The sound of Pope walking out on the deck to join me for our morning cup of coffee and fruit had my heart leap out of my chest. I had woken from a night of nightmares and hours of tossing and turning, and still couldn’t shake the feeling. It still seemed impossible that Viv was dead. Vivian was dead.

“Did you get any sleep last night?” Pope asked as he sat down and picked up his mug of steaming brew.

I shook my head. “Barely, and when I did, I kept dreaming I was caught in that fire. I even had one dream where Vivian was holding me down against the floor, refusing to let me up as the shop burned around us. And then I had others where Maria and the baby were in the flames.”

Pope reached across the tiny table and touched my arm tenderly. “It’s all over. You’re safe now. And I called a friend of mine back home and asked for him to check on Maria and Luis last night before you and I went to bed. He texted me this morning telling me they were safe and sound with no sign of Richard anywhere to be found.”

I took a huge sigh of relief hearing the good news. “The rational part of me knows that. But then I can’t help but feel as if any minute I’m going to hear that southern twang dictating how I should be a dutiful wife or else. I know she’s gone, but I guess it hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

“The entire situation was fucked. It’s to be expected that it’s going to take time for you to get over all that happened. It’s been an awful time.”

I looked out onto the property as the morning sun shone brightly and saw the family of deer return for their breakfast grazing. It was like all the other mornings, yet today I was free. “It hasn’t been all bad,” I said softly as I sipped my coffee, almost in a trance as I watched the deer.

“No, it hasn’t been all bad,” Pope agreed.

I looked at him. “How are you doing? You lost your momma. Are you all right?”

He shrugged. “It hurts, but in many ways I had lost her years ago when Vivian entered our lives. She never was truly my mother after that. And when I went to prison, I had said my goodbyes to her then. I really hadn’t planned on ever seeing her again. I thought she would have died before I was released. So I guess in many ways, I have already grieved her death.”

I took a deep breath. “So, I suppose we have to face reality now. What to do now that I’m free.”

“We do.”

“I’m assuming Maria is worried about me.” I shrugged. “Maybe not. She might have just assumed I skipped town. I’m sure my work and apartment did.”

“Regardless, we need to get you back. It’s a good day to fly. Weather’s good.”

A new sense of dread filled me. What if I didn’t want to leave? What if I wanted to stay? Would that make me as insane as Vivian had been? What would Pope want? Was this really all over?

After a few minutes of silence and my mind going crazy in thoughts, Pope asked, “Can we go for a walk?” His words broke me away from my onslaught of unanswered questions.

He stood up, set down his coffee and then mine. I reached for his hand and linked my fingers through his. I offered a smile as I stood, finding it impossible to give the man anything but. He made me happy. He made me smile.

Pope squeezed my fingers tightly between his as a shiver of delight went through me. The simplest of touches confirmed that Pope was the only man for me. No one had ever had such control over my emotions, my thoughts, and my body. Pulling me into his embrace, he just held me, his breath warm against my cheek. I didn’t want to leave Pope. I didn’t want this all to end, and the thought of my life returning to the way it was, shattered what was left of my soul.

After a few moments, he pulled back to look into my eyes and rested his palm against the side of my face. “We’ll figure this all out.”

I nodded. A glimmer of tears filled my eyes as the pain in my heart subsided. Pope reached out unexpectedly and gripped his hand around my waist. In one swift movement, he lifted me off the ground and pressed me hard against his chest. Cradled so hard in his arms against him, I could feel his heart beating. His mouth came down powerfully on mine, his tongue plunging past my lips as if he were claiming me, possessing me as his. I clutched my arms around his neck as the world whirled around us, leaving nothing but overwhelming love.

I parted my lips, my hands desperately clinging to the fabric of the back of his shirt. Our tongues danced together as electric currents rippled through my body. My sex dampened at the sensation of Pope’s body pressing against mine. My mind spiraled out of control with the knowledge of the erotic gratification we could bring each other. I melted into his embrace as he lowered me down to the wooden deck and very gently led me down the stairs.

We walked beside one another over the expansive land of the property. The sun began to climb above the horizon, casting a warm glow amongst the clouds. A cool breeze blew softly, causing my curls to escape from the loose bun I wore.

“I want to show you something,” Pope said as he reached for my hand.

The soft caress made my pulse quicken. I wanted more of his touch.

As we reached the other side of the house, I squinted my eyes to block out the sunlight to make out the stunning picture before me. In nicely lined rows of five, stood at least twenty newly planted rose bushes.

I stared at the roses with bewilderment and awe. “These are beautiful! I know you both worked so hard on them. Viv would have loved seeing them start to bloom like they are right now.”

