Gage dropped to a knee, too, dug into his little pocket, and pulled out another blue string.
This one was tiny with a charm tied in the middle of it.
“And I’m gonna love you for all of forever, too, to the highest mountain, so I was hoping you’d be my mom. Will you, Miss Murphy, will you?”
A sob climbed to my throat.
But in it was no sadness.
No shame.
No question.
My men were each on a knee, so I dropped to both of mine. “Yes, yes, forever, yes.”
Trent slid the ring onto my trembling finger, kissed me in a way that probably wasn’t prudent for the audience.
But neither of us could mind right then.
It was passion and a promise.
Everything.
Everything.
The tears kept flooding when he pulled back.
“My turn,” Gage shouted. He scooted forward and worked the ring made of string onto my index finger. “There you go! It’s so the prettiest ring ever. Even prettier than the one my dad got you, right, Mom, right?”
Gage grinned in all that hope, looking up at me for approval.
For commitment.
For everything I’d give him for the rest of my days.
His father grinned at his side.
And I knew I’d never feel greater joy in all my life. And I was going to hold it forever.
Trent
I took Eden’s hand in mine and helped her to stand.
People surrounding us cheered and shouted. Rushed in for hugs and congratulations.
Eden hugged them. Cried and laughed.
The sound of it filled me whole, same way as her spirit had done.
I’d never imagined it. Never thought I’d deserve it. But I’d fight for it, for her, for my son, for this family, for the rest of my life.
My purpose was finally clear.
One reason.
I just had finally figured out what that really meant.
I glanced around at the smiling faces of the people who loved us.
My brothers.
Eden’s dad who’d become like a father to me.
And for a beat, I lifted my gaze to the endless sky, searching that eternity.
In it, I could almost hear my mother’s voice. Singing that song she’d loved so quietly.
I shifted back when I felt the warmest gaze wash over me.
Eden.
Sweet, fucking Eden.
Autumn eyes and the purest soul.
My life.
My hope.
The most beautiful belief.
And I thought maybe…maybe there was forgiveness, after all, for a sinner like me.
THE END