Epilogue - DeanI had forgotten how beautiful the sun could be. The second we heard the lockdown was lifted, we all went for a walk in the park. Jessica observed the behaviors of the local ducks as Becky and I cuddled on a nearby bench. It had been a few months since our first encounter when I hadn't been really careful about where I was coming, and she was really starting to show. I could almost I could feel the baby moving if I put my hand on her belly.

Jess was almost as excited about her new little cousin as we were. We already knew it was going to be a girl and had a name picked out. Simone.

“Hey guys,” Joe said, coming up over the crest of the hill.

“And he arrives,” Becky said.

“See you at home,” I said, giving her a quick kiss.

“Bye, Uncle Dean,” Jessica said, hugging my leg goodbye.

“Bye, honey. You sure you're okay to get her home?”

“I think we'll manage.”

“Shall we walk?” Joe asked.

“Let's.”

There was a coffee shop a few blocks away we both liked. At least we had the last time we had been there before I went to England. In a way, I was surprised that it was still there after all those years — the forces of gentrification doing a real number on the entire city. You had to go all the way out to Lincoln Heights to find some good, proper seediness anymore.

“I could hardly believe it when it actually showed up. All those zeros!”

“Have you ever know me to be a liar?” I asked.

“Well, no, not really. A rare thing these days, but still, can you really blame me? It really isn't, you know, characteristic of you, Dean. You usually don't spend a dime unless it is on yourself or to fight the power.”

“I've reassessed my priorities,” I said, getting my London Fog from the serving end of the counter.

We took our drinks to one of the refinished old tables by the window where we could watch the world go by. Everyone looked like they were in even more of a rush than usual. They were trying to catch up on life after such a lengthy lockdown.

“Well, blimey, guess miracles really do happen, Mr. Scrooge,” Joe said, doing his best approximation of a Dickensian urchin.

“First, Scrooge was a miser who didn't spend money on anyone, including himself. Two, never do that accent again.”

“Awe come on, you do.”

“Yes, but you see the difference, dear boy, is that I have put in my time,” I said, sounding like someone with a title in front of their name.

“Wow.”

“I know, right?” I said, taking another sip.

“Did you get it?”

By way of reply, I took the small black box out of my pocket and placed it on the table between us. Joe picked it up and carefully opened it, as though it might detonate at any time. There, cradled in the black velvet base was a solid gold ring with careful etching around the outside, a large diamond set in the middle surrounded by smaller rubies.

“It was my grandmothers. I asked my dad if he knew where it was, and by some merciful act of the fates, he remembered. I just picked it up today.”

“You flew to France?”

“The concords are very fast.”

“The concord isn't flying anymore,” Joe pointed out.

“I think you sometimes forget just how rich my family is.”

“Yeah, but come on.”

“Two castles, Joe.”

“I always thought that was metaphorical,” Joe said.

“The battlements would indicate otherwise. I tried to add it all once. The calculator exploded.”

“Come on, that's an exaggeration.”

“Only a little bit. The problem isn't the ring, it’s how to give it to her.”

“I've always found the direct approach to work. Maddie and I have been together for ten years, after all.”

“I know that's why I thought to ask you,” I said.

“Look, man, it's not that complex. You love her. Becky loves you. She's having your baby, which is a sign of commitment if there ever was one. I highly doubt she is going to say no.”

“I want it to be special,” I argued.

“You could try the custard approach,” Joe suggested.

“Die on a big hill surrounded by enemy natives?”

“No, not the Custer approach. The custard approach is when you surprise — though, with you, it would probably be more like shock — her with a nice meal, including a fancy dessert in which the ring is hidden.”

“Now, that's a good idea.”

“I have my moments,” Joe said with a shrug.

There was no one around when I got home. Apparently, I had gotten back first. Jessica really did like ducks. Seizing on the opportunity, I booted it into the kitchen and put all my hard-learned cooking and baking skills to work, making one of the nicest spreads the house had ever seen, including the somewhat novel addition of a large plate full of Philly cheesesteaks. Or at least my closest approximation of the species.

Tags: Jamie Knight Romance
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