Epilogue
EPILOGUE
KIERNAN
THE NEXT YEAR, CHRISTMAS, BVI
“ C lose your eyes!”
“It’s Christmas Day, Charlie, shouldn’t my gift already be wrapped?” I teased.
“Kiernan!”
“Okay, love, I’m closing my eyes.”
Charlie led me upstairs but walking with my eyes closed, on a sailboat (even when docked), was still a balancing act. With each wobbly step, I felt more of the warm, salty breeze on my face.
“Are we heading to a private nude beach? Is that the surprise?” I quipped.
Charlie’s resulting laughter had me smiling.
“You’re insatiable, you know that?”
“Can I open my eyes now?”
“Not yet.”
We walked a few more steps and then I heard a bark.
I opened my eyes to find a tiny black and white terrier sitting in front of me, his head tilted to one side, and one paw reaching out.
“What the?—”
“Merry Christmas!!” Charlie yelled.
“Who is this?” I crouched down and held my hands out to the pup.
He raced over and licked my hands and I picked him up, cradling him in my arms.
“This is Rocky. I adopted him from the animal shelter on Tortola, the one that George and Rafe recommended. He’s a year old and was rescued from an abandoned farm.”
“He’s adorable. And he’s ours?”
“Yup. George has given us permission to bring Rocky aboard when I’m on charter.”
Charlie had secured his captain’s license six months ago and was now taking over half the charters on Now, Voyager . George, in turn, was happy to have more free time to spend with his husband and their extended family, including their niece, baby Charlotte.
Charlie and I lived and worked on the yacht from November to May and spent the rest of the year mostly in Ireland with visits to Florida.
We’d bought a sailboat together, our second home, and docked it here in BVI in the same marina as Now, Voyager .
In fact, we were due to head back to the ship later today for Christmas dinner with our crew family.
My mum was still undergoing cancer treatments back home but so far, the prognosis was good. She was responding well but she still had a long battle ahead. And her fight made me take nothing for granted.
Not good health, not family, not love, nothing.
“Love, this is?—”
I was too choked up to speak. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Rocky and then at Charlie.
My family. My heart.
“The best Christmas ever.”
I leaned down and kissed my boyfriend.
And soon to be (hopefully) fiancé.
“Let me get your gift.”
I handed Rocky over to Charlie and suddenly I was sweating profusely, and it had nothing to do with the heat of the morning sun.
I climbed down the stairs and through the narrow galley to our bedroom at the stern.
Opening my duffel bag, I pulled out the wrapped box.
I’d been terrified Charlie would find the ring before today and ruin the surprise. Also, I was a little bit terrified that when I presented it to him, he might not say yes.
Then I remembered the look in his eyes every time he told me he loved me. And all my doubts were left behind.
I ran back upstairs to find my love and my dog relaxing on a lounger.
Walking over, I sat down beside Charlie and offered him the gift. Rocky jumped off his lap and lay down on the deck at our feet.
As soon as Charlie opened the wrapping paper, I slid off the lounger and went down on one knee.
His shocked gasp and sudden tears when he opened the lid on the box had my own threatening.
I took his left hand in both of mine.
“Over a year ago, you changed my life in the most incredible way. And every single day we’re together—” I paused and swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Every single day, I love you more. You’re my best friend, my lover, and I hope, one day, my husband. Will you marry me?”
Charlie
Kiernan was crying. I was crying.
And once I’d wiped away the tears, I nodded and said ‘yes’.
He slipped the platinum Claddagh ring on my finger, and we reached for each other.
“I love you so much,” I finally managed to whisper.
Kiernan was going to be my husband. Holy shit. I knew today was going to be special, but I had no idea how much.
“I love you more,” he replied and kissed me.
I could survive without a lot of things.
But not without Kiernan. And not without his kisses.
“Wait a sec,” Kiernan pulled back suddenly. “How did you get the dog on board? Neither of us left the boat this morning.”
I grinned and pointed to the far end of the pier. Familiar figures walked towards us, waving, and smiling: my mom, my brother Trav, as well as Korry and Keltie.
Kiernan wiped his face. “You flew our family down here?”
I smiled at him. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
It certainly was.
Thank you for reading the Voyagers Series!
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