Epilogue

Tyler

I woke up that morning with butterflies in my stomach. I rolled over and kissed the nose of the woman I’d been living with for the past few months before I slid out of bed. I had a plan that I wanted to make sure was executed in perfect fashion, and that meant I needed plenty of time to prepare. I went into the bathroom and cleaned myself up before I put on the suit Luke had helped me pick out, then I worked on the first note I wanted her to find when she woke up.

Amber,

I have something for you at your dance studio. Let me know when you get it.

Love, Tyler

I left the note on her nightstand before I put on a pot of coffee and slipped out the door. The smell of the coffee would wake her when it got strong enough, and her getting ready would buy me enough time to place these notes around town. I got to the dance studio and wrote her another one, then I taped it on her door before I got back on the road.

Amber,

This dance studio was the first thing I knew I could give to you now, but do you remember the first present I ever got you? See you at the coffee shop.

Love, Tyler

I drove to the coffee shop across town where I took her for the very first time. Berkeley might’ve been the first time I saw her, but our first date wasn’t on campus. I had taken her to this coffee shop everyone ranted and raved about, then tried to impress her with my knowledge of coffee. It was the lamest thing I’d ever done in my life, but for a rosy-red-cheeked freshman, she was all over it.

I got to the coffee shop and told the man behind the counter what I was doing, and he was more than willing to hang onto the note I was about to write her. So, I stood at the counter and scribbled it down before I handed it to the man who now had a huge smile on his face.

Amber,

I’ve paid for the first ever coffee I bought you. Grab it, sit, and enjoy. Take time to drink in the moment. I know you might be anxious, but allow yourself the time to rest. You’ve been working hard, and you deserve it. Once you’ve finished your coffee, think about the first time we ever went on a walk. You remember that trail?

Love, Tyler

I crossed town again and arrived at the park we took our first sunset walk at. For a woman I was just having sex with, we sure as hell did some romantic things back in college. I left the note stapled to a gazebo after talking to a park ranger about what I was doing, and he said he would keep watch and make sure she got it. So, I sat underneath the gazebo I first ate that beautiful pussy out in and wrote her the last note.

Amber,

Remember this fun little place? It’s a particularly fond memory of mine. Why don’t you sit and spread those legs for me, remembering that very moment yourself? If you don’t, that’s fine. Whenever you’re ready, I’d like you to meet me at the memorial tree on Berkeley’s campus. It’s where I was standing the first time I ever saw you dance, and it’s still my favorite place to go whenever I think of you.

Love, Tyler

Then, I headed to Berkeley and waited. I stood underneath that tree and paced, rehearsing the speech in my head as Amber sent me text message after text message. The moment she told me she was heading for the tree, my palms started to sweat. People were starting to stare, and some had gathered in anticipation for what was about to happen, but all I could do was think about what she might be wearing. I had bought her a beautiful sweater dress and put it in her closet, but I wasn’t sure if she would find it.

But, when she crested the hill in her beautiful red and yellow sweater dress coupled with a pair of dark jeans that hugged every luscious curve I’d sink my teeth into later, I couldn’t help but smile with pride.

She ran up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, and I swung her around before I dropped down to one knee. I didn’t want to give her a chance to speak or think, or ask questions. All I wanted her to do was sit back and listen.

“Amber, you light up my life every single day.”

“Tyler, what are you doing?” she asked.

“You are the reason I now understand what it means to have a family.”

“Tyler, get up,” she said.

I paused what I was doing and looked at her quizzically. I stood to my feet, towering over her as tears poured down her face. She raised her hand to cup my cheek while everyone around us watched in anticipation, and she smiled before she raised up to kiss my lips.

“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.

“May I continue?” I asked.

“Please,” she said, smiling.

I got back down on one knee and took her hand back within mine, and everyone around us gasped. The speech I had rehearsed slowly came flooding back to the forefront of my mind, and I could feel Amber’s hand trembling within my own. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring that had been burning a hole in it since this morning, and I watched her eyes widen in shock.

“Underneath this tree was the first time I saw you. You were dancing over there by the building in the corner, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. My heart skipped a beat right then and there, but the immature part of me thought that meant I needed to get into your pants. I never once stopped to think that it could’ve been because I was looking at the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I believe that’s why the universe found a way for us to find one another again.”

“Oh, Tyler,” she breathed.

“You are the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing on it before I go to sleep. Whenever I’m doubting what Luke and I are doing with our business, I think about who I’m pressing on for. I remind myself what I’m building and who it’s protecting, and suddenly the struggles no longer matter. You’ve single-handedly shown me the definition of family, and I know there’s absolutely no way I could spend the rest of my life without you in it.”

“I love you so much, Tyler. Oh, my gosh.”

“Amber Duffield, my heart sings out for you. Watching you chase your dreams is something I never thought I would get to do, so kneeling here in front of you is a bit surreal for me. But, I love you with every fiber of my being, and I want you to be my wife. I want to stand at your side and support you in everything you do. I want to be your biggest fan. I want to dedicate my life to making our lives work just the way we deserve, and I want to create a family with you. Amber Duffield, will you marry me?”

She grabbed the collar of my suit and pulled me to her lips. Everyone around us cheered as she nodded her head yes against mine, and I slipped the ring on her finger while our lips danced in tandem with the beating of our hearts. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I picked her up again, swinging her around.

But, when I sat her back down, she started in on something she had obviously been rehearsing as well.

“Tyler Raymond, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I was heartbroken when you went to New York City, and I never got over you. When you were in my parents’ house for the first time, all those memories came flooding back, and I was so angry with you. But, little by little, you showed me why I was so taken with you in college. You’re intelligent and crafty. You’re easy to talk with and funny. Your eyes are mesmerizing, and your body touches me in ways I couldn't even conjure in my wildest dreams. The first time we kissed after I saw you I saw everything. A house, children, our businesses, our old age. I saw us walking in the park and holding hands, raising grandchildren and having family Christmases. I saw all of it within the span of that first kiss, and I saw it all with you. I love you, and not only will I marry you, but I will dedicate every single second of my life to supporting you in everything you could possibly want out of this life.”

I buried my face into the crook of her neck and held her while everyone clapped a second time. I slowly began to sway with her while the cool winds of the California winter began to pick up, and suddenly the hustling and bustling around us seemed to fade into the background. Right now, there was just me and her and a whistling tree playing us a rustling tune that blanketed this perfect moment between us.

At that moment, I held the rest of my world within the confines of my arms, and if I had it my way, she would never want for anything more for the rest of her life. So long as I could provide it for her, she would have it. No questions asked.

“I love you, Amber Duffield.”

“And I love you, Tyler Raymond.” There was no denying it, not that she would ever try.

***End of First Story***

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