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Epilogue
One Year Later
Allison bounced in the seat of the helicopter, straining to see Luke and Mar’s exotic island. Finally, it came into view and she soaked it in then grinned at Abe and Rachel. “We’re really here! I love this place even though Birch and I only had three days here last time.”
Birch. If only he could be with her. She’d recently finished filming the firstCrusadersand had a month break. The first film had exceeded everyone’s expectations. Jeremiah hadn’t been fired but he’d kept his distance after the director threatened him.
Birch had told her he would be here by the end of the week. The rest of the Jewel family was already here and her parents were coming tomorrow. She could hardly wait to hold one of Isaac and Cosette’s twin baby boys or Joshua and Jade’s beautiful newborn daughter. The boys were fat and adorable and little Kelsey was gorgeous with loads of dark hair and the Jewel blue eyes.
“This is where we fell in love,” Rachel said dreamily, putting her hand over her distended abdomen. She had two months left and her doctor hadn’t been thrilled about her traveling, but she refused to miss out on the family reunion.
“And now that we’re married we can skinny dip in the ocean and the waterfall.” Abe winked.
“Skinny dipping is what got me in this situation.” Rachel tapped her stomach and grinned at her husband.
“Oh, my.” Allison groaned. “You two keep your clothes on.”
Abe chuckled and kissed his wife. “I can hardly wait for our baby girl to be here.”
“Wow, you are a besotted sap,” Allison said.
They both laughed and then kissed some more, ignoring her completely as the helicopter touched down. Allison didn’t mind. She loved their happiness. She simply wanted Birch here with her. The last year had been long, missing him when they were apart, and they were apart far too often. Luckily time had flown by with how busy she’d been.
The door of the helicopter opened and Allison’s jaw dropped. “Birch?”
He grinned, looking irresistibly handsome in a white Henley shirt that showed off just enough of his tanned, tough chest and his beautiful biceps and navy blue shorts. Had he become more handsome since she’d seen him last or was it simply how much she loved him that made him so appealing?
Birch reached up and wrapped his hands around her waist. Lifting her out of the helicopter he lowered her to his chest and kissed her long and slow, like a man who’d been lost in the desert and was taking in his first cool water.
He carried her away from the helicopter and set her feet in the sand. “Ally. I’ve missed you.”
She kissed him, fiercely and desperately. She’d missed him too much. “I thought you couldn’t be here until the end of the week. Oh, Birch, I’m so happy.” Tears pressed at the corner of her eyelids.
He grinned. The helicopter blades stopped spinning and Rachel and Abe were suddenly next to her. “Are you going to make her even more happy?” Abe asked.
Birch released Allison for a second to shake Abe’s hand and give Rachel a side hug. “I hope so.”
People started filtering in from the trees. Allison recognized the Jewel family and her own parents. She lifted a hand and they all smiled and waved back, some calling greetings. Isaac and Cosette each had a fat baby in their arms. Though the twin in Isaac’s brawny arms looked smaller than the other. Too cute.
“Uncle Birch, are you going to kiss her?” Paisley, who was almost seven and as adorable as any little girl had the right to be called to them.
“No kissing,” Paisley’s older cousin, Krew, groaned. “Mama and Pops kiss all the time. I need a break I tell you!”
“Sorry Krew.” Birch grinned. “I’m going to listen to Princess Paisley on this one.” Birch kissed her softly then whispered against her lips. “I hope you don’t mind an audience.”
“I think I can handle an audience.” She winked. “I mean Iama performance artist.” They always joked and came up with different synonyms to actress. “What is my audience for today?” she asked, holding her breath.
Birch suddenly released her and dropped to one knee, holding on to her hand and pulling a sparkling diamond ring out with his other hand.
Allison gasped and put her free hand over her mouth.
“Ally … I love you. I know it’s not the easiest path being in different states, sometimes different continents, but please say you’ll marry me, please say you’ll be mine. Somehow we’ll work the rest out.”
Ally dropped into the sand on her knees, framed his face with her hands and kissed him fervently. “Yes, Birch. Yes, I’ll marry you!”
“Today?”
Her jaw dropped but she felt the rightness of it. All she wanted was to be joined with Birch. Their families were here and they loved each other. Their busy schedules and everything else would work itself out.
“Let’s do this!”
The family cheered as Birch reverently slid the ring on her finger and then proceeded to kiss her.
“Keep it PG!” Caleb hollered at them.
Birch grinned at her. “Don’t worry. My future wife is an expert at PG.” He lowered his voice. “Until we get alone on the wedding night.”
Allison laughed and then she was kissing him again. Birch was right that their path wasn’t easy, but if she had Birch with her as much as possible, she’d walk it happily.
* * *
