Standing, I join Rhiannon in the living room of our new-to-us home. It’s still being furnished, with items mostly from the thrift store that have been refurbished by Gabriel and Eden, but it felt like home to me the moment that we got the keys. The first one that I’ve ever lived in.
Moving to Brookhaven and leaving my penthouse in Manhattan behind was never a sacrifice. It was an easy choice. For her, I’d give up everything without a second thought and I have in so many ways.
I’ve cut back on my billable hours, passed on new cases that would only pad the firm’s bottom line, and finally started focusing on what actually matters to me. Rhiannon and our friends and family.
What started as a crush and the kind of early love that keeps you up at night has shifted into something deeper. It’s quickly become about devotion, commitment, a future I don’t want to wait for.
And okay, maybe it really sank in the day she tried to give back my so-called lucky boxers. I told her to keep them. Because theywere never about luck or winning cases. They were about the night I met her. That was the real luck.
My dad’s noticed my shift in focus these last few months too, but he hasn’t said a word since meeting Rhiannon over dinner in December. Even he—cold, ruthless, unbending—saw the way she lit up my life and changed my focus for the better, and the way I light up around her.
I’m still damn good at my job, even half-distracted. But now, it’s time to show her just how much she means to me. How much better she’s made my life.
“What’s going on?” she asks, confusion flickering across her face.
I take a deep breath, stepping closer until I’m holding her hand.
“I’ve loved you since that chance moment I met you in Bryant Park. And every moment since then has only deepened those feelings for you. I adore your sass, the way you care for everyone around you, how you call me on my shit, and, most of all, how unapologeticallyyouareyou. You’ve always said that I make you feel safe. That I’ve helped you to forgive yourself for the things that you weren’t able to control, to gain new perspective, but you’ve done all that and more for me too. You gave me a new vantage point, a reason to leave the office on time, and a home to come back to. You’ve given me family and purpose. You’ve made me better, Rhiannon, in every way. Now I don’t justwantyou in my life—Ineedyou. Forever.”
Her lips twist into a smile.
“So, Rhiannon Lynn Carpenter, I’m crazy about you. When you left your best friend’s apartment after our first night together, I was gutted. I didn’t know how to say it then, but I wanted so much more than just one night. I wanted breakfasts with you, dinners with your family, conversations about ridiculous musicvideos where you mop a Chevy truck with your long brown hair that gets all over my clothing, and wraps around my nut sack when you wash my boxers with your things...”
She laughs. “You love that I do your laundry for you now.”
I nod. “I do. And the surprise of a hair tourniquet around my dick is a nice way to wake up, too.”
She snorts, and I take a deep breath before looking at Rosie, Leo, Gabriel and Eden, their smiles are wide as they all nod, giving their silent approvals.
“Despite having an elaborate engagement originally planned, I scrapped it all when I thought about what you’d want. And what you’d want is family to be included. For a long time, family didn’t mean that much to me. Rosie was my sister who I’d do anything for, but we were separated for most of our life by my father pitting us against each other, and an age gap I could never cross. Meeting you has helped me become closer with her too, and I’m grateful for that. But loving you has given me so much more. Your siblings now feel like mine and you’ve shown me that it’s possible to have a place that feels like home. To have traditions, memories, love, and safety. So…” I take another deep breath. “Will you marry me? Because I love you and I don’t want another day to go by without you being my wife.”
She nods, a smile filling her pretty face. “Yes. Yes, I will! I love you too.” She yanks me to my feet, and we kiss.
“Aye!” Eden shouts as the pop of a champagne cork echoes through the house.
I kiss Rhiannon, trying to pour all my love and promises into that single moment so that she can see, I meant every word I said, and I always will.
“To new beginnings!” Rosie shouts.
“Where you two live next doors to us forever!” Eden adds in.
I laugh, shaking my head as Gabriel hugs us both.
I used to measure success in billable hours and how much I made my dad’s firm. I thought once I made partner, I’d be satisfied. But that didn’t work so I spent more time in the office.
If I hadn’t left that night for food, if I hadn’t run into Rhiannon, I may still be searching for something to make me feel whole.
A year ago, I never imagined living next to my in-laws or finding this kind of happiness. I didn’t know it was possible. But this? This is exactly where I’m meant to be.
And I’ve never been happier.
Chapter 35 – Epilogue – Rhiannon
“Okay, Dad. Yeah. I can do it. Okay. I’ll call you back.” Rosie hangs up the phone, worry flickering across her pretty face as she bites down on her bottom lip.
“Everything okay?” I ask, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
She sighs softly. “Yeah… I mean, it will be.”
