Page 89 of Fourth Wall

It was a strange feeling to find resolution without any physical fights. Throughout my entire life, fighting had been my way of getting to the top. I fought for stability as a kid, fought for our country in the military, battled my own demons in the darkest corners of my mind, and fought men with my cold-blooded hands for Julian. With Maeve, it took time and effort to reach a place of comfort, but now, having a resolution without violence felt almost anti-climactic.

Today marked a new chapter, a fresh start for both Maeve and me. As we navigated the complexities of life together, we learned the battles to be fought didn't always require fists or physical force. Our bond taught me the power of communication, understanding, and empathy. It was about being vulnerable and open, sharing our fears and dreams, and supporting each other through thick and thin.

In the past, I might have used violence as a shield, thinking it was the only way to protect myself and those I cared for. But with Maeve, I discovered there was strength in vulnerability and courage in letting someone in. We'd chosen a different path, one where we faced challenges hand in hand, building each other up instead of tearing each other down.

We'd forge ahead together, ready to confront whatever life threw our way. This fresh start was a testament to our growth as individuals and as a couple. As we left behind the old patterns of fighting, we embraced a new journey filled with love, understanding, and a commitment to be each other'srock. Today was not just a new beginning, but a chance to redefine ourselves and our relationship, drawing strength from our shared experiences and facing the future with hope and optimism. And I knew exactly how we would celebrate it.

As we pulled out toward the center of the house, the little girls ran over to Maeve.

“Hey, girls….what are you doing at home?” she asked while looking back up at me. Her mom stood in the doorframe.

“Your mom offered to get them earlier. Figured we were going to either celebrate or mourn but thought you may want the support regardless.”

“Daddy…” she whispered so quietly no one except me could hear and curled up to my side. I laughed, looking down at her.

“Say that again, and we may have to go for another ride, and I don't mean in the car.” I winked at her, and the sweet sounds of her laughter filled the air.

“Girls, we have a surprise for your mom, don’t we?” They both smiled so large and nodded their heads. I know Maeve’s mom prepared them when we were gone, but their ability to barely contain their excitement struck me as utterly adorable.

“Oh really?” She narrowed her eyes at me in question.

“Come.” I grabbed one of her hands while Kelsie and Kinsley grabbed her other hand. We walked around to the back of the house, where the gate to the yard was.

“Why are we going this way? My mom waited for us at the front door?”

“Shh,” I told her, and the nerves started to pulse in my veins. I had never done this before. The last time this happened was a snap decision and a quick trip to the courthouse.

As we walked into the yard, there were thousands of white pillar candles in a circle in the center of the yard. She gasped—like a fully audible inhale of her breath.

“Christian…” She started, but I just guided her inside the circle where the two girls stood on either side of their mom. Both of them giddily jumped up and down.

I kneeled and heard noises from inside the house, but nothing mattered. All that mattered right now were the three, well, I guess technically, four people who were present.

Looking at the two girls, I grabbed their hands in mine.

“Kelsie.” I looked over at the small blonde. “I love picking you up from school. I love throwing you all the way into the air in the pool. I love the way you eat up all my breakfast and tell me my pancakes are better than Mom’s.” I looked up at Maeve, who was sniffling but offered us a little giggle. “I want to marry your mommy and stay here with you forever, but I wanted to ask you if it would be okay if I did.”

“Of course, Christian.” She jumped into my arms, and I hugged her before pulling away. I took out a small black velvet box with a little diamond necklace and placed it around her neck.

“I feel like a princess,” she exclaimed and gave a little twirl of her dress for effect. I turned toward Kinsley.

“You don't even have to ask me. My answer is yes.”

I laughed at her response. “But can I?”

“Okay.” She nodded.

“Kinsley, my favorite thing about getting to know you over the last year has to be how much we like to laugh at your mom’s messiness.” She laughed. “I love the way you know how to cannonball into the pool, how we sing along in the car on the ride home, and how much we laugh together. Would you be okay if I married your mommy?”

“I already said yes.” I heard a chuckle from Maeve. I slipped her matching necklace around her neck. Both girls went out of the circle and toward the house, where a teary-eyed grandma waited.

“Maeve.” I got up, and she was a mess. She had full tears coming down her cheeks, and when I finally got up to look her in the eyes, they had the brightest, most beautiful sparkle to them.

“This is the hormones.” She gestured to herself, and we both laughed.

“Maeve, will you do me the pleasure of being my wife? My equal? My partner?” Before I finished, she kept nodding her head. “I’m not perfect, firecracker, but I don't want to be perfect. I just want to be yours. I may falter, and I will for sure misstep, but I want to know if you will be there to hold my hand and show me a different way. So even with the baggage that I carry and the life that I lead, will you still do me the honor of letting me call you my wife?”

"Of course," she murmured through tears. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box matching the ones the girls had received. Inside was a stunning emerald-cut four-carat diamond ring that I had been carrying with me since coming home from the foothills house.

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