Epilogue
epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER(ISH)
The burner for the hot air balloon roared to life. I braced myself against the edge of the basket and tried not to tip into Tripp as we lifted off of the ground. He slipped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.
“How are you doing?” he asked, whispering in my ear.
I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes. “I’m okay.” I slowly opened my eyes and turned to face away from the center of the balloon. I was determined to enjoy the view this time. But, unlike out first ride last year, we weren’t tethered to the ground. So much had changed since those early challenges. I’d changed. My fear still lingered just below the surface but it didn’t control me anymore. I’d learned how to listen to and respect my fear without empowering it to rule my life. I’d found a deep love for rock climbing, camping, and kayaking. I’d done it all with him right by my side.
“No,” I said, “I’m better than okay. This is perfect.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
As we rose higher and higher into the air, my heartbeat slowed to a steady rhythm. Tripp moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I rested my head back against his chest and melted into him. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting pink and orange streaks across the sky. When we reached 1,200 feet, the balloon stopped rising and we floated over Nashville. The city buzzed with life below us, but it felt as though we were a million miles away from reality.
Tripp placed his hands on my hips and gently turned me to face him. I smiled up at him, drinking in his blue eyes. As I leaned up to kiss him, he lowered, dropping to one knee, and pulled a ring from his pocket. His lips parted to speak, but I didn’t let him get the words out.
“Yes,” I said and fell to me knees in front him. I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his. “Yes, a thousand times. Yes.”
The end.