Lilly’s rosy cheeks turn a beautiful shade of deep red. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
Fern looks me up and down with a bewildered look on her face. I take that as my cue to leave them to it. I’ve said my piece. They can compare notes without me. If she thought the pizza night was awkward, it has nothing on this.
“I’m gonna head home. Let you two talk.” My lips press against Lilly’s temple. “You gonna be okay?”
Lilly nods. “I’ll text you when I set off.”
“Great. I’ll have dinner ready.”
“You cook, too?” Fern’s eyes almost pop out of her head. I’ve grown up a lot since we were together.
I chuckle as I walk out of the door, but also feel lighter than when I walked in.
“Shane, wait,” Fern shouts from her front door as I’m about to climb into my car.
She shuts the door behind her and pads barefoot down the path, clutching a small box in her hand.
I lean against the car, waiting for the next round of insults, but she just hands me a blue box. I run my thumb over the faded leather. “What’s this?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “It’s Mum’s engagement ring. She gave it to me to save for when Lilly’s older. For when she meets the right man.”
My heart stutters, my breath catching in my throat. I open the small clasp on the box and lift the lid. It sparkles in the winter sun. The ring means so much more than Lilly having a piece of her mother. It’s a symbol of Fern’s blessing.
Unable to speak, I nod my head. A silent understanding between me and Fern.
“I never in a million years thought I would hand this over to you.” She gives me a warm smile. “But I couldn’t have found a better man for her if I had gone out and hand picked one myself.”
I swallow and choke out, “Thank you.”
Fern quirks her lips in the corner. “Just don’t ask me to be a bridesmaid.”
“I was thinking maid of honour.” I give her my widest grin.
She pummels me on the arm with her fist. “Don’t push it.”
The front door opens. Lilly waits on the front step.
“I’ll let you get back to your sister before she wonders what you’re doing out here.” I shove the box into my jeans pocket.
Fern rises on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “Make sure you give her a proper proposal and not just a‘shall we get wed then so I can move out of the army barracks and we can apply for a married quarter?’”
Another chuckle escapes. “I will. I promise.” Leaning down, I peck Fern on the cheek. “Thanks for understanding. I hope you get a proper proposal one day.”
She lets go of me and nods, stepping away. “I hope so too. I need my own hero who can give me the best night of my life.” She laughs as if it’s a joke.
“Why is that so funny?” I shout after her as she walks back to the house, still laughing to herself.
I could take offence, but with the ring in my pocket and a weight lifted from my shoulders, I couldn’t care less about my hurt ego right now.
As I drive away, I glance in the rear-view mirror to see Fern and Lilly hugging on the doorstep. My chest swells, and I know everything’s gonna be okay.
46
SHANE
Epilogue
Reclined on the chair in our bedroom, I rub our son’s back as he settles against my bare chest. Like clockwork, the sun peeks over the hills, casting a golden glow through our patio doors, warming my face.
