Chapter 70
Levi sat on the beach, smoking a cigarette and watching the moonlight dance across the waves. He had been careful to not wake Jon as he had slipped out of bed, terrified of his plans for the day. His mind begged for the stimulating jolt of fresh brewed coffee, but he worried the smell would rouse him from his slumber. He needed to think. He gripped the ring box in his pocket and smiled.
As he watched a glow break across the horizon, he worried about how his plans had changed. He wished he could have gone with his original plan with his new guitar, but the logistics of getting it set up on the beach proved too much, especially in the wake of their unplanned trip to Louisiana. The glow of the cigarette warmed his face in the cool morning air as he took one last drag.
The door to the patio slid open. He hadn’t thought it was loud before, but the sound cut through the air like a siren through the quiet morning air.
“What are you doing out here?”
Levi stared into the gulf and sighed. “Just thinking. What are you doing up? You should go back to bed. Get some rest.”
Jon sat in the sand next to him and lit a cigarette. “I had my alarm set. I wanted to watch the sunrise. Mind if I join you?”
Levi looked at him, admiring his profile in the twilight. He had gotten fully dressed, but neglected to put on shoes. Jon was wearing kakis and a pale blue button down, and looked like he was ready for a meeting. Levi smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you.”
Jon butted his cigarette and laced their arms together, his head resting on Levi’s shoulder.
They sat on the beach, watching the horizon, silent. The rhythmic drone of the waves filled Levi’s ears. His heart raced, and every word he tried to speak died in his throat. He was so sure moments ago, his strength faded the moment Jon sat beside him.
“Levi? Is something wrong?”
“No babe. Nothing’s wrong.”
Jon nuzzled his head into Levi’s shoulder. “Good.” Levi could hear the smile in his voice.
They sat there like that for what felt like an eternity, waiting for the sun. The moment it peeked over the horizon was glorious, bathing everything in color.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it Levi?”
“Yeah babe. It is.”
“I wanted to share this with you this morning…” He stopped, but it sounded like he was about to say more. Levi heard him take a deep breath.
“Are you alright?” Levi’s heart pounded in his chest. He was terrified of what Jon was about to say.
“Yes. I am. More than I’ve ever been, I think.”
Jon untangled his body from Levi and turned Levi’s head until they were eye to eye. “Levi, you saved my life. You took me in when no one else wanted me. You respected barriers I was too afraid to put up, and that made me respect you…” He paused, tears were forming in his eyes. Levi’s heart ached. He searched for words to comfort Jon, but finding none, he reached up and cupped his hand on Jon’s cheek. Jon leaned into his hand and continued. “… and the more I got to know you, the more I fell in love with you. I know it was fast, but you make it so damn easy. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Jon looked down. Levi’s gaze followed his to his hand. He held a box with a ring. The ring looked to be silver, antique, and intricately carved. The top was in the shape of a square cross with an enormous emerald in the center.
Levi struggled to find words. His hand slid from Jon’s face and down his arm to his wrist, stopping at the ring box.
“Levi?” Jon’s voice cracked. Levi smiled at him and reached into his own pocket, and removed the box he had been stressing over for weeks..
“I want that too.”
Jon looked at the box. His eyes were wide, and tears were pouring down his face.
“You do?”
Levi couldn’t find words as he removed the ring from the box and slid it onto Jon’s trembling finger. Jon did the same for him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He prayed this moment would last forever.
A voice rose above the waves. Levi looked down the beach and saw six figures walking in their direction. One broke into a run. As the distance between them closed, Levi realized who it was.
“What are they doing here?”
Jon smiled. “I thought it would be good to have them here so we could all celebrate together. Our family.”
Levi cocked his head. “So Zeke knew?”
“Yeah, Zeke and Gus were going to be here. I talked to everyone about this for months .”
Levi shook his head and laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I talked to everyone about it, too. I guess they’ve all been laughing at us.”
Jon raised an eyebrow. “Maybe. I know there have been a couple of folks that had a panicked look whenever I told them. I just thought it was a surprise, but I guess they were terrified of letting something slip.”
Levi put his arms around Jon and kissed his forehead. He knew a part of Jon still ached for his parents and his sister, but it was clear he wouldn’t let them dictate his happiness. Levi wished he had learned that lesson long ago and cursed the anger and fear that had kept him chained for so long. He smiled, knowing they were both free. They would face the future together, but they wouldn’t be facing it alone. He whispered, “I love you.”