Epilogue The Fishing Line
Ryan
Three Months Later
Ember and I sit on the dock at the pond as evening sun wraps around us like a cozy blanket.
She’s been tossing bits of bread to the ducks, making those soft cooing sounds that make me smile. Each time she does, the corners of my mouth lift, and I can’t help but feel a warm glow inside. The ducks quack, creating small ripples that dance across the pond’s surface.
“You’re spoiling them,” I tease, watching her break off another piece of bread for the ducks.
“Says the man who keeps extra crackers in his tackle box for them,” she retorts, bumping her shoulder against mine with a playful grin that makes my heart skip a beat.
I can’t help but smile back at her, my hand touching the small box nestled in my pocket. My heart picks up speed, pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. We’ve talked about forever, about building a life together, but this moment—it’s tangible, more real, more us.
I pull a reel out to fix it and assemble it for her fishing pole.
“Hey, can you hold this for a second?” I hand her the reel with a partially filled line.
“Sure, but why—”
“Trust the process.”
She laughs and tosses the last of the bread to the ducks.
“Keep the line taunt, but don’t reel until I say.”
I squat near my tackle box, cut the fishing line, and thread the diamond solitaire onto it so it’s secure. “Keep holding it.”
“Waiting for your word.”
“Go ahead.” The moment she starts reeling, I tug the line gently and drop to one knee and turn toward her. As the ring slides toward her, I catch it with my finger holding the line taunt.
Ember lets out a soft gasp. Taking the reel, I cut the line next to it with my quick line cutter on my finger, and set it down. I hold out my free hand, Ember places her hand in mine, while I wrap the line around her ring finger.
“I love you, Ember Rose Harper. You are my soul mate. You told me that when we met. Do you remember?” She bobs her head, happy tears welling in her eyes. “So, I have a question for you.”
I rise from my knee and release the ring down the line, resting it on her finger. “Will you marry me?” I hear her sharp intake of breath.
“Oh my god.” Her voice catches, filled with emotion.
I push the ring a little further onto her finger and release the line.
Tears sparkle in her hazel eyes as she looks at the ring, then at me. The ducks paddle closer, waiting for more bread. Her free hand cups my cheek, and I lean into her touch.
“You want forever with me?” she whispers, her voice trembling.
“Our forever.” My voice comes out rough with emotion. “I want every single day, every moment—all of it. With you.”
Ember’s fingers trace my jaw, and I catch her hand, kissing her palm. The diamond solitaire glints in the fading sunlight, as if reflecting fire from the strains of her hair.
“Yes.” She nods, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Yes, Ryan McCallister. I want forever with you, too.”
My heart soars. I pull her into my arms, nearly knocking us both into the pond. She laughs against my chest, that bright, beautiful sound that first made me fall for her.
“I love you,” I whisper into her hair. “God, I love you so much.”
Her arms tighten around me, and for a moment, everything else fades away—the pond, the sunset, the ducks, the entire world. It’s only us, wrapped in the promise of forever.
She pulls back just enough to look at me, her hands framing my face. “I love you too. And so you know that fishing line proposal? Top notch Captain. I might have to steal that for an event one day.”
“Of course you will.” I grin, drinking in the joy radiating from her face. The ducks have given up on us, paddling away.
Ember’s fingers slide into my hair, and she rises on her tiptoes. “Now kiss me properly.”
I capture her lips with mine, pouring everything I feel for this incredible woman into a searing kiss. She melts against me, her mouth warm and sweet. The world narrows to only us, this moment, the feel of her in my arms where she belongs, forever.