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Emma breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, good. So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
Luke gently turned her to face the waiting helicopter. “That’s our ride.”
Taking her hands in his, Luke looked deeply into her eyes, hoping to convey the depth of his feelings. “Lisa mentioned last year’s ruined birthday with Chad—how you missed that helicopter tour. Tonight, I wanted to change that memory for you.”
“Luke, I don’t know what to say. This is so—so thoughtful.”
Luke noticed the sheen of unshed tears in her eyes. In silent understanding, he pulled her into a comforting hug, feeling her body relax against his. This moment, he hoped, somehow made up for the disappointments of her past, even if she couldn’t express it in words.
As they broke apart, he held on to her hand and together they made their way to the waiting helicopter. The pilot opened the door for them as Luke guided Emma into her seat before taking the spot next to her.
Handing her a headset, he smiled reassuringly.
The pilot’s voice crackled through. “We’re about to lift off, folks. We’ll pass through Savannah then up the coast to Hilton Head and down to Hadley Cove. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Moments later the helicopter took off. The thrum of the rotor blades filled the cabin, occasionally drowning out the pilot’s voice. Every so often his finger would extend, directing their attention to landmarks that etched history onto the land below.
As the helicopter soared higher, Emma gaze snapped to the window, drawing a sharp breath.
He turned toward her, his own eyes capturing the breathtaking panorama of the coastline: intricate networks of creeks and tributaries winding their way through the lush green marshes, and below, seagulls dancing in midair, their wings catching the light.
For a moment it seemed as if they were suspended in time, in a world that existed only for them.
Emma leaned onto Luke’s shoulder and sighed. “This is absolutely gorgeous,” she said, the marvel carrying through the static of the headphones.
Feeling the weight of her against him, Luke wrapped an arm around her, drawing her nearer. He winked. “Not as gorgeous as you.”
A blush tinted Emma’s cheeks, and her lips curved into a half-smile. “Always the charmer, aren’t you?” she teased, nudging him with her elbow.
The pilot’s voice boomed through the headphones, interrupting their conversation. “Alright folks, brace yourselves for the finale—heading south.”
As the helicopter banked gently to the left, revealing more of the landscape below, Emma’s gasp echoed through the cabin. Beneath them, Hadley Cove sprawled out, a patchwork of green, brown, and gold intermingling. The beach, with its pristine sands, shimmered invitingly under the sun. And there, like an old sentinel guarding its tales, the Bridwell Lighthouse stood tall, casting a shadow over the waters as it touched the horizon.
For Luke, the sight stirred a potent mix of wonder and nostalgia. Visions of their footprints imprinted side by side on the beach, the feel of her hand gripping his, and their dance at The Point played in his mind. Then, there was the mischievous glint in Emma’s eyes as she coaxed him into sneaking into the lighthouse, and how he’d caught a cramp in his leg as they climbed its winding stairs.
He thought about their first kiss and how, in that instant, he knew she was the one for him.
The skies melded into deep shades of indigo as the helicopter veered back toward Savannah. Emma nestled into Luke’s shoulder as his arm wrapped securely around her. One by one, stars blinked awake, dotting the night sky.
Looking down at her, he smiled, grateful for this moment, for this woman, for this love.
25
Emma
As the vibrations from the helicopter’s blades faded and the thud of its skids touched solid ground, Emma’s pulse began to slow. The reality of the night’s unfolding adventure was only just sinking in.
When the world outside the cabin came back into focus, she quickly shrugged off her headset and looped her arms around Luke. “That was amazing!”
Luke drew her close, his hands resting at her waist. “It was. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then pulled back. “So, what’s next?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he said, stepping out and offering a hand to assist her.
As Emma’s feet touched the ground, a white Rolls Royce awaited them, its chauffeur holding the door open with practiced ease.
Eyes wide, she pressed her palms to her cheeks. “Luke, we could’ve taken an Uber!”
