Page 71 of Corey
“It sounds like you didn’t have a choice.”
“Looking back, we could’ve waited a little longer before stepping outside.”
“No, you said it was too dangerous. Your gut told you to get out, didn’t it?”
“My gut was wrong,” he said simply.
“No, it wasn’t. Because you’re still alive.”
“We stepped outside,” he continued hollowly, “and even though it’s been twenty years, I can still remember the momentwhen the sniper’s bullet hit her head…like a melon dropped on the pavement…it just exploded…all over me.”
“Jesus.” She turned and wrapped her arms around him. “That’s so awful.”
“I failed her and my brothers. It’s why I stopped making promises…until you.” He pulled in a shaky breath, sweeping her hair back over her shoulders. “Against my better judgment, I promised to protect you.”
“And you did. I’m safe, thanks to you and your friends.”
“When Julia called and told us Joel had kidnapped you—” A shiver racked through his big body. “I was terrified I’d lost you.”
“I’m right here, Corey, and I’m not going anywhere.” She cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “You proposed, remember? You’re stuck with me, baby.”
He let out a choked laugh. “Thank God.”
She looked deeply into his crystal blue eyes and, in that moment, she saw the shadows lift. Pulling his face down, she kissed him with all the love in her heart. When they finally came up for air, she whispered, “You made me realize something.”
“What?”
“Life doesn’t wait for us to be ready. It throws stuff our way—good and bad. But I don’t think the storms are meant to punish us. I think their job is to shape us. To carve out room for greater compassion, for growth. I think we need to trust the process, even when it feels unbearable. Maybe our experiences will help us become better people.”
“That’s a very wise view, my love. I know it led you to me, and I will be forever grateful for the day you found me face down in the snow.”
A half sob half laugh escaped her throat as she pushed up, tightening her hold around his neck. “I love you, Corydon Emerson. Every single beautiful and broken piece.”
“You’re my everything, Sera Darling.”
“The stars in your sky?” she asked teasingly, remembering Ellie’s words.
“My whole damn universe,” he corrected before kissing her into sweet oblivion.
Epilogue
The next couple of weeks were a whirlwind. Corey helped Sera say goodbye to her life in San Diego. They packed up her and Loki’s belongings and shipped them to his cabin. She assured him she was more than happy to leave and start their life together in Cielo Springs. Her constant smiles and presence brought him more joy than he’d ever known.
They picked out an engagement ring for Sera and matching wedding bands. She chose a simple diamond solitaire, classic and as timeless as their love. The moment Corey slid it onto her finger, everything seemed to click into place.
Finally, he felt free. Free from the darkness and tragedy. Free to move on without guilt. Free to love the most amazing woman he’d ever met.
For the first time since he could remember, when he thought about his future, he felt overwhelming peace and an almost giddy happiness. The guilt, depression and PTSD lifted considerably. Maybe it would never go away completely because Corey possessed a very sensitive soul and felt things deeply. But the more time he spent with Sera, the more bearable it became. He would never forget Cassidy or the teammates he’d lost, but he now realized they wouldn’t have wanted him to dwell in sorrow for the rest of his life. Life, and now love, pulsed through his body and he’d made a new promise—a promise to himself to live each day to its fullest.
He would honor those he’d lost by being the best man he could possibly be.
When they began talking about possible wedding dates, Corey knew he was ready and would be more than happy to get married that very day. But it was almost the holidays. He wanted Sera to be happy and have plenty of time to plan everything she might want for their celebration. She’d told him she never believed she’d find her other half and get married, so he didn’t want to rush her. He wanted it to be perfect.
But, as with just about everything, she was on the exact same page—the sooner, the better—and they chose to get married on Christmas Eve. Of course, when Brand found out, he dropped his head back and groaned in frustration. Julia had chosen a spring wedding date while Brand wanted to seal the deal yesterday. He’d watched Wes and Ellie reunite, and then Chaz and Lottie jump into marriage. Poor guy was champing at the bit to exchange vows with Julia.
Corey and Sera’s wedding ceremony and celebration were taking place at the cabin, almost in the exact place they’d first met. They’d wanted Storm and Loki present, too. After a very careful introduction, the wolf and the cat were now inseparable. It’s almost as if they, too, were long-lost soulmates.
The way things had come together… Well, Corey knew he’d been given a great gift, a true miracle, and a part of him believed the people he’d lost on that day so long ago were responsible. It’s as though they were telling him he’d mourned long enough and it was time to live again.
