Epilogue
Marley
The last year has been nothing short of incredible, and to be honest, I don’t know how I would have ever survived without him. When this man walked into my office, I never could have imagined we would end up here.
Together.
But here we are, happy as ever, still going strong.
“Let’s go to see the monkeys!” Lyla shouts from the top of Asher’s shoulders as he carries her toward the exhibit.
And if I thought the man couldn’t make me happier than he already does, when I see him with my daughter, my heart is nearly bursting.
Asher didn’t hesitate to step in as a positive male influence in her life. He does everything a father would, and for that, I am grateful. He’s showing my daughter that a man can have integrity and honor. He’s so good with her. It breaks my heart even more that he will never have a child of his own, because I know he would be an amazing father.
The way he is with Lyla.
She is still too young to understand what happened with Steven. I’ve done my best to explain her father’s passing without tainting her innocent mind. I know as she grows older she will want to know what really happened and ask more questions, but for now, she’s content with the answers I give her. Asher stepping into the role as father has helped tremendously, too. Not that I doubted him for a second. He’s the most caring, giving man I’ve ever known.
Even when he has me tied up with my panties in my mouth, he’s nothing but generous.
I’ve never met such a selfless man and I can’t believe I get to call him mine.
We make it over to the monkeys and Lyla squeals with delight as we stand by and watch them swing from the vines.
“Look, Mama!” Lyla says as Asher lowers Lyla to the ground.
She tugs my hand, pulling me toward the photo booth. The three of us cram inside, Lyla sitting on both of our laps. I feed the couple of dollars into the machine and then the timer begins the countdown.
When it reaches one, Asher presents an open box with a diamond ring.
“Surprise!” Lyla says, clapping her hands. “Asher wants to marry us, Mommy. Can we please?”
My mouth hangs open in shock as I look from the ring box to him. Asher takes my left hand in his.
“I don’t think I can say anything that hasn’t already been said. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. You are the reason I get up every day. The reason I come home every night. You are my purpose.” He slides off the bench, bending down in this cramped photo booth. “Will you marry me?”
Lyla lowers her hands, plucking the ring from the box with her tiny fingers. “Let me see your hand, Mommy.”
