I’m so proud of how far Lincoln, Chloe, and Christopher have come. Christopher has been sober for thirteen weeks now. I know every single day is struggle for him, but I couldn’t be prouder. His budding relationship with his kids keeps him going.
As for Lincoln and Chloe, they’ll never forget their childhood, but they’re learning to forgive, and slowly, they’ve opened themselves up, allowing their dad back into their lives the way a real father should be.
It’s been beautiful to witness, and I honestly can’t wait to see Christopher’s reaction to the baby. I sure hope he’ll see the baby as a chance to redeem himself and start over.
“Then let’s get out there,” I tell Lincoln.
35
Lincoln
This day couldn’t possibly get any better. I’m surrounded by my family and friends, the sun is shining, and I’ve got the girl.
Well…almost.
I walk across the yard to where Adley is standing by the pool, watching everyone swim. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.” She spins around and follows me to a quiet place in the yard.
“I had plans of doing this when we were alone, but I don’t want to wait.”
Adley’s lips part. “Lincoln…”
“We may have started this relationship out a little backward, but we’re going to get it right. I promise you, we’re going to get it right. Because you and me…we’re forever, Adley.”
I dip my hand into my right pocket and drop to one knee. Adley’s eyes widen, and everything around us goes eerily silent. “What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Now is not the time to be a smartass,” she says, trying not to laugh.
“You’re right. Now is the time for us. Adley Allen, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I used to think love was an empty promise, a word people use to get what they wanted, because that’s how I was raised. But you taught me different. You taught me that love, in its truest form, is simple and unconditional. And I will love you for all of this life and well into the next. You’re my home, and I want nothing more than for you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Swallowing, Adley drops to her knees, not even bothering to look at the diamond ring nestled in the box. “Lincoln Bennett, you are the very best thing that has ever happened to me. The first time I saw you, I knew you would be mine. And when I got you, I didn’t know what to do with you, and that scared me. I put up walls—lots of walls to protect my heart, but you broke them down one by one. You refused to give up on me. You are the definition of a strong, loyal man, and I don’t deserve you.”
I shake my head. “Don’t say that.”
“Shh.” She lifts a finger to my lips. “It’s my turn to talk.”
I nod, nipping at the pad of her finger. I hear someone behind us laugh, but I don’t turn around to see who it is.
“I thought I knew what love was all about, but I didn’t—at least not until I met you. There’s nothing more in this world I want than to be your wife and for you to be my husband. I want to take care of you like no one else ever has. Will you marry me?”
“You can’t do this. I proposed first,” I say, slipping my ring onto her finger.
Her breath catches when she looks down at the round solitaire, and then she surprises the hell out of me when she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a box.
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Adley smiles. “My answer is yes. When it comes to you, it will always be yes. But I had plans of proposing to you. Not exactly like this, in front of everyone,” she says, blushing. “But it doesn’t matter where we are or who’s around, nothing will change how I feel about you. This is me, proving myself to you.”
She flicks open the tattered ring box, revealing a thin, worn gold band.
“This was my great grandfather’s,” she says. “He made it himself when he married my great grandmother. He wore it for forty years and then passed it down to my grandfather, who wore it through another forty years of marriage before passing it down to my father. Now it’s being passed down to you. If you’ll agree to marry me, I’d love for you to wear this ring for another sixty or seventy years until you decide to pass it down to our child.”
My heart swells inside my chest to the point of pain. I’m not a crier, but her words bring me to tears.
“This ring is filled with memories and love. I know you don’t have the best memories, and love wasn’t something that came easily in your home, but I want to show you how wonderful it can be—and it will be wonderful because this is us, and we’re pretty great.”
I want nothing more than to put that ring on my finger, but I have to ask, “Doesn’t your dad want to pass this down to one of his sons? And what’s he going to wear if he gives me this?”