When John has said his goodbyes and left the house, I turn my head and look over at Mia. “I love you,” I tell her. It’s so nice not having to hide my feelings from her anymore.
“I honestly love you, too. This is it, Cole, this is
our last chance to make things work. Do you think we can go the distance?” she asks me as she rests her head in the nook of my neck, and I hold her as close to me as humanly possible.
“No one will stand in our way now. No one.”
Chapter Seventeen
Two Years Later
Cole
My life is what dreams we made of. Just six months after the shooting, we extended Mia’s house so it’s now a four-bedroom home with two living rooms and decking that wraps around the entire house.
When the renovations were finished, and life had finally gone back to being normal,
I’d finally gotten down on one knee and proposed to the love of my life, the woman I would spend the rest of my days with.
The Proposal
It was a crystal-clear evening, and as we sat back, drinking wine together under the stars, side by side on lounge chairs overlooking the lake, I turned my head to face Mia.
Even though we hadn’t left one another’s sides for the last two years, I still couldn’t get over the fact that she was all mine.
I’d waited for all of the shit to be over before I propose her, I didn’t want Sam’s court case to be looming over us. In the end, she was sentenced to four years in prison and her
partner in crime who’d pulled the trigger received eight years behind bars. Sure, the third guy was only given four years good behaviour bond, but we knew he wouldn’t have the guts to try anything ever again. The day after their sentencing, I went off to buy the perfect ring, one I knew Mia would love. I went with a platinum band and solitaire diamond, but I made sure it wasn’t over the top because Mia isn’t one to wear much jewellery. She’s always told me it gets in her way.
As we sat in a comfortable silence, I knew it was the perfect time to ask for my soulmate’s hand in marriage.
Mia had always told me that she hated the thought of someone getting down on one knee in front of her to ask her to marry them, because she thought it was corny. And as much as I wanted to abide by her wishes, I didn’t. I wanted to be corny, I wanted her to look back on the moment and scrunch her face up as she recounted the story to our future children and grandchildren.
Pushing myself up, I clutch the ring in my hand, and although Mia gives me the stink eye as she watches me kneel beside her, I can’t help but chuckle.
“What the hell are you doing?” she questions and I have no clue if she has any
idea what’s about to come, or if she just thinks I’m an idiot that’s picking something up off the ground.
“Well, I feel that it’s the perfect night to tell you that I love you. We’ve been to hell and back over the last nine and a half years, and although there have been bad times, the good far outweighs them. I want you to be my partner in crime until the day we die, Mia. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?”
Mia’s chest visibly raises and falls, and her eyes open wide, but soon enough, she snaps out of her shock and a smile replaces the shock.
“Really?” she squeals.
“Really. There’s nothing stopping us now. So, will you marry me?”
Suddenly, Mia lets go of a high-pitched squeal, one that almost pierces my eardrums, and she jumps up out of her seat. As I go to stand, she literally knocks me onto my back and falls on top of me.
Through fits of laughter, she pulls away to look at me. “Yes, yes, yes! I will marry you! I love you!” I’ve never seen her so happy.
As the wedding day approaches, I become
more and more excited by the fact that finally, after nine and a half years, I’m going to marry the girl I never stopped loving.
With all the preparations in place, and only a few weeks to go, I’m sitting at my desk in our shared office when she comes walking in.
As I move away from the computer, she approaches me and I reach for her until she’s resting in my lap.
“I’ve got some news,” she starts as I lean forward and press a kiss to her shoulder.
“Oh yeah, what’s the news?” I question.
“I’m pregnant.”
At first, I’m quiet, but eventually, the words sink in and when they do, I’m overcome with emotions.
Looking up at her, I ask, “What? How? They told us it would be next to impossible for you to fall pregnant again. Are you sure? Like, are you really, really sure?” Since losing our son, we’d been told that we should seek other avenues if we ever wanted to grow our family, so we hadn’t bothered with protection.
She kisses me. “I’m very sure. I just took two tests and they’re both positive.” Her smile lights up the room.
“Holy shit!” I blurt out, and I see her smile
waver. “What is it?” I ask.
“I can’t tell if you’re happy or not?” she questions and I immediately wish my foot
would twist enough so I could kick myself.
Reaching up, I cup her perfect face in my hands and I brush my lips against hers. As I do, I smile and tell her, “I couldn’t be happier. I guess it’s just a shock. I honestly thought we were going to have to adopt or use a surrogate. This is the most wonderful news. I can’t wait to have a baby with you. This is us. The us we were always meant to be.”
Epilogue
Mia
Our wedding day was the best day of my life, well it was until the day our baby was born, of course.
Lily Stacey Kade, came into the world at four-forty-seven on a Thursday morning in the middle of Spring. She was five pounds three ounces, and a perfect little bundle. Our life was picture perfect.
Not long after our bundle of joy arrived, we were thrilled to learn that Matt and Leah were expecting and they built a home on our property and permanently moved in.
When their baby boy, Jace, arrived, we knew our children would grow up to be best friends, and that’s exactly what happened . They were inseparable, growing up side by
side, and they went on to marry and give us two perfect grandsons. Life couldn’t get any better.
The End
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Bio :
Candace began writing after the passing of her son in 2009. It has been an emotional release for her. She is supported by her family and friends. Other than the time she is writing, she
sits back for hours reading books by her favorite authors, Tijan Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Richelle Mead, Colleen Hoover, Claudia Gray and so many more. That or she will go for a calming drive while listening to Eminem, Slim Shady, Marshal Mathers or The Rap God, whichever you would like to call him. Her kids are just like her, sarcastic, but fun loving. The rules she lives by 1 Don't take life too seriously 2 Don't live up to others ridiculous expectations 3 Surround yourself with people who love you for you 4 If life becomes too much, have a stiff drink and start again tomorrow.
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Happy Never After Page 14