“Don’t look like that,” he says with a stern tone. “Don’t look like you’re giving up on us.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. You’re going to be there, alone, and able to convince yourself that all hope is lost, but I won’t give up on us, Violet. Things may look dark and as though there’s no chance of this working, but those are lies. We didn’t go through fifteen years apart to find each other and then end up alone again.”
He reaches into his pocket and takes my hand. I look down as he places a ring in my palm. My chest grows so tight I can’t breathe. Tears prick my eyelids, and I try to fight them back. “Please don’t ...”
I can’t handle a proposal. I would want to say yes even if it seems too fast, and I can’t do that until this part of my life is resolved.
I won’t be able to handle it.
“I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to take this, hold it, know that it has every part of me with you. My father gave his heart to my mother, and I’m giving mine to you. This is a symbol of it. It’s one of the most valuable items in my possession, and I’m asking you to bring it back to me. Bringyouback to me.” He cups my face and brings his lips to mine. “Come back to me, Violet.”
Our foreheads touch as the tears I’d been holding on to stream freely down my face, and I close my hand around the ring.
I love him so much.
I don’t want to leave.
However, it’s my time to do what I have to for the people I love. For my child. I know I’m strong enough, and I have the people in my corner now who give me the power to do what I must.
I kiss him softly before looking deep into his eyes, using all my strength. “You are my home,” I say through the thickness in my throat. “You are where I want to be. I love you with everything that I am.” I lift my head, staring into his beautiful eyes that are glossy with unshed tears. “You promised to fight for me. Now I need to fight for myself, the baby, and you. For our family we were building. I’ll bring this back to you the moment I can.”
Someone clears their throat. “Excuse me, Miss Leone? We’re ready and need you to board now,” the pilot says.
I nod. “Thank you. I’ll be right there.” When I look back at Everett, there’s so much pain and worry in his eyes. I reach my hand to his cheek. “I’ll be okay.”
His jaw clenches, and I feel the turmoil coming off him in waves. “I should be there with you. I should be on that plane.”
“No, your mother needs you here, and we agreed that photos of you and me in the press would only hurt my case.”
Even if Catherine hadn’t suggested that I keep Everett here, I wouldn’t have asked it of him. He needs to be in Ember Falls, and I need to go handle my life.
“Call me, okay?”
I nod. “I will.”
“I love you, Violet.” He moves his hand to my belly. “I love him or her too.”
In two weeks we have an appointment scheduled where we will have another ultrasound and get to see the sex of the baby. We’ve been looking forward to it, and now I might be stuck across the country.
No, I can’t think like that. Even if things with Dylan aren’t figured out, I’m coming back for that. I want to share that moment with Everett. He’s the only one I want to share every moment with.
“We love you and I’ll be back for my appointment.” I lift up on my toes, kiss him softly, and turn to grab my bag, leaving Everett again and my heart in Ember Falls.
“Violet!” Ana yells as she rushes toward me the moment I’m off the plane. “I’ve missed you.”
I force a smile, feeling so fucking heartsick. “I’ve missed you too.”
Her face falls, and she pulls me into her arms. “Don’t worry, babe. We’re going to fix this and get you back to your man.”
I laugh once. “I just can’t believe this is my life. That now I have to come out here because he couldn’t do what’s right. He needed to, what? Save himself again and at my expense. I just ... I can’t fucking believe this.”
“I really can’t, either, but alas, it’s what it is, and I have people ready to do whatever we need to.”
Whatever that means. “I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”
“You don’t.” She loops her arm in mine. “Come on, let’s get to my house and put the plan in motion.”
