Epilogue

The day of the triathlon

Vivian pushed herself toward the finish line, utterly exhausted but also exhilarated that she’d done it. When she collapsed behind the white tape, she felt strong arms wrapped around her and looked up into Rock’s dark brown eyes, showering her with love and admiration.

After the debacle with Carla, Vivian had moved into Rock’s mansion. He’d pretended it was so he could personally oversee her training, but she knew better. The truth was neither of them could handle being away from the other for more than a few hours.

Rock had gotten his cast off two weeks earlier, and she loved how he now swept her up into his arms and carried her over to a small tent, where he sat her down and handed her a bottle of water.

“I’m sorry to have to leave right away. I have to announce the winners in a few moments,” he said after kissing her sweetly.

Vivian was too exhausted to speak and sank back against the soft pillows, taking another gulp from the bottle of water. She heard Rock’s name over the loudspeaker and he left the tent after telling her to wait for him. As if she could walk a single step after finishing that triathlon.

Her entire family was at the race today. All her brothers had entered to compete after they’d learnt that Tyler’s entire fire department would be there. Officially they did it to benefit Rock’s foundation and drive further publicity, but Vivian suspected it was a private Armstrong competition, to find out, which one of them was the fastest. She grinned at their crazy competitiveness. You’d think they’d stop doing this once they were grown up. But no.

 She downed another bottle of water and then pushed herself up to walk the hundred yards to the small stage where Rock was just finishing his speech.

“Thank you all for coming out to support Rock Solid and our mission to help the amputees, both military and civilian, that our society seems to have forgotten. I’m happy to announce that we topped last year’s donations by almost ten percent.”

Cheers from the thousands of people rang out.

“So, let’s get to some awards, shall we?”

He announced the winner in each of the different categories of the triathlon and ceremoniously presented their medals. The male and female overall winners – both professional triathletes – gave a very short speech and then climbed off the stage again.

Rock scanned the crowd and when his eyes locked with Vivian’s a broad smile crossed his face. “Folks, would you indulge me for a moment? Vivian come up here.”

Vivian cast him a puzzled look, but his only answer was that irresistible grin of his.

“What’s going on?” she whispered as soon as she’d reached the stage and he helped her climb up. The grin intensified. He wouldn’t do something crazy, would he?

Rock waited until she was center stage and then knelt down on one knee and retrieved a small dark blue box from his pocket. The crowed oohhed and ahhed, while Vivian thought she would faint. She must be dreaming, this couldn’t be real.

“Vivian Armstrong, you are the most giving, most loving woman I’ve ever met. I know we haven’t known one another for very long, but I can’t live another moment without you by my side.” His eyes never left hers and she saw so much honest love in them, it touched her soul and warmed her heart.

“Vivian, will you be my wife?”

Her eyes went wide and she was sure, she’d faint and wake up to find out this was but a dream. Then her jaw dropped to the ground as he opened the jewelers’ box and showed her the elegant solitaire.

“Rock, are you sure?”

He nodded. “There’s never been a thing in my life that I’ve been more certain about.”

 “Then…yes. I will marry you.” Tears of emotion welled in her eyes and she whispered, “I love you so much.”

Rock stood up and slid the ring onto her finger, kissing her while the gathered crowded cat called and whistled at them. He broke away after several minutes and grabbed the microphone once more. “She said yes!”

The crowd erupted again, but Rock and Vivian didn’t care. He swept her into his strong arms – a feeling she could get used to – and carried her off the stage and into the tent, where her entire family was waiting to congratulate the newly engaged couple.

He finally snagged a moment alone with her and whispered into her ear, “I love you, Miss Armstrong.”

She wrapped her arms around him and sighed. “I love you too.”

Gina’s words came back to her as she lounged in Rock’s arms for another moment. An accident made in heaven. Vivian could accept the concept. But now…now she knew with every breath in her body that running into Rock was fate. It really hadn’t been an accident at all.