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He smiles down at me, and it’s full of wonder. Like he can’t quite believe we get this happy ever after.
I kiss him, and together in a train station, we bring each other home.
EPILOGUE
HAZEL
It turns out that when you give the Dewinter men a challenge, they throw their heart and souls into it. Two years and nine months after Luke chased me down in a train station, we’ve gathered our friends and family together to celebrate little George’s second birthday.
You wouldn’tthinkthat a two-year-old boy who’s into planes needs an entire airfield rented out for his birthday. But Luke and his father have both been trying to do a better job of wearing their hearts on their sleeves. And if the youngest Dewinter wants a plane-themed birthday party he’s going to get it.
George and his friends from daycare toddle back and forth between the toy cars shaped like planes, the plane-shaped bouncy castle, and the six-layer-cake in the shape of “Daddy’s plane.”
Meanwhile, Luke’s been taking any of the adults up in his plane who want a ride. I don’t think he expected so many people to take him up on it, but he’s obviously having a blast sharing the skies with the people he loves.
“Yes!” Sarah punches her fist in the air as she stares at her phone.
I sigh. “You promised you’d put your phone down for the party.”
“Ok butlook at this review!” She shoves her phone in my face. “The Los Angeles Times calls your novel ‘an adventurous, poignant exploration of love, loss, and the heroes we wait for.’” She launches herself into my arms and hugs me tight. “You did it, Hazel. You freaking did it.”
I laugh and hug her back. “We did it. You were the one who kept believing in me.”
I’d spent most of my pregnancy and the first year of George’s life writing a historical fiction novel about a brave, cocky WWII pilot and the farm girl who sneaks behind enemy lines to rescue him.
While I was writing and revising, Luke supplied me with tea, back rubs, and endless supply of encouragement. He also patiently explained all the airplane stuff to me about ten times. Flying still makes me nervous, but it turns out flying is less frightening when I actually understand how the planes stay in the air.
Once I finished the book, I handed it off to Sarah and she made her magic happen.
The book’s only been out for a week, but it’s already getting good buzz.
I smile to myself, watching George play with Luke’s dad Roger, and Roger’s new lady friend. Luke convinced Roger to try going to a widower’s support group, and slowly, he’s started healing.
Three years ago, a review like this was all I could dream of. And I am proud—I’ll probably frame that review and hang it up in my office later.
But it no longer means as much as it once did. Today, my life is so much richer than I ever could have imagined. After almost three years as CEO, Luke is making his mark on Helius Airlines, and on the Dewinter family legacy. Both Luke and his father shield George from the media. And Luke makes sure that George always knows he’s the center of his world, and that he is absolutely loved, exactly as he is.
Sarah and I end the hug. She fans her eyes, blinking back tears. “Ok. Wow. I’m just so proud of you. I’m going to go eat more cake.”
“You do that,” I say, smiling.
Luke strolls up from the airplane runway, finally alone. He grins when he sees me, then wraps an arm around my waist and kisses me with enough heat to make me blush. He’s always that extra bit alive when he’s spent the day in the sky.
“All right, all done flying,” Luke says. “I’m yours now.”
“Well,” I say gathering my courage, “Do you think you could go up just one more time?”
Luke sighs, looking longingly at the cake. “Sure. Who is it?”
“Me.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I feel like being brave. And if I’m not, we’ll just come back down, right?”
“Right.” His whole body is lit with enthusiasm.
We both make sure Roger is good to watch George for a bit, and then Luke and I take off toward his plane.
