Little by little, the last four years of memories of her sister were pouring into her consciousness. Just as if a dam had been opened and her mind was being flooded with new knowledge.
“You know, then?” Roys asked with interest.
“Until you guys mentioned it a moment ago, I didn’t know. But now I realize I have memories of the last four years with my sister, and they feel... normal. Yet I also know she had died in that accident. It’s weird, but I’m aware of both realities.”
“How about your parents? Do you know if they know?”
“Hmmm, I don’t think they are aware of anything weird. At least I can’t recall any conversations about it with them. No, I think for them it is like it never even happened. The same for my sister and her husband.”
“Maybe it’s just you because you traveled in time. You were taken out of the time sequence, and so your case is an anomaly. This is worth investigating further—”
“Roys,” Dale said, shaking his head, “there are other important implications to discuss.” He turned again to Livvy. “How about you? Since apparently you just now realized what happened to your sister before and after, are you now aware of any other reality regarding yourself?”
“What he’s clumsily trying to ask in a roundabout manner,” Roys interjected casually, “is whether your ex husband is still your ex husband and completely out of your life.”
Dale shot him a venomous glare, but Roys simply smiled unrepentantly.
“Charles? Oh my gosh, yes! We divorced about two years ago, just as I had told you Dale.” She looked inside her memories for any other discrepancies, but found none. “I don’t think my life has changed much.”
Dale released a breath, and his shoulders sagged in relief. “I am infinitely relieved, Livvy. I have to confess, my biggest fear in interfering with events so that your sister could live was that I was going to change the present reality too much to where you didn’t recognize me. Or you would still be with your husband—”
“Dale.” Livvy turned to him and placed a soft hand on his cheek. “You are my husband.” She said, repeating his words from when they found Eloise. “Never refer to him again as my husband. He is my ex. In fact, let’s not refer to him at all.”
Dale slowly got up from his chair and carefully set one knee to the ground in front of Livvy. Taking her hands in his, he looked into her eyes and asked quietly, “Will you marry me again, then?”
His proposal was so unexpected, so surprising, that she stared at him for a moment. She had not even thought that far. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Roys leaving the dining room quietly.
Apparently, it was a moment too long for Dale, for he rushed to speak. “I know I just dropped into your life unexpectedly. And you probably need time to rethink our relationship now that you are in your world, but—.”
She started shaking her head. “Dale, I—”
“You must think I will be a burden to you because I know nothing of your time, and it is true. I have a lot to learn, but I—”
Livvy kissed him to stop him from talking any more nonsense. When their lips parted, she took his beloved face in her hands and looked him straight in his eyes.
“I have nothing to rethink. You surprised me, that’s all. But there is no time, place, or reality in which I wouldn’t want you as my husband. I will marry you as many times as necessary, in whatever time period. I’m already your wife, and I will want you to be my husband for as long as I live.”
“Livvy, my love.” He kissed her with so much passion, she felt her insides melting. “I promise I will strive every day so that you never regret your decision. I may not be a duke now, but I am not completely improvident. You will want for nothing.”
Livvy laughed, raining kisses on his forehead, eyes, the bridge of his nose, his lips. “I already want for nothing. I was missing only you, and now I have you.”
He stole another kiss, as if he couldn’t help himself. “When do you want to get married? Shall we go to the courthouse today?”
She shook her head, smiling. “Not today. I want my family to be present. I would rather you meet them before the wedding. Imagine just showing up already married and having them think we met and married impulsively in less than a week.”
“Of course. As you wish then.” A shadow of doubt clouded his eyes for a moment. “Do you think they will approve of me?”
“I’m sure they will love you. It might surprise them at first, but as soon as they get to know you, they will understand.”
“Do you think a month from now is enough time?”
Joy bubbled from her at his eagerness. “More than enough. My family will think I’ve gone crazy.” She said huskily, leaning her forehead against his. “But I’m sure you can bring them around. You are pretty lovable, you know.”
“Am I?” he asked, smirking.
“Oh yes. Just look at the way you made me fall head over heels in love with you.”
“Show me.” He said, grabbing her and standing up with her in his arms.
