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A New Beginning
Sam
After hours of witness statements and interrogation, Ramsey is placed behind bars to await his trial. Milton assures me that, due to the nature of his crimes, he won’t get out on bail. I call Dad to make sure he and Susan are safe and let them know where to find Sara. They’re already at the hospital when I arrive.
Sara is sitting up in her hospital bed, and her face lights up when she sees me enter the room. Susan rushes to me and throws her arms around me.
“I don’t know how to thank you. What you did was incredible. You saved us all,” she mumbles, partly incoherent because of her sobs. Tears stream down her face.
“It’s alright, Susan.” I pat her back to comfort her. “I’m just glad everyone’s okay.”
My father extends his hand to me, and I take it. He pulls me into an embrace and says, “My son’s a hero. My hero.”
I look at Sara. She has tears in her eyes, and I rush to her and take her in my arms. She feels so small and vulnerable.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“I’m fine. They just want me to stay the night for observation. How’s your hand?”
I look down at the bandage. It’s nothing that won’t heal in a few days or weeks. “I’m fine, Don’t worry about me.”
“And Lucky?”
“Dropped him off at my place on the way here. He’s probably sound asleep in his kennel.” I run my thumb along her jaw and stare at her face. She’s so fucking beautiful it sometimes hurts to look at her. Our parents probably sense the mounting tension between us because her mom clears her throat.
“We’ll give you two some privacy,” Susan says. “We reserved a room at the Madison for a few nights. We’ll be there if you need us.”
I move aside so that she can kiss Sara goodbye, and I’m startled when she turns and kisses me, too. She gives me a soft smile, and though she doesn’t say it out loud, I see acceptance in her eyes.
They leave the room. I watch as they close the door before turning to Sara. “I guess they don’t have a problem with us anymore.”
“How could they?” she replies. “Any woman would be lucky to have a man like you.”
“I’m the luckiest man in the world because I have you.”
* * *
Two weeks have passedsince that fateful night, and life is slowly returning to normal. Sara has reopened the shelter, and I call her to tell her that we have plans for dinner.
“Dad and your mom are meeting us at seven. We’re going somewhere upscale this time. I think we all deserve a little pampering.” We’ve been spending more time with the parents lately, so she isn’t at all surprised.
I arrive to pick her up, and she’s wearing a little green strapless dress with gold trim. She has her hair pinned up with little ringlet curls dangling on the sides of her face. Sometimes, I still find it hard to believe that this girl is mine, that I get to take her home, and make love to her all night long.
With a smile, I take her arm and tell her, “You’re the most beautiful princess in the world.”
Blush blooms in her cheeks, and she giggles. “And you’re the most handsome daddy I've ever seen.”
We arrive at the restaurant and find Dad and Susan waiting at the bar. The waiter escorts us all to our table. “I ordered a bottle of champagne from the bar.” Dad gives me a wink.
I sit quietly while Sara and Susan discuss plans to redecorate the houses once the repairs are completed and bide my time waiting for just the right moment. Sara reaches under the table and takes my hand in her lap, and I gently caress her thigh. I trace circles on her skin, and her eyes widen and flare.
Dad stands and raises his glass. “I’d like to make a toast to our family. We’ve been through so much together, and it’s only made our love stronger. And to my son Sam. Without his courage and strength, we might not be here enjoying this fine meal in each other’s company tonight. To the family and to Sam.”
He sits back down, and I stand up with my glass in hand. “I’d like to say something, too. To Sara.” I turn and face her, her eyes glistening under the lights. “I used to think that I was happy. I had my job and that was all I needed—or so I thought. But then, a little dog led me to the most beautiful, perfect girl that I’d ever met, and I realized that, somehow, she’d been missing from my life. She’s the most important part of my life, and I would go to hell and back for her. I can’t imagine spending a day without her smile, her compassion, and her love. So, Sara.” I drop on one knee and take the oval-cut diamond ring out of my pocket. “Will you marry me?”
The restaurant seems to go silent as I look up into her eyes and wait for her response. She holds out her tiny, quivering hand and says, “Yes.”
17
