Epilogue, Part One
B ack at the cottage, Alison found a larder full of the autumn harvest thanks to Charlotte’s hard work.
“Look at all of this! Have you ever seen so many apples? I’m not sure we’ll need to go to the market at all this winter if we can get this lot canned,” she called to Keir.
He didn’t answer. “Keir?”
Alison left the larder and found him at the kitchen table.
There was a small box sitting in front of him.
“You know, I had this whole speech prepared. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks, but now that the moment is here, it doesn’t feel right,” he said. His face was very serious.
“What do you mean?” she asked. He looked from her to the box.
“I don’t know,” he said. “It just doesn’t feel like there are words good enough to describe how I feel about you.”
“I know how you feel,” said Alison. “You don’t need to tell me again.”
“I don’t think you do,” he said. He popped the box open. In it was a sapphire ring. “Will you marry me, Alison?”
“Is this the nightmare ring?” asked Alison, so surprised to see it she hadn’t heard the question.
“Yes,” said Keir. “I asked Idris for it when you said you liked it. He assured me it was perfectly safe. I thought you could have it until we can get you the one you want.”
It was only then that Alison processed what he had said. “You want me to marry you?”
“Yes,” said Keir.
Alison took the ring from the box. “I do really like this ring.”
Keir looked like he was about to faint. “Do you not want to marry me?”
“Oh Gods, sorry, I was just surprised. Yes, of course I do. Yes.”
Obviously. She was surprised he had to even ask.
“Oh, thank the Gods,” said Keir. “May I?” He took the ring from Alison’s hands. He was shaking.
Alison laughed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you were breaking up with me there for a minute. I didn’t even hear what you said.”
“Well, that will probably go down as the worst proposal of all time. I should have stuck with the speech,” said Keir. He shook as he slid the ring onto Alison’s ring finger. “I wanted it to be special, but I was so terrified you’d say no that I couldn’t work up the courage to even really try.”
Alison took his hand. “Stop. I don’t need anything special. Every day with you is special enough on its own. Of course I’ll marry you, Keir Ainsley. I love you.”
“I love you too, Alison.”
He kissed her until they both laughed from all the silly nerves of it all.
“Look,” he said, pointing out the window when they parted.
The first snow had begun to fall.