“It’s a good song, Aunty Zara.” I smile back at Avyanna as her eyes widen at the flowers. “Are those for Mom?” she asks.
“They sure are.”
“When are we going?”
“Now, because we’re going to see your mom first and then we’re going to Crown Village Amusement Park.”
“Yes!” she says, excited. “Can I come back here afterward?”
Kane walks to us and peers down at Avyanna. “We’ll be back tomorrow for lunch. Nan and Pop will be here as well.”
Knox, Avyanna, Kane, and I go together to Misty’s grave before setting out for the amusement park.
Avyanna gets to go on her mom’s favorite rides, which are now her favorite rides too—no surprises there. Now that I know the truth and have accepted it, I don’t look for Misty in the crowds anymore.
We stay for hours, sharing stories with Avyanna about her mother, one being the time Misty cheekily smashed the ice cream in Kane’s face. I smile at all the precious memories we share. No one can take those away from us.
After we get off the bumper cars, Kane says, “We’d better get going.”
Avyanna groans, making me chuckle.
“We can come back another time,” Kane tells her.
“Fine,” she grumbles. He has got his hands full with her. Kane shakes his head with a smile.
A hand tugs on my wrist. I peer back at Knox. He drops to one knee.
I gasp as my heartbeat quickens. He looks up at me with that smile that’s reserved for me. He opens the navy case to reveal an elegant engagement ring with a pear-shaped diamond stone.
“Zara, I know what it’s like to live without you, and I could never do that again. You are everything to me, and I’m nothing without you. As you know, life is short, and I can’t wait another second without us being bound in every way possible. Be my wife, and I promise to make you happy for the rest of your life.”
“Yes, of course,” I answer with a shaky voice.
His whole face transforms into sheer happiness. I’m holding back tears.
Knox stands and puts the ring on my finger. He holds my face in his hands as he bends down and touches his lips to mine in a lingering kiss.
“I love you so much,” he says, his eyes flashing with so many emotions.
“I love you too,” I whisper back.
Kane comes over to us. “Congratulations! You two deserve to be happy.”
My eyes glisten. “So do you,” I say back to him.
Kane pats Knox on the back.
Avyanna jumps to me, all excited, her mother’s best-friends necklace bouncing from side to side around her neck. She looks at my ring. “That’s really pretty.”
“It is,” I answer.
We walk back to the car. The night is dark, apart from the moon lighting up the sky and the stars shining brightly. Avyanna skips up to me and puts her hand in mine. I look down at her and notice she’s looking up at the stars.
“Which one do you think is Mommy?” she asks.
I close my eyes briefly, then look at Kane as he steps up to Avyanna and takes her other hand in his.
“The brightest star in the sky, baby girl.”
