Her bottom lip trembled. “And the truth?”
“I’m beginning to rise from the ashes. I’m only in the early stages of rebirth, but I know as I ascend, I want you to be locked with me forever.” The small box opened, and I pulled out the wedding ring, which showcased two phoenixes coming together, intertwined with a diamond in the middle of their wings. “You’re my healer. You’re my strength. You’re my ever after, and if it’s all right with you, if you’re okay with it, I’d love for you to be my wife.”
“Really?” she softly spoke.
“Really,” I replied.
Her voice was shaky as she moved in closer to me, resting her lips against mine. “For always, Lo?”
I took her hand into my hand, and slid the ring onto her ring finger, kissing her gently. “For always, High.”
Epilogue
Logan
*
Seven years, one wedding, one full recovery, two babies, and a stronger love later *
I was happy.
I didn’t have much to my name, and I didn’t have many stories of success to pass on to my children. I wasn’t some millionaire genius. I didn’t have three bachelor’s degrees. I’d probably be working most of my life to make ends meet, but I’d always make them meet because I had love. I had three people counting on me to keep going when times were hard. I had three people believing in me and my faraway dreams.
Alyssa and I were able to start one of our dreams together: High&Lo Restaurant and Piano Bar. We’d been running it for two years now, and after my children, it was one of my greatest accomplishments. Still, I strived for more.
One day I’d give my children and my beautiful wife the world. My children would never know what it meant to be unloved. They had been cherished before they’d even entered the world.
Alyssa, my beautiful love, she had saved my life. She had given me a reason to live, and it was an honor to be loved by her. I promised her heart I’d never forget the way she gave me all of her when I had nothing left to give in return. She promised me I wasn’t the product of my yesterdays, and knew I was destined for amazing tomorrows.
She was the fire in my soul that kept me warm at night.
“That’s too high,” my five-year-old son Kellan cried, as we walked over to the billboard ladder. He was named after his uncle, who still was chasing his dream of becoming a successful musician, and was getting closer each day.
His younger sister Julie sat on my shoulders, looking up. “Yeah, Daddy! Too high!” she agreed. She was named after her grandma, the woman who knew more dark days than light, but now was able to walk in the sun and for the past seven years kept her demons at bay. Not every day was easy, but each day was a blessing.
I smiled at Alyssa, who had warned me that the kids would think it was too scary, but I wanted them to see the stars that night from the same place I’d first fallen in love.
“We have blankets,” Alyssa said. “We can always lay them out down here and look up.”
“Can we do that, dad? Can we just look up instead of climbing?” Kellan asked.
“Of course. That’s even better.”
That night we were quiet, staring out into the star-lit sky which was fading into darkness. My arms were wrapped around Alyssa’s waist, and she leaned back against me, allowing me to be the one that held her up. Each night we watched the sun set no matter where we were, and we’d wake early to witness it rising again. That was the thing about life: even when the days faded to black, you were always given another chance, a second moment to try again to rise from the ashes.
The kids ran around, playing, as Alyssa and I stared at the lives we’d created. They were our happily ever after, the gifts that brought us so much joy.
My gosh, I was happy.
I was so damn happy, secure, and loved.
As the sky became black and the cool winds brushed against us, I whispered against Alyssa’s ear, pulling her closer to me. “For always, High?”
“For always, Lo.”
I shrugged.
She shrugged.
I laughed.
She laughed.
I parted my lips.
She parted her lips.
I leaned in.
She leaned in.
Our lips locked, and even though my feet were planted firmly on the ground, I’d never in my life felt so high.
The End
Acknowledgements
So many people helped bring this novel together, and I don’t know where to start thanking people. So I’ll start with my best friend. To my mom: You helped me get through writing this book. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for you. You make life better for so many souls, and I’m so happy to call you my best friend.
To Alison, Allison, Christy, and Beverly: Thank you for taking the time to help beta read Alyssa’s and Logan’s story. You’ve helped me figure out so many issues with the storyline, and gave me the best feedback. You are all so close to my heart and I can never thank you enough.