Maya walked out on the deck, taking in a long breath of the salty air. She had never imagined a safe house could be so beautiful, but Matt had chosen the most gorgeous private beach, and the house was amazing. It was huge and well furnished. The paper he’d given her when he took them to the airport had a combination to the safe in the wall of the master bedroom. The safe was full of money and guns.

But that didn’t stop her from being afraid all the time. Every noise made her jump, and she couldn’t bear to let Jason out of her sight. He needed to be in school, but she wouldn’t even let him play outside. This walking out to the deck was a rare occasion for her. She felt exposed out here. Though Jason complained that they never got to go near the water or play in the sand, she didn’t care. She told him they would wait for Daddy and that was all there was to it.

As she looked out over the water, she heard a car door slam behind her. She spun and ran inside the house to find Jason. She put her hand over his mouth to keep him quiet and pulled him into a closet.

She breathed hard and heard footsteps through the house. Then, she heard the sweetest sound she’d heard in a long time.

“Maya? Jason?”

When she recognized Matt’s voice, they poured out of the closet and she ran to him. She threw her arms around him and he squeezed her back hard.

“You’re okay!” she said. “I thought you were dead!”

He looked into her eyes with that intense stare she loved so much. “Nothing could keep me away from you and Jason.” He scooped up the boy and nuzzled his nose in his hair.

“Daddy! Finally! Now can we play in the sand?”

Maya laughed and wiped a tear from her cheek. “When Daddy says it’s okay.”

“Come on,” Matt said, motioning toward the deck and backyard beach.

He put Jason down and the boy took off running. They followed him out, but Matt pulled Maya’s hand to make her stop on the deck.

“Wait.” He took her hands in his and turned to face her. “Maya, I can’t apologize enough for everything I put you both through. I am so sorry.”

Tears ran down her face. “Are we safe now?”

He nodded. “We’re safe and I’ve left the mafia.”

“How? I thought that wasn’t possible.”

“It’s not. I got lucky. I helped the right people at the right time. But I think I want to stay as far away from there as possible. Start over with a new life.”

“We could stay here. It’s so beautiful.”

He shrugged. “It’s nothing compared to you.” He kissed her sweetly and passionately.

“I have to apologize to you, too,” Maya said.

He gave her a questioning look.

“When you took us to the airport, you said you loved me—”

“And I meant it. I love you, Maya.”

She smiled. “But I didn’t say it back. And I should have. Matt, I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, but I tried to deny it. I was so hurt that I didn’t want to admit it.”

“I’ll never hurt you again as long as I live. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I’ll spend the rest of my days making it up to you.”

“As long as you spend the rest of your days with me, with us, then I forgive you.”

“I’ll be here as long as you’ll have me.” He reached into his pocket. “I cleaned out all the money and valuables I had back home. But I also had this.” He held the ring box out to her. “I bought this shortly after I found out we had a son. I knew I had to win you back, and I bought this ring for when that moment came.” He got down on one knee.

Jason came running over to them. “Come and play! Mommy! Daddy!”

Matt laughed and put his hand to his face. “Come here, buddy.” He pulled the boy in close and whispered something in his ear.

Jason’s eyes went wide and he nodded fervently. “Mommy, you have to marry Daddy!”

“Well, he didn’t ask me.” She crossed her arms and smiled down at them.

Matt lifted the ring to her. “Will you marry me and make a family with me?”

“Yes!”

Matt stood with Jason in his arms and they all hugged. Jason lost interest quickly and Matt set him down to return to the castle he was building in the sand.

“Whew,” Maya said. “I’m so glad you asked.”

Matt laughed. “Are you?”

“Of course. Well, I didn’t even know if you were alive, but then all I could think was that if you didn’t come back, I would have another baby with no father.”

“Well, now we can have lots of kids.”

“Yes.” She took his hand and put it on her stomach. “And the next one will be here in about seven months.”

Matt’s face went pale. “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded. “I guess with all the stress, the pill didn’t work so well.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, his hand on her belly. “A baby. Thank you, Maya, for making my life complete.”

“You’ve given me everything I ever wanted,” she said. “All my dreams have come true.”

“Then let’s make some new dreams together.”

He stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her tight. They watched their son playing as the sun dropped down to the horizon. Maya smiled and closed her eyes, seeing their perfect future laid out in front of them.