Page 103 of Her Faithful Protector

I flash a smile at her, my fingers playing with the tip of her chin. “I don’t know how it works with in-laws, but I would love to meet your parents.”

She steals a kiss, full of joy. “Although I prefer to introduce you as ‘my Marine boyfriend’ rather than ‘my former Marine boyfriend.’”

I shake my head, giving her a teasing glare. “Well, Ava Belle, there’s no such thing as a former Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

In the fading light of the sun, I witness her figure standing before me. Her whispered voice says, “I feel honored.”

“Well, I’d feel honored if you would call me your Marine fiancé.” Without giving her a chance to react, I drop down on one knee, my palm cradling her left hand.

She’s in disbelief while Quinton laughs, witnessing a pose he’s never seen before.

“Ava West. They say love takes time. But there’s a love that defies the ordinary. It’s so powerful that it cannot wait. That’s what we have. Because I’ve loved you since the first time I saw your eyes—ardent and kind—and your magnificent curls framing your face.”

I gulp, composing myself while caressing her ring finger. It’s more than just flesh and bone, with a part of it made of synthetic material. But there’s nothing artificial about what it represents. It’s her strength and tenderness in one.

Ava caresses my cheek, and her smile penetrates me.

Continuing, I say, “Back then, I offered you my jacket. But tonight…” As I hold out a ring, I declare, “I offer you everything I am. I will always be yours, Ava. Will you be mine and marry this man?”

Quinton squeals in excitement as if understanding this moment. Ava, overwhelmed with emotion, fails to hold back her tears. “I will, Jack. I will.”

I slip the ring onto her finger. She wasn’t born with that prosthetic, but it has become a part of her. It’s perfect. She’s perfect.

This is a defining moment in any man’s life, one that I had only hoped for from a distance for a long time. Now, I’m living it, and I have an amazing woman to spend the rest of my life with.

Ava wipes away my tears, then quickly takes my hand to help me stand up. She slings her arms over my shoulders, then gradually, her hands make their way down my arms, passing the scar on my left bicep, caressing the forearm that was once covered in bruises. Her lips quiver as she finally rests her palms on my bare chest. We share a kiss, and this time, we both let our tears flow freely—there’s no distinction between hers and mine. They all cascade down our cheeks.

We chuckle when we break our kiss. She looks at Quinton and says, “For once, it’s the adults who are crying.”

“Your mom and I are going to get married,” I tell the little man.

“Mama!” he babbles. “Dada!”

I nod, filled with pride. It all started with him calling me ‘Po po po,’ then he briefly learned to say ‘Jack,’ which sounds like ‘check’ as he clicks his tongue. Recently, Ava has been teaching him to call me ‘dada,’ the best one he’s mastered. We have planned for his adoption, and obviously, Ava thought the preparation for her baby to embrace me as his father couldn’t come soon enough. One thing remains. Regardless of whatQuinton calls me, he always laughs every time he sees me in my Ray-Bans.

Ava admires the ring on her finger, its ruby glowing brilliantly in the sun. “It’s stunning. When did you get it?”

“It’s my mother’s.” My voice breaks a little, remembering the woman I long to recall. But I smile, full of joy.

“It means a lot, Jack.”

“Only you can wear it. And I can’t wait to see you in a wedding dress.”

We take a leisurely stroll before darkness falls. The gentle lapping of warm water against our feet brings back memories of evenings I spent alone at K-Bay. I throw my gaze at the horizon. The sun is at its most beautiful when it sets, but its beauty pales in comparison to Ava’s radiance.

My phone rings. However, it’s an interruption that doesn’t bother us. It’s my brother, Sam. I put him on speaker.

“How did it go?” he asks.

“Well, the captain accepted my resignation,” I reply.

“Of course he did, but I wasn’t asking about your early retirement. I meant your proposal.”

“Of course she said yes!” I deadpan, which Ava laughs at.

“Congratulations, you two. I can’t wait for the invitation,” Sam says, then takes his time to clear his throat.

Ava cocks her head, mouthing, ‘Is he crying?’

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