Page 23 of Wet and Welder

Looking around at all the faces, embarrassment clear, each billionaire stands and straightens their suit.

“Excuse me, someone from my team has been emailing you?”

Arnold steps forward now, waving the investors to the door. “Yes, Ms. Montgomery. Nelson has been, so much so, we thought it was urgent.”

“Don’t worry, dear, we’re off to see him next. We just wanted to apologize,” Mr. Carr says, then lowers his voice. “Your personal life is just that, and with the excellent job you’ve done here, and let’s be honest, the amount of money you’ve made us all, we didn’t mean to show up so disrespectfully. Mr. Bombridge will leave with us today and will no longer be a hindrance.”

I blow out in relief. Worry melts away as Mic steps forward, placing his hands on my shoulders.

Minutes later, the room is clear, and I turn in his arms, embraced in the biggest hug, and again, I feel his love down to my bones. My earlier fear of losing respect among my peers is a distant memory, and I know that claiming this welder was the right thing to do. For my heart, and my life moving forward.

“It’s all going to be okay,” Mic says, kissing the top of my head.

“Better than okay, happily ever after.” I let myself say out loud, even though it’s by far the cheesiest thing I’ve ever said. It’s true though, and it’s the best feeling in the world. Just like being in his arms is the greatest and sends that familiar rush of comfort through my bones. Today is a testament to the rest of our lives, and I’m so happy.

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER - MALLORY

The crowd is bigger than I imagined, and my introverted nature is itching to get away. I’m missing my big protector already as I look around at all the strange faces pushing their way around the museum. Each is hungry for the next exhibit. Everyone here, from the Archivists to the curators, has done an amazing job of bringing back the lost city of Nazar. The exhibits are all like nothing anyone has seen here, and travelers from all over the world are set to be here. The investors and even a few politicians are also here to celebrate and take credit for doing zero of the work.

I wave to Mr. Carr, never forgetting the grace he showed to Mic and me that day we stumbled into headquarters with our clothes all skew. That day seems so long ago and to think it was just the beginning of our story. Since then, we’ve been inseparable, traveling to New York to oversee my parent’s research, and that the artifacts would be well preserved. Which has been a great experience. Everyone has been working hard to make it perfect, and although we didn’t agree on everything, I truly believe everyone here tonight will be enthralled by each step they take through the museum. I hope they feel transported back in time, like my parents used to say.

“There you are, beautiful,” Warm lips claim my exposed neck as Mic’s words dance over me. “You look amazing in this dress. I can’t wait to take it off.”

I laugh as I cup his bearded cheek. As he walks around me, I take him in. Tall, thick, and powerful. My man is nothing, if not spectacular, in his tuxedo.

“Keep talking like that, and I’m likely to pull you out of here early.”

“Oh no, you don’t. I have something special to show you,” Mic says, pulling me by the hand and surprising me as he leads me out of the main gallery and into the hallway. It’s darker here, and we move faster, making me grow curious.

“You are aware that I helped set up all these exhibits, I’m not sure they’re anything you can surprise me wi-” my words are cut short when we turn and enter a room lit by candles. In front of me, two beautifully painted portraits are hung on the wall. My parents look down on me as I stand there, stunned, choking on emotion.

Mic stands at my side, a supporting hand on my hip as I take it all in. There’s a small display set in front with their notes and even the green pen that my father favored, his name engraved still visible after all this time. Tears fall down my cheeks as I’m assaulted by memories and the happy and the painful.

“I know they’re the ones who should be here today, but since they can’t be, I commissioned these paintings in their honor. They would be so proud of you, Mallory.” His kiss makes me sob harder, and I turn into his embrace. I cry for several minutes as he soothes me, rubbing my back.

“I can’t believe you did this. How did you do this without me finding out?”

“Obviously, it wasn’t easy,” he says, wiping my tears even though more fall. “But I needed to get their blessing on something, and I couldn’t, so this was the next best thing.”

“What are you talking about?”

Suddenly, Mic steps back and falls to one knee. He brings out a small box with a shining diamond ring. I gasp at what I’m seeing. How is it possible this man is still surprising me?

“Mallory Montgomery, you are the fiercest woman I have ever met. From the first night I met you, I knew you were special, but you ran from me.”

I can’t help but laugh, his words lifting my spirits and making me feel more myself after being transported back to being a little girl who missed her parents. This man is always patching up parts of me I didn’t realize needed to be repaired. My heart is now more complete than ever and soaring on cloud nine.

“Then fate brought me back to you. I thought I was the luckiest man alive, and I still do, to this day. Will you make my life as big of an adventure as this past year has been, and marry me, Mallory?”

“Yes,” I whisper, tears falling and emotion stuck in my throat.

I watch as tears hang in his eyelids, and he pulls the stunning halo diamond out of the box and places it on my ring finger, where it will stay until the day they put me in the ground.

Standing, he takes my face in his hands, “I love you with all of my heart, and I’m so honored to be your fiancé. With everything in power, I promise to pour joy into you when you’re upset, strength when you need extra, and always work with you, not against you, my love.”

Nodding, I reply, “I’ll do the same, and I’ll always be your comfort and love you until the day we die.”

Then he kisses me. Our lips melt together in union as our love seals us forever. My heart is utterly full, and my life feels more grounded and steady now that there is no doubt he’ll be my support forever. Building a life with me where our adventures take us.

The End

---