6 Months Later

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Piper

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“Both of my evening classes are full.” I point at the calendar that Bridget printed out. “I don’t see why I can’t take over your Saturday spot.”

She rubs her growing belly. “Tamara doesn’t arrive for another two months so that’s going to work out perfectly. I’ll finish up my class, and you can launch another human form class in that spot if you want.”

Of course I want to.

Teaching has become my lifeblood, next to loving Griffin.

The showcase in Boston was a huge success. I was offered an artist in resident placement in Italy, but the thought of leaving the gallery and my students behind didn’t excite me.

A year ago I would have jumped at the chance to study abroad, but my priorities have changed.

I belong here at Grant Gallery, guiding people to hone their love of art.

My work with Beck on creating a show of Rory’s pieces for a museum in Los Angeles has become a focus for me too. It’s a labor of love for Griffin, his mom Val, and me.

His brother has checked in on it a time or two, but his pain over Rory’s death is still too much.

It’s been eight years, but grief is a personal journey and one that Draven is still trying to navigate.

“You should get home.” Bridget shoves my purse toward me. “I don’t need you here right now.”

She’s rarely in during the afternoons, but she dropped in today to discuss her maternity leave. I’ll be taking over the day-to-day operations of the gallery while she takes a few months off.

I doubt like hell that she’ll be out that long. She loves this place as much as I do and her baby daughter already has a crib set up in the office for her future visits.

“I don’t clock out for another hour.” I point at my watch. “Why don’t you go home and see the boys and Dane?”

“They’re going to a movie.” She shrugs. “I’ll stick around. You take off.”

I don’t argue. Griffin is working from home today. I kissed him goodbye before I came to the gallery earlier. He was in the middle of a conference call, but he still made time to tell me he loves me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“You know it.” A wide smile crosses her lips. “Have a good night, Piper.”

“I will.”

She nods briskly. “Oh, I know you will.”

***

I turn my key in the lock of the apartment that I share with Griffin. It was his apartment, but it’s ours now.

I sublet my place to a woman who just moved to New York from New Mexico. She’s starry-eyed and eager to take Manhattan by storm. When I introduced her to Jo, they hit it off immediately.

When I saw Jo at the diner yesterday, she told me her new neighbor has already found the man of her dreams.

I push on the heavy wooden door and step into the foyer.

I stop in place, shaking my head, unsure if what I’m seeing is real.

“Mom? Dad?” My voice breaks. “Are you here?”

They both rush toward me and tug me into their arms. I haven’t seen them since I left Denver to move to New York. We talk online and share the occasional video chat, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to hug them in months.

I do, tightly.

I wanted them at the showcase in Boston, but my dad’s fear of flying kept them grounded in Colorado.

I pull back from our embrace to take off my coat and drop my purse on the table. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“Everything is right in our world.” Griffin appears behind my parents. “I flew them here because I needed to ask them a question. I had to do that in person, Piper.”

I choke out a breath when I see the small gift box in his palm.

“Oh, shit,” I mutter under my breath.

“Piper,” my mom scolds me the same way she always has when I swear.

Griffin reaches for me. “Baby, come here.”

I take his hand and follow him to the middle of the room.

He’s wearing the very same suit he was the first day I met him. I’m wearing a white dress we picked out together last week at the vintage shop near my old place.

When I tried it on he told me I took his breath away. He does that to me every single day.

“I couldn’t ask for your parents’ permission to marry you without meeting them first.” He smiles over my shoulder to where my mom and dad are standing. “They said yes.”

I nod. “I will too.”

He laughs before he drops to one knee. “You came into my life when I needed you the most. You taught me about forgiveness, and regret. You showed me that love could heal and transform a person.”

My hand darts to cover my mouth.

“I love you with every part of who I am, Piper. Marry me. Just marry me and make me the happiest man on this earth.”

“Yes.” I bounce in my heels. “You know it’s a yes.”

When he opens the box and I see the ring, I can’t control the tears. It’s beautiful. It’s a silver band with two stones; one diamond for his heart and one for mine. He’s been telling me for months that he wanted to design the ring himself.

“It’s perfect, Griffin,” I whisper as he slides it on my finger. “This is perfect.”

“Every tomorrow will be too.” He stands to kiss me. “I’ll make sure of it.”

I will too. This man’s happiness is what my dreams are made of.

“So...” My dad interrupts just as Griffin is about to brush his lips over mine. “Let’s talk grandchildren.”

Griffin’s head falls back in laughter. I can’t help but laugh too.

“Give us a minute to get married.” Griffin smiles at my dad. “Let me have her to myself for a year or two and then we’ll make you a grandpa.”

“I can live with that.” My dad steps back.

“I can too,” I whisper to Griffin. “For now, all I want to do is love you.”

His kiss says it all. We were meant to be together, our future is written and every tomorrow will be better than the day before.