Page 117 of Ashes of the Past
And in that moment, as the rain pours down around us, I know that everything is going to be okay. We’ll get through this. Together.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Brynn
Istand frozen, staring at Jack as he drops to one knee, the words tumbling out of his mouth. It’s like everything around us slows down, the world narrowing until there’s just him, just us. The way he’s looking at me, the way he’s holding that ring in his hand—it’s enough to make my heart stop.
He loves me. He really, truly loves me. And for the first time, despite all the fear and doubt swirling in my chest, I believe it. I want to believe it. I need to.
“Brynn,” he says, his voice deep and steady, even though I can see the emotion in his eyes. “I don’t care what happens, or how long it takes, or what anyone else thinks. I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No matter what. I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait for as long as it takes, but I need you to let me in. I need you to take this step with me.”
I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing and picturing myself standing in front of my mom in the kitchen. She’s there, grinning back at me.
Mama, I need a sign. I’m so bad at this, but I know…I know you would know. If…If Jack is the man I’m supposed to be with. I need a sign. Please, Mama, give me a sign.
The rain starts. It’s like someone opened the heavens above us and let it all come pouring down in an instant, cold and heavy. The sound of it is deafening, but it’s also like the world is telling me something. I feel it, deep in my soul, a presence beside me. A warmth, a love, something familiar.
I can’t explain it. But I can feel her, right there with me. I feel the weight of her love, the way she’s watching over me. And in that moment, I know. Jack is the one.
My heart races as I look at him again, and I see the truth in his eyes. He’s not asking for anything more than to share his life with me. He’s not looking for some perfect answer. He’s not looking for me to be perfect. Just me. The real, messy, broken version of me. The one who’s afraid of trusting too much, of letting people in.
But this time, I can’t pull away. I can’t keep hiding behind walls that were built to protect me but are only keeping me from the love I deserve.
I drop my gaze to the ring in his hand. The way it catches the light, the way he’s holding it out to me. There’s no turning back now. There’s no doubt. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.
“Jack,” I whisper, my voice shaky with emotion, the words barely coming out as I take the ring from him. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The relief that floods his face is overwhelming. It’s like the weight of the world has lifted from his shoulders. Before I can even process what’s happening, he pulls me to him, wrapping hisarms around me and holding me tight. His breath is in my hair, his heart beating against mine.
“I love you,” he says into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “God, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” I murmur, my voice thick with tears, the joy and fear mixing together in a way I can’t explain. “I never thought I’d get here, Jack. I never thought I’d be able to trust anyone again. But you…” I pull back slightly to look up at him. “You made me believe in love again.”
He smiles, a soft, tender smile, and then we both hear it. Olivia. She comes running toward us, her feet pounding against the ground, her arms outstretched as she calls our names.
“Mom!” she yells, her voice full of excitement. She’s practically glowing, her face beaming with the kind of joy only a child can feel.
Before either of us can say anything, she’s in my arms, her body squeezing me as tight as she can. I laugh, holding her close, my heart soaring with happiness.
“Mom!” she says, grinning up at me. “Are you happy? Is everything okay?”
I can’t help but laugh, tears of joy springing to my eyes as I nod. “Yes, sweet girl. Everything is perfect. We found Popo, too.”
Jack watches us with a soft smile on his lips. But then his expression changes, his brow furrowing slightly as he looks at me, his eyes darkening with concern.
“We need to get to the hospital, Brynn,” he says, his voice suddenly serious, his tone urgent. “John needs us.”
I nod, the joy I was feeling slipping away as reality crashes back in. Dad. I can’t forget about him. I can’t forget that he’s still in pain, still struggling. I take Olivia’s hand and look at Jack, who’s already pulling out his keys.
Still soaking wet, we all pile into the truck, the tension thick in the air. Olivia chatters away in the backseat, oblivious to thechange in atmosphere, but I can’t shake the fear that’s starting to creep back into my chest. Jack’s been so solid for me, so steady. But I can see the worry on his face. He’s trying to hold it together for all of us.
When we get to the hospital, it’s a blur of noise and urgency. Doctors and nurses rush around, but the one person I’m focused on is the doctor who finally comes to see us. He’s an older man, his face kind but serious, and when he speaks, my heart sinks.
“Ms. Castings,” he says gently, leading us into a small exam room. “Your dad is stable. He’s got a few lacerations, but otherwise physically fine. He’s very confused, though. It seems he’s had quite the episode and hasn’t recovered from it. He’s doing fine in the short term. However, there are some things we need to discuss.”
I glance at Jack, who’s standing beside me, his hand on my shoulder, steady as ever.
“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice shaky. “The dementia?”
