Cairn pulled me to his side, and I closed my eyes against his warmth. So much had happened in three months--so many unexpected and joyful things--but the best part was this. How was I going to live without it? The thought of my plane surging into the sky made me tense. Cairn sensed it and pulled me closer.
"We Brightwells have many things to celebrate tonight," Max said. "Friends. Family. Second chances. But above all this, love." He rested his gaze on Eleanor, who held her children. Max then shifted to me.
"A few months ago, my wife got an email from a girl far away. This girl was searching for a miracle of sorts. She was searching for her family." Cairn rested his cheek on top of my head, and my throat tightened.
"Now, as it turns out, we were searching for a miracle, too. And it came to us in you, dear Bea. Our Lizzie is in the hospital tonight, but she's still with us because of you." Max's voice broke, and my tears started to fall. "What is a family, Bea? What do you think it really is?"
My heart knew the answer. Had known it all along.
"A family is anyone who loves you."
This time, tears spilled down Max's cheeks. "Aye, dear girl, that's right. And we love you. That makes you our family." A sob escaped my mouth. For what we had lost to get here. For the love that had been waiting all along.
"But it's not me who needs to tell you that. Cairn, my son?"
I quickly wiped my tears as Cairn released me to retrieve a long tube wrapped in silver and ivory paper.
"For you," he said, his outstretched hand shaking.
"A going-away gift?" I asked, my voice breaking.
"More like a coming-home gift."
But I didn't hear him as I unwrapped the tube and pulled out a thick parchment scroll. When I unrolled it, I saw it was my family tree. A watercolor Scots pine, the national tree of Scotland, arched in the background, and over its branches silver lines linked the lineage I knew. Cairn had copied the entries from my worn page and made me a beautiful map of my family. I touched the paper and traced the names along the branches, as I had done over and over again with my original tree.
"I know we didn't find many answers," Cairn said. "Or your flesh and blood family, Bea. But it's my hope that you found something more. Because I know I have."
I stopped at my name, and everything that had spun in me for two years finally stilled.
More was here. A new branch connected my name to a whole family: Max Brightwell. Eleanor Brightwell. Brian Brightwell. Ansley Brightwell. Lizzie Brightwell.
And Cairn Brightwell.
A thick silver line linked my name to Cairn's, and on that line was a ring.
"Bea, look at me."
I couldn't stop the tears. Cairn cupped my face as he spoke.
"Oh, Bea. When you stepped into our house, I knew my life would change. I saw you, and I couldn't breathe. Here was this wee thing who came all this way alone to find her family. I was so impressed by your courage and your drive. I wanted to help you find what you deserve. But as I got to know you, other things impressed me, too. Your intelligence, your humor, your beauty. I fell in love with you. And then you did the unexpected." That low voice tripped with emotion. "You saved my sister."
His next words opened a new doorway to forever. "You've given us all a second chance with Lizzie, but you've given me a second chance with love. One I'm not going to waste."
He plucked the ring from the tree. Lowering himself, he took my hand in his.
"You are my miracle. You are my family. And I love you, Bea. Will you marry me and let me be your family?"
I knew at that moment that I wanted to be part of this story for the rest of my life.
"Yes," I cried. "Yes!" Cheers erupted around the room as Cairn pushed the ring on my finger. Before I could say another word, he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me into the air. He kissed me deeply, and I laughed when he finally released me.
"What's so funny?" he murmured.
"You told me that you would make me happy for a long time. I guess you'll have to start tonight." With joy, I touched that wave of dark hair.
"Yes?" he said, his eyes growing bright.
"Aye," I corrected. "And for the rest of our lives."