“Yes!” I screamed as I burst into tears. “Yes, Risk.”
Risk put the ring on my band finger then shot to his feet and in the same moment, his lips were on mine, our forever was sealed the second his lips touched mine.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
FRANKIE
“What’re ye thinkin’ so hard about, kid?”
I looked up at Michael and shrugged.
“Everything,” I answered. “I can’t focus on one thing, it’s just a jumbled mess up there.”
“I know the feelin’,” he placed a cup of tea in front of me.
I was in the home Michael and my mum had shared. It looked the exact same as the last time it did when my mum was alive, but it didn’t feel the same anymore. It was as if her presence had vanished even though all of her things were still here. I thought coming here would make me feel close to her, but it didn’t.
“I want to ask how you’re doin’, but I know ye’ve gotten that question as much as I have.”
Wasn’t that the truth. The year-round residents of Southwold had gone above and beyond for my mum. They had sent flowers, cards, homemade dishes and offered to be on call for a chat 24/7 should either Michael or myself need it. I loved my town and I loved the people in it even more.
“Today is a good day,” I admitted. “But God, I miss her, Michael. I miss her so much.”
“So do I, kid. We always will.”
“It’s weird though,” I toyed with the handle on my cup. “The woman we knew left us a long time ago, but now that she’s gone completely, I feel like I’m grieving that part of her being gone all over again.”
“That’s the thing about grievin’, Frankie. None of it makes any sense. We know there are stages to grief, but no two people actually grieve the same. We’re human, we aren’t made to just accept the people we love most can be gone forever. It’s why we hurt for so long then eventually reach a place when we can smile when we think of them. Even smilin’ when you think of a passed loved one is grievin’. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”
“You’re right,” I said. “I know you are. I’m just trying to find a way to cope with this feeling. It hurts.”
Michael reached over and clasped my hand in his.
“I know it does, love.”
I looked up at my stepdad and my heart broke.
“Michael, have I ever truly told you how much I love you?” I asked, squeezing his hand. “I know I call you by your name, but you’re very much my dad. You know that, don’t you?”
He smiled wide, tears glistening in his eyes.
“Of course I know you love me,” he said. “And you’re me baby girl. You’re nothin’ less than me daughter, Frankie.”
I got up at the same time as he did and we hugged tightly and cried. We both felt the same level of pain because we both missed one hell of an incredible woman.
“I have to speak to you about something.”
“Does it have anythin’ to do with that rock on your finger?”
“Risk is back,” I smiled. “But I guess you already know that, right?”
The way I peeked up at Michael made him laugh.
“Did he ask you down on one knee like he better have?”
“Yes,” I smiled, flushing. “You’re so sneaky.”
He reached for my hand when I held it out to him and rubbed his fingertips over my engagement ring. I stared down at it, still not being able to believe it was mine because Risk had asked me to marry him and I said yes. This morning when I woke up, I was at war with myself, wondering how I was going to tell him I was pregnant after everything we had been through and now I was engaged to the man and planning a future together for our family. Our family. Me, Risk and our son. It was all too good to be true and I thanked God for every second of it.
“He’s excited?” Michael asked. “About the baby?”
I had told Michael I was pregnant when I was twelve weeks and he was so excited to be a grandfather.
“Madly.” I shook my head. “You were right, I was scared over nothing.”
“Told you so.”
I snorted. “That you did.”
I looked at the man who was once nothing more than a GP to me but was now the only parent I had left on this earth and my spirit felt a little crushed.
“What’s wrong?”
I exhaled a breath. “Risk can’t permanently stay in Southwold year round. He has to travel a lot for work. He said we’re going to make it work so we’re here in Southwold the majority of every year but there will be times he is touring, or has to go back to the States and I want to be with him when he goes.”
“I’d expect nothin’ less than a wife wantin’ to be with her husband.” Michael smiled. “So what’s the issue?”
I looked down. “I . . . I don’t want to leave you and Mum.”
I felt horrible when I thought about it.
“Look at me, little.”
I lifted my eyes to Michael’s and the love he had for me shone bright within them.
“Your mam will be with you everywhere ye go.” He squeezed my hand. “She knew, more than anyone, how much ye loved Risk. I know she would want you to spend your life with him in happiness.”
I whimpered. “But how can I just leave her here . . . how can I leave you here all alone?”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Michael smiled. “I’m not alone. I have me friends nearby, and, just like you, I still have your mammy with me.”
“I just . . . I’m so scared. Southwold has been my life for so long.”
“Are you scared everything will change again if you leave?”
Wordlessly, I bobbed my head.
“I understand.” Michael’s thumb brushed over my knuckles. “Ye’ve been here for so long because of your mam. Ye’ve dedicated the last nine years of your
