“Zay…”
“Relax,” he uttered.
From his pocket, he pulled out another ring.
Bigger.
Cleaner.
Heavy in a way that meant something.
My heart started racing.
He lifted my hand again, eyes locked on mine.
“That was survival,” he said.
A small pause.
“This… this one is official.”
The ring slid onto my finger.
Tears hit me instantly.
I couldn’t stop them.
“When we get back to the States,” he said, his voice softer now, real in a way that went straight through me, “you taking my last name.”
I shook my head, overwhelmed, smiling through tears.
“Okay.”
Lil Zay clapped like he felt the energy shift.
“Yay!”
I laughed through my tears.
Zay pulled him up with one arm, then leaned in and kissed me.
Slow.
Grounded.
Not rushed.
Not temporary.
Finally, it didn’t feel like we were surviving.
It felt like we were building something real.
I rested my head against his chest carefully, mindful of his arm.
“You’re still not off the hook. I’m taking care of you.”
“I know.”