Pope took a deep breath. “She wanted this to be the location of our wedding.” He looked around and took in the blooming roses and sighed. “Ever since the day you were brought here—forced here—I’ve felt complete. You’ve changed and improved my life even though our world was in complete chaos. I hated that I wanted you. I despised the fact that a part of me was grateful that my mother had kidnapped you for me. It was so fucking wrong, yet I couldn’t deny that fact. You were everything I ever wanted. That I needed. You’ve given me something I didn’t even know was missing. You’ve given me love. You’ve given me light. And you’ve given me hope.”

Pope walked us both so we were standing in the middle of all the rose bushes. He brushed his lips lightly against mine, giving such a delicate kiss.

“You were brought here against your will to marry me. But you deserved better. You deserve romance, and a fairytale story of the day your husband proposed. Not the nightmare my mother gave you. Gave the both of us. You deserved all the things a dutiful and proper husband would give you. I didn’t give that to you... until now.”

He smiled softly and got down on one knee. I began to cry at the sight of this strong, powerful man, on one bended knee, giving me the proposal I had fantasized about since being a little girl.

“I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you. And I would be a fucking fool to let you leave here not knowing how much I want you to stay in my life—by choice.” My heart pounded so loud in my ears that I could barely hear him speak. “I want you in my life because I love you. Not because my mother is blackmailing us, but because I don’t go a moment without thinking of you, without wanting you, and without loving you.”

I wiped at the tears streaming down my face. A sob escaped my throat as I stared down at the most handsome man I had ever seen kneeling before me.

“Demi Wayne, will you please do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”

I threw my arms around his neck, knocking him to the ground. I straddled him on the grass, with the rose bushes all around, kissing him deeper and with more passion than I had ever done before.

Pope pulled away after a few moments of kissing me back with just as much fervor. “Is that a yes?”

I nodded and laughed alongside my tears. “Yes, yes! I love you! I love you! I love you!” I gave him a few more kisses and pulled back enough so I could see his entire face clearly. “I’ve never wanted anything more than you.”

He laughed and kissed me lightly. “I love you. And I’ll tell you those words every day of our lives.”

My eyes burned and my heart swelled. “I want nothing more than to be your wife.” I gave him a playful wink. “Your dutiful and obedient wife.”

With a light chuckle and his eyes growing tender, Pope pressed his lips softly to mine. “I want you to remember this feeling you have right now. This massive amount of love we feel. Because as your husband, I vow to make sure you feel this every day, for the rest of our lives.”

I leaned against Pope, content and at peace as I gazed up at him. “So what do we do now?”

Pope sat us both up, but still held me in his arms. “We head back home and tie up loose ends for you. Of course, check in on Maria and Luis for ourselves. See if your apartment is still there and your belongings.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to return there. Can’t we live here forever? I want to leave that dark part of my life behind me.”

“Yes, we can, and I was hoping you would say that.” He kissed the top of my head. “I want nothing more than to be here with you every single day.”

Relief washed over me knowing that I didn’t have to leave this wonderful haven I had somehow found a sense of home in for the first time. Viv had given me a home. She had given me love. For that, I would be forever grateful.

“I have something I need to give you,” Pope said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a letter. “My momma gave me this right before she died. She wanted you to read it.”

My heart sunk when I saw the paper, remembering the other twisted letters from before. With shaky hands—reminding me of how Viv’s hands also shook—I took the letter and began to read.

Dear Demi,

You were my friend. My real and true friend. I can never apologize enough for what I have done to you and for the pain I have caused. I am so ashamed. Even though I know you don’t blame me, but rather blame my illness, because of the type of person you are, I still hope for forgiveness.

I love you, Demi. I know I have never said those words to you, but I do. I never had a daughter, but if I had, I would have wanted her to be just like you. And if I had lived to see the day you had married my son—regardless if it was because Vivian made you—I would have been so proud to be your momma.

I know I can’t ask anything of you. I don’t have that right. But please don’t remember the worst of me. Please don’t blame my son. Pope has been through so much, and I just hope you can show him the same amount of compassion that you showed me. Be his beacon in his thick darkness caused by me. Give him the light I so want him to have.

I don’t know what is in store for you and my son. I can see love is there. Though I know many wounds are as well. Heal together. Maybe you won’t become his bride, and you both will part ways when I am gone and Vivian has no more control. But if not… if you both decide to explore the love I see in your eyes, then allow me to give you some REAL motherly advice. A good wife is a wife who opens her heart and loves unconditionally. A dutiful wife is someone who returns the same love and passion that her dutiful husband gives her. And when you say your vows, remember each and every word. Read those vows when times grow dark. Live those vows. Become those vows.

I will be looking down on you both. Momma will be watching with love. Always.

~Viv

I was quiet for a long time after reading Viv’s goodbye to me, enjoying Pope’s embrace, allowing the words in Viv’s letter to sink in. Feeling Pope’s breath dance with my hair. Hearing his heart beat against my cheek. I closed my eyes and luxuriated in the feeling of sincere, genuine, true love.

Finally, I whispered, “I take you. To honor and obey. Till death do us part. This is no longer my captive vow.”