Page 85 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“Exactly.” Another photo: community vigil lights pushing back darkness. “But we’re not just protecting the past.”

Future plans followed: education center drawings, conservation area maps, and children playing baseball on restored ground. Each image is a promise.

“We’re building something new.” My voice softened. “Honoring their legacy while creating our own.”

Tears caught sunset light as we reached the last photo—us laughing during renovation planning, love obvious even in stillness.

“Claire took that,” she whispered. “I never saw...”

“One more thing.” I turned her toward the valley, the ring box warm and ready. “Look.”

Below, hundreds of tiny lights flickered to life—our families and friends, the community we’d built together, holding candles just like that first night. The mountain air carried the scent of pine and possibility.

“How did you—“

Above us, the northern lights began their dance, ribbons of green and purple sweeping across the mountain sky as if nature itself blessed the moment. The colors rippled and flowed, casting an ethereal glow over the gathered community below.

I dropped to one knee, finally pulling out the ring that had been my constant companion these past weeks. Through my pounding heart, I could see Mom and Taylor holding each other, their faces illuminated by both candlelight and aurora. Van filming, while Chad slept against his chest. Even Michael and Claire stood close, hands clasped, the northern lights painting everything in magical hues.

“Amelia Horton,” my voice shook with emotion, the ring finally where it belonged - no longer in my pocket but held out to her, catching both starlight and the shimmering colors above. “You make every day an adventure. Every challenge worthfacing. Every dream bigger and brighter because you’re part of it.”

As I continued, tears catching the ethereal light, her hands flew to her mouth.

“I love your strength, passion, and the way you fight for what matters. I love how you take care of everyone around you. You never give up and make me want to be better.”

The ring that had waited patiently all these weeks sparkled with reflected auroras as I held it up.

“Marry me? Be my partner in everything—Pine Haven, life, all of it?”

“Yes,” she breathed, pulling me up. “Yes, a thousand times, yes.”

The kiss we shared tasted of happy tears and promise as cheers erupted below. When we broke apart, her smile outshone every light around us, both earthly and celestial.

“I love you,” she whispered against my lips.

“I love you too.”

The northern lights continued their celebration above as our families surrounded us, the colors dancing across faces bright with joy. I watched Mom wipe tears while Michael hugged his sister. Claire’s camera kept finding its way back to him between official shots. Taylor and Van passed champagne as Chad slept peacefully in Arthur’s arms.

“Well?” Amelia’s ring caught candlelight as she curled against me. “Was it worth the wait?”

Looking at our merged families, at Pine Haven glowing with new life, and at the bright future under the painted sky, I smiled.

“Every second.”

Through joyful chaos, I noticed Michael’s fingers lingering as he offered Claire champagne. Her blush deepened even in the dim light.

Some stories were just beginning.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Amelia

Dawn crept across Pine Haven’s peaks, painting them the same gold as the ring that still felt new on my finger. From Mom’s office—my office now—tiny rainbows danced across pine walls as morning light caught the diamond’s facets.

“Still can’t believe it’s real?” I say to myself.

My thumb traced the ring’s unfamiliar weight, startling me with each sunrise. The paper beneath my other hand held Mom’s last letter, discovered this morning while Katherine and I sorted through old desk drawers, leaving teardrops on aged wood.

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