The days came and went, and I still had not talked to Bryant. He kept calling, but I wasn’t ready to answer. My heart was heavy, and I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to see his face and not fall desperately into his arms. I also wanted to have a good Christmas. Trevor had come by a few days ago with a check for the remaining $30,000. I really didn’t know what I was getting paid for. I wanted to give the money back, but Mrs. Miller told me I was being selfish. She pointed out that the money would help Sophie, and as much as it killed me to keep anything Bryant gave me, I knew how much good it would do Sophie.

Sophie and I spent all day decorating the tree, while Mrs. Miller cooked an amazing dinner.

“It smells incredible. Thank you for cooking supper.”

“Oh dear, cooking for you and my little Sophie is my favorite thing to do.” When we were about to sit down, there was a knock on the door. When I pulled it open, Bryant was waiting on the other side.

“You are going to talk to me, Holly,” he demanded and pushed his way into the apartment.

I could have argued, told him to leave, but the truth was I missed him. We needed to talk, and it looked like there was no avoiding it now.

Bryant

“This must be Bryant.” A sweet, elderly woman came out with a wooden spatula in hand, giving me the sternest look.

“Hello, Mrs. Miller, it’s lovely to meet you.” I extended my hand, and she ignored it. I had to admit, Holly was able to instill fierce loyalty in those who knew her. I couldn’t blame them. She was something fierce.

“Listen, young man, and you listen good. Holly is my family. She is like a granddaughter and daughter all rolled into one for me. I love her and Sophie more than anything else in the world. Don’t let this frail old body of mine fool you. You upset her again, and I will hunt you down and gut you like a fish.”

For a little old lady, she was definitely frightening. I liked her. Anyone who loved my girl this much had my respect.

“I never want to hurt or upset Holly, Mrs. Miller. You have nothing to be worried about.”

“Sophie, let’s make a plate and head over to my apartment and eat it while watching a movie.” Mrs. Miller called to Sophie, who came out of the kitchen and ran straight toward me.

“Bryant! Is Rachel with you?” Sophie ran over to me and wrapped her tiny arms around me. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. It reminded me that there was so much more at stake here than making Holly mine. This little girl was just as important, and I needed Holly to see that I would never hurt either one of them. I wanted them to be with me forever. As Mrs. Miller and Sophie left the apartment, I turned to look at Holly. She was so beautiful. I walked over to her and touched her cheek. I was relieved when she didn’t pull away from me. Then I got on my knees. Her eyes widened in shock.

“Holly, I am so sorry. I didn’t know that Trevor had called a reporter. I told him to turn down the captain position. Besides, I can’t commit to it the way I intended to originally. I found something much more valuable. I want you, Holly. I want you and Sophie and a houseful of other children. I want you to finish school and kick ass as a social worker, helping other kids so that they can have a better future. I love you so much, Holly. You are everything I never knew I wanted.” I tried to make her understand how sincere I was. “You have managed to creep your way into every corner of my heart and mind. When I am not with you, all I do is think about you. When I am with you, it’s like you have made all my dreams come true. You are so amazing, Holly, please don’t give up on me.” I reached into my pocket and took out a simple diamond ring. It wasn’t anything extravagant and I could afford something so much bigger, but the second I saw it in the store, it reminded me of Holly. It had a quiet beauty that shone brighter than all the other outrageous rings around it. Like her. I opened the box, and I heard her gasp, putting her hands over her mouth.

“I would give my life for you, Holly. And a life without you isn’t worth living. You are everything to me. Will you marry me?”

Holly

I looked at him on his knees before me. I couldn’t deny that I loved him. I loved him so much that it hurt. He was a good man; I knew he was. The fact that he gave up the position he’d been working toward his whole life for me, to prove to me that I was more important than anything else, was unbelievable.

“Yes,” I whispered. “I love you, Bryant Sommers. I was so used to being hurt and lied to my whole life, and I let that bleed into us. I promise I will never doubt or run away from you again.”

He looked at me and smiled, a smile that brightened all the dark places in my heart. He placed the ring on my finger, then leaned in and kissed me. Within that kiss, we let go of all our hurt, our pasts, the loneliness, and the fear we’d surrounded ourselves with.

In that moment, we were whole and united as one.