Page 119 of Tide Over

Miss Bobber jumps up with us as we settle onto the couch, and I smile, setting my mug on the coffee table we made so she can settle on my lap.

The view of the ocean is beautiful this morning, with barely a ripple on the surface, and the pale blue sky is clear, painted with soft yellows of the early morning light. These quiet mornings with Liam have become my favourite part of the day, and I want to soak in every moment with him before he goes back to work next week.

Liam turns his head to me. “What should we do today?”

I stare thoughtfully out at the water. “I don’t know,” I say slowly, then look at him. “Fishing?”

He cocks an eyebrow as a playful challenge sparkles in his eyes. “In the mood to lose?”

I scoff with a shake of my head. “After all you caught was seaweed last time? I’ll take my chances.”

His eyes narrow slightly, and I smile at the reminder of him pulling in endless clumps of seaweed, while I brought in three fish.

“It’s on,” he says.

I laugh, reaching over with my good hand to grasp the side of his face, my thumb lightly brushing over his cheek. “But first… let's just stay here a little longer.”

He smiles as his eyes flick between mine, then he leans in, and our lips meet. I hold him in a gentle kiss as we melt against each other, knowing there’s nowhere we have to be, and nothing we have to do. It’s just us and Miss Bobber, and the home we made for ourselves.

I rest my head against his shoulder as I scratch Miss Bobber behind her ears, and her soft purrs fill the quiet space. Liam’s hand slides onto my thigh, and we sit in the comforting silence as we gaze at the calm ocean outside.

Before we met, we were both navigating the rough waters of grief, guilt, and pain, running and hiding in a desperate attempt to tide over the relentless waves of what we couldn’t confront.

But now, the peaceful scene before us is a complete reflection of the peace found within us both.

Our storms have finally passed.

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER

The soft breezerustles my hair and tugs at my shirt as I stand on the dock, letting the sun shine down on me. It warms my face as I look out at the water, watching the gentle waves roll into shore, and the salty air fills my lungs with every deep inhale.

But a smile forms on my lips as footsteps approach behind me. And when I turn around, I see soft freckles and warm brown eyes.

I reach for him as he steps closer, and he takes my hand so I can pull him against me. His lips are soft against mine as my hair swirls around us in the breeze, and the sounds of birds chirping and water lapping against the dock all fade away in his presence.

I breathe him in before I release him, and he keeps his eyes locked on mine as he smiles softly. “Everything is ready.”

My gaze shifts to the house, but I just nod as I bring my attention back to him.

Theo starts to turn, but I hang onto his hand and keep my feet planted, keeping him right here with me. I let my eyes fall to his hand in mine, tracing the pale scars that tell the story of his strength. This hand that has hauled countless lobster traps, built homes for our town, and has cared for so many. And even withthese scars, he continues to do all of that… while also caring for himself.

My thumb rubs over the metal band on his ring finger, a promise we exchanged just hours ago that marks him as my husband. I lift his hand to my lips and press a kiss to his knuckles.

His lips tilt up in a gentle smile. “Tha gaol agam ort.”

I step into him, lifting my hand to brush my thumb over his cheek. “Tha gaol agam ort, mo chridhe.”

He leans in and kisses me again, before I let him lead me back up to the house, where our families and friends are gathered around a long table overlooking the water.

Mason immediately bounds over to us, looking excited and… dirty.

“Uncle Theo, Uncle Liam!” He stops before us with wide eyes and a dirt-streaked suit. “Guess what?”

Theo cautiously looks down at him. “What?”

He glances over his shoulder at Heather, who is in deep conversation with my mom. Then he leans in closer to us, opening up his suit jacket pocket, revealing about five squirming worms.

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