Noah

I am so tired of money. Not having enough of it to fit in with my friends, and having my friends try to use theirs to “help” me. I never asked for help. Especially not from the woman who claims to love me. How could she love me, and still think buying that land for me is okay?

I walk through the Griffin building with purpose, stopping in front of Landon’s desk. “You’re fired.”

“What? How? Why are you back so soon?”

“Gather up your things, and go.”

“You can’t just fire me!”

“Watch me.”

He starts to speak again, but stops when a small hand grabs my arm, and tugs. “In your office, now.”

I don’t try to fight against Chloe, because I wouldn’t do that to a woman, even if she wasn’t married to a man who could end me in more ways than one. Once we’re in my office she closes the door, but keeps her back to me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was trying to calm herself down.

“The kid isn’t loyal to me, Chloe.”

“I’m not ready for you to speak yet.”

“Seriously?”

“Oh yeah, I’m dead serious, asshole,” she says, turning so fast her blonde ponytail hits her in the face.

“Do you know what he did? What he’s been doing?”

“Trying to navigate between being loyal to two people he cares about? Yeah, I know.”

“He had no right to tell her about that piece of land.”

“Sometimes, it literally boggles my mind how stupid people can be.”

“I am not a charity case.”

“Do you know anything of my background with Ryan?”

“Not much, no,” I admit.

“My parents were the caretakers for his family’s first estate. I lived in an apartment over their garage with them. When Ryan fell in love with me, all his friends thought I was a gold-digger, but I never wanted anything from him. I took clothes, make-up, and handbags from his mother and sister so I’d fit in with the private school kids, but I never wanted anything from Ryan.

“He wanted to give me things, though, so he worked construction every summer, and bought my presents from money he earned. When we got back together after years of a messy situation, I was his employee. Again, a gold-digger, right?”

“I wouldn’t ever call you that.”

“Good, because letting someone who loves you give you things out of love is a big deal. I know that better than anyone. I also know Jyn didn’t buy that land out of pity, or charity. She bought it for both of you, and Cari. She bought it so you could build her a house.”

Oh my God. She’s right. I know she’s right. The land wasn’t for me. It was for us. Her way of showing me she wanted there to be an “us” again. And I walked away yet again.

“I have to go.”

“Un-fire Landon on your way out, please.”

“Sorry, Land. You’re definitely not fired.”

“You’re going back?”

“I’m going back.”

“Thank God. Oh, and I want a raise for this.”

“I’ll ask Ryan tomorrow.”

I don’t wait for a response, running through the building like zombies are after me. I don’t even know if Jyn will still be where I left her, but I’m going to try there first.

She’s sitting on a blanket, with her knees hugged to her chest when I pull up. Her head is down, but I can tell she’s crying, and I know I did this to her. I broke her once more, but this time I’m going to put us both back together.

“I’m okay, Land. I said I’d wait for you here, but you didn’t have to come out here to check on me.”

“That kid definitely deserves a raise.”

“Noah?” she asks, raising her head to look at me.

“Afraid so.”

“Why are back here? I can’t take any more of your hate.”

“It’s never been hate. Anger, fear, betrayal…yeah, I’ve felt all those things, but never hate.”

“I’m really too tired to fight with you again.”

“I’m not here to fight.”

“Then what do you want?”

“You.”

“When did you decide this?”

“When I ran back to a hotel in London, only to find out I was too late.”

“You came back?”

“I came back. Then, and now. I’m hoping I’m not too late this time.”

“I didn’t buy this land as an act of charity.”

“You bought it for our future.”

“Yes. Just the land. I was going to tell you we’d wait until you can afford to build us the house you want.”

“What if I don’t want to wait?”

“You’d let me pay for our house?”

“Yes. It’s just money.”

“Forgive me for being a little shocked right now.”

“I’d be scared if you weren’t.”

“You’re sure?”

“Almost.”

“What will it take for you to be sure?”

“This,” I say, walking over, and dropping to one knee in front of her.

* * *

Jyn

He’s proposing. Right here and now, Noah’s about to propose to me.

“Jyn, I have loved you for a long time. I never told you, because my track record with women I love isn’t so great. Those previous times weren’t my fault, but a lot of what’s happened between us is. I promise to get help for my issues, and treat you the way you deserved to be treated; like a princess without a crown.”

I laugh through the new tears that have started flowing from my eyes. “I love you.”

“Good, but I’m not done.”

“Oops.”

“I would be honored to build a house for our family. I don’t care where the money comes from, because one day, I’m going to be rich. Or maybe, I’ll just always be comfortable enough to take you to London. Either way, all that matters is that you’re my wife. Will you marry me, Jyn?”

He takes a box out of his pocket, and opens it. I gasp at the sapphires set in gold. It’s absolutely beautiful. “It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s made from stones my father kept at the palace. You didn’t answer though.”

“If you don’t know my answer will always be yes, I’m doing this grand gesture thing wrong.”

He puts the ring on my finger as we smile at each other. “It’s perfect. All of this is perfect.”

“It will be once you take your clothes off.”

“Here?”

“Where better to consummate our engagement, and christen our future home?”

“Nowhere.”

I pull him down on top of me, and our clothes seem to disappear as our mouths and hands take over. When he rolls us, so he’s on the bottom, I know where his mind is; I’ve stopped breastfeeding, and he can finally play again. I’ve missed his mouth, so there’s no complaints from me.

“So glad these are mine once more,” he tells me, as he worships them.

“Until the next time.”

“And the next.”

“I only said one more.”

“We’ll see.”

Yes, we will. I may stand up for myself, and fight when I have to, but deep down, I know I’ll give him anything he wants. We fought hard for this fairytale ending, and my knight is worthy of everything I’ve got, and more.