Page 88 of Finding Home
Grayson looks at his watch and says it’s time for them to go. Wefollow them through the house and out front where he shakes my hand and pats me on the shoulder.
Hannah hugs me. “You two are great together. Can’t wait for the wedding.”
She pulls a small laugh from me, but I don’t deny her words, and she winks before following Grayson out. Chloe stands on the front porch, watching them until their car is down the driveway and out of sight. I tip my chin towards the back of the house, and we walk together while Lila is inside with Melanie.
We walk in silence until we settle in the chairs overlooking their property. A cluster of trees separates the house and backyard from the rest of the property. It’s a peaceful view.
I look at Chloe, and she’s watching me apprehensively.
“We’ve had a big week,” I start, and she nods. “We’ve both experienced things we never thought we would. I want us to have everything, and I know we talked yesterday, but I need to make sure we’re on the same page, because as much as you’ve said I can crush you, you can do the same to me. I’ve never loved someone the way I love you. I didn’t fall in love with you. Falling is too accidental. You trip and fall. I dove into love with you, full force, knowing what I was getting myself into. Knowing I was giving you a part of myself that no other person who has ever walked this earth has had. I will love you until my last dying breath, but I need to know you won’t leave like you did. I need to know that no matter what happens, you’ll sit and talk to me. I asked this of you yesterday and I need to repeat it, because I see a life with you. Not just the present, but the future, and I need to know you’re in it with me. With Lila. The three of us, as a family.”
I’ve laid myself out for her one more time, knowing we need to have this conversation when it’s not the first time seeing each other after major decisions and feelings have been put out there. We’ve both had time to settle more.
She slides closer, her gloved hand finding my arm as she wraps herself around it and looks up at me, her eyes full of softness and genuine love.
“I’m done running scared. I’m not saying it’s always going to beeasy, but if you promise to be patient with me, I promise not to run. You, Lila, and me, we’re a team. A family.”
I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose, and she leans into my side. As we take in the sounds of everything around us, peace settles over me. When I first returned to Willow Valley, I never thought I would have found what I did with Chloe. I never thought I’d find a place or person that felt like home, but I did with her. With her everything feels right.
Lila comes out and joins us, settling between us, and I’ve never felt so content as I do with my two girls. I know the road ahead may be filled with ups and downs, but as long as it’s the three of us against the world, nothing else matters.
EPILOGUE
CHLOE
Six months later
I smile as Lila slips into her boots as I try to urge her out the door. We’re on our way to my parents’ place, and Lila insisted on wearing her white dress with purple polka dots. We had to go buy a new one as soon as she grew out of the one she wore on the first day of school, and we’ve since upgraded her boots, too. They still match mine at her insistence.
“We’re gonna be late if you don’t get going, sweetheart.”
She holds her tongue between her as she slips into her boots, calling, “Done,” as soon as they’re on.
I usher her out of the house and into the car. Mom is waiting at the gate for us when we arrive, leading us to the horse barn, where I see a woman holding a camera. She smiles at us as we approach and offers me her hand.
“Hi, my name’s Annalise. Everett hired me to get some family photos today.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
I smile as I walk towards Everett. Something about his demeanour is off, but he leans down, kissing me before he winks at Lila, and she giggles. I shake my head and let Annalise walk us through some poses for the photos. Everett lifts Lila onto his shoulders and wraps an arm around my waist, and I lean into him as she snaps away.
Everett and I are both dressed casually, and I love that this is how he wanted the photos done, capturing us in our everyday life. Nothing fancy or over the top. Something truly us. I smile up at him, and he leans down, kissing me, Lila giggling as she falls slightly when he dips.
He puts her down, and we go through a few more poses before Annalise asks for Lila to join her, leaving just Everett and me.
“Was there a pose that you were thinking?” she asks, and Everett says, “Yeah,” and I look at him confused before he drops to one knee in front of me and my hands come to my face. I barely register the snapping of the camera or Lila’s excited squeal.
“North, you’re more than I could have ever asked or prayed for. You are softness and strength wrapped in one beautiful package. You are what finding home feels like. I know I don’t want to spend another day in this life without you. I want the future we talk about at night and to watch you accomplish everything you want to. I want to be by your side forever, but I want to do it as your husband.” He reaches into the pocket of his jeans and pulls out a ring box, opening it to the most perfect simple princess cut stone. “Will you marry me, North?”
My tears are flowing so quickly I can’t even speak. All I can do is nod over and over as I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his.
When we break apart, he pulls the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger, and Lila cheers. I look over at her, and she’s grinning from ear to ear.
“See, I told you, Daddy. If I wore the lucky dress, she’d say yes.”
I laugh, unable to help myself. Lila and I have only grown closer over the last few months. We spent a lot of time at Mrs. Simpson’s as she was going through her chemo, the three of us playing games and watching movies together. It was a relief when three months ago the doctors said she was in remission. She still goes for regular monthly appointments for testing that will spread out as she reaches the six month and year mark of her recovery journey, but she’ll be with us for many more years.
Lila joins us, hugging me and then her dad. “I helped Daddy pick out the ring,” she declares, and he nods.
