“Always,” Elizabeth said and rested her head against Ava’s shoulder. It did not take long before they were both asleep.
The two weeks at the cabin flew by much too fast for Ava’s liking, but they knew that they needed to go back eventually. They had spent tons of time in the cabin, on the lake, hiking, and just enjoying each others’ company. In this place, the constant pull of the outside world no longer existed. It was like their own personal oasis, like they were the only people in the world. They both knew that the call of their professional lives would only get stronger. Elizabeth had things left to handle in New York, and Ava needed to get back to the hospital in Phoenix Ridge.
Ava tried not to let the fact that their vacation was coming to an end disappoint her too much, but she knew that Elizabeth would have to leave soon, and she hated it. It was part of who they were, though, and something she would have to deal with.
When they went back to the airport, she fought against her emotions as they said their goodbyes, though she knew that Elizabeth would be back in Phoenix Ridge in a few weeks. Still the fear and insecurity tried to creep in and convince her that Elizabeth would get back to New York and change her mind. So, to take her mind away from that, she started to develop a plan. She started putting that plan into action as soon as she boarded her own plane back to Colorado.
The two weeks waiting for Elizabeth to come back was excruciating, but Ava weathered it. She threw herself into her work, and her plot. She was not sure how Elizabeth was going to react, but she went with it anyway, hoping for the best. She organized a dinner to welcome Elizabeth to the hospital staff as soon as she returned from New York and the day was finally arriving.
She worried that this would not be enough, while also afraid that it was too much, but she arranged the dinner at Lavender’s, which was where Elizabeth was going to stay until she was settled in, and Ava went to great lengths to decorate the place with white tablecloths and lilies, which she had learned was Elizabeth’s favorite. A banner welcomed Elizabeth to the team, but Ava also had a surprise in mind.
When Elizabeth arrived, most of the hospital staff that could be spared was in attendance. One of the desk attendants took Elizabeth’s bags to her room while she came in and dined with Ava and the rest of the team.
Toward the end of the meal, Dr. Mars gave a beautiful speech welcoming Elizabeth to the team, everything was formal and professional, while still heartfelt and looking forward to the future. Elizabeth gave her own speech, graciously accepting her position and explaining how she was looking forward to the future in her new position.
The night drew to a close and everyone said their goodbyes, Ava’s pulse picked up with excitement. She could see that Elizabeth was tired and ready to call it a night. She went with her up the stairs to her room. Elizabeth could tell something was up, she kept looking at Ava with questioning glances, but Ava refused to say anything.
When Elizabeth stepped into the room, she let out a gasp. The room was all but covered in Elizabeth’s favorite flowers, lilies and roses perfumed the entire space, while rose petals covered the bed and floor. Elizabeth stepped into the room looking around in wonder.
“What is all this?” Elizabeth breathed as she took everything in. Ava took her chance and when Elizabeth turned back to her, she was on one knee holding up a diamond ring in a soft velvet box. Elizabeth’s eyes went wide and she gasped in surprise.
“Doctor Elizabeth Nicole Grant,” Ava said, fighting to keep her voice even. “I love you more than I could ever dream, and I can’t even imagine the rest of my life without you,” Ava took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. “Will you marry me?”
Tears started flowing down Elizabeth’s face and for one terrifying moment she didn’t move. Ava’s pulse raced and she struggled to keep her hands from shaking as she held up the emerald cut diamond for Elizabeth. After several excruciating seconds, Elizabeth finally nodded, and Ava’s heart threatened to explode out of her chest. She jumped up from her position and slipped the ring onto Elizabeth’s finger as tears fell from their eyes.
Elizabeth stared in wonder at the diamond on her finger as a smile broke across her face. After a moment she started to laugh, and Ava’s pulse began to race again.
“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth breathed with a smile. Ava’s heart thudded against her chest. Was Elizabeth about to change her mind? “I’m sorry,” she said again followed by, “Hold on.” Elizabeth rummaged around in her bag for a second, staring at her own ring as she did. Finally, she pulled out a tiny box and Ava squealed in delight. Elizabeth opened the box to reveal a gorgeous princess cut diamond ring. “I think you beat me to it,” Elizabeth said with a chuckle.
Ava slid the ring onto her finger and laughed with joy. She wrapped her arms around Elizabeth and kissed her deeply. She had never been so happy.
“Are you still worried that I’ll get bored?” Elizabeth asked her when she finally pulled back.
“Always,” Ava said with a smile. “But I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Ava’s smile turned sultry. “I love you, Elizabeth.”
“I love you, too, Ava,” she answered and kissed her again. The kiss deepened. The connection Ava felt to Elizabeth was more than she ever thought possible. Elation flowed through her as she probed Elizabeth’s lips with her tongue. She could hardly breath at the excitement. She had found someone so perfect for her, so intelligent, so driven, so beautiful. Someone who saw Ava for who she was and recognized her own motivations and ambitions. Their future was going to be amazing.
EPILOGUE
5 YEARS LATER
Ava flipped through the wedding photos while sitting on the plush suede sofa that sat in the middle of the living room Ava and Elizabeth shared. Their wedding had been outdoors, near to this very spot where she was sitting. Soon after their engagement, Ava and Elizabeth purchased the property on the outskirts of Phoenix Ridge that sat alongside a small lake. They had hired contractors to build their dream house, though it was very similar to the cabin that Dr. Mars owned on Lake Tahoe.
Wood accents decorated the interior, and the exterior was made of dark logs and flagstone with enormous glass windows that overlooked the lake. Their kitchen was wide open with stainless steel appliances and modern light fixtures that paired well with the rustic design giving the house both a modern and comfortable feel. The arch under which they had stood for the wedding was now standing in the back yard wrapped in roses that Elizabeth had found great joy in tending year after year.
They had installed a small play area in the back, which had just been completed a few days ago, though it would likely be a while before it saw any use. Ava’s eyes misted as she glanced at the pictures of her and Elizabeth on their wedding day. They had both worn light colored dresses, Ava had a wreath of lilies in her hair, while Elizabeth had carried a bouquet of roses.
Lavender had realized many years ago that it would benefit her business to become ordained to perform marriages, so she had officiated their small ceremony, and most of the guests in attendance were from the hospital, though Elizabeth’s parents had also flown in for the event. Ava smiled at the memory; she had been so nervous to meet them,but they loved Ava from the moment they first laid eyes on her. Elizabeth had told her it was because they knew how happy Ava made her, and she chose to believe it.
Ava closed the book and looked around, she could hear Elizabeth bustling around upstairs. Ava started to call out to her, but the sound turned into a garbled grunt as another contraction squeezed through her. She focused on her breath as it passed, but as soon as she could speak again, she called up the stairs.
“I think we need to go, Elizabeth, or we may be giving birth here on this couch,” Ava smiled, though the threat was far from idle.
“I’m here, I’m ready,” Elizabeth said as she rushed down the stairs carrying a bag loaded with clothes and snacks and God knows what else.
“Do you really think we need all this?” Ava asked with a chuckle. “The hospital is only a few minutes away, we can always come back and get something if we forgot it.”
“I am not leaving your side once we are in that place,” Elizabeth said. She was smiling also, but there was a certainty to her words that Ava knew she couldn’t argue with.
