34
Xavier
I hold Lina on the balcony. The Eiffel Tower begins to flicker in the distance. We come out every evening to watch it together, it’s become our new routine.
We helped Grace get back to her family a few weeks ago. We ultimately found out she was studying abroad and was kidnapped at one of the hostels that she was staying at. She said she was kidnapped by another young woman, but that woman was never found.
It’s hard to turn away from such evil in the world. I think Lina struggles with that because I know I did for the longest time. I used to wish I could save all the women out there, but the truth is I can’t. No one can. We can’t let the evil consume us though. We have to find light in dark situations, in the dark chapters. Lina Harrington is my light; she will forever be my light. Our paths crossed for a reason, and I will forever be grateful for that.
I watch as she sips wine from her glass and gazes at the Tower. “Let’s go for a walk by the river,” I suggest as I reach for her hand. She takes it as she chugs the rest of her drink back.
“It’s a little chilly, let me grab a jacket.” I hear her say as she goes into the bedroom. I reach for my pocket and exhale slowly as I feel the small suede box. Nora and Mrs. Harrington helped me pick out the perfect ring for the perfect woman.
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Xavier and I walk along the river. The moon is high and the reflection of lights from boats and buildings shimmer on the water. It’s a beautiful autumn night.
My mind trails off to the last few weeks. I feel gratitude that I was able to save that young woman, but that only opened my need and want to save more. Xavier has told me numerous times that I can’t save them all. I understand that and I should be thankful for being able to save Grace. Watching her from a distance reunite with her family was something I will never forget. It made me determined to finish school so I could help others.
I soak in the autumn breeze as we walk near the river, and then suddenly I feel Xavier let go of my hand. He stands in front of me for a moment before getting down on my knee. “Lina Harrington, my lotus—” he pauses as his eyes now glisten in the dark. “People say that true love takes your breath away, but I don’t think that’s true. You reminded me to breathe when I had forgotten how. You helped pick up the pieces of my broken heart when they were scattered all over the ground. You were the light that showed up when I was wandering aimlessly around rock bottom. I wasn’t searching for love, but I found it. And I never—ever want to live my life without the one that makes me whole. Marry me? Let’s spend the rest of our lives blooming together.” I watch as he opens up a small black suede box. I can’t tell what the ring looks like because my eyes are swelled with tears and to be honest I don’t care. I’d wear a plastic ring if it meant I could spend the rest of my life with him.
I cup his face with both of my hands and bring my lips to his ear, “I will forever be your lotus and you will forever be the roots that give me life and meaning.” I smile against his lips.
He puts a large diamond ring on my finger and I smile down at it, then up into his eyes. I feel his lips against mine as he lifts me into the air. My world goes still as we stand there. So much happiness rushes through my veins as we stand there fully enjoying this moment.
Moments later, I hear people clapping loudly behind us. When I turn around, my mouth drops to the floor as I see my parents, Logan and Jess, Nora, Farrah, and Carl clapping and popping champagne.
Life can sometimes be filled with some painful chapters. But, what I’ve learned is you can’t skip those chapters, that’s not how it works. You have to go through some pretty pain-filled pages, meet some people that you wish you’d never met, and sometimes do things you’d never imagined yourself doing. Because just like my future husband once said, we rise from what was meant to destroy us, what was meant to dismantle us. We rise and we bloom.
I look over to Xavier grinning from ear-to-ear, then over at my parents pouring glasses of champagne for everyone. All of those pain-filled pages brought me to this exact moment, surrounded by these perfect people. I smile as Jess wraps her arms around me, then I look over at Xavier who holds my gaze.
After all of those chapters, I have a feeling this next chapter is going to be one of the best chapters of my life.