Page 34 of A Luna's Revenge

"I have a couple of surprises for you, my love." He laughs, lifts me off my feet, and races down the steps. I wrap my legs around his waist and look just beyond our backyard, and I can see our meadow in the distance. I gasp. "Oh, Jenson. You didn't."

"Yes, I did, my darling. Yes, I did." He chuckles.

Staring at the sight before me, my thoughts rush back in time. As a child, I remember Jenson was always here in my life. I remember the first time he proposed to me. It was a warm summer day the year we turned six.

We were playing in the sediment of a nearby creek, Jenson's long brown hair dripping with mud running down into his teal-blue eyes. I was making mud pies adorned with daisies and pebbles that Jenson had collected. Digging through the muck, he exclaimed excitedly as he unearthed a small, smooth, flat rock with a worn-through middle.

"Look, Charlie! It's a ring!" He slips it on my finger. "You gonna be my wif'." He shouts. Holding hands, we ran over to show off the treasure we had found and to share our plans to marry with our amused parents.

We have a past full of similar memories to celebrate. Jenson, Xyran, and I’ve already paid a hefty price for the mistakes Jenson and I have made recently, and we have a future of beautiful moments to come that I don't want to miss. This meadow, our special place, holds some of our most cherished memories.

As Jenson gently sets me down on the cobblestone path that leads to our meadow, I can barely take in the scene before me.

The giant willow tree that once bore our rough-hewn declaration of love is covered in fairy lights. As we approach, I see that the carving I destroyed has been replaced with a heart-shaped metal plaque that reads, "Jenson loves Charlie."

Reverently, I trace the letters, replaying in my mind the day we carved the original and the day I angrily removed it with my claws.

Leaning on the tree for support, I turn to the right and see an arbor covered in white roses. Hanging from it is my wedding dress, fully restored. It’s crisp, white, and unmarred asthe day I first wore it. Gone are the stains, the reminders of the pain Jenson and I’ve been through. Dazedly, I approach it, reaching out to caress the soft material.

Memories of our wedding day fill my mind. I turn to Jenson behind me and find him on one knee, holding a ring box containing two white gold wedding bands. The smaller band is thin, with the infinity symbol carved with diamonds, while the larger one simply bears the infinity symbol.

"Charlie," Jenson trembles. "If you will accept me, I want to continue the life we started together. These rings represent our eternity because that is what I want with you. Forever. Sitting on those porch swings, you and I,growing old together, watching our pups, grandpups, and great grandpups."

"I managed to stall our divorce." He continues. "So, where we go from here is up to you. We can have a recommitment ceremony if you want forever with me, but we don't have to remarry. Or, if you no longer want us, I understand. I messed up not communicating with you."

"Jenson, all of this is beautiful." I wave my hand around. "And this is a lot to take in. However, I do still love you, and I always will. I want to give us another try. But know this," I warn. "There will be no further chances for us, regardless of how much I love you. I don't need you to take care of me; I am a fully independent female with a thriving business. Don't cross me again."

"Never again!" Jenson grabs me around the waist and swings me around.

"Whoa, Killer! I know I heal fast, but I was just released from the hospital!" I laugh.

"Sorry, baby," Jenson murmurs sweetly. Standing under the arbor in our special place, Jenson places the band on my finger and kisses it. "I love you."

As he slips off his original wedding band and puts it in his pocket, I take the new band from the box and slide it onto his finger. "I love you." I sigh. When he pulls me into his arms and kisses me gently, I feel a sense of peace and belonging, like coming home.

Chapter 22 - Dreams & Reality

Charlie

The Day Tracy Vincent Arrives

Early Morning

Devastation Day 1

My eyes spring open as I shoot up in the bed, my heart thumping in my chest to a staccato beat. My breath comes in ragged bursts as I focus on the room around me. Where am I? Where's Jenson? What is going on? Something is wrong?

Searching around in panic, desperately seeking anythingthat would anchor me. My eyes flit over to the side ofthe bed where the bassinet should be, where our pup, Xyran, should be sleeping.

Instead of finding my little one, I spy only the familiar furnishings of our old bedroom at the pack house. Maybe Jenson has Xyran, feeding him a bottle of breastmilk.

Confusion and anxiety envelop me as I realize I am not in the new house Jenson built for us. This room is different, older, with the familiar, pungent scent of many wolves. This isn't my new, safe sanctuary— it’s the Alpha Suite at the pack house, a place I didn't expect to be.

As I try to calm myself, the ensuite bathroom door swings open, and Jenson emerges. He is fully dressed, his countenance shadowed with sleep. He pauses, noticing I am awake.

"Charlie? What are you doing awake?" His cold voice is rough with sleep.

I blink. "How did we get here at the pack house? Where is Xyran?" I plead, searching the room desperately once again.

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