Page 51

I’m glad you said yes

Jake – 6 months later

“ Y ou ready?” I ask, crouching beside the kids. We're perched behind a tree, and their excitement is vibrating through the air.

Charlie’s down by the lake, collecting flat stones Noah asked her to help find for stone skipping. She’s oblivious, completely caught up in the moment of being back at this place.

Noah nods, his little face serious. “You think she’ll cry?”

“Probably,” I chuckle, ruffling his hair.

“Good,” he says firmly, like he’s decided this is the appropriate response. “But happy tears only, right?”

“Only the happiest,” I promise.

Meadow, clutching her unicorn, looks up at me with wide eyes. “Do I say the pinky thing now or later?”

“Later.” I brush a kiss to the top of her head. “When I kneel, you kneel. Just like we practiced.”

Her little feet bounce, too much excitement to hold still. “Mama’s gonna love this!”

“She will,” I say, the words catching in my throat. “Because we’re showing her just how much we all love her.”

I glance back at the hill, the blanket spread out right at the top where we stayed up all night talking thirteen years ago. The candles flicker in the dusk, and the peach-hued sunset stretches out over the horizon, painting everything in a golden light. It’s perfect.

“ Should we go get her now?” Noah's all business.

“Give me a five-minute head start, then I’ll meet you guys at the top.”

They nod excitedly and rush off toward the lake, their laughter trailing behind them.

As I make my way back up the hill, heart hammering, my foot catches on a rock. “Shit,” I yelp, stumbling but managing to catch myself.

I pause at the top, taking a deep breath, letting the view wash over me. The camp hasn’t changed much, but the weight of time feels heavy. This is it. This is everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I didn’t think I’d get to have. Charlie, the kids, this messy, chaotic, beautiful life we’ve built. It’s not just that I love her—it’s that I can’t imagine a life without her.

The crunch of footsteps on the trail pulls me from my thoughts. Meadow skips ahead, twirling as she reaches the top, while Noah drags Charlie along, her voice floating up in protest.

“Noah, slow down! What’s the rush?”

“Come on, Mum!” Noah says, his hand tugging hers insistently.

Charlie looks up, her steps faltering as her eyes land on me. I’m standing at the edge of the blanket, hands shoved in my pockets to keep from reaching for her too soon.

“What…” she whispers, her voice barely carrying across the space.

“Hey, Charlie girl,” I reply, swallowing hard. “Come here.”

Her lips part, confusion giving way to something softer, like she knows what’s coming but doesn’t quite believe it. She takes a hesitant step closer, caught between disbelief and quiet knowing.

“What's all this?” Her gaze sweeps over the kids, the candles, the blanket, and finally lands back on me.

“It’s us,” I reply, stepping toward her. “It’s where we started. And it’s where I want to start the rest of my life with you.”

I hear the faintest intake of breath, her lips moving as though she wants to speak, but nothing comes out.

Dropping to one knee, Noah and Meadow rush to join me as I pull out the ring box. I can see the realization daw ning in her eyes as she takes it all in, her hand trembling as she brings it to her chest.

“And just in case you’re thinking of saying no,” I add with a nod to the kids now kneeling beside me, “I have reinforcements.”

A breathy noise escapes her, somewhere between a laugh and a sob, and I’m a goner. I’ve got to get the words out before she completely wrecks me.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” I begin, voice husky. “Thirteen years ago, under this same sky, you changed my life.” I pause, willing myself to keep it together as I look into her tear-filled eyes. “Charlie, you’re everything. You’re my home, my best friend, my family. My whole night sky. You’ve shown me what it means to truly be loved, the best bits and the messy bits, and I’ll spend every day loving this beautiful life you’ve given me.”

I glance down at Noah, giving him a small nod. I'd asked both the kids if they'd help me with this, but I have no idea what they're planning on saying. His little face is serious as he steps forward, but his voice trembles with emotion.

“Mum,” he says, his gaze flicking between us. “Jake’s… Jake’s the best. He takes care of us and makes us laugh and happy. And I… I really want him to be our dad. He told me he promises to love us forever.”

The words slam into me, and I barely manage to hold it together. Noah’s never said anything like this before, and it’s a wrecking ball to my chest. Nothing in my life compares to this moment, to hearing him say he wants me as his dad. That he’s choosing me, believes in me. Trusts me to prove it. And I fucking will, every single day.

Charlie’s expression shatters like glass, her hand moving to cover her mouth. Tears streak down her face, and I’m right there with her, floored by this seven-year-old who’s taken my heart and smashed it to pieces in the best way. I’d die for this kid, for all of them.

“And me too!” Meadow chirps, jumping up from beside me.

She steps forward, clutching her little hand into a tight fist before holding up her pinky finger. She looks at her mom with such fierce sincerity, her voice clear but tender as she says, “Will you promise, too?”

Charlie stares at Meadow’s outstretched little pinky like it holds the weight of everything we’ve been thro ugh, everything we’ve become. When her gaze lifts back to mine, it’s filled with all-encompassing love, the kind of look I’d chase through every lifetime.

Choking out a laugh-sob, she kneels down to hook her pinky with Meadow’s, tears falling freely.“Yes, honey bee. I promise.”

Meadow grins, beaming at Charlie before pressing her thumb firmly against her mom’s, sealing the deal in the way only she can. Charlie pulls Meadow into a tight hug, her eyes darting between me and Noah over her shoulder. The tears keep rolling, and a soft laugh escapes her.

I reach out, tilting her chin up gently, catching her gaze. Her eyes are shining, cheeks streaked with tears, and my breath hitches for a moment as I collect myself.

“Say yes, Charlie girl,” I whisper. “Marry me, and let me love you all forever.”

I open the ring box, the delicate gold band and large solitaire diamond glinting in the candlelight. The inscription inside reads: You’re the dream.

Her gaze moves from the ring to the kids, to me, and back again. Her lips tremble, and for a second, my heart stops.

“Yes,” she breathes, voice cracking. "Of course."

I try to hold back my own sob as I slip the ring onto her finger, my hands shaking as I do. The kids cheer, and I barely have time to react before Charlie throws her arms around me, her lips crashing against mine.

When I pull back, I cup her face, brushing away her tears with my thumbs. “You’re gonna be my wife, Lady Lightning.”

“About time, Captain Thunder,” she replies, a smile breaking through the tears.

I kiss her again, my lips slowly moving over hers as I clasp her face, committing this moment to memory.

“Ewww,” Noah mutters, making Meadow giggle.

Charlie laughs against my lips, pulling back to glance down at the ring. Her eyes widen as she holds up her hand, blinking at the diamond.

“Jake,” she says, her voice filled with mock disbelief. “This… this is—” She lets out a breathless laugh. “You’re pushin’ it, Brooks.”

I grin unapologetically, secretly loving I have a huge adornment o n her that makes her mine. “Blame Zoe. She said, 'go big or go home.'”

“Of course she did. This thing’s gonna need its own security detail!”

I reach for her hand to link our pinkies together before bringing our joined hands to my lips. “Then it’s in good hands.”

Her eyes soften as they lock onto mine, and in that single look I see every laugh, every tear, every moment that has led us here. All the love we’ve built together.

“I love you,” she whispers, pulling me close again.

“Forever.”