Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Wait. I knew some of those cars, particularly Merry’s parents’ ancient station wagon, covered in bumper stickers.
“Your family is here?” I asked the obvious question as his mom, dad, and grandpa all emerged from the car carrying beach chairs and a cooler. “Please tell me they brought breakfast.”
“And…” Ryder started to share, only to trail off as Legend and Merry glared at him. “Stuff. They brought stuff.”
“And my family?” I tilted my head as Cara, Craig, and all three kids emerged from their SUV. Luckily, Craig wasn’t deployed for the holidays this year, much to everyone’s relief. He waved a greeting before standing still for Cara to settle Noah Craig in a hiking carrier on Craig’s back.
The baby was one now, full of energy and hollering, “Unca!”
I waved back at him and Craig before turning toward Merry. “What are you on about, Merry Winters?”
I was starting to have something of a guess and champagne bubbles rose in my throat and tickled my sinuses. I might have a clue, but I also wasn’t sure I’d manage to survive what was coming. And, of course, he’d known I’d want an audience whether I lived or not.
“You’ll see.” He winked at me before grabbing my hand. “Now, hurry, the sunrise is about to start.”
“Oh, I’m hurrying.” In fact, I was pretty sure I’d never walked this fast or with this much anticipation.
“Come on, troops.” Craig rounded up the kids, relieved Grandpa of carrying his beach chair, and headed toward the beach as well. “Follow Merry.”
The beach was wide and sandy, with a lush amount of palm trees. The sky had started to lighten, the barest hint of pink emerging, and everyone stood quietly, faces turned to the east.
“Are we waiting for something?” I asked Merry.
“The light,” one of the kids yelled out. “Here comes the sun.”
“Right…now.” Next to me, Merry sank to one knee and revealed a small box, which he opened right as the sunrise hit the metal ring. “Marry me?”
“You planned all this? For me?” I wasn’t entirely shocked as we’d spent much of the fall discussing the future, particularly whether it made sense to keep paying rent on two places. And Merry had become way more comfortable with talking about years down the line, like after the boys were done with high school and when we might want to join his folks on North Shore. He used the word we a lot, and I’d dropped more than one hint that when he was ready, I’d be all over making this thing permanent.
“It’s solstice, the shortest day of the year.” Merry turned the ring box so it caught even more of the rising sun. Legend had been right—this truly was the prettiest sunrise I’d seen during all my time in Hawaii. Merry’s voice was surprisingly steady as he continued, “A day when we celebrate the light that breaks through the darkness. And you’ve been the biggest ray of light for all of us over the last year. I’m asking you to bring that sunlight into my life. Will you marry me?”
I hesitated, not out of indecision, but rather to glance at all those who had come to watch. They’d woken up early to celebrate with us. It was more than a little humbling. As a teacher, I’d learned that it took a community to make a thriving school, and this thing between Merry and me had grown so much bigger than simply the two of us.
“Nolan,” Craig called out in a voice worthy of any theater director prompting a line. “Say yes already.”
“Say yes!” both twins shouted.
“Legend? Ryder? You guys are really okay if I say yes?” I teased, knowing full well Merry wouldn’t be asking if he hadn’t had a long, serious talk to make certain the boys were on board.
“Say yes!” they yelled louder, then everyone joined in. “Say yes!”
“Unca!” Even the baby had to get in on the fun.
“Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.” I extended a hand down to haul Merry up next to me.
“Kept me waiting,” he grumbled. “Although, really, I guess I kept you waiting. Again.”
“Not too long.” I thought back to our talks about the future, each one leading us closer to this moment. We’d spent the past year building something solid and real, so much more than a holiday fling. “Not too long at all.”
The sun continued its spectacular ascent, truly a sunrise for the ages. I’d found myself on this island, come into my own as a teacher, and found Merry here, but never had I felt as at home as I did right now. Merry too often thanked me for staying, but after a year, I could unequivocally say I’d stayed for me.
“Bubbly for everyone!” Merry’s mother opened the cooler to reveal sparkling cider, small plastic champagne flutes, and a cake that proclaimed, Congrats, Merry and Nolan! Yep. There had been no real doubt for anyone as to my yes.