Page 94 of Unexpected Love

“It’s right around this bend.” I take her gloved hand in mine, walking at her side the rest of the way.

Maryland doesn’t seem like it has much to see, but the Appalachian Trail isn’t anything to sneeze at. The views you can get from this place will take your breath away.

As we round the bend, I feel the moment Ava sees it. And it’s the moment I know she falls in love with hiking. Winter might be the worst time for hiking due to the cold, but it’s Ava’s favorite season—especially when there’s snow on the ground. And Maryland did me well this week. It made this hike a bit of a bear, but seeing this sight of trees and valleys covered in snow is beautiful. Almost as stunning as the glow emanating from Ava.

Stepping up behind her, I wind my arms around her, pulling her back to my chest, supporting her in every sense of the word.

“It’s amazing.” Ava closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and holds it. As she releases it, she opens her eyes, and I feel her entire body melt into mine. Any stress she was carryingis officially gone. “Thank you,” she whispers, her words a little choked.

“Anytime, Rebel.” I kiss her cheek and absorb everything I possibly can from this moment. Every feeling, every touch, every smell, all of it. I never want to forget this moment.

We stand here quietly, taking in everything around us longer than I thought we would. But I’ll stand here as long as Ava wants to.

“Can we come here again next year?” Her words are so soft I almost miss them.

“We can come here whenever you want.”

Ava turns in my arms, wrapping hers around my neck and pulling me in for a tight hug. “I know I acted like a child during the hike, and I’m sorry. This was more than worth a little discomfort.”

“I love you, Rebel.”

“I love you, too, Gage. More than I ever imagined.”

I let my eyes roam over her face for a moment, taking in every facet possible. “I never thought I would have this, and I’m grateful every day that I found you.” I press a soft kiss against her lips, pulling back just enough to look her in the eye. “You are the most unexpected love, but I wouldn’t change any of it for anything.”

Something sparks in Ava’s eyes, but it’s gone before I can identify what it means. “Unexpected love, indeed.”

She smiles as she presses her lips to mine, and I feel her happiness soaking into every part of me.

epilogue

GAGE

Four Years Later

“Ava! We’re gonna be late!”I yell from the bottom of the stairs, hoping to leave soon to get to Quinn and Declan’s on time.

“I know, I know, I know,” she grumbles as she races toward me.

I grab her hand before she can rush past me. “Are you sure you’re good? I don’t want you to stress,” I tell her gently.

Her shoulders sag and she falls into me, her forehead resting against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, holding on tight. I know how hard this day is for her, and I wish more than anything I could take away her pain. Every year we gather on this day to celebrate Scott, and every year it hits Ava just as hard.

After Ava cut her parents out of her life for good, Scott became more of a father to her than Gregory Day ever was. That was one of the most remarkable things about Scott; he loved those he cared for as if they were his blood, no matter what. Heloved her for who she was with no expectations, exactly like any parent should.

It was with his help and guidance that Ava truly accepted that it was okay to still be a lawyer, even if her parents pushed her into the career originally. I think it was his custody case that first sparked the thought that she could help people who really needed it like she first hoped to do when she got her degree. Of course, everything that happened with the bookstore and Murphy’s definitely gave her an extra push.

“I’m okay.” Ava lifts her head to look me in the eye. “I want to go; I just wish it got easier with time.”

I look at her, eyes filled with empathy and love. “Scott gave you the fatherly love you deserve. He made you feel encouraged, cherished, supported, and so much more. There’s no limit on grief. No expectation on how, when, or even if it’ll ever be easier.” I smooth her hair back from her face, cupping her cheek. “Let yourself feel that without judgment or expectation. He loved you, Ava. It’s okay to feel that loss.”

Her voice is quiet when she responds. “But it’s not like he was the only one. Your dad has loved me just as fiercely as Scott did. It’s not like I’ve lost that fatherly love completely.”

“We still lost someone we cared for deeply. Maybe we hold on a little tighter to those we still have, but we get to grieve our loss all the same.”

Ava takes a breath, as if stealing herself for all the emotions of the day to come, and pulls away slightly.

“I just don’t want you to stress about your feelings; they’re completely natural, and the stress isn’t good for you.” I drop my hands to her small bump.

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