Epilogue #2
Standing here, looking out at the water, it feels almost as if I’ve stepped back in time.
I can almost imagine, if I turned to my right or left, I’d see my parents on either side of me.
I can see the soft smile on my mom’s face, and the love in my dad’s eyes as he looked at her.
I can feel their hands wrapped around mine.
But it’s not sad. Not like I thought it would be. Because I do feel them here. I feel their love. Their support. And I know, without a single doubt, that they’re happy for me.
Tears press behind my eyes as I think about my parents and Micah meeting.
They would love him so much. My mom would pull me aside to tell me how great Micah is.
My dad would pat Micah on the shoulder and call him son.
And when I told my parents that Micah was the man I wanted to spend my life with, they’d understand why.
“I feel them here,” I finally say.
Micah turns to me. “Your parents?”
I nod. “But it doesn’t make me sad, like I was worried about. I think they’re happy. Because they know how happy I am.”
The rising sun casts a golden glow across Micah’s face, catching the angles of his features and throwing them into shadow. His gaze softens. “Are you? Happy?”
I stare at him for a second. Then I smile and shake my head at him. “Micah. What kind of question is that? Of course I’m happy. I was just thinking how I’ve never been happier.”
“Really?” His lips curve. “Happier than you’ve ever been?”
I don’t have to think about it. “Yes. Absolutely.” Leaning against him, I stretch up to kiss his cheek.
“I have you. I have Piper and Sampson. I have all our friends. I love my job. And our house… it’s nicer than anything I could have ever imagined living in.
Life is good.” I stop. “No. Life isn’t good. It’s incredible.”
“Rue.” Emotion works in Micah’s eyes. “I’m so glad. Nothing matters more than knowing you’re happy.” A beat later, he amends, “Well, and protecting you. Of course.”
“My knight.” I kiss him again. His jaw is slightly rough since he hasn’t shaved yet, and he smells of summer. His skin is warm on my lips. “I’m very happy, Micah. And I feel very protected.”
Not that there’s anything to protect me from anymore; at least, nothing we know about.
Henry is in jail, currently serving a twenty-five-year sentence.
“You won’t have to worry about him even after that,” Micah swore after the judge handed down his verdict.
“He’ll never hurt you again. That’s a promise. ”
As for Sylvia, I was relieved to know she had nothing to do with the attempts on my life.
She contacted me shortly after Christmas in tears, explaining how her grief made her say things she deeply regretted.
“It wasn’t you,” she sobbed. “It was me. I felt guilty. But I took it out on you. And I’m so sorry. ”
She’s been in counseling, and I think it’s helping.
Every couple of weeks, she texts me—no accusations, just little things she remembered about my dad or asking how I’m doing—and I text her back.
We’ll never be close, or even friends, but I’m willing to stay in touch. I think my dad would like that.
Micah glances back out at the ocean. His expression is pensive. Then he looks back at me. “I’m happy too, Ruby. So happy. Sometimes I still can’t believe how much.”
My heart squeezes. “I love you, Micah.”
Emotion softens his gaze. “I love you, too.”
Then he whistles, low and short, the command for the dogs to listen. They immediately turn towards him, their expressions alert and questioning. “Come,” Micah says. He gestures for both of them to stand beside him. “Stay.”
“Was one of them getting into something?” I ask. Sometimes there are little crabs scuttling around, and while I don’t think Sampson would try to eat one, I’m not as sure about Piper.
“No, it’s not that. I just—” An almost uncertain expression flickers across his face. “I have something I want to ask you about. And I don’t want to worry about one of them doing something they shouldn’t while I’m asking.”
My heart stumbles.
I’ve thought about it plenty of times over the last few months, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t fantasized about a proposal.
I remind myself that we haven’t even been dating a year, that this is Micah’s first real relationship and he probably wants to take his time.
I tell myself that an engagement ring doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m with the man I love.
But still, I hope.
And yes, I could ask him myself. But I feel like Micah would want to do the asking.
For all his sensitivity, he’s traditional like that.
He would want to be the one taking a knee and asking for my hand in marriage.
He’d want to plan it out himself. And because I love him, I’m okay with letting him take the lead on this.
For now, at least. If he doesn’t propose in another year or so…
maybe I’ll take matters into my own hands.
My pulse races, but I try to keep my voice calm. “What do you want to ask me about?”
Micah shifts on his feet. He gets this cutely flustered look and his cheeks go pink.
Anticipation rushes through me. Could this be it?
“Well.” Micah glances around us. The family is further down the beach. A solo jogger cuts across the damp sand near the water, headed away from us. Aside from them, we’re alone. “I wasn’t sure if this would be the right time to ask. Or the right place.”
“The right time and place for what?”
Wordlessly, he holds my gaze for a moment. Then he lets out a shaky breath and drops to one knee.
Everything stops.