Chapter 20
Epilogue
Brianna had been waiting months for this day. She pulled the ring box out of her pocket and checked on the ring again. She took in a deep steadying breath. This was really it. Tonight was the night. Six months ago, she had started dating River, and tonight she would propose. River was going to be a permanent part of her family. Brianna could barely believe it. She had ordered the ring special two months ago, after a considerable amount of shopping. She was surprised that Mel and Willow still responded to her text messages. She’d driven both of the women half mad talking about ring shopping.
There was an extra spring in her step to be sure. Briann called Mel, she picked up on the third ring.
“Hey, buddy,” Brianna said, her grin spread from ear to ear.
“Did you get it?” Mel asked.
Brianna loved that there was a note of obvious excitement in Mel’s voice.
“I did.”
“Well, get over here. I want to see it and talk about everything you have planned for the night.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
There was no way to oversell how wonderful it was to have people in her life that were just as excited about her good news as Brianna was. There was no hint of competition in her friendship with Mel. There was no gossiping behind her back. She was sure that there was times Mel talked to Willow about what was discussed, but that was to be expected. Mel was an amazing friend, and Brianna was lucky to have her.
Brianna knocked once before typing in the door code and walking inside Mel’s home. Mel was in the kitchen, but she ran out when she heard Brianna come in. Sushi and Mase were a bundle of excitement. Both dogs wriggled and squirmed until Brianna bent down to pet them.
“Okay, let’s see it,” Mel laughed.
Brianna pulled out the ring box and handed it to Mel. She watched as her friend’s eyes widened. The ring was a two-carat princess cut diamond with a gold band.
“Friend, you did good.”
“You think so?” Brianna felt herself blush a little.
She had never been good at picking out jewelry. Even this choice had relied heavily on things she’d heard River say over the course of their relationship.
“What made you want to propose now?” Mel asked.
“Well, everything has just fallen into place. We’ve already lived together first as roommates and now as a couple. I get along really well with her family. Her parents are more excited about the proposal than I am. Everything inside of me is telling me that she’s the one, why wait?”
“I love that. I agree. I’ve never seen you be with a woman who made you this happy before. The two of you had a rough start maybe but since you’ve been together it seems to be smooth sailing.”
“I think so, too. River is my person, and I’m hers. I don’t want to wait. I want to marry her and live out the rest of our lives together.”
“That sounds perfect. What’s your plan for tonight?” Mel asked.
“I’m thinking that I would love to do a fancy dinner at home. Then eat by the fireplace and propose.”
“Very cozy. I feel like it fits the two of you very well.”
“I think so, too.”
Brianna felt an intense peacefulness settle over her. There had never been anything more right in her life than her relationship with River. Everything about it felt exactly right.
“Shit. If you’re doing a fancy set up you better get home,” Mel laughed.
Brianna checked the time and gave a chuckle.
“You’re right. I need to get going.”
Brianna ordered a fancy dinner from a local place as she was stopped at a light. The food was waiting by her front door when she arrived. River should be home in less than thirty minutes, which gave Brianna a chance to take a shower. The food went on the stove and Brianna stripped off her clothes all the way to the bathroom.
The hot water felt delightful on her skin. Brianna usually took baths, but tonight there was no time. She was pretty sure she heard the front door open and shut. River was a bit ahead of schedule. When Brianna had decided to propose today, she’d enlisted the help of Willow. River worked from home and so did Willow. Brianna’s plan had been simple: have Willow convince River to go on a girl’s shopping trip. Willow had been more than happy to be a part of Brianna’s plan. This had gotten River out of the house for a while.
The door to the bathroom opened. She heard River getting undressed and smiled. This hadn’t been part of her plan, but Brianna certainly wasn’t complaining. River stepped inside the shower. Seeing River naked, still did things to Brianna.
“How did you find me,” Brianna teased.
“I followed the path of discarded clothing,” River laughed.
“I really was going to pick those up when I was done. How was your day? Any good finds?” Brianna asked.
“So many good finds, I’m a little concerned about where we’ll put it all.”
“We’ll make room,” Brianna smiled. She wrapped her arms around River’s hips and brought her closer.
Their bodies fit together, they always had. River leaned in and kissed Brianna on the neck. Brianna grabbed the back of River’s head pulling her in harder. She felt a tiny pinch as River sank her teeth into her neck. Brianna moaned as River’s kisses made a slow descent down to her collarbone and then her breasts. If River wasn’t careful Brianna was going to burst into flames.
River’s hand slid down Brianna’s body. She paused between Brianna’s legs, her fingers finding their way to Brianna’s core. River’s fingers teased Brianna’s clit, causing her hips to buck. River pushed her body against Brianna, forcing her to stay still. River stuck one of Brianna’s nipples in her mouth and gave it a firm suck. It was enough to push Brianna over the edge. Her orgasm rocked her back against the shower wall, her eyes closed for a moment while she found herself. When she opened her eyes, River was grinning at her.
“You feel pretty proud of yourself, don’t you?” Brianna panted.
“Should I not?” River asked.
