EPILOGUE
Mabel
Hanging onto my ladder at the side of the new house, putting the finishing touches of paint on, I hear Mavericks truck pulling down the long picket fenced drive.
One of the new upgrades of building from new on a piece of land.
It’s certainly been a year, and after a lot of hard work and manpower, and a construction company or two, the house is finally done and we’re moving in today.
I watch as Ellie waves frantically at me from the front seat of Mavericks truck and I smile back at her. Leaving the paintbrush on the step of the ladder, I start to make my way and onto the grass.
Wiping my hands against my dungarees, I start to walk towards the gravel drive, Ellie throws herself out of the truck and over to me.
“Hey, baby-girl,” I say, enjoying her embrace.
“Hey, Mama.” She says, Ellie’s almost eleven and she’s certainly growing, her new room proving a hit.
“I’m gonna’ go up to my room, Daddy’s sorting the truck,” she smiles up at me.
Ellie started calling Maverick dad around six months ago. I gave looking for her father another try with Mav’s help, but I still had no luck, it was like looking for a needle in a very large haystack.
“Okay, sweet pea, if you need me, I’ll be finishing the roof,” I wink down at her before placing a kiss on top of her head.
I watch her skip off into the house and run down the very long hall. The house finally, was finished; aside from a few bits of paint.
The structure’s the most important. Its more than liveable now, but one thing I’ve learned is good things come to those who wait.
I see Mav’. leaning up the side of his truck and I’m so glad he came back; it was rough in the beginning but we’re getting there.
I reach him, folding my arms around his hip, cradling myself under his arm. “Hey, Mav’,”.
“Hey, Firefly,” he replies, looking sheepish.
“Get the last bits,” I ask,
“Course, all in the truck, baby.” He replies, still looking uneasy.
I nod back at him, before lifting up his arm and beaming towards the truck, I want to get done for the day as it’s been a long day moving over here, the sun will be setting soon.
“Hey,” Mav says, taking my arm and pulling me back to him.
“Yes?” I question. “We need to get this inside, no?”.
He chuckles at me, “Listen, baby,” he manages out. “I, uhm, I just want to say,” he stutters as he speaks.
I squint my eyes up at his tall frame, “What’s up?” I ask.
I look up at him, awaiting his next move, terror forming across his face. Then, he stand tall before dropping down onto one knee and I gasp at the sight of him.
“Mabe’s, this past year has been everything I could have dreamed of, the resilience you show when it comes to life amazes me every day…” he pauses.
I look down to keep my eyes locked on his, my throat holding back a sob.
“You fucking amaze me, baby, and how, you forgave me, I’ll never be able to repay you. You and Ellie are my life and I’m never leaving you again,” Maverick shuffles on his knee, and I feel the tears form as the wetness glides down my cheeks.
“So, we have the house, why not go another step further?” He asks, before pulling out a small ring box hidden in his jeans pocket.
My hand as if on instant clasps to my face and I suck in another breath.
“Mabel Riggins, will you do me the upmost privilege in becoming my wife?” He asks, his emerald green eyes sparkling back up at me.
“You never needed to ask, Mav,” I whisper to him, finally allowing the tears to fall, and my heart to become so full.
I hear screams and whistles behind us, as my family and Maverick’s, as well as the girls, Luke and my best friend who’s howling louder than them all.
“Hold on, is that a, yes?” Mav asks, still down on one knee.
“One thousand percent, yes!” I manage out before smashing my lips down to his.
Maverick pulls away, and opens the box, revealing a princess cut small diamond on a simple band; its perfect.
He slides it onto my ring finger, and I beam down at the beautiful piece of jewellery.
“You know, that’s the ring I had in my pocket on the day I came home,” he starts and the tears well up in my eyes once again.
“It’s perfect,” I choke out.
Mav’s lips once again crash into mine as he pulls me onto his knee, our kiss so wrapped up with each other, noise is no concept to me in this moment.
I’m here, in the moment, living my dream.
Finally.
THE END.