I nod, accepting his words, and then he goes on, “Anyway, I wanted to let you know. Declan has just been arrested. My PI had a cop buddy, and this cop buddy did some work of his own. Turns out Declan’s behind a whole litany of other crimes too. He won’t be bothering you – or your lady – ever again.”
Smiling, a sigh of relief escapes me. “That’s good news, man. Thank you.”
“Now go get her… tiger.”
I laugh. “All right, take it easy.”
I’ve just hung up when my phone rings again. This time it’s the woman I’ve been waiting for, and not just for three years.
I’ve been waiting my whole life to feel as certain as Autumn makes me.
“Did I read your text right?” she asks. “You want me to meet you on the roof?”
“This is crazy.”
Autumn laughs, her voice loud in my headset. She’s gripping onto the handrail as she looks out the window, staring down at the city, as we surge over the water and towards Phoenix Island, one of the many small islands that are scattered on the outskirts of the city’s limits.
I thought about fate again when Lex told me Phoenix would be the best option, in terms of construction and timing.
Both of us are being reborn, flying as two but returning as one… I hope.
The name couldn’t be more fitting.
I smile as I watch her, wearing her college gear, a hoodie, and faded blue jeans. Her hair spills out from under the headset, and as her eyes meet mine her smile gets even wider.
It’s like she’s going to burst with happiness.
I know the feeling well.
“And you still won’t tell me where we’re going?”
“We’re almost there.” I grin. “In fact, yeah… we’re descending.”
The helicopter begins to make its way toward the island. Autumn giggles and reaches forward, gripping onto my legs.
I love the confidence with which she makes the gesture, no remnant of her old nervousness clinging to her, feeling free to express herself.
The helicopter lands in the large open field, and I glance off to the side, looking at the structure and hoping – praying, even – that she finds it romantic and not stupid and cheesy. The object in my inside pocket seems to buzz, pushing against my chest.
“Can you do me a favor, Autumn?”
“That depends. Is it a big deal?”
I laugh. “This time, yes, yes it is. I need you to close your eyes.”
“Okay…”
She closes them as the chopper’s blades begin to slow down. I climb from the helicopter and then reach up, unstrapping my woman and cradling her to my chest. She wraps her arms around me, burying her face against my chest.
“You carry me so easily.”
“Always,” I growl.
I cradle her as I walk across the grass, and then I softly set her down.
Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I bring my lips to her ear, lowering my voice.
“I wanted this moment to be special, to remind us of where we started. I tried to get the Lincoln Memorial all to ourselves, but it was impossible at such short notice. And this can’t wait, Autumn. I have to tell you now before I go crazy with anticipation.”
She reaches up and grips onto my forearm. “Tell me what, Asher?”
I tighten my grip. There’s nothing that could make me let her go.
“I love you.”
She gasps, and I go on, voice growing rougher. “I love you so much. I loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you, when you were that shy eighteen year old who couldn’t meet my eye. I love your passion for history and your kindness and how funny and sassy and confident and shy you are all at once. I love everything about you, Autumn.”
“I love you too.” She spins in my embrace, opening her eyes and staring up at me. “I’ve wanted to say it for so long.”
I grin, leaning down as I brush my lips along hers. “I think you’ve just broken the eyes-closed rule.”
“I had to look at you when I told you I love you,” she breathes, standing on her tiptoes and kissing me fully.
I return her kiss, fighting a thousand impulses to bury my hands in her hips and guide her down to the grassy earth. If I knew for a fact nobody would see my woman, I’d snap and do it in an instance, but there’s no damn way I’m putting on a show where my woman is concerned.
“The Memorial represents something for us,” I murmur, glancing over her shoulder, glad she hasn’t noticed what's behind her.
I’ve had a replica built over the last few days… well, a very, very small replica. It’s a miniature version of the place we met, the place fate threw us together, with fateful words written in rose petals across the top.
Inside, there’s a table and chairs, where we can – hopefully – share a celebratory late lunch.