Brianna didn’t answer, instead she put her hands on River’s shoulders. She oriented River so that she was against the shower wall. Even with wet hair sticking to her face, River was gorgeous. Brianna kissed the spot right below River’s ear. River smiled sweetly at her. Brianna trailed her kisses down River’s body. She pushed River’s thighs apart with her hands. Brianna’s tongue pushed its way inside of River, making her moan. Brianna slid her tongue in and out of River’s core. Sparks of pleasure ran through Brianna as she felt River’s body tightening around her tongue.
Brianna pulled her tongue out and slid it against River’s clit. She pushed two of her fingers inside River and went to work. It wasn’t enough to get River off. Brianna wanted to undo River. She wanted to melt River completely. River let out a series of moans, and Brianna knew she was getting close. She slid her second hand up River’s body and grabbed a hardened nipple in her fingers. It was enough, River practically fell on top of Brianna. Her orgasm was so powerful that Brianna had to brace River with her hand.
Brianna stood and washed herself, before stepping out of the shower. River stayed back, her body still reeling from the massive orgasm. Brianna dressed and checked her phone. She had three missed texts from Allison’s wife, Taylor. Brianna stared at the phone for a moment before realization set in. She opened the messages and shrieked with excitement. The noise startled River who came crashing through the bathroom door still dripping wet.
“What’s wrong?” River demanded.
“Nothing. Sorry. Allison is at the hospital. She’s having her baby.”
River’s face softened and she smiled.
“I’ll get my clothes on,” River laughed. Brianna pulled on the jeans she’d had on earlier. She spared one final look at the dinner she’d ordered before throwing it into the refrigerator.
River paused outside the doors to the hospital. It dawned on Brianna that this would be the first time River had been back here since her accident.
“You, okay?” Brianna asked. River sighed loudly before marching forward.
“I’m okay. Just remembering that day.”
Brianna grabbed River’s hand and squeezed it. She remembered that day, too. The fear she felt at getting the call about the accident. She hadn’t known what to expect before arriving at the hospital. But she had come anyway. As afraid as she had been there was nowhere else that Brianna could have been in that moment. Now they were here together, for a very different reason. A baby was a happy reason to come to the hospital.
Jordan was already in the waiting room with her partner Reese. She ran over and gave them both a big hug. Jordan, who was usually very put together, was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. Obviously, she hadn’t taken time to change. Taylor had told her Allison was ready and Jordan had come straight over.
“Do we know anything yet?” Brianna asked.
“Nothing yet. It might take a while. This is her first baby,” Reese answered.
The four of them alternated sitting on furniture that was too hard and pacing restlessly around the room. Finally, Taylor came out to find them.
“It’s a girl,” she announced with a huge smile.
Jordan and Reese went in first. River walked over and wrapped her arms around Brianna while she waited. Brianna let out a breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding. Jordan was all smiles when she and Reese came back out. Taylor ushered Brianna and River back.
Allison looked incredible for a woman who had just pushed out a baby. A tiny little bundle was wrapped in a blanket that Allison was holding. Taylor motioned for them to come closer.
“This is Amelia,” Allison said softly.
Brianna looked inside the blanket. A tiny, perfect face looked back at her. Two beautiful brown eyes studied Brianna with curiosity.
“She’s perfect,” River said from beside Brianna.
“We think so, too,” Allison admitted.
Brianna had heard all the stories about women after giving birth. She was happy to report they were true. Allison was glowing. Brianna leaned down and kissed Allison on the forehead.
“How are you feeling?” Brianna asked.
“Like I was ripped apart then sewed back together, better than before,” Allison grinned.
That might have been the best description of giving birth that Brianna had ever heard. They visited for a few more moments before walking back out to the waiting room. Brynn and Lena had arrived. Brynn held more balloons in her hand than Brianna had ever seen. Taylor’s sister, Harper arrived with her wife Blakely. They each carried a gift as well. River and Brianna said goodbye to everyone.
As they were walking out, Brianna realized how perfect this moment was. The smile on River’s face was huge. Brianna pulled River out to the gardens in the back of the hospital. They found a bench and sat. Brianna struggled for a moment before finally pulling the box from her pants. She dropped down to one knee in front of River. Brianna watched as the realization of what was happening hit River.
River’s hand covered her mouth. Brianna felt hot tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She had to hurry.
“This is not at all what I had planned,” Brianna began.
“But I realized on our way out how perfect it was. Because this is sort of where everything started for us. After your accident I could no longer deny the feelings, I had for you. I had pushed them down and covered them with friendship. But I loved you. Even then I loved you. How perfect is it that we’re here for a happier occasion. A baby is a new beginning. And today I want us to start our new beginning. River, will you marry me?” Brianna held the ring out and waited.
River’s face broke into a wide smile. She nodded her head yes, too overcome to speak. Her words finally came in a stream, along with her tears.
“I said I would choose you every day. So yes, I want to marry you. I want to start a life with you, and a new beginning with you. You will forever be my yes.”
River pulled Brianna into a hug. It was so forceful, Brianna had to make sure she didn’t lose the ring. Brianna took River’s hand and slid the ring onto her finger. This was the happiest day of her life, and she knew that it would only get better from here.