“He’s a good man,” Brooks said again. “Just like you’re an excellent woman. I think we need to use today as a new start to our life.”
“Our life?”
“Only if you’re on board. I want you in my life. I want to be with you. You make me happy. So happy. In that hospital bed, that night, you came in and talked to me. I was still ready to end things. I was embarrassed, and I didn’t know how much lower my life could get. I didn’t want to bring you down with me. You deserve someone better than that. I can be better than that.”
“I know,” I said as tears flowed from my eyes. “I know. We make a great team.”
“Yes, we do. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, for being there for me, for not letting me go, or pushing me away. For not listening to my stubbornness and letting it ruin what we could have. This isn’t me. That wasn’t me.”
“I know. I think that’s what hurt the most. You were different. Not the man I knew.”
“I want to be that better man for you if you’ll let me.”
“You know my answer, Brooks. You know my answer. Don’t push me away anymore.”
“Never. Does this mean you want to stay with me? This old man?”
“We’re not old, and yes, I want to be with you.”
He reached up and kissed my forehead, then my lips. “You mean the world to me. You really do. As soon as I can stand without pain, I’ll pick you up and hug you like I want to.”
“I’m again sorry about that,” I said.
He laughed. “Smart move. You stopped me in my tracks, literally.”
“So, no more hiding feelings. No more jealousy. No more...”
“Going forward, I’m always going to be honest with you. Completely honest. I won’t ruin us. I’m going to protect you, love you, be there for you...”
I smiled at him.
“And I hope you want the same.”
I nodded.
“Good. Good,” he said as tears fell from his eyes. “I can’t lose you too. I love you so much, Erika. So much.”
“I love you. I always have. We’ll get through this together.”
He pulled me into him, so I sat on his lap, wrapped my arms around his hips, and laid my head back on his shoulder.
This was how we were supposed to be. We had our second chance at a life together, and this was it. I couldn’t explain how much I just wanted to break down and cry happy tears. Everything we had been through, it didn’t matter; we would be together. Through everything, it would end with Brooks and me together, like we’d talked about years ago.
The End
Epilogue
“Merry Christmas!” Margo said as she strode through the front door.
I rushed from the den to the entryway to embrace her and Easton. “I can’t believe you two live next door. This has been so nice having you guys so close. I hope you could find parking.”
Margo and Easton laughed. “Well, it’s so crowded out there, we just walked the shoveled path.”
I grabbed the crockpot from Margo to set on the island as Easton opened the fridge to fill it with the beer he brought. “Where’s Brooks?”
“He’ll be down. He’s just getting out of the shower.”
“Sounds good. Either of you want anything to drink?”
“I’ll take a beer,” Margo answered.
“Erika?”
“No, thanks. I have my tea.”
“Sounds good.”
“I love the holiday décor!” Margo exclaimed as she wandered into the living room.
“Thanks. Brooks and I picked it out. Starting out our holiday theme with this year.”
“I have to say, this is the first time I’ve seen a Christmas tree decked with black and orange,” Easton said.
“The silver ribbon and bows make it exquisite. It’s original. It’s perfect. It has you written all over it, Erika,” Margo added.
“Thanks.”
“Hey there, bud!” Easton hollered as Brooks descended the stairs. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you,” he responded as they shared a brisk hug. “Margo, Merry Christmas,” he said as he hugged her.
“I was just telling Erika how nice it looks in here,” Margo said. “You two did well.”
“Well, it’s unique. I’m used to the varied colored lighting and décor, so this was a change for me. And you know what, at first I was a little skeptical, but it’s grown on me. I love it. It turned out nice. It’s excellent for a cabin. Erika has great taste.”
“Thank you,” I said as he hugged me. “Easton put some drinks in the fridge if you would like one.”
“Now that sounds good,” he responded as he headed towards the fridge.
“So, any plans to move back to your hometown?” Margo asked.
“No. We agreed we’re going to create our life together right here. And we can’t move with you two next door now.”
Margo laughed. “Same here. When you first moved up here, I thought for sure you’d move back in a month or two. But now I see why you stuck around. It may not be the same reason I stayed, but it’s nice up here.”
I laughed with her. It didn’t take long for Margo and Easton to fall for each other. The day in the hospital, when they first met, was a nice icebreaker. Ever since that day, they’d been together. It was nice to see them happy.
“Things happen for a reason,” Margo said. “There’s always something good that comes out of something negative.”
“Okay, ladies!” Easton yelled as he strode from the kitchen carrying some wine glasses. “I think it’s a perfect time to prepare another toast.” He handed Margo and me each a glass.
Brooks followed him to the living room with his own wine glass and stood next to me, draping his arm around me.
“To new beginnings, new friendships, and a remarkable life together. May every year going forward be better than the last.”
“Cheers!” we said in unison as we lifted our glasses and took a sip.
“I have something else to include in the toast,” Brooks said as he set his wine glass on the mantel behind us. “Easton,
