October
Zoey
On a crisp evening in autumn, Gavin and Demi welcome a baby girl, Devin Zoey Jackson. My heart explodes into a million confetti pieces as Gavin lands the tiny princess in my arms for the very first time. She smells of roses and heaven, and I’m forever hers in every way.
“I love you,” I breathe over her with tears warbling in my eyes. Her lips are a perfect ruby bowtie, and her hair is soft and pale, nothing but wisps of downy feathers. Her eyes squint and blink, dark and inky, so curious. Her entire body squirms as she struggles to take in this new world she’s materialized in.
Abel wraps an arm around me as he takes her in. “It’s official. She’s an angel.”
Demi laughs as Gavin lands beside her in the bed. Demi looks radiant, her cheeks pinched a deep shade of pink. She gave birth less than an hour ago, and yet you would never know it. Her entire countenance is glowing. Gavin looks run-down, exhausted, on the verge of a mental breakdown, but elated. A strange combination, but understandable considering the circumstances.
“There’s still time to change her name,” I say, shooting my brother a playful look. In truth, when we walked in and they told me her name, my spirit buoyed to the moon.
“No way,” Demi asserts. “Besides, I think Zoey is an adorable middle name. And, now the two of you have a special bond. Devin is a combination of my name and Gavin’s. That’s a keeper, too.”
“It’s perfect.” Abel brushes his finger over her tiny hand. “She’s perfect.”
“Here,” I say, landing her in his arms, and the look of horror on his face is priceless.
“Whoa.” Abel shifts to accommodate her, his face frozen with equal amounts of wonder and terror. Abel’s divorce became final last week, and we’ve spent the last seven days celebrating. My love for him runs so deep, straight into eternity. I want this with him, the family, the marriage, the whole nine yards. I steal a moment to imagine it’s our own daughter he’s holding. “She’s lighter than air. Is that possible?”
The room breaks out into a soft laugh.
“She’s amazing.” I run my finger over her barely-there flyaway hair. “You have a babysitter for life.”
“I heard that.” Demi doesn’t miss a beat.
“Me too.” Gavin lands a kiss to his wife’s forehead.
Demi lets out a drawn-out yawn, her entire body sagging over my brother’s.
I take the baby from Abel, press a kiss over her cheek, and land her safely in my brother’s arms once again.
“We’ll let you guys get some rest, but I’ll be back in the morning,” I say, giving my brother’s ear a playful tug. “You couldn’t stop me if you tried.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
I embrace the three of them before Abel and I take off.
Abel and I drive back to Loveless, but instead of heading to the cabin he’s rented, he takes a turn and lands us at the base of the Forbidden Falls instead. It’s dark out. The moon is curled up on itself, casting a soft glow over the rushing waters as Abel leads me by the hand to the lagoon.
“Come here.” He pulls me in and lands a sweet kiss to my lips, and I take a moment to soak in this beautiful man.
“It’s been a crazy day.”
“I agree. And if things go my way, they’re about to get a little crazier.”
Abel drops to one knee, and it feels as if I’ve just fallen through the earth. My entire body goes numb with shock. The roar of the falls, the deafening pounding of my own heart—it’s all drown out as my mind tries to process what’s unfolding before me.
Abel holds a ring between us, so big and beautiful it’s frightening to comprehend.
“Zoey, I know we’ve been through hell, and we came out of it. Gavin and Demi have had a day of new beginnings, and I thought we should, too. I would love nothing more than to journey through this life with you as my wife.” He nods up at me, his eyes bearing straight into my soul, pleading. “Zoey, marry me. We could have a long engagement, short, it’s entirely up to you. I just need you to make my night, my life, and say yes.” His eyes grow glossy, his fingers trembling.
I take in this gorgeous man, his face illuminated from the inside, the kindness of his oversized heart permeating every last cell in my body.
“Yes!” I pull him up to me as I wrap my entire body around him. “My God,yes!” I press my lips to his, and he spins us.
“Thank you.” He pulls back with that sexy drugged look in his eyes. “I believe I have something that belongs to you.” He slides the ring onto my finger, a clear white diamond set on a platinum band.
