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She laughs and happily sobs simultaneously, then lets out an excited squeal when I open the ring box, showing her the enormous diamond with the elegant band.
“Ellie Rey, you’re the love of my life. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she yells. “Oh my God, yes, yes.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, then jump to my feet and pull her into my arms. We kiss like it’s the first time, with all the passion in the world, kiss like nothing could ever break us, kiss like we’ve been through fire, and it’s only made us closer. We kiss like only we can, Ellie and Max, a man who’s finally found the only woman he’ll ever want.
“I love you,” I gasp, unable to contain all the passion bubbling inside me. “So, so much.”
“I… love… you.”
We kiss between each word of her reply, disappearing for longer each time.
“Thank you for doing this here,” she says, falling into my arms. “I know it must’ve been hard for you, but I think I understand. This is where you thought your life ended, but now, it’s where our lives can begin, right, Professor Ink?”
I smile, kiss her on the forehead, then inhale her hair. I inhale all of her. “Top marks.”
She laughs, and it’s the best sound in the world.
EPILOGUE
TWO WEEKS LATER
Ellie
“He’s the goofiest dog in the world,” Kelly says, laughing when Petey runs around the yard after his ball, leaps on it, then stares up at the porch, growling. He repeats this over and over. “But I love him. He was my best bud, back in the… you know, the bad place.”
“The bad place,” Chloe repeats, blowing on her hot cocoa, shivering, but only because there’s a slight chill in the air this afternoon. She isn’t jittery anymore. “I get you. Thanks for telling us about that.”
I never guessed this would happen. Chloe, Kelly, and I became a trio of friends. Now I know nothing happened between Kelly and Max, obviously. I feel silly for how I freaked out in front of her.
“I need to stop running from it. I hurt my leg. I took some pills. It’s time to move on.”
Chloe reaches across the table, touching her hand. “You’re doing great. Two and a half weeks. That’s great.”
“It is, Kelly,” I say warmly.
Petey grumbles as he carries his ball to the bottom of the stairs. He drops it there, then yaps up at us. The little prince cannot carry it up here himself.
“Okay, my lord,” I say, and the other two laugh.
I lean down and suddenly feel bile rise in my throat. I place my hand over my mouth and take a moment.
“Are you okay?” Kelly asks.
“I just…” My heart starts pounding. Oh my God, I’m only a day late, but… “I need to use the bathroom.”
I run through the house, smiling, hoping it’s true, praying. My thoughts flash to the last two weeks with Jane, Cillian, and their goon getting sentenced and the quick but beautiful wedding Max and I had here. He’s my husband already.
We wanted it fast. Now, the college can’t do anything. We’re husband and wife. It’s official. We made vows, and we meant them. Sure, I had to switch classes because I can’t take the same class my husband teaches, but at least they didn’t make a big deal out of it. Surprisingly, the dean was very understanding. Something having to do with her college professor husband being her teacher at one point. It’s funny how the world works.
I use the pregnancy test I’ve kept in the bathroom, just in case. A few minutes later, I run onto the porch, cheering and waving it around. You’d think it was a stick covered in gold, not pee, the way I’m handling it. Petey even starts yapping the happy bark he does when playing.
Then the gate starts to open. I run for Max’s car and slam my hand on the window. I’m yelling, tears in my eyes, my soul bursting with all the love in the world. Max jumps from the car and sweeps me into his arms, holding me tightly. His body bulges warmly against mine.
“Ellie, what is it? Is something wrong?”
“No, no, it’s good. It’s the best thing ever.”
“Tell me,” he says fiercely.
“I’m pregnant. I was feeling sick, I did a test, and I am. We’re going to have a baby!”
He cheers and spins me in a circle, then cradles me gently to his chest. My husband holds me like he never wants to let go, and I know he never will.
EPILOGUE
THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER
Max
“How’s he doing, Mom?” Ellie says into her phone. It’s on the counter, on speakerphone.
I smile as I gently move the needle across my wife’s skin, making the indentations that will fill with ink. I’m slowly bringing the sunset scene to life since our little bundle of joy, Sebastian, is already in the world.
