Page 140 of Always Been Yours

Epilogue

Grady

End of May, last day of the school year…

For the first time in what feels like hours—but has really only been three—I let out a deep breath. Asher and Knox are hanging the last strand of fairy lights, while Hudson helps arrange the multiple bouquets of peonies I bought from Sunday Blooms. It’s a little late in the year for them but they’re Vivi’s favorite flower so I would have spent thousands just to get a few arrangements. But whether it was luck or possibly a little dose of fate, there was a surplus in blooms this year.

That’s not everything though. The flowers and string lights accent the large tent, decorated with layers of blankets and pillows. There are two chairs in front of the entrance, giving us a spot to sit and watch the meteor shower tonight. There’s an ice chest full of our favorite ciders from Clear Horizons as well as her favorite sushi from a place in Ocean Beach. Calypso made a lime pie with berries–a seasonal favorite of Vivi’s.

But the most important piece is sitting in a velvet box in my pocket.

A white gold band decorated with five pear-shaped diamondsthat are slightly different sizes and arranged in a way that makes a dainty flower. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the right choice for her. It’s unique but simple and so perfectly Genevieve.

My small backyard has been transformed into—hopefully—the perfect proposal. Simple, private, and nostalgic.

It was in her backyard, on the last night of school, huddled in sleeping bags and cloaked in darkness, that I realized my feelings for Vivi had grown into more than friends. More than I was able to understand as a kid. So, I’ve known for months that this was where I wanted to ask her to marry me.

One month ago, I sat down Vivi’s family—and Lexi, of course—to ask for their blessings. Sure, Bonnie’s is the only one Ineededbut I knew I had it. I could have asked for Vivi’s hand in marriage at ten and our parents would have viewed it as a legitimate binding contract. But these are the people who have made up so much of Vivi’s time over the last few years. If anyone knew of a reason I shouldn’t ask her, it would have been the four of them.

But each one gave me a nod of encouragement, one right after the other.

“That’s everything,” Knox says, walking up next to me. “When is she getting here?”

Asher and Hudson come to stand with us, giving our effort one final look over. It’s perfect.

Taking a deep breath I say, “Lexi and Calypso should be dropping her off in the next twenty minutes. You guys should get out of here before she sees you.”

“We’ll see you for brunch tomorrow though, right?” Asher asks. He’s been the most excited of her siblings, but that fits their dynamic to no one’s surprise.

I nod. “Yeah, we’ll be there with good news, fingers crossed.”

Hudson pats my shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. She’s wanted tomarry you since she was six years old. You just needed to get your head out of your ass.” His comment is teasing but the sincerity in his voice calms my nerves a little.

“We’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck, but you don’t need it,” Knox adds.

Asher shakes my shoulders in excitement before pulling me into a brief hug. “You’ve always been our brother but it’s about to be official.”

Their support, and my nerves, have me choked up so all I can do is nod my head. They leave me in the backyard and exit through the side gate. The same one that Vivi will enter through. The path of seashells I saved from many summers spent at the beach will lead her back here. And now we wait.

Fifteen minutes later, I hear a car pull into the driveway and three voices, but I can’t make out the words. It doesn’t matter though because I would recognize that sweet teasing lilt anywhere. I stand from the chair and wait for the love of my life to come around the corner.

After about ten seconds that feel like a lifetime, she slowly walks to the back. “Grady, are you—“ her question dies on her tongue the moment she sees me standing in a familiar setting. “What is this?” She takes another step forward, taking in the scene.

“I wanted to have another backyard sleepover with my best friend.” I hold my hand out for her, lightly tugging her toward me once it’s in my grasp.

“You did all of this? When?” she asks quietly. Her eyes are flittingaround, in disbelief that all of this is for her.

Cupping the back of her head, I murmur against her lips, “This afternoon but I had some help.”

“Oh?” Her voice is breathy, almost inaudible. She’s confused, I can see it in her furrowed eyebrows. She’s wondering if there’s more but doesn’t want to get her hopes up.

Placing a soft kiss on her lips, I whisper, “I love you, Genevieve.”

She fists my button up. “I love you, too, Grady. This is perfect.Youare perfect.”

“Viv, baby.I love you.I love you so much that I only have one plan for my life—to spend it with you.“ Her eyes slightly widen with her sharp inhale. Taking her hands in one of mine, I slowly drop to one knee in front of her. She is holding back a sob before I pull the ring box out of my pocket. “Genevieve,” I start.

“Yes,” she says immediately.

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