Epilogue
Happily Ever After
It was a day to remember. Finally, the time has come. #Dakeforever
Our time together has been a long hard road, but we made it.
I continued my therapy sessions, and I feel like I'm a new person, stronger than ever before.
Dr. Sonia taught me that bad situations happen, and it's my choice whether the trauma makes me bitter or better.
I decided to grow from the hardships I faced.
I will forever work on changing for the better.
I majored in Psychology. I'm not sure where I'll be practicing yet but probably whatever state Jake winds up in after the draft is over.
I'll get a job there. I feel my calling is to help battered women. I have experience with that now, thanks to Benji. I still see him in my dreams, which will probably never end, but I’ll never stop working toward the healing process.
It does get better, and I want to help others realize they can still live a rewarding life.
I'm not sure where we'll end up living. The Falcons are petitioning hard for Jake, but so are the Cowboys.
It would be nice to move closer to my hometown, but I want him to choose the organization where he feels the most comfortable.
He's worked very hard to get to this moment.
Every Fearless member has achieved so many goals.
They will all go in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. I'm so proud of each of them.
With Benji's death came peace. I finally learned how to breathe again.
I realized every day is a gift and I started living life with the knowledge of that fact.
You know, eat the cake, buy the shoes, etc.
I got the ultimate college experience with Jake by my side.
Minus a couple of kidnappings, it was everything I always wanted.
Sasha and Dallas married last summer. They are happy and my heart is whole every time I look at them.
Jake and I have talked about our forever.
However, he hasn't asked me to marry him yet.
I know I'm being stupid, but that makes me nervous.
Maybe he wanted college to be behind us first. I tend to overthink things.
In between our screaming and cheering, Sasha and I keep looking toward the gate.
We're waiting on them to open it so that we can storm the field!
I need a sweaty hug. I hope not all five of the guys try to hug me all at once again.
That was too much stank. I'm okay with Jake's sweat, not the whole locker room.
Jake jumps up on the make-shift stage and the crowd goes ballistic.
Hell, I go ballistic too. He still takes my breath away.
Before I know what's happening, the tv cameras turn to me, and my face appears on the jumbotron.
I smile for the crowd, but I have no idea what's transpiring. The crowd is silent and Jake is smiling, beckoning me to join him on stage. I shake my head no, it’s not going to happen.
I don't care how cute he looks with his careless smile and flawless hair.
Sometimes I forget he loves a challenge.
He laughs in response and starts making the crowd chant. "Come on, Sweet Cheeks! Come on!"
I'm twelve different shades of red. I'm going to kill this man. His death will be slow and agonizing. I make my way toward my Sex King because I can't say no to thousands of Longhorn fans. My mind is racing and I have no clue what he's doing.
He picks me up and spins me around on the stage and I try to protest but giggle instead.
He wouldn't listen anyway. He's told me profusely that I won't break him.
He puts me down and I look up in the stands.
Our mamas are holding onto each other and are crying.
A photographer has walked on the field and is taking our pictures.
His teammates have all huddled around. The coach is even standing in the front row.
Jaxon is wearing a cocky grin. What did he not tell me?
It finally clicks and I'm going to pass out.
Jake is about to propose. I can't make myself look at him.
This is happening. Not even in my dreams would I have thought he would ask me to be his wife this way.
Jake being Jake, gently turns my face in his direction.
The love I see peering back at me is enough to distract me from everybody else.
My nervousness evaporates. With one look, he can change my world.
He bends down on one knee, and the tears begin to form.
"Danielle "Georgia" Constantine, will you marry me? "
I nod my approval and can't stop myself from sobbing. Jake hops up and pulls me up in his arms, kissing me deeply. When I catch a glimpse of his face again, he has unshed tears of his own. We’ll never love anyone else as much as we love each other. He’s mine, and I’m his.
My ring is the size of a pebble. To most, it may not look like much, but to me, it's everything. I’ll never take it off. I look up at him again. "I love my ring, baby." He looks uncertain. I kiss him and put all the love I feel for him in every caress. "It's perfect!"
Later that night, after we say goodbye to all our friends, we dance on the balcony of our tiny college apartment.
No music is playing but we don't need any.
We dance to the sound of the night. Nothing is more romantic than swaying to the beat of fireflies remembering how I learned to love with this incredible man.
The End