Page 34 of Leif

“You’re a damn good cop. The force would be losing more than it’s worth if you walked.” I lifted my shoulders. I was just calling it as I saw it, but her eyes lit up with joy and warmth.

“Thank you,” she said softly as Hitch walked up behind her. “So I’m on a six-month suspension. But that’s okay! I can live with that. I’m not fired.” Her hands locked with mine. Surprise filled her eyes as I knelt down.

“OfficerMelanie Jacobs, I know this is sudden. I know we’ve only been getting to know one another for a week.” I smiled up at her as I noticed Hitch with his phone out. “But I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Her lips curved into a beautiful smile.

“And I can’t help but feel like would be empty without you. You’re the missing piece, the part of my life I didn’t know I needed until you showed up.” I pulled her hands close and pressed my lips to the back of one, then the other.

“Now, I can’t imagine life without you. You wanted promises, and I made them.”

Her eyes widened.

But I wasn’t about to stop now. “I promise to be the friend you need. I promise to be the man you want. I promise to be the one you love…ifyou’ll give me a chance.” I kissed the back of her hands again before peering up into her brown eyes. “So, will you give me a chance to prove we’re perfect together?”

She nodded, tears filling her eyes. Hitch tossed the little box my way, and I caught it with one hand. While she watched, I opened it to show her the ring I’d chosen. A pretty heart-shaped sunlight-colored diamond surrounded by a halo of crystal-clear sparkling diamonds that caught and reflected light like a disco ball.

She gasped, staring at it before smiling at me. “It’s beautiful. Not that it matters.” Her sweet smile widened.

“Will you marry me?” I asked.

“Yes.” There wasn’t even a second of hesitation in her answer. She pulled me to my feet, and I wrapped her in my arms while slipping the ring on the finger she offered. Squeezing her gently, I caught Hitch’s thumbs-up and smiled at him as I held her close. Chest to chest, heart to heart, we stood as the whole world shifted once more. Suddenly, we were under the ocean, but there was no trouble breathing as the sunlight filtered down to meet our eyes.

All around, creatures flourished and continued on with their lives, totally unaware of us as we stood, wrapped up in one another with our son standing close with his head tilted back to watch dolphins playing and swimming overhead.

“I love you,” I whispered. It might be soon, but I knew it with all my being. I’d never been as sure of anything as I was about this. It just felt right in every possible way.

“I love you too.” She clung to me, and our hearts beat as one.

Everything was going right. Sure, she’d have that mark on her record and a six-month suspension. But she’d be back on the force she loved in no time. And we’d plan our wedding while living as a family. There were too many things to plan and do; get our own house, meet each other’s families, figure out having a teenaged son… but even as worried as I was about my parents, I was also resolute. They could accept my life choices, or they could walk away.

Because love wasn’t about expectations. It wasn’t about doing what they wanted. It wanst’ about making my parents happy and following their wishes for my life.

Love—to me—meant loving unconditionally with your whole heart. It was about accepting people into your life in spite of their flaws and imperfection. It was about making it work because you cared.

Not every moment would be perfect; that would cheapen the truly perfect moments. It would make me taken them for granted.

No, loving Hitch meant being a supporter; not trying to be his dad. It meant knowing he was human and would make mistakes. But I’d love and guide him as best I could.

And loving Mel meant keeping my promises to her. I’d be her friend. A shoulder to cry on. Someone that had her back unconditionally—even when she was wrong. Not that I’d ever tell her she was wrong.

And I’d be the one she loved while loving her with everything I was, everything I could be, everything I would be.

She’d given me a chance.

I’d spend the rest of my life making sure she didn’t regret it.

17

Mel

Months Later

“Alright, I’m out. See you later.” Hitch dropped a kiss on my cheek before heading for the front door.

“Hey! When will you be home?” Leif’s stern tone was warm and worried, and I let out a happy sigh. This news was ready to burst out of me, but I also knew that Leif had to ask these kinds of questions or we’d both be worried.

Hitch turned. “Midnight. And I have my phone.” He held it up. “Just text me.” He smiled at us both, and I waved goodbye.

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