Page 22 of Boarding Pass
“What are you doing?” She quirks a brow and slips her hand into mine.
“You’ll see.” I tug her gently to her feet and keep her close as we turn back to face my family. Sophie gives me a look—half-curious, half-nervous—but she doesn’t pull away. I clear my throat, my fingers laced tightly through hers. “So, uh…there’s something else we should tell you.”
All eyes snap to us. Austin folds his arms. Shay’s glass hovers midair. My mom’s brows lift, and Dadleans forward like he’s watching the final seconds of a tied game. I squeeze Sophie’s hand and glance at her. There’s a beautiful mix of nerves and excitement lighting up her face.
“Sophie and I…” I pause for just a beat, grinning like a lovesick fool. “The thing is, we’re engaged. I asked her to marry me and she said yes.”
The room goes deadly still—just long enough for Sophie to shoot me ayou’re doing this now?look—before everything explodes at once.
“Engaged?! Oh myGod!“ Mom gasps and claps her hands together, practically launching out of her chair.
Shay shrieks and almost trips over her own feet as she races toward us. “Are you serious?!” she yells, throwing her arms around Sophie. “This is the best news ever!”
Dad, bless him, lumbers to his feet slowly, a proud smile spreading across his face as he walks over and claps me on the shoulder. “My boy,” he says gruffly, because it’s how he always talks. “You’ve got a keeper.”
Austin raises his beer in salute. “About time, Stodge. I always knew you were smart enough to lock down agem.”
Amid the chaos, I look at Sophie—her cheeks flushed and smile radiant as my mom practically smothers her in congratulations. My chest feels like it might burst.
“Was this your plan all along?” she whispers a few seconds later, tilting her head up at me as Shay drags her into another hug.
“Nope.” I kiss her temple. “Couldn’t keep it to myself. Let’s tell your folks tomorrow.”
“Welcome to the family, Sophie!” Dad booms.
Sophie shakes her head, her eyes shimmering with forever. “Thank you. I guess there’s no turning back now.”
“There isn’t.” I tug her close to my side. “I love you, Sophie and I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
She smiles, her voice steady and full of certainty. “I love you too.”
When her lips meet mine, it feels like stamping the final boarding pass to a life we’ve both been waiting for—a journey we’ll take together from this moment on.
As my family’s laughter fills the room, chaotic and full of love, I realize this isn’t just the end of a chapter—it’s the start ofeverything.
Sophie’s not just a part of my story; she’s the heart of it.
Wherever we go, whatever paths we take, I know one thing for sure.
With her by my side, I’ll always be home.
