Chapter 42
Paul’s funeral was everything a cop would’ve wanted. I spoke and was a pallbearer. I’m unsure how Monica made it through staying upright. She took care of Lacey and Lexi throughout the entire thing. Hardly shedding a tear herself. Just holding them. Becks sat beside her, holding onto Monica tight, Nat on her other side.
I couldn’t look at them or I’d break down myself. The only thing keeping me regulated was the pain from a new tattoo. I’d gotten it on my forearm last night in memory of Paul. Marcus had waived the fee. It stood out stark, “I am my brother’s keeper.” with Paul’s badge number. It didn’t seem fair. We were all here, finally happy and safe. And he was gone. I knew he wouldn’t want me to be thinking like that. But I couldn’t help it.
As we were leaving the graveyard. Becks, having hugged and kissed Monica and the girls, promising them we’d come over for dinner in a few hours. I held Becks to my side, helping my Nan and her traverse the ground to my truck, Nat following.
I’d be forever grateful to Paul for saving the light of my life. I wouldn't ever be able to make up what he’d done to the universe. But I’d spend every waking minute and the rest of my life making sure Monica and those girls had everything they needed. I knew Becks felt the same way.
We got to the truck and began the drive home. Dropping Nan off at the senior housing and watching Becks and Nat hugging and kissing her goodbye. They’d been instantly close and Nan insisted on adopting both of them as granddaughters. The last week and a half had just solidified the fact we all needed to tell people we loved them. As we pulled up to my house, I turned the truck off as Nat ran to the front door unlocking it before barreling inside. I had to grin. The house was full of boxes. I’d packed Nat and Becks entire apartment and moved it into my home.
Becks was chomping at the bit to unpack and organize, redecorate. I wouldn’t let her lift a finger right now. The doctor had stated she needed to take it easy and I was going to make her.
“Lucas?” she asked softly. “What are you thinking about?”
“How happy I am. How lucky. Absolutely blessed,” I replied, smiling over at her. I hopped out of the truck and walked around helping her out. She was still moving gingerly. Sore, but not as bad as she had been.
I walked her up the pathway, pausing at the stairs leading up to the front porch, turning to her. “I love you more than anything else in this world,” I said, taking her hands in mine.
She smiled up at me, “I love you too.”
I grinned, still so elated to hear her say it back.
“I know we’ve only known each other a little over six months. But we’ve been through a lot,” I said.
She nodded, her brown eyes sparkling at me.
This was it.
I got down on one knee and she gasped, stepping back as I held onto her hand. I looked up at her and opened the ring box I pulled out of my pocket. Inside sat my Nan’s engagement ring from the 1950’s. Emerald cut on a white gold band. Elegant and simple, just like Becks.
“Will you marry me? Let me take care of you forever?” I whispered softly.
Becks was crying, speechless. “Yes,” she whispered. “Oh my God, we have to tell Nat.”
“She knows” I replied, slipping the ring over her finger and standing, kissing her. “She’s been recording the entire thing,” I said, chuckling.
Rebecca gasped and looked at the front door where Nat stood grinning ear to ear, filming us on her cell phone.
“You all plotted against me?!” she asked, laughing. “You’re really okay with this, Nat?”
“Mom! Yes!” Nat stopped recording and bounced down the stairs. “Remember when Lucas took me to get groceries and ice cream the other day when you napped?”
Rebecca nodded.
“We went to his Nan’s and he had her record this.” She handed the phone over to Becks, pressing play on a video.
My voice came out of the phone and I watched as Becks saw me sitting on Nan’s couch next to Nat.
“Natasha, it’s really important to me that I have your permission before I ask your Mom to marry me,” I said through the phone, Natasha looking at me with those big blue eyes. “But, Peanut, you’re just as important to me and mean just as much. Marrying your Mom isn’t just a wedding. It’s a promise I’m making to her and you to love you both forever and ever. I’ll take care of you both. Will you let me marry your mom and take care of you all forever?”
I saw Becks start crying as the video showed me opening a jewelry box to a little diamond necklace I’d gotten to symbolize everything for Nat.
“Lucas Marshall,” Becks said under her breath
I just grinned and wrapped my arm around her, drawing her close, pulling Nat in with my other. “Group hug,” I said softly, looking up at the sky, thinking a silent thank you to Paul.