Epilogue #2
A blanket is spread across the sand, weighed down at the corners with rocks, with two foil-wrapped burritos sitting on top.
It’s just like our first official date, when we sat here and ate burritos watching the sunset, trying to pretend I wasn’t already halfway gone for him.
We’ve done this dozens of times since then, but there’s something different this time.
I turn to him, my heart catching somewhere between a laugh and something heavier.
He guides me over to the setup, and I squeeze his hand the closer we get.
“You okay?” Gavin asks, reading me like he always does.
I nod slowly, eyes shifting between the horizon and him as we sit. “Yeah. Just remembering how nervous I was the first time we came here together. I kept pretending to be cool while internally panicking about feelings and guacamole.”
He chuckles, unwrapping one of the burritos and handing it to me. “You still do that.”
I elbow him. “I do not. I’m as cool as a cucumber, thank you very much.”
Gavin’s smile reaches all the way across his face, and then he pulls something small from his jacket pocket.
A box.
My whole world stops. It’s like we’re the only two people left on this beach.
He doesn’t open it right away. Instead, he takes my hand in his. “Before I ask you anything, I need to go back to that first night we talked. In this very spot. When I asked you if you ever thought about coming after me.”
My heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest.
He takes a deep breath. “You said you did. Every day. But you didn’t want to be the only one fighting. You didn’t want to chase someone just to feel chosen.”
I remember every word. How much it hurt to say them. And how much more it meant that he actually heard them.
“I’ve thought about that every day since,” Gavin continues. “Because you were right. Back then, I wasn’t willing to fight because I was scared. I thought pulling away was protecting you. I thought letting you go was somehow the right thing to do. And it cost us time we can’t get back.”
He finally opens the box. Inside, a simple white gold band with a large oval diamond sitting on top sparkles in the sun. My stomach drops at the sight, and my eyes fill with tears.
“So, this is me choosing you. I’m done running. I choose you. Every day. Every version of us, even the hard ones.”
He gets up on one knee and takes my left hand in his. “Danielle Elizabeth Russell, will you marry me?”
Tears fall down my cheeks and an overwhelming warmth spreads through my chest. I reach for his face, unable to contain my smile, and bring his forehead to mine.
“Yes,” I whisper. “It’s you and me. Yes!”
The moment the word leaves my mouth he exhales like he’s been holding his breath for years. Gavin slips the ring on my finger and then he’s kissing me.
It’s not careful or tentative. It’s filled with relief, and every version of love he never stopped carrying. His hands cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. I kiss him back with everything I have. My fingers twist into his shirt, worried if I let go, this will all disappear in a dream.
When we finally break apart, we stay wrapped in each other, taking the weight of this moment in.
“Oh my God, finally!”
We both jump as Alexa comes running across the sand, holding her phone like she’s been recording the whole thing. She’s smiling so hard she looks like she might break her face.
Emmett trails behind her, sipping from what is definitely not just a soda can.
“You knew they were hiding out here?” I look towards Gavin, laughing as Alexa practically tackles me in a hug.
He responds with one of his signature shrugs.
“Obviously,” Alexa says, still squeezing me tight.
“I cried with him during the first breakup.” Emmett points to Gavin. “The least we deserve is front-row seats.”
“Okay, okay, let me see.” Alexa grabs my hand to see the ring. “Oh my God, it’s perfect. Classic but not boring, just like you. Ugh. I’m so proud. You said yes, right?”
“I did,” I laugh, tears still lingering in my eyes. I glance back at Gavin. “There was no other option.”
“Well, good.” Emmett raises his drink. “Because I did not emotionally survive your relationship saga just for you to chicken out at the finish line.”
“You’ve been through so much, bro.” Gavin pats him on the shoulder.
“I’m so glad you understand my pain.”
Laughter ripples through us, and suddenly the beach feels even warmer.
I glance between Alexa and Emmett, still smiling. “Okay but real question, when are you two going to find someone and settle down?”
They both make that gagging sound they love to make whenever I talk about relationships and commitments. I roll my eyes.
“Oh, absolutely not,” Alexa snorts. “I like sex. Plain and simple. When I want, how I want. I don’t need a ring to validate my life choices.”
“Yeah,” Emmett adds, reclining dramatically into the sand. “I’m emotionally available in two-to-three-hour windows, max.”
They exchange a nod and clink drinks.
“And frankly,” Emmett adds, taking another sip, “if I ever start searching for engagement rings, just assume I’ve been replaced by a government clone.”
Alexa lifts her drink to toast. “To love. Defined loosely and on our own terms.”
“To love!” we all cheer.
I glance back at Gavin, who hasn’t let go of me once. And I know this moment, with this ridiculous, joyful, chaotic family, is exactly how it was always supposed to be.
THE END