It hasn’t been all sunshine, of course. After Jaxon’s arrest, after the fire, we had some dark days. It’s not easy to shake off the past and start anew. We had so much baggage to unpack.
His brother.
My parents.
Our year of distance.
But with him by my side, I have no doubt we’re going to make it. There’s no question in my mind. We were broken, once, so badly I feared we could never be rebuilt. But the damage only made us stronger.
At my neck, the fisherman’s knot necklace catches the sun, glinting gold.
True love does not break.
It only strengthens.
And so will we.
I stare into Archer’s face. A face I know as well as my own in the mirror. I could trace its lines by heart. I could draw it in total darkness. It is the face of the man I love. The face of my best friend. The face of my oldest confidant. The face of my lover. The face of my someday-husband.
One day, we will build a family together — one with children and a house and maybe a dog. There will be too much laundry and a stack of dishes in the sink. Baseball cleats of many sizes will line the mudroom. It will be loud and messy and chaotic.
And I can’t wait for it.
But until then — until we’re ready — I will be content with what we have.
This.
Us.
This moment.
This man.
Together, in the sun.
Forever.
THE END