Epilogue
Jase
Four years down the road.
I knew I'd like Bryson City because Rylee was here, and that alone would be enough, but I never knew I'd truly fall in love with the area and the Smoky Mountains. I can't imagine living anywhere else now.
Being a recruiter was never on my to-do list in the Army, but ending every day next to Rylee made it all worth it. A week before, we were house shopping and bought her dream home. The day we closed, we moved in together, and since then, we haven’t spent a single night apart.
Every chance I could, I took the opportunity to go with her to her photoshoots and simply watch her in action. When she wanted to go get photos in the National Park, I was happy to be her driver.
And when the day came for me to put in for retirement, several officers tried to do everything they could to keep me. But I told them there was no way I could leave my girl, and there was nothing they could offer us to get me to accept.
After I retired, in less than a week, I was going stir crazy with nothing to do. It was like fate stepped in. Rylee got a call from Oakside Military Rehabilitation Home in Georgia to come in and do some photos for an event.
We spent a week there talking with the guys who were all injured in the line of duty and were there recovering, many transitioning out of the military. It was then that I knew I wanted to help.
From my time in the military, I had many contacts.
These were men who, like us, are now out and working, and with Rylee's assistance, we put those contacts to good use. I now work with Oakside and help those men and women find jobs they will love. I’ve compiled a huge list of people who want to hire former military personnel, including construction, security, office jobs, boat captains, and work in tourist resorts, and more.
Many offer training or support while going to school. If I don't have something that fits, I won't stop until I find it. I haven't had anyone leave Oakside without being settled into a job they will love and a life they can be proud of.
Over the years, I've proven myself, and Rylee's dad has come around. If the lunch we just had today is any indication, he seems to be one of my biggest supporters. Especially now that I've made my intentions clear and got his blessing to ask Rylee to marry me.
I can't blame him for being protective of Rylee.
In fact, I welcome it as it's never a bad thing to have someone else watching over her. It’s why I waited so long to propose.
I wanted to win her father over and not give him any reason to object.
So waiting until I retired from the military seemed the perfect opportunity.
By then, I had to be set up to support her.
By the time I talked to him about it, he wanted to know why I waited so long, and I just laughed. At that point, what else could I do?
I was able to convince her to close her studio early, so I could spoil her. Of course, it's never hard to get her to agree to spend time with me.
"Hello, my love." I greet her as I enter the studio. She's at her desk, concentrating on her computer, probably editing photos.
When she looks up and smiles at me, it stops my heart. Years later, I still can't believe I get to be with her every day.
"Are you not going to tell me where you're taking me?" she asks as she stands from her desk.
"That takes all the fun out of it. Now grab your camera, and let's go."
I told her I found this great place for her to take photos and to bring a tripod because I wanted some photos of us. She still hates being in front of the camera, but it's gotten better, and she especially loves it when I say I want pictures of us together.
On the way there, she talks about her day, the people she worked with, and the photos she took. Even after all this time, the passion is still evident in her voice. We arrive at this old covered bridge, which I had some help decorating with twinkle lights.
"Jase, what did you do?" she gasps as I park the car. I know she's excited to get out and take a look, but she has learned to wait and let me open the door for her.
The moment she's out of the car, she looks at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. I'm sure she's starting to get an idea of what's about to happen. Taking her hand, I lead her onto the covered bridge and under the canopy of fairy lights.
When I turn her to face me, her eyes are a little misty, and it gives me the courage I need to charge forward. I've imagined a million different ways to say this with one hundred different things I want to say, but in the end, I speak from the heart the best I can.
"Do you know what today is?" I ask her, figuring she probably has no idea.
She shakes her head, and I reach into my pocket, pulling out the letter.
"Eleven years ago today, I received your first letter." I pull it out and open it. "It was a very short and very awkward letter, but I knew when I read it that I had to reply. There was something in my gut that knew you were going to be in my life for quite a while."
As tears start falling down her face, I wipe them away before dropping onto one knee.
"You came into my life at a point when I didn't realize how badly I needed you.
I fell in love with you on paper, but the first time I heard your voice, it was like your soul attached to mine.
After that week in Key West, I knew there was no walking away from you.
I am yours so completely, and I hope you will do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me. Will you marry me?"
She doesn't make me wait long for her answer as a huge smile lights up her face. "Yes!"
She jumps into my arms before I even get a chance to stand up. Once I steady her, I slip the ring on her finger, and that's when her parents and her assistant step out.
I asked them to be here for her, but also to get the photos I knew she would want.
This is the life I dreamed about on all those deployments. It’s the one I dreamed about when I would see her photo, but thought I'd never get.
Rylee has agreed to be mine.