Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
His voice is steady but thick with emotion. “Holland, when I think about everything we’ve been through, it’s clear that we were always meant to find our way back to each other. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve carried guilt that almost cost me the best thing in my life—you. But I’ve learned that holding on to the past only stops us from embracing the future we deserve. And I know now that I deserve to be happy, just like you deserve to be loved completely.”
He opens the box to reveal a stunning ring, the diamonds catching the candlelight and sparkling brilliantly. We both look down at it, then back up to each other. “I can feel Wade smiling down at us right now. I can feel his approval and blessing.” I swallow hard, tears pricking at my eyes. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me, and I just can’t wait another second to hear that you want the same.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted,” I whisper, going on tiptoes to wrap my arms around his neck and place a featherlight kiss on his lips.
Trey slips the ring onto my finger and although everything feels surreal, like a dream I never want to wake from, the ground has never felt more solid beneath my feet.
There’s a pop and we turn around to see Tommy has uncorked a bottle of champagne. “This calls for a quick celebration out here and then back to the house for more,” he declares.
The champagne fizzes over, but we all pass the cold bottle around and take a sip while hugs are exchanged and we fawn over one another’s rings. There’s laughter, a few more tears, and a shared sense of joy and promise, but always underneath that realization that we’re short one Blackburn.
I believe what Trey says. Wade would want this for us.
The evening is perfect, a testament to the strength of our bonds and the love that has brought us all together as a family.
A hand snakes around my waist and Trey pulls me into him, his eyes full of love and warmth. “We wanted to do this together because we’re all family. And I wanted it to be special, just like you are to me.”
I smile, my heart full as I lean in to kiss him softly. “It’s perfect, Trey. Just like us.” But then I consider something. “But I’d like to have a wedding just for ourselves.”
Trey laughs and nods. “Yeah… I think we’re all on the same page.”
At the edge of the dock, I stand before Trey, leaning back into him as he wraps his arms around my stomach. We watch the last of the sunset sparkle on the water, competing with the flickering candles.
This is where we started and where we’ve committed to take the next step toward our forever future. The night air is filled with the sounds of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. We linger at the pond, taking it all in, knowing that this is just the beginning of the next chapter of our lives.
A chapter filled with hope, happiness and the promise of unending love.