stones, set on a platinum band. It's breathtaking. It's perfect.
"Will you marry me?"
Tears blur my vision, hot on my cold cheeks. I nod. "Yes, oh my god. A thousand times, yes!"
Declan slides the ring onto my finger, then stands and pulls me against him, his mouth finding mine in a kiss that tastes of promise. His arms wrap around me, lifting me off my feet, and I hold onto him like he's the only person in the world.
Suddenly, a scream and whistle pierce the air, echoing through the trees. I break away from Declan, startled, and see Keira standing on the edge of the deck, clapping and cheering. Even Callum is there, offering his solemn clap of approval.
"What?" I begin, confused by their sudden appearance.
"I love you, Lyra, and I wanted the whole family to be here to see it," Declan says, brushing my hair behind my ear.
"This is more than I could have hoped for," I say.
"I'm so glad you think so, but I know how to make it even better," he says, and I laugh while wiping my cheeks.
My heart is still racing from the proposal. I can't even begin to imagine what else he could possibly give me. This place, this moment, this man, it's already more than I ever thought I'd have.
"There's the family you make but also the family you come from. I don't want you to miss out on anything else in this life. So..." he trails off and glances over my shoulder, and something in his expression makes me turn to follow his gaze.
And the world cracks open.
Standing at the end of the table is a woman I haven't seen this close since I was fourteen.
I shake my head and blink, thinking my mind's playing tricks on me.
"Nora?"
My sister's hands cover her face, tears starting to fall.
For a moment, I can't move. Can't breathe. Can't believe.
Her hands then move away from her face and she holds them out.
"Oh my god, Lyra!"
We both move at the same time. I run toward her and she meets me halfway, colliding in the middle of the deck. Her arms wrap around me and we're both sobbing. I bury my face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her. Even with her perfume, it's her. The same Nora. My sister. My family.
"Oh my god," I choke out, my fingers holding her face. "You. You're here. You're really here."
She nods, tears falling onto her dress. We hug again.
"When he called me, I couldn't believe it," Nora says, her voice thick with tears as she pulls back just enough to cup my face in her hands. She wipes my tears with her thumbs. "They told me you were dead, Lyra. For years—"
"I know," I say, guilt washing through me. "I'm so sorry. When I found out, I just thought—"
"Shhh," she soothes, pressing her forehead to mine. "I don't care. You're here now. We're both here. This feels like a dream, my God, how I've missed you."
I cry harder than I have in a long time and grip her tightly. So tight I think I'm forcing all the air out of her lungs, but I can't let go.
We stay like that, crying and laughing in turns, clutching each other like the world might try to separate us again. It's raw and perfect and nothing like the reunion I'd imagined in my darkest, most hopeful moments.
I glance over and even Keira's eyes are watery.
"I want you to meet Max," she says finally, turning toward a tall man who stands awkwardly at the edge of the table. He steps forward hesitantly, his smile warm but uncertain.
Declan, Callum, and Keira step forward as well.
"We know all about you, Max Perkins," Keira says, smiling as she crosses her arms.
Max's eyes go wide. "You do?" he asks as he looks from the Killaneys to Nora, who seems equally surprised. I can't help it, I burst into laughter.
"Don't worry," I tell him, wiping tears from my eyes. "They did the same to me. Isn't that right, Callum?" I joke.
"Worse, actually," Callum says. "Yours was thorough," he says and nods at me. "Hers was excessive."
Max still looks stunned, but he recovers quickly, offering his hand first to Callum, then to Declan. "I, uh, thank you for bringing them together and inviting us here."
Keira then shakes his hand. "Nora's part of us now. You hurt her, we'll find you," Keira says cheerfully.
"Keira!" I exclaim.
"What? It's a family tradition. Welcome to the Killaneys, where threats are how we show love."
We all laugh, the tension breaking. I can't stop looking at Nora, cataloging the changes in her face that I can finally see up this close now. Even though I've watched her from across the street on many occasions, there's so much I've missed, so many years gone. But she's here. We're here.
My sister, who I thought I'd lost forever. The one person I sacrificed everything to protect. I don't think I could feel more whole if I tried.
As the others chat, Declan leans down, his breath warm against my ear. "Take her inside. Go catch up. Learn everything about her. I'll be there in a bit."
I turn to him, overwhelmed by what he's done for me. This gift, there aren't words big enough to contain my gratitude. "Thank you," I say, my voice breaking. "I don't even have words for what this means. You've given me everything I didn't know I needed."
He rubs my chin with his thumb. "You're done running, Lyra. Your life starts now. With me. With the baby. With your sister. And she's protected now, just like you. Always."
The magnitude of it hits me, not just what he's given me tonight, but what he's promising. A life. A family. Safety. Love without conditions or expiration dates.
"I love you, Declan Killaney," I say, the words inadequate but all I have.
"I love you too, future Mrs. Killaney," he replies, a smile tugging at his mouth.
The name flows through me, settling somewhere deep. "I like the sound of that."
I take a breath and walk toward my sister with tears in my eyes and wholeness in my chest. For the first time in my life, I feel complete.
Nora takes my hand, her eyes bright. "I want to hear everything," I say. "But first," I put my hand on my stomach, "I want you to know you're going to be an aunt."
She squeals, throwing her arms around me again. "Holy hell, Lyra! This is so exciting! And I want to know everything about you too."
I smile, leading her toward a bench near the fire. "It's a long story."
"I've got time," she says, sitting down. "We've got time."
I sit down beside her.
I have everything I could ever want now.
My sister.
My future husband and his family.
Our baby.
It seems sometimes life doesn't go as you plan. It goes better.
I mean, what more could I possibly ask for?