Epilogue
Russ & Olivia
The late afternoon sun spills across the yard, warm and golden, like the world finally decided to be gentle for once.
I lean against the porch railing, arms folded, watching her.
Olivia stands barefoot in the grass, her hair catching the light, laughter slipping from her lips like it belongs there. Like it was always meant to be there.
The kids are with her—running, shouting, chasing each other in uneven circles. Free.
Safe.
For a second, I don’t move.
Don’t breathe.
Because this—
this right here—
is everything I almost lost.
My chest tightens, not from pain this time… but from something deeper. Heavier.
Gratitude.
Relief.
Love so strong it damn near drops me to my knees.
She glances up—and finds me watching.
Her smile softens.
Not the bright one she gives the kids.
Not the polite one she gives strangers.
No.
This one is mine.
“You going to stand there all day,” she calls, tilting her head, “or are you coming down here?”
I push off the railing, boots hitting the wood once before I step into the grass.
Closer.
Closer.
Until she’s right in front of me.
For a second, neither of us speaks.
We don’t need to.
Because every memory—every second of fear, every moment I thought I’d lost her—is still there. Just quieter now.
I reach for her, my hand settling at her waist, pulling her in.
She comes without hesitation.
Always does.
“You okay?” she asks softly.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Just… making sure this is real.”
Her fingers slide up my chest, resting over my heart.
“It’s real.”
I cover her hand with mine, pressing it there.
“Good,” I say, voice rough. “Because I’m not letting it go.”
Her eyes search mine.
“You don’t have to fight anymore, Russ.”
I shake my head slightly.
“I’ll always fight,” I tell her quietly. “Just… not against this.”
Her lips curve.
“And what are you fighting for now?”
I don’t even hesitate.
“You.”
The word lands between us—steady. Certain.
Forever.
She exhales, like she’s been holding that breath for a long time too.
Then she leans into me, resting her forehead against my chest.
And for the first time in a long time…
Everything is still.
Everything is right.
I slide my hand into my pocket, fingers brushing over the small velvet box I’ve been carrying around for three days now.
Waiting.
For the right moment.
For her.
I pull back just enough to look at her.
“Olivia.”
She glances up.
Yeah.
This is it.
I drop to one knee.
Her breath catches.
The world goes quiet.
“Marry me,” I say, my voice steady even though everything inside me isn’t. “No more almosts. No more waiting. Just… us.”
Tears fill her eyes instantly.
“Russ…”
“Say yes,” I add softly, a small grin breaking through. “Because I’m not above asking you every day until you do.”
She lets out a shaky laugh through her tears.
“Yes,” she breathes. “Yes.”
Relief crashes into me so hard it almost knocks the air from my lungs.
I slide the ring onto her finger, then stand, pulling her into me like I need to make sure she’s really here.
She laughs against my chest.
The kids start cheering—loud, chaotic, perfect.
And I hold her tighter.
Because this time…
I’m not letting go.
THE END
Keep reading for more of the Brave Team
SNEAK PEEK
SCARS OF SILENCE