Quincy

The party’s in full swing and I’m having fun. Cohen keeps getting pulled away to talk to another family friend, but he makes sure to always catch my eye and blow me kisses. Our parents are holding court at a table with Knox’s parents, and our kids are running around like they own the place. It’s a great night, and I’m happy to be celebrating with everyone today.

“They let anyone in, I see.”

My back goes straight before I turn to face Rick and Mika. “Apparently so.”

“Coming dateless to one of these things is really embarrassing,” she tells me.

Cohen is at my side, pulling me against him for a kiss before I can respond. “Good thing she’s got a date.”

“You can’t be serious,” Rick says, sneering in that special way of his.

“We’re very serious. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised when you see our engagement notice in the paper very soon.”

“Trading up? I didn’t think you had it in you,” Mika remarks as Rick scowls. I don’t feel any pity for him, because he knew the score when he got together with her.

“It’s all about the man and not the money, but yes, Cohen’s in a league of his own.”

“You’ll lose interest, Cohen. Mark my words.”

“It’s time for you to leave. You weren’t on the guest list, so I’m guessing you bought someone else’s invite. I’ll let you walk out on your own, or I can call security over.”

“You’ll be sorry,” Rick says.

“No, I’m pretty sure I won’t. Bye now.”

They storm off, and I wrap my arms around Cohen’s neck. “I meant what I said.”

“So did I.”

* * *

Cohen

I’m having fun at my party, but I want some alone time with my woman. Quincy’s got on a sexy and strapless black dress that’s higher in front than the back and I want to have my hands all over it. All over her. It’s my birthday, and I want to unwrap one of the best presents I’ve ever gotten.

“Come with me,” I tell her, grabbing a bottle of champagne from the bar. I’ve got my other hand in hers as I lead her outside.

“Where are we going?”

“The beach.”

I take us to the elevator that’s hidden by some bushes, and we go down the bluff to the shore. It’s dusk, with enough light for us to see where we’re walking, and the strategically placed lights down here will come on soon.

“Let me take my heels off,” she tells me with a laugh when I try to pull her onto the sand.

“Good idea.”

I take off my dress shoes, roll up my pants legs, and pull off my jacket. She pulls my ascot loose with a shake of her head.

“I can’t believe you and Knox with these.”

“I told you it’s tradition on our birthdays.”

“Still ridiculous.”

“You love my ridiculous side.”

“That I do.”

We kiss briefly and walk to the shore. I have the champagne in one hand, and Quincy wrapped up in my other arm. It’s perfect and I kiss her again as the waves roll in a few feet from us. Best birthday ever.

* * *

Quincy

I told Cohen I was okay with him doing this for my mom, but as he climbs to the platform I want to cover my face with my hands. He hasn’t had any dizziness since the first day of his treatment and what we did last night was way more strenuous than this. But, I’m still scared.

“He’ll be okay,” his mom says, linking her arm with mine.

“I know.”

We lean on each other as the man we both love bounces on the edge and flies through the air. His head isn’t anywhere near the platform as he flips, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. It’s okay. My mom’s jumping up and down and screaming his name, and he’s okay.

“Breathe. We can breathe now.”

Cohen’s mom is as wonderful as I knew she’d be. B is already calling her “Grammy” like Shane does and I can tell she loves it. My parents love Shane too.

Cohen pulls himself up and out of the pool, making a beeline for me. I stand as he approaches, letting him lift me off my feet while kissing me.

“Thank you for this.”

“You’re the one who dived for my mom. On your birthday, no less.”

“Because you were okay with it. It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.”

“I have another present for you.”

“Oh yeah? I thought I got that at midnight.”

“One day, my eyes are going to roll into the back of my head when you speak.”

“When do I get this present?”

“Now, if you want.”

“I want.”

He releases me, and I stand back to let everyone else talk to him. The entire Society is here along with our families, sharing in the birthday celebration. My mom hugs him over and over, before my dad pulls her away. Cohen looks a little shell-shocked, but I did warn him she’d freak out. Today was a little more than yesterday because he dived for her, but still, he was warned.

“Whatcha got for me?” he asks, once he makes his way back to me.

I hand him the package and watch him unwrap it. I hope it’s what he wants. When he doesn’t say anything after reading the letter inside, I get nervous. Maybe I made a mistake.

“How did you do this?”

“I can be very persuasive, but Matt and Reina helped.”

“I never thought about coaching professionally before. And being an assistant coach for the U.S. team? Never that.”

“You don’t have to do it. It’s an interview only.”

“It’s something I never knew I wanted until it was given to me. Just like you. You’re what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Thank you for this and for giving me more chances than I deserved.”

“You deserved them and more.”

“I’ll be gone off and on if I do this.”

“I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”

He drops to his knee and pulls a small box out of his pocket. “Will you marry me, Quince? No big speech because I want my actions to speak louder than words.”

This proposal is the perfect one. “Yes.”

The people around us start yelling, and it’s our kids we hug first. Family and friends converge next, and I lose count of the hugs and kisses. This is the perfect life.