EPILOGUE
Rayna
Once we got home, the papers were served to James, and he lashed out at Declan’s lawyers. He was livid that I was leaving him even with the proof of his cheating that they dug up, as well as the fact that I was asking for nothing from him. I told them to persist, and they did, wearing him down in time.
I never gave my parents my new phone number, not after that last email. I never even bothered to reach out to them again, accepting that I’d lost my family. I was jealous that Claire agreed to the divorce with Declan quickly, taking what he offered her in the settlement and asking for nothing else. They could have James and his lying ways since their firm meant more to them than their daughter.
I still cried at night sometimes, though. I wanted it to be different. Declan was right about his parents. They adored me, and I was invited to Christmas this year in Boston at the airport when they were leaving, amid hugs and kisses that I never received from my own parents.
I was back at the agency, though I worked from home now. James never found out about my job that I knew of and Declan suggested working from the house in case he ever did. He did agree to the divorce six months after I asked, though grudgingly and asked for the rings back.
I told the lawyers where they were at the house. I hadn’t worn them in the last couple of years. This was taxing, and I just wanted it over, not even dealing with him face-to-face. He asked, demanded, and threatened the lawyer, but Todd would not back down.
Some of the girls came over to see me when they had some downtime and they were all crazy about Declan. He was warm to them, knowing they were my family now, not threatened at all that I was going to go back to that side of the business.
I actually had a plan about that, something that I was going to hold onto for just a little longer.
Declan
We left for Boston a week before Christmas, flying the few hours in first class as I watched Rayna sleep. She looked so beautiful, and I stroked her hair gently before I looked out of the window. We were both free from the trappings of our former marriages now, but completely together. There was no more looking for either of us, and I thought about the ring waiting for her at my parent’s house. It was my grandmother’s, and I was going to ask her to marry me on Christmas Eve by the tree when we were alone.
It was fast, but I knew that I loved her more every day. We wanted the same future, and I saw no reason to hold off on that any longer, and neither did my mom. She loved Rayna and wanted grandchildren. It was as simple as that.
Rayna was a strawberry blonde now, her hair past her shoulders. She saw a therapist to deal with her issues with her family and James, working through them weekly as we just got stronger together. I knew that she was ready for a proposal and what I hoped was a short engagement.
We rented a car to drive to my parent’s house and came in through the door to hugs and kisses. My family was affectionate, and I sensed that Rayna loved it. We sat down for lunch and talked about the holiday plans as Rayna agreed to them with a grin. Mom knew my plan, and I could tell that she was bursting at the seams about it.
Through the week-long trip, we saw the town, and I showed her places from my past. We had a great time and with the parties and get togethers going on, it was the moment of truth before I knew it. My parents were in bed, and we were watching a Christmas movie in the big living room lit only by the television and tree lights as I looked down at her. The ring was in the kitchen, and I asked her if she wanted some water as she nodded and smiled at me. I got a bottle and stuffed the ring into the pocket of my pajamas as I took a slow breath.
I walked back out to her and looked at her as she stretched. I set the bottle down on the table, dropping in front of her on the floor as she froze. “Declan?”
“Baby, you know that I love you. I want to start our new life together this coming year, if possible. I want everything that we’ve talked about, Rayna. I am ready for the real play to start for both of us. Will you marry me?” I asked as she let her mouth drop open.
“Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God,” she said, her voice rising with each time. “I have a surprise for you, too.”
“But will you marry me?” I asked as she pulled me up and into her arms.
“Yes!! I will marry you, and I’ll be having your baby in about seven months, too. Does that work for you?” She asked as I pulled her against me.
“Baby?” I asked as she nodded and kissed me. I knew that she was talking about not taking her pills anymore, but I wasn’t sure when she did since we’d been together for several months now.
“Yes. I tested myself, and I go to the doctor when we get back home. Are you happy?” I asked as he kissed me tenderly.
“I am thrilled. Will you marry me soon? I want you to be my wife.” I asked as she nodded and melted into my arms.
We went to bed a little while later, making love quietly in his old bed. I broke the news about the engagement with family the following day, and Rayna told them about the baby, grinning as the room erupted in screams.
Our future was beginning, and I couldn’t wait for the next year. We were wrapped up in hugs as everyone congratulated us, asking when the wedding was and the baby was due.
Rayna smiled at me through the crowd as we drifted apart and I saw how happy she was, her smile bright and her blue eyes twinkling. She never looked more beautiful, and I wondered if the baby would look like the one in my dream.
“I love you,” I mouthed as she blew me a kiss.
Life was going to be perfect.
THE END
Thank you for reading and for your support. Turn the page for your bonus story – The Doctor’s Fake Marriage.