Page 41

HANK

The fall after next…

“These inclines are a serious workout!” I declare as we head down another steep cliff, orienting toward the beach. “When we hike the Pacific Crest Trail, there will be plenty of elevation gain. Nice job suggesting this hike!”

Huffing, Elliot keeps pace behind me. “You know me. I love a good shin splint.”

I chuckle. He’s arranged our first big hike together, an extended excursion next month. I’ve been at the National Parks Service long enough now that I can take a week off, and Elliot has insisted that we use the time to hike the trail, something I’ve intended to do for years.

Since I left the firm and Elliot moved into the condo, our life has found a steady, happy rhythm.

He travels once a month or so to visit a convention or speak about his art, and I get the chance to join him sometimes, too.

But for the most part, we’re busy with our careers and our lives in Seattle.

The second bedroom in the condo has become his art studio, a place where Elliot’s chaos still reigns behind a closed door.

And on weekends, we see friends for games, hikes, and general relaxing, as well as the occasional concert or museum opening.

It’s idyllic. Peaceful and restorative, but filled with new adventures and surprises, too, and I fall even more in love with him every day we share.

When we arrive to the sea, I see a dock with a few boats waiting. I glance around and take stock before turning to Elliot.

“What’s the surprise? You said there’s a destination at the end of this hike?”

Elliot wipes sweat off his brow. “That’s right,” he says, and I see that he’s suddenly nervous. “If you don’t want to do this, it’s totally fine. I really won’t be let down. But I called up the baronet.”

My eyebrows pop. “Oh!”

“Do you want to go back to the island with me, Hank?”

My head spins. I’ve never considered returning to the island, but after just a moment’s reflection, I realize that I do want that.

The disaster feels like a different life now.

Secure and happy in my relationship with Elliot, I know I’m capable of facing it again, and confronting everything that’s happened.

“I think I would, yes.”

Elliot smiles and gestures to the boats. “This way. I see the pilot coming now.”

We walk up to a small boat with a little motor, and the pilot joins us, helping us each in. Elliot hands me a life jacket before slipping his on, and we take off across the water.

Elliot takes my hand, and I pull him closer as waves splash behind us. We ride in silence, holding each other, both lost in thought and the rhythmic spell of the waves.

“What made you want to go back?” I ask finally.

Elliot gazes in my eyes. “When it first occurred to me, I shoved the idea away. I thought about our old campsite still sitting there, and it creeped me out. But then I kept remembering how much has happened since then. How far we’ve come together.

And it started to feel like I needed to go back, just to see. ”

I nod.

“How do you feel?” he asks me.

“Good,” I answer as I check in with myself. “Grateful. I didn’t know if I would make it off that island alive. But we’ve done more than survive together. We’ve built a life that I never would have imagined. Right now, I feel proud.”

“Same,” Elliot agrees. “We’ve both come so far.”

I suck in a surprised breath. “Look.”

The island rises up in front of us, familiar but also different from this vantage.

Elliot directs the pilot toward the cove, and we get out at a reasonably comfortable spot. He produces water shoes from his bag, and we wear them as we wade toward the shore. It’s a different season than when we were stranded here, and the forest flashes with fall colors of red, orange, and yellow.

We stand on dry land, my arm around Elliot’s shoulder, and take it in. My emotion swirls, memories coming back in flashes.

“It really is this beautiful,” I say. “I thought it might only be my fevered memories.”

“Gorgeous,” Elliot agrees.

A hawk dips through the air and flies into the forest, swooshing above us.

“That’s the direction of our spot,” I say. “We should follow.”

“Can’t argue with a hawk.”

We hold hands and walk down the beach, the sun shining brightly above us.

“Do you remember when those birds ate all our berries?” Elliot asks.

I cough out a laugh. “We were furious.”

“You kept muttering bested by a songbird to yourself that afternoon.”

As we step into the forest, the familiar scent of sea water wafts through the air. “The birds are likely still here. Don’t flash your berries around.”

“I’d never be so indecent.”

We pause and lock eyes before both laughing.

I stroke Elliot’s face, feeling his beard. “How about the night we finally made a fire? I’ll never forget what it felt like to eat those clams.”

“I remember we got in a fight about moving stones, and something bit you. I still wish I knew what.”

“Something cute and small, let’s assume.”

“You’re the nature expert. Guess it must be true.”

We come around a bend, and it appears before us. Our old spot.

It’s been well over a year, and there’s barely any sign of us that has survived the weather. But you can see the remnants of the kitchen fire, charred wood, and there’s a pile of shells near our bed as well as my old, tattered underwear.

“My god,” I say, taking it all in. “Look at this.”

Elliot kisses me before easing away. “I really hoped these would still be here,” he says as he steps under the rocky ledge.

“My old underwear?”

Elliot laughs. “No. The shells.” He gets down on his knees and lifts a few from the pile, dropping them in his hand and listening to the musical clatter. “I love these shells.”

Instead of standing, Elliot reaches into his pocket and turns, pivoting on one knee.

My breath catches. He’s holding something in his hand and looking at me, but I’m struggling to register what’s happening.

“Hank,” he tells me, “this is where I first fell in love with you, and so this is where I want to ask you if you’ll spend the rest of your life with me.”

Warmth bubbles through me, and I hold Elliot’s gaze as his carefully considered words flow out.

“It took a total catastrophe to bring us together,” he says.

“But life with you has been a dream, Hank. You’re kind, and steady, and smart.

You bring out the best in me, and you have the grace to accept me when I falter, too.

The way you take care of me is like a revelation.

You’re my wilderness man, my geeky accountant, my love.

Every day, I’m amazed by you, Hank, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me.

” He lets out a shaky breath. “Will you be my husband?”

I take his hand and pull him up into my embrace. “Elliot,” I say, humming his name under my breath. “Yes. Of course. I love you.”

Birds sing from the trees, and wind rustles the branches as we kiss.

When he steps back, Elliot opens the ring box and takes the ring out. “I got the dinner date shell inlaid and sealed. That’s the pink and peach and purple shiny bits.”

I hold my hand out, and he slides it on my finger.

“Do you like it?” he asks.

“I love it,” I say.

“We’re engaged,” Elliot says, light dancing in his eyes.

I take his hand. “You’re going to want a big wedding, aren’t you?”

“The biggest party of my life?” he says. “Hell yeah, I am. But I was thinking tiny ceremony, big reception. How does that sound?”

I squeeze his hand as we start back toward the beach. “That sounds perfect.”

A cool breeze dances across the water, the Orcas jump on the horizon, and Elliot and I walk along the shore, as happy as two people have ever been.

The end