“This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received,” I tell her honestly, nodding at the photo.
“I’m glad you like it.” Nora gives me a hug and then fades back into the crowd, likely going to find Enzo.
I grab Birdie’s hand, making sure Rora is still with her aunt and safe before I take her into the hardware store, picture in hand.
Behind the register is the photo that she got me for Christmas, and I place the new one right next to it, looking at them side by side.
“They look great.”
Birdie’s whispered words have me turning to look at her, and when she catches me, I catch her lips with mine, feeling an overwhelming amount of emotion when I do. Birdie holds me tight, and I pull her in close, needing the connection.
Our lips part, and she smiles sweetly at me. My hand comes up to cup her cheek, and I just stare at the wonderful woman in front of me. “None of this would have been possible without you.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not true.”
“No, it is,” I say, really feeling the truth of it. “I was ready to lie down and give it up. I was so far gone that I didn’t think there was ever a chance of me breathing easily again. But then you showed up, and you turned it all around for me.”
“You did this yourself, Derek. You would have succeeded even without me.”
“Maybe.” I shrug and place my hand on her cheek. “But I know now that there’s nothing I can’t do if you’re by my side.”
Her eyes glisten as she looks up at me, and I swipe a tear away. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I reply, turning us to face the pictures together. “And I can’t wait to see what else comes our way.”
Epilogue
“Every little girl dreams of marrying their soulmate. Today, I get to do just that.” - Elizabeth
DEREK
The day had finally come. I have been waiting for this day for years and have imagined what it would be like and how I would feel—and genuinely, I was feeling pretty damn good about it.
“Derek, you doing all right?” I glance over at Garrett in surprise. Normally, he would give me some sarcasm, some sass. Tease me for the goofy grin I’ve been sporting all day long. But today, he was almost smiling.
“I’m great.”
I adjust my sleeve, making sure my cuff links that my almost father-in-law gifted me for the day are in place,and smile at the audience full of people here to support my union to my bride.
A month after the carnival, I couldn’t wait any longer, and I asked Birdie to marry me. It was an over-the-top, grand gesture of a marriage proposal, including champagne and a hot air balloon.
You didn’t think I would go through this entire story of ours without a grand gesture, did you?
It had been romantic and sweet, full of nervous laughter from Birdie because apparently she was terrified of heights—who knew—but she had squealed and nearly leaped into my arms when I proposed. It was exactly how I hoped it would be, and I was in wedding planning mode instantly.
I don’t think Birdie expected me to be quite so hands-on, but she was the first to say that it was our day and I should have as much say as I could.
So we used the time to plan our wedding to bond, to grow our connection deeper, and to talk about the future.
I’m beyond excited for what’s to come.
The pews of the church were filled with our friends and family, a good number of the Cobras baseball team were here as well to support us, and some of us have become good friends in recent months.
My buddies standing beside me, Graham being number one, definitely gawked for a moment when they saw who had arrived.
“You good?” Graham says quietly, holding out a tissue. “Quinn made me carry some for you.”
I grin at the thought of Quinn going and buying me tissues. She knows what a softy I am.
