Page 65 of We're One

“Oh, Zach, it’s very clear how much this man loved you and your brothers. What a beautiful gift you had for a lot of your life. I wish I would’ve known the man who made you who you are today. I believe he’s right, believe he’ll always be with you.”

He smiles at me. “I wish you could have known him too, but the longer we search through this house, the more you will know him. He truly was one of the greatest men alive.”

“That’s very clear,” I say. We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of the last letter from his grandfather settling over us. He chuckles and I look at him with curiosity.

“I was so confused about those damn boxes, and wondering how some lady in the lake could lead us on these paths. I think I hoped it was Gramps, but he was impressive in getting the boxes open and sealed again. I’m glad he got to plan this game for us, glad he had some joy in those last days he had on this earth. I wish he would’ve told us so we’d have come home and spent more time with him.”

“He was a strong man, and I’m sure he didn’t want your last memories of him to be seen as weak. He probably thought he was sparing you by not telling you. It’s okay to be upset with him for the deception as long as you also love and appreciate all he’s given you.”

“I do, more than words can ever say.” He stands and holds out his hand. I take it and we walk through the house together. Honey runs up to us and I lean down to give her a caress before she runs up ahead as we go to the back door. She rushes through her doggie door, and we all stand on the deck as the sun lowers in the sky.

Colors are already starting to fill it, to cast shadows on the ground. I believe there’s magic in a new dawn and at the end of a beautiful day. It’s up to us to reach out and take it all in. I cuddle against Zach’s chest as we turn to the side so we can both watch brilliant colors fill the evening sky.

Zach looks up, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. “I love you, Gramps,” he says. “I love all of you.”

I squeeze him a little tighter as he whispers to the heavens. Peace washes over us, and my heart warms with love as if someone is indeed reaching out to us.

“He’s listening, Zach, they all are, and they love you very much.” I’m confident in my words.

Zach pulls me closer and turns my body, shadows dancing along his cheeks. “I’m so grateful you’re here with me, Sia. You truly are the best gift I could receive at the end of this journey Gramps sent me on. Thank you for staying with me, thank you for trusting me, and thank you for loving me.”

My hormones go crazy and new tears spill down my cheeks. “I love you, Zachary Callahan, and always will.”

He leans down and kisses me as the colors slowly fade from the sky. We’re a family, and we’re only just beginning. We’re going to spend every new dawn and dusk together until our last breaths. Maybe fate played a role in it, maybe it was an unbreakable love. I’m not sure how, but I’m more than happy to accept this beautiful gift.

Epilogue

Sia

Two Months Later

Zach, Callan, Blaze, Sasha, Courtney, Nikki, and I are back in Seaville, something we’ve been doing at least every couple of weeks over the past two months. I’m in utter heaven. Never did I think I could have it all, but I do, and so much more. We spend about half our time between Seattle and our little heaven on earth, Seaville, California. I’m so happy I feel as if each day I could burst. I never want to forget how good this feels.

It’s a warm June afternoon, and we’re sitting outside at a table at our favorite place, The Mermaid Café, enjoying the sunny weather, a nice breeze, and most importantly of all, each other’s company. It’s like we were always meant to be together. We really are one big happy family, and we have plenty of room in our hearts for more members to join us.

Nikki is telling us a story when suddenly people start approaching our table, one by one. I’m confused as each new person lays a rose in front of me, giving me lots of smiles and winks.

“You look beautiful, Sia,” Aunt Eileen says.

“You’re glowing,” Martha says. Each person continues placing a rose on the table. There are red, pink, white, blue, and every color of the rainbow of roses placed before me, the pile growing and growing.

I turn and look at Zach. “What’s going on here?” He only smiles and suddenly my heart’s racing. I look up at each new person as they lay more roses in front of me. I look from Nikki to Sasha to Courtney, who are all beaming at me as they clap their hands, clearly in on this.

I hear a drum, then look up to see the high-school band marching down the street. They start playing Just The Way You Are, by Bruno Mars, and I no longer have a doubt about what’s going on. Tears fill my eyes as I look to Zach.

“Zach,” I say, my voice a husky whisper. He leans over and gently kisses me before he stands.

Blaze and Callan also stand, move to either side of me and lift up my chair, causing me to quickly hold on to the sides of it as I laugh. They gently set my chair back down so I’m out in the open, and Zach kneels in front of me as the band finishes their song. Everyone’s eyes are on us.

Zach reaches into his pocket, pulls out a black velvet box, and opens it, making me gasp as I stare at the most stunning and unique ring I’ve ever seen before. Tears spill down my cheeks. I already knew I was spending the rest of my life with Zach. I’d be happy to do so without marrying him. But as he gets ready to propose, I know how very much I want this, I want it more than anything else. I want to stand with him in front of all of our friends and family and vow to love each other for all time and eternity. I want this more than my next breath.

Zach takes a deep breath and then he speaks. “Sia, from the moment I met you, I knew you were someone special. I knew you’d forever change my life. I didn’t know how, and didn’t know what was good for me, but somehow our souls have always been aligned. I can’t imagine walking this journey of life without you. You’ve brought joy, love, and peace into my life. You’ve shown me what it means to truly love, and to be loved. We’ve been through many fires together, but we’ve come through unscathed and stronger because of it. You’re my rock, my confidant, my best friend.” He chuckles as he looks over at Nikki and winks, making me laugh through my tears.

“Okay, I’ll settle for second best friend.” Everyone in the crowd laughs at this. “I promise you that I’ll love you, cherish you, challenge you, and always stand by your side for the rest of our lives. Marry me and make me whole.”

I’m sobbing as I look at him, unable to speak for a moment as I nod my head vigorously. I finally get words past my tight throat. “Yes, Zach, yes a thousand times over.” He takes my hand and places the stunning ring on my finger, a perfect fit, and I launch myself into his arms. My belly is showing now, but it in no way gets in my way yet. It’s okay when it does, because we’ll both wrap our baby between us in absolute love.

The band cheers and starts playing The Final Countdown as they start marching away, making the crowd laugh all over again. Then all attention turns to us as all of our families and friends surround us, giving hugs and congratulations again and again. Each day I’m with Zach I think it’s the happiest of my life, but for sure this one is the happiest day yet. I have a feeling I’m going to feel like this for many, many years to come.

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