Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ALEC
I watched from the gym doorway as Rae hugged and showered Jasmin and Cale with love-soaked kisses. The three were exhausted from the two-day sleepover, having spent their time swimming in the heated pool, exploring the property, and staying up till all hours of the night giggling. Knowing they could have this time with their aunt in a safe, fun place—my place—pushed pride through my veins. The moment I saw them, I knew Rae would want to be a part of their lives any way she could.
Over the last eight months, the three slowly worked toward the budding relationship they now cherished. Their mother trusted us to take care of them, giving her a few days off to relax and allowing Rae to relish the joys of being an aunt and having family to spoil.
I loved seeing her this happy with the kids, especially since we wouldn’t have a family of our own. I offered to research vasectomy reversals but she said no, shocking the hell out of me. She never said why, but I had a feeling it had something to do with her brother and also took into consideration my feelings toward my own DNA.
With one more kiss and hug, she opened the front door to walk the two kids to where their mom waited in her running car, ready to make the drive back to Sweetcreek. Seizing my chance, I shrugged off the doorframe and strode to the kitchen. As I passed the counter, I paused, elbow resting on the edge, and reread the handwritten note for the hundredth time since I wrote it days earlier.
Sunshine,
I knew from the beginning you were the one. Your smile, your heart stole any chance of another woman ever being a blip on my heart’s radar. Every day we were apart, it was like a piece of me was missing. I didn’t realize what it was until I saw you behind those bars. It hit me that you never left me, that my soul held out hope, waiting for me to find my way back to you. These past several months with you back in my life have been the best days of my life. I feel complete with you near. Every day I fight with the lie my father drilled into me, but you’re worth that fight. All day I will fight with the uncertainty to have even a second by your side. You're it for me, Sunshine.
You always were and always will be.
No matter where you go, I’ll go. I’ll always be there with you and for you for the rest of your life, if you’ll have me. I’m not perfect. We’ll fight, and there will be times when I’m an ass and I’ll make you cry. But I swear to you, I’ll never hurt you, and I will always, always love and protect you.
If you’ll have me.
I can’t do this limbo anymore, Rae.
I want you—all of you.
Meet me outside if you’re ready for all of me.
I released a breath and folded the note in a tight little square, just like I used to do. After writing her name on the front, I left it on the counter and made my way outside. The glow of the hanging Edison bulbs lit the path, shimmering off the rose petals covering the stones.
That was Sher Sher’s idea. I wanted simple, just me and the beauty of the Texas night sky. She won that argument, and I had to admit it added a little something seeing the red and white petals sprinkled everywhere.
The pool area glowed from the various lanterns and lights strategically placed around the deck and pergola. A bottle of champagne sat on a bed of ice in a bucket on the metal table, two glasses beside it.
Shoving both hands into my Wranglers, I stood along the pool’s edge and tipped my face up to the dark sky filled with blinking stars. A cold winter wind cut through the quiet of the night. I welcomed the chill over my heated skin. Trepidation of what I was about to ask of Rae tightened my chest.
Could I do it, be the man she deserved for the rest of her life? I wanted that, wanted to be that man, and for her, I would try. Every day I would wake up and be the husband she deserved. Loving her body and soul. Supporting her in whatever venture she took next.
Since we left Sweetcreek, leaving behind her way to connect and help abused women, Rae brainstormed the idea of an underground network of safe houses and secret communications. The planning and groundwork turned out to be a full-time job, which she loved pouring her heart and soul into. With my financial backing and other silent partners, in a few short months, Rae’s idea would be a reality, possibly saving dozens of women and children a month from their abusive partners instead of the handful a year like she did when working on her own.
I was so fucking proud of her.
A soft gasp sent me whirling around. Rae stood at the edge of the pool deck, the note dangling between two fingers at her side. She wore black leggings that showcased her curves and a long gray sweater, and I took her in from head to toe and back up again.
Mine.
I nodded for her to join me beneath the lit pergola.
She stared at everything around us, from the rose petals covering the table to the champagne to me. Tears already lined her lower lids as she bit back a smile.
“Sunshine,” I breathed.
“Yes,” she blurted before slapping a hand over her mouth and closing her eyes. “Sorry. You were saying?”
Lacing both our hands together, I tugged her close. Her chin dug into my chest as she stared up at me. Long dark hair hung in loose curls down her back, tickling our combined hands.
“I meant it all. Every word.” I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I love you, Rae Chapin. And I promise you I’ll love you with all I have until the day I die. You’ll want for nothing, and you’ll never have to wonder who’s number one in my life. You’re all I want. You as you. I know it’ll be difficult, but everything worth fighting for always is. And we, us, are worth fighting for with all I have. Will you marry me, Rae, and make me the happiest fucking man in Texas?”
Tears freely fell down her bunched cheeks, her smile so wide I could barely see her eyes.
“I’ve dreamed of this, you know? Of my second chance with you actually happening and what it would be like, and this, what we’ve shared these past few months, was better than I ever imagined. I know this won’t be easy, Alec. And you won’t have to fight for us alone. I’ll be there with you every step of the way. You’re the one I want to spend my forever with. Yes, I’ll marry you.”