Page 91 of After the Fall

I loved everything about spring. It smelled like freshly cut grass and dew, and it was a sign of hope, a promise of new beginnings after the darkness of winter. As we walked down the trail, through the lush green forest, my heart began to beat even faster. I knew where he was taking me.

The meadow held special meaning to us. It was where we’d had our first official date, and where I’d first realized I was in love with him. It was where I’d accepted him for what he was, and taken a chance on us. The meadow was our very own spring – a beginning anew.

Even without the lupines in full bloom, the meadow was picturesque, the grasses and wildflowers a bright contrast against the snow-covered peaks of the mountains. The air was fresh and crisp, mixed with the subtle scent of pine. I breathed in happily and settled onto the checkered blanket next to the wicker basket. I closed my eyes and inhaled the smell of pasta, while Brown Dog frolicked merrily around the field. “This is perfect.”

When I opened my eyes, Wyatt was no longer standing. He was down on one knee. His hand shook as he held out the small velvet box.

“What are you doing?” I murmured.

“Something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.” His voice trembled. “Go ahead, open it.”

I opened the lid, expecting to see another golden charm. But instead, a large emerald-cut diamond sparkled back at me. “Wyatt,” I gasped.

“I know you said you didn’t need it, but I can’t think of anything I want more than to call you my wife.” His golden eyes shimmered with intensity and hope. “Harper Davis, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

I could barely speak, but somehow I managed to get the words out. “Yes. Of course.” I held out my trembling finger. He gently placed the ring on my left hand. It slid onto my finger perfectly. The sun glinted off the diamond against the backdrop of blue sky. “I love it.” I fell toward him with my arms extended.

We toppled to the blanket, laughing. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his arms.

“Sorry.” We settled comfortably on the blanket, lying side by side. “I forget how strong I am right now.”

One of the side effects of growing Wyatt’s baby was remarkable strength. Tim had confirmed that I was still fully human and that my genetics hadn’t changed. But we didn’t yet know what genetics our child would have. Nothing like this had ever happened before, between a sasquatch and a human. With time, we would know just how special our little girl was.

Wyatt’s arm wrapped around me, resting protectively on my belly. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“You’re going to be the best dad,” I whispered.

“I’m scared. I don’t know anything about being a father.”

“I don’t think anyone really does. I mean, look at my dad. He made a ton of mistakes. But in the end, he was there for me when it mattered most. You’ll figure it out, just like he did.” I had fully let go of any lingering resentment, and had a healthy relationship with my father. We had a lot of lost time to make up for, but Tim had given him a job in his lab, so I got to see him every day. “Thank you again, by the way, for what you did for both my parents.”

“You know I’d do anything for you, Harper.” He paused. “Are you sure you don’t want to try Tim’s formula? He’s positive it wouldn’t affect our baby.”

When Tim’s formula had worked on my mom, reversing the evil done by the Carders, he’d quickly gotten to work creating a version that wouldn’t affect the life growing inside me. If I wanted, I could have all the memories that Valentina had stolen, back. It had been a tough decision to make, but in the end, I’d made up my mind.

I shook my head. “I don’t need those memories. The ones I have with you are enough. The past is the past. What matters now is our future and I think it’s going to be a good one.”

He frowned, swiping my moist cheek. “Just to confirm, these are happy tears, right?”

I laughed, my heart filled with joy. Wyatt Westwood may have looked and sounded human, blending in as one of Seattle’s ‘Sexiest Under Forty’ billionaires, but in the end, he would always be a sasquatch.

My sasquatch.

My big love.

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