She took a deep breath and started, “I had to tell you how I feel. I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I got scared. I started thinking that this was too good to be true. If you will forgive me, I promise I’ll never doubt you again.”
She finished, gasping for air as if she’d tried to get that all out without taking in a breath.
I reached for her, and she threw herself into my arms, the poster board sliding across my back. The way she fit against me was pure music.
Emma let out a small giggle. “This is what I was hoping would happen,” she said, earning a laugh from the staff and patients. Whispering for just me, she said, “I’ve missed your touch.”
“Do you really love me?” I asked. It was all I could think about.
“Absolutely yes.”
“It’s a miracle,” I whispered huskily in her ear.
She leaned back, searching my eyes. “How do you know?”
I smiled. “Because it defies all logic and makes perfect sense at the same time.” I traced her cheek. “You’re my miracle, Emma. You brought light into my life.”
“And you brought true love into mine.” She kissed me softly, testing to see if it was okay.
I cupped the back of her neck and kissed her until her knees gave out and she sagged against me. I poured all the love in my heart into the kiss, all my hopes for our future together and the joy of being with her each day from now until forever.
“Does this mean you are staying?”I asked as I trailed kisses down her neck.
“Heaven and earth couldn’t drag me away.”
I pulled her close and buried my head in her wild curls. I’d found my place. I’d found my home. And I believed in miracles.
I held my very own in my arms.
Epilogue
Emma
Ijust finished my first week as a charge nurse on the TICU. Staying in Chicago was one of the best choices of my life. Alex and I had blossomed, and I finally had the relationship I had always dreamed off. I’d even started seeing Alex’s counselor, Dylan, to help with the PTSD triggers from my previous marriage. It was refreshing to let go of those emotions and have a safe place to land. Alex was helpful and understanding.
He invited my parents out for a visit, and it was so fun to introduce them.They tried the Riverwalk, and we went to Lula’s Café. They adored Alex—probably because he made me laugh and blush each day. They told him they’d never seen me this happy before.
Life was good, and I had a heart full of love to give and a man willing to give it right back.
I was lost in thought, replaying my and Alex’s goodnight kisses the night before, when something bright flashed in the corner of my eye. I stopped and stared at Mrs. White, who was holding a lime-green poster board. Her monitors beeped quickly as her whole face lit up with joy.
On the poster, in bold black letters, was written the wordWill.
I got a little hitch in my breath and pressed my hand to my chest.
Mrs. White motioned for me to keep going.
I nodded, not quite believing this was happening. No way. No way.
There were posters in each room I passed, completing the question:You Marry Me?
I rounded the corner and found Alex down on one knee in a new gray suit, with a ring box in his hand.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. Every one of my dreams was coming true, and I couldn’t get my brain to kick on. I wanted to remember every detail, but my heart hammered so loudly I couldn’t hear a thing. My cheeks flushed, and I pressed my hands to them in a pathetic effort to cool them off.
My mom and dad were off to the side with Becca standing next to them, clasping her hands in front of her and grinning like it was her proposal and not mine. Mom had tears streaming down her face.
I stumbled forward, wishing I could be graceful but only wanting to be closer to Alex.
