Page 26 of Dad's Cop Buddy

“It was nice of the Mayor to do this,” Casey’s father says.

“It’s the economy,” my father answers. “They’ll do anything to keep the press around for as long as possible. Things are bad so filling hotel rooms and restaurants is what they’re after.”

I squeeze Kent’s hand and shake my head at my father. Has this woman made him so bitter that he can’t celebrate with us? Seeing my disappointment, Kent grabs me and whisks me to the dance floor. He takes me in his arms and spins me to the music.

This is our first time dancing together, and I feel like a tiny doll in his arms. I love the feeling of gliding weightlessly under his control. I suppose our whole relationship is like this in a way. He’s the strength and driving force, and I trust him to make the decisions.

We return to our table, eat our dinner, and bid everyone a good night. We’re staying at Kent’s place tonight so we don’t have as far to drive, but when he pulls out of the parking lot, he heads in the opposite direction.

“Where are we going?” I ask him.

“I thought we might go for a stroll on the beach.” He reaches into the backseat and pulls out a bottle of wine. “We can continue this celebration in private,” he winks at me.

“I like the sound of that,” I smile back.

We arrive at the beach and Kent takes a blanket, a small bag, and the wine out of the back. He takes my hand and leads me toward the ocean where he spreads out the blanket. We sit together, staring up at the clear night sky as a gentle breeze comes off the water. The waves crash and recede in a calming symphony as Kent leans in and kisses me. He takes two cups out of the bag and pours us each some wine.

“I’d like to make a toast to the most beautiful girl in the world. I’m so happy that she’s mine.”

“And I’d like to make a toast to the most handsome man in the world. I don’t know what I did to deserve him, and I hope I make him happy.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him, princess.”

We sip our wine in silence for a few moments before Kent clears his throat. He repositions himself in front of me and takes both of my hands. I stare at him, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.

“Is something wrong?” I ask him.

“No, baby girl, everything is right. Nothing has ever been this right before. That’s why I brought you here tonight. I’ve been waiting for this day all week. Now that we can put all the bad memories behind us, it’s time for us to move on with our lives.”

“What does that mean? Move on? Like, move apart?” My heart races. Is he breaking up with me?

“No, I told you before. You’re mine. I don’t want to spend a single day without you for the rest of my life. Kendal, will you marry me?”

He lets go of my hand and pulls a tiny velvet box from his pocket. As he opens it, the moonlight catches the diamond and shoots bands of rainbow-colored sparkles into the night.

Oh my god.

Tears spring to my eyes as I nod. “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you. You make me so happy.”

“I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you, too.”

EPILOGUE

KENT

Exactly one year from the day we married, Kendal brought our first child into the world. It’s a boy we’ve named Kenneth. Our son's birth is the most important but not the only event in our lives right now.

I’ve purchased a house outside the city, and today is move-in day.

Kendal rushes from room to room, telling me all of her decorating plans. Even as a new mother, she still has all the energy and enthusiasm of a little girl, and she sucks me in every time.

“Anything you want, princess. Just tell me where to put everything,” I shout to her.

“Don’t wake the baby,” she says, rushing into my arms.

“We’ve got a lot of room now. Guess we’d better get to work on making more of those,” I say, pointing to the tiny pink boy in the bassinet.

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