After All - Romancing Manhattan

His hips move in the same rhythm as the surf, and his eyes don’t leave mine. We’re quiet, even though there’s certainly no one else awake or on their balconies. It seems fitting to watch each other, our gasps and heavy breathing drowned by the force of the ocean.

I can see in his eyes when he’s about to lose control. I tip my forehead against his and hold on tight. “Go over.”

“Come with me.”

How can I ever resist him?

Chapter Eleven

~Carter~

I’ve never been happier to own a property in my life. Granted, my grandfather went a bit above and beyond by buying the entire building, but being near the water fuels me in ways that the city just doesn’t, which surprises me because I’ve never spent a significant amount of time near the beach in the past.

It seems that Nora loves it as well, which is the most important thing. Remembering the way her skin looked under the silver moonlight heats my blood. Listening to the crashing of the waves swallow her sighs of passion is a memory I’ll never lose.

Yes, Nora at the beach is a wonder to behold.

If she wants to come here every weekend, I’ll make it happen. Things between us have changed so quickly, and yet, I can’t imagine a life without her.

I pray to the gods that I never have to know what that feels like.

I survived tragically losing love once.

I don’t know that I could do it again.

I’m walking along the shore, watching what look like black pelicans fly over the waves in straight formation. The sand on the east coast of Florida is coarser than the Gulf Coast side, but no less beautiful. It’s rich with shells and all kinds of things to discover after the tide.

Yes, Gabby will love it here. We’ll make the trip down again soon and the women in my life can start redecorating the condo, making it into a comfortable second home for both of them. I’m excited to see what they choose.

I haven’t read the letter in my pocket. Maggie gave it to me a couple of years ago, and I tucked it away, almost forgetting about it until Gabby asked to read her own letter when she had the chicken pox.

“Darcy gave this to me,” Maggie said with a sad smile. “She asked me to hold on to it and give it to you when you’ve fallen in love again. But only you will know when that happens, dear. So I’m passing it on to you, to keep for when the time is right.”

The time is right.

I sit on a weathered log and pull the sealed envelope out of my pocket. My name is written in Darcy’s tidy handwriting.

For a while, before Maggie gave this to me, I was angry. I thought Darcy only wrote letters to Gabby, and I felt left out. I needed to hear her voice, too. I missed her, too.

And then this came to me, and I realized that it wasn’t that she didn’t think of me, but that we’d said all we needed to say when she was still here, and I’m grateful for that. We left nothing unsaid. I have no regrets about my time with my late wife.

I carefully open the envelope and unfold the letter.

Carter—

If you’re reading this letter it’s because you’ve had time to heal, and you’ve found someone special, as you should. I’ve been telling you for weeks now that one day you’ll fall in love again, not because you’ve forgotten me, but because your heart has mended and is ready to be given to someone wonderful.

And I’m sure she’s wonderful. She must be to win you over. You’re such an incredible person, Carter. Your capacity for love, for patience, for kindness are unparalleled. You’ve loved me so completely, there’s no more I could have asked for.

I also know that whoever she is, she loves our Gabby girl. You wouldn’t accept anything less than a woman who loves our daughter as her own.

It’s my deepest wish that you’re happy. Truly. That you and Gabby, while always remembering me, don’t dwell on the past, but live your lives to the fullest with a beautiful person by your side. I hope you have a long, full life together. Not that you need my approval, or my blessing. But you have them just the same.

Love always,

Darcy

Well, if that isn’t a punch to the gut, I don’t know what is. I read the letter once again, then tuck it away and fiddle with the ring I have in the other pocket. I’ve been carrying it with me, in case an opportunity arises to get on one knee.

Yes, it’s fast.

No, I don’t give a fuck.

It seems my life has been on hold for five years, and I’m ready to start a new chapter with Nora. She’s wonderful.