12. Epilogue
Cricket
The morning light spills gently through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow on the room as I wake up slowly. The quiet hum of the morning outside, the rustling of leaves from the trees surrounding our house, feels peaceful in a way I didn’t think was possible a year ago. I stretch my arms above my head, smiling softly as I feel the familiar weight of Cameron beside me.
I roll over to find him still asleep, his face relaxed and content, his arm draped across my side. I can’t help but watch him for a moment, my heart swelling with the quiet realization that everything has changed—and all for the better. It’s been a year since that whirlwind trip to Love Beach, a year since we finally opened up to each other, acknowledged our love, and committed to building a life together. I never could have imagined how quickly everything would fall into place.
I reach out gently, brushing my fingers through his hair, feeling the familiar warmth of his skin, the softness of the sheets we’ve shared countless nights in. A smile curves my lips as I feel him stir next to me.
“Morning,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep, his eyes opening slowly to meet mine. The smile he gives me is all love and softness.
“Good morning,” I reply, my voice thick with affection.
His hand reaches out to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw as he leans in to kiss me, slow and tender, as if he’s trying to savor every moment of our quiet mornings together. It’s the kind of kiss that speaks volumes, one that reminds me just how lucky I am to have him in my life.
“Are you ready for today?” he asks softly, his voice full of excitement and anticipation.
“I am,” I reply, leaning into him, letting the weight of his touch settle in my bones. A soft laugh escapes my lips as I bury my head into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath me.
I chuckle softly, feeling the deep sense of love and contentment that fills me whenever I’m near him. I was scared once, scared that I might lose him or that I was rushing into something that would end in heartbreak. But here we are, a year later, stronger and more in love than ever.
“I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he says, his words low and full of sincerity. “You’re everything to me, Cricket. I don’t think I could live without you now.”
I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me like a gentle wave. I feel safe in his arms, completely at home. A year ago, I was scared to love him, scared to trust him. But now, I can’t imagine my life without him.
“I love you too, Cameron,” I whisper back, my voice thick with emotion. “I never thought I’d feel this way, but I can’t imagine being anywhere else, with anyone else.”
His arms tighten around me, pulling me even closer as he kisses my temple, then my cheek, finally landing on my lips, slow and sweet.
“I’m glad you’re with me,” he murmurs against my lips. “Forever.”
I smile against his lips, feeling the warmth of his promise settle into my heart.
“Forever,” I agree, threading my fingers through his hair. “I never want to be without you.”
He smiles, the look in his eyes a perfect reflection of everything we’ve built together over the past year. “You won’t be. I’ll make sure of it.”
After a moment of quiet intimacy, he sits up, a grin spreading across his face. “Come on. We have a flight to catch. Our anniversary trip awaits.”
I stretch and groan, pretending to be annoyed, but I can’t hide the smile tugging at my lips. “Are you that excited to go to Ireland?”
“I’m excited to spend time with you,” he says, his voice full of affection. “I want to see you experience the world.”
I laugh softly, rolling out of bed and slipping into the clothes I laid out the night before. “I can’t wait to experience the world with you.”
* * *
I look out the window as the plane lands, we are flying private and it has been an easy flight, but I thought we didn’t have any stops until we were overseas.
“Why did we land?” I ask Cameron.
“Um, we’re here.”
“Where?”
“Love Beach…” he says, watching my face closely.
“I thought…”
“I wanted us to return to where we fell in love. I know we’ve been back to see Natalie and Luke, but this trip is about us. They don’t know we’re here, and if I have my way, they won’t find out.”
“You’re crazy!” I exclaim. “What if I was upset we aren’t really going to Ireland?”
“Are you?”
“Of course not. I just want to be with you,” I respond with a smile.
When we arrive at the cottage, I can’t help but take a deep breath, inhaling the salty air that smells like so many unforgettable moments. The house is just as I remember it, cozy and warm, nestled right on the sand. The memories of that first day we met, the day Cameron changed everything for me, flood my mind, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the life we’ve built since then.
Cameron takes my hand as we step inside, and I look up at him, my heart swelling with love. “I can’t believe we’re here,” I whisper.
“It feels right, doesn’t it?” he says, his voice soft and full of emotion. “This is where we started. This is where everything began for us.”
“It is,” I say softly, my fingers tightening around his. “I’m so glad we’re back.”
We spend the day exploring the beach, revisiting the places we visited during that first trip—places that hold so many memories for us. We walk along the shore, hand in hand, laughing at old jokes and making new ones, taking pictures, and holding each other close. There’s a comfort in being here, in the simplicity of being with him, and I’m reminded once again of how lucky I am.
As the sun sets, Cameron leads me to a small beachside restaurant for dinner. The table is set on a quiet patio, a perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The atmosphere is intimate, romantic, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
We order dinner and wine, enjoying each other’s company, talking about everything and nothing at all. The laughter flows easily, the conversation deepening as we talk about the future, about our plans, our hopes, and the life we want to build together.
When the night falls, Cameron takes my hand, pulling me gently toward the beach. The moon is bright overhead, casting silver light on the water, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore fills the air with a peaceful rhythm.
We walk silently, side by side, the cool sand beneath our feet, and Cameron stops in front of me, turning to face me with a serious expression.
“Cricket,” he says, his voice soft but full of certainty, “one year ago, I didn’t know how my life was going to change. But meeting you, falling in love with you, has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t ever want to be without you.”
My heart races as I look up at him, feeling the weight of his words settle deeply within me. “Cameron,” I whisper, my voice trembling slightly, “I feel the same way. I never thought I could love someone like this, but you’ve shown me what real love is. And I’m not going anywhere either.”
He takes a deep breath, his hand reaching for mine. “Cricket, will you marry me?”
Tears fill my eyes as I stare at him, my heart swelling with love and joy. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice shaking with emotion. “Yes, Cameron. I will.”
Cameron exhales a shaky breath of relief, a laugh caught somewhere between joy and disbelief. “Yeah?” he says, voice rough. “You mean that?”
I nod, tears spilling freely now, but I’m smiling so wide I can barely speak. “Yes. God, yes.”
He pulls me into his arms, lifting me off my feet as I wrap mine around his waist, our laughter caught between the tearful gasps of two people who didn’t know they could have this kind of happiness—this kind of home. He kisses my cheek, my jaw, the corner of my mouth, until I find his lips and press mine to his, full of emotion and certainty and promise.
The kiss deepens quickly. His hands frame my face, thumbs brushing away tears as his mouth claims mine with a mixture of reverence and hunger. I kiss him like I never want to stop.
His body is warm and solid against mine, grounding me, thrilling me. I can feel his heart racing beneath my palms, feel his breath catch when I whisper his name into the space between kisses.
“I love you,” I murmur, voice thick with emotion.
He presses his forehead to mine, his breath shaky. “I love you, too. So damn much, Cricket.”
We kiss again, slower now, like we’re memorizing the shape of forever in each other’s arms. His hands trail down to my waist, pulling me close, anchoring me to the moment. And I let him. I let myself fall completely, without fear or hesitation.
Because this man, this strong, quiet, fiercely loyal man, is mine…and I’m his.