“Marry me,” I propose, bending on one knee. Tears gather in her eyes. She mumbles my name so low I can only read it on her lips, Eros.
“I don’t have a ring, but I have my heart and my soul to give.” I take both her hands. “I don’t want to wait another second to spend the rest of my life with you. It’s been hell not having you with me. It’s because of you that I became the man I am today. You believed in me when no one did. In a way, you showed me how to love myself. We can live anywhere in the world, or here close to our families. All I know is that I want to bind myself to you, forge a bond that will be unbreakable even after we’re gone. Olivia Evelyn Sierra, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
My heart stutters as I see the loving look in her eyes. I’ve witnessed that look, and I can’t believe I never thought that she loved me before. That we loved each other the way we do. Tears stream down her cheeks, her voice cracks as she says, “I love you. I’d… Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I stand up, bringing her mouth to mine.
“You’ve always made me happy,” I say, kissing the back of her neck.
“Always?”
“Yes. There’s something about you that’s always called to me, Liv.”
“So this was your plan all along?”
“It’s better than sacrificing you to some volcano, don’t you think? Maybe I’ll just keep your first born instead.” I kiss her deeper as I take her to my bedroom. We finally found each other, in this life.
In this moment.
Epilogue
Olivia
Every day and night with Eros are amazing. This though might be one of the best of my life. We spend all night in bed, making love while promising a life filled with trust, love, and a future where we grow old—together. We emerge the next day around noon. Dad has called me several times. I missed the weekly meeting. For the first time in years, I don’t care.
We only wait a couple of weeks to get married. Edna and Octavio delay their trip after we give them the big news that we were going to celebrate our nuptials in two Sundays. Holly is my matron of honor. Persy and Nyx are my bridesmaids.
I finally meet Gil, who flies to us the moment Eros asks him to be his best man. Ford and Nate are his groomsmen. Nova and Leah are our flower girls. Mom is the only one who doesn’t join us in person, but she calls us on her phone and witnesses the ceremony.
It’s not a big wedding, only family and a few friends. Zack joins us. Since Callie’s death, he’s become good friends with Eros.
Our honeymoon is in Costa Rica. We spend some time in Eros’s house. It’s right by the beach. That’s when we decide that maybe we should dispose of my birth control and wait for nature to do its thing. It might take years or just a few months to start a family. It’s like everything in our life; we don’t force anything. After analyzing everything that’s happened since the first time we met, it’s obvious that we weren’t ready to be together.
We would’ve destroyed the most beautiful love because we were both too young and had a lot to learn. We’re still learning from life and from each other. He’s making me part of one of the most wonderful families in the world. A family that has taken in my parents too. Mom and Edna are best friends. After Cole, Holly’s baby and our godchild, is born, we start making plans for our trip to Costa Rica. Our family has agreed to spend the holidays with us. We have a lot to do. The next two years we’re going to be building a place that’s going to help families while we help nature and the world too.
Life couldn’t be better.
Epilogue
Eros
Six years later
“This is payback,” Persy says as we watch our boys clean the walls.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, giving her an appalled look. “I was an angel growing up.”
I watch my four-year-old sons and nephew, Kaelan, clean the walls they painted with the new markers Grandpas Dan and Otto sent in this week’s care package. I love my in-laws, but they don’t have to deal with the consequences of their presents. They should learn from Beatriz, who sends us cookies every month. Those are harmless and delicious.
“Like I believe it,” Liv, my wife, hands me a bucket and a sponge. “These three are trouble. Edna says that they are just like you two. If we want them to finish today, you’re going to have to help them.”
“Why me and not her?” I point at Persy. “Her son conspired with our spawns.”
Liv rests a hand on the small bump of her belly and sighs. “Persy and I are going to the living room to put our feet up and rest. We still have several months to nest.”
I love that Liv is best friends with my sisters.
Persy smirks. “I told you, it’s payback. You have not one, but two like you.” She points at Liv’s belly. “Maybe Mr. Three is going to the worst.”
Liv smiles. We don’t want to tell anyone yet that we’re having a baby girl. Though, if she’s anything like Walker or Finley, we’re screwed. When we learned we were having twins, we were ecstatic. Once they learned how to crawl, we knew we were in trouble.
“Your spawn is going to be worse than mine,” I complain, pointing at her bump. “Where is your husband? He should be helping us.”
“So, you agree that they are a couple of monsters,” Persy taunts me. “Ford took Leah to soccer practice.”
“Lucky man. And yeah, maybe my sons inherited that from my sisters,” I agree.
“Mommy, can I have cookies?” Walker turns around and looks at Liv, gifting her his best smile. Finley looks over his shoulder and opens his eyes wide. “Please, Mommy.”
“And here’s where you can see who’s the weak link of this family,” I mumble. Persy tries not to chuckle.
There are times when my wife can’t say no to our boys. Liv goes close to them and whispers something. They both hug her tight and my heart swells. I love to see my family like this. Happy.
“Daddy, can you help us?” Walker asks with a big grin.
“I promised to make grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. I’ll give them cookies as soon as they finish cleaning the mess.” Liv kisses the top of their heads.
“Let’s get started then.”
Persy kisses Keal’s cheek and says, “next time ask for paper, buddy.”
He nods. She heads toward the living room. Since the boys are busy cleaning the wall, I grab Liv by the waist and pull her to me. “You’re bossy, lady.”
“Tonight I can give you a big prize for helping the boys.”
“Well, now we’re speaking my language.” I kiss her hard. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“I love you just as much.” She holds my face with both hands. “Thank you for making me so happy.”
“Thank you for coming into my life and giving me so much.” I kiss her again, grateful that there’s only one life and we’re in it together.
Excerpt