Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Do you want to go back to the room?”
“No, this is lovely.”
I reached for her hand. “He’s going to be okay, and if he’s not, he’s going to call you.”
“I know. It’s silly, but I’m going to miss him.”
“And you can see him whenever you want. Thanks to modern technology, you can video chat by pressing a button.”
Antonia relaxed. “Easier said than accepted.”
I didn’t even want to think about when Nova left for college. Antonia was going to be a nervous wreck.
After dinner, we walked along the beach, watching as the waves came ashore and the sun went down.
“I think this is a good spot,” she said as she dug into her handbag. “Miri would want to be where her son is.”
She opened a small bottle and shook out some of Miri’s ashes. The slight breeze in the air helped push them all around.
We were silent for a moment, standing there, watching the ashes disappear. I pulled her close, and she rested her head on my shoulder.
“It’s nice here.”
“It is,” I said. “We’ll have to make this an annual trip.”
“Next year, he’ll want his car.”
This time I was going to be the voice of reason. “I don’t know if I’ll be comfortable with him driving this far without someone with him.”
Antonia raised her head and looked at me. “You could always drive down with him and then fly back. Malik may want to ride with him as well.”
“Definitely a possibility.” I kissed the tip of her nose, and she sighed. I was madly in love with her and had been since the day I’d met her. I’d been there at her worst, and when she could’ve pushed me away, she hadn’t. Instead, she’d invited me in, folding me into her chaotic life as a new mom. There wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.
Slowly, I got down on one knee and fished the ring I’d bought for her out of my pocket. Antonia stepped back slightly and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Weston.” Her voice was barely above the sound of the waves, but I heard her clearly.
“Somewhere around the three-week mark of knowing you, I said I was going to marry you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Antonia. Ever since you walked into the gym, and still to this day, I go to sleep and wake, thinking about you.
“When we all moved in together, you gave me the family I’d always wanted. Together, we’re raising two amazing kids, and I’m so thankful to be on this journey with you.”
I held the ring between my two fingers and then held it a bit higher. “I know we haven’t talked about taking this next step, but I’m hopeful you want to be my wife. Will you marry me, Antonia?”
Antonia crouched to my level and held my hand in hers. “Weston, you’ve been my guiding light since I arrived. You were there, a constant in my life, waiting for me to notice you. I noticed and continue to do so every day that we spend together. Saying yes to you would be . . .” She paused.
“But?”
“No buts,” she said and cleared her throat. “Can I finish?”
I nodded.
“Saying yes to you will be the easiest thing I’ve done in a long time. Yes, I’ll marry you. Under one condition.”
“Name it.”
“We get married at Christmas, when Cutter’s home. Just us and our friends and family, in our home where Miri’s watching over us.”
“Sounds like the perfect wedding for me. Before I slip this ring on your finger, you should know, Cutter gave me some of Miriam’s ashes. I had the diamond created with them.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek. I wiped it away, never taking my eyes off hers. “I knew you’d miss sharing this moment with her, so I did what I could to make sure she was here.” I slipped the ring on her finger and then caressed her cheek with the back of my hand.
Antonia held her hand out, allowing the setting sun to cast a prism in the diamond. She beamed.
“I’m sure you can figure out that I asked Cutter for permission, but I asked your father as well.”
“He said no, didn’t he?” Antonia laughed.
I couldn’t help but laugh right along with her. “It was your brother. I’m going to have to work on him.”
She cupped my cheek and looked into my eyes. “I love you. I know our lives are hectic and I don’t say it enough, but know that I do. Aside from the kids, you’re the best thing to happen to me.”
“I love you more,” I said as I pulled her to me and sealed our lips together. We’d already become a family, and now we were going to make it official.