EPILOGUE
BLAKELY
Six months later…
I wipe my sweaty palms down the front of my dress as I make my way out of the driver's seat of my car to meet Judson. A few weeks ago, I came up with this plan, and I can't believe it's here, and I'm going to ask Judson to marry me. I know it's unconventional, but he's afraid, and I've decided to take this approach. Although I've told him repeatedly that we are forever, he's got this inevitable fear of rejection. I could never picture our lives any differently. If you would've told me two years ago that this is where I would be, I would've said, "you're crazy." I went from following rules to allowing myself to follow my heart. It wasn't easy, and I had the patience I didn't even know existed.
The grief is still there every day. It comes in waves, as does happiness. I can't forget, but I can be thankful for what I have now and how things have turned out. Time doesn't heal everything, but it certainly makes things a little bit easier. It all seemed to make me a little bit stronger. I pull JC out of his car seat and saunter slowly onto the dock. Carter is supposed to bring him here, and I'm hoping he didn't spill the surprise.
I see Carter's car pull in, and Judson gets out quickly, slamming the door.
"Carter, I told you, I don't have time for games. I have plans with Blake!" He scoffs as he rounds the front of the car, spotting me at the end of the dock. He raises an eyebrow to Carter, wondering what is going on. Carter shrugs and pushes him toward me.
JC is squirming in my arms, and as Judson approaches us, he reaches out for him.
"What's this?" Judson questions, pulling the folded paper boat from JC.
"Open it," I demand with a shit-eating grin covering my entire face.
He looks to me with a million questions as he unfolds the boat. The tears fall down his cheeks and mine too, because I've never actually seen him cry.
Just when I think he's about to respond, he pulls me closer to him. Holding JC with one arm, he looks to him, "Of course I'll marry your mommy."
"The real question here is if your mommy will marry me?" He looks to me, laughing softly as he pulls a tiny blue box from his pocket. My eyes go wide, and I look to Carter, who stands at the end of the dock, smirking. That asshole knew we were both going to propose today. If we are anything, it is dysfunctional, and Carter learns that every day.
"Blakely Grace Walker, will you marry me, make all of our last names match?" He asks, adjusting JC so that he can remove the ring from the box.
"You know, I will!" I squeal as he places the ring on my finger.
"I can't believe you were going to propose tonight! When did you do this?" I motion to the ring on my finger.
"Blakely, I've had that ring for longer than I'd like to admit. I was just afraid to give it to you." I smile at this perfect man in front of me, holding our son.
This is my family. It'sourfamily.
For the first time in two years, I'm thankful for the waves. Sometimes they are calm and floating, and other times overwhelming, making us feel pain and the constant struggle to keep our heads above water. The wreckage of my past floats like storm debris in the water. It's always there to remind me of what was. Finally, instead of looking at the wreckage with sadness, I feel privileged to have loved so deeply to have experienced such grief in the first place. I know now that the same love that broke me is the same love that put me back together, piece by piece.