Page 271 of On a Fault Line

“Thank heavens,” Donna says, her voice cutting through above anyone else’s. She snaps a few pictures of us on stage, while she’s down below.

“This is awesome,” Angie calls out.

Claire echoes the sentiments. She chants and waves her fist into the air, careful not to jostle Scarlett, who is resting against her chest sleeping.

“Congrats,” Graham and Nic say in unison.

Beaming with pride, Germain speaks next. “I couldn’t be happier.”

“My family is here,” Penny says between sniffles.

“Yes, of course.”

I could never do something this profound without the people who have loved and supported Penny along the way being here. It felt right to invite them.

“So, they knew about this?”

“Yes. And everyone has accepted what I’ve known to be true for a while now. I want to spend forever with you, Penelope Josephine Hoffman.”

“And I’d be honored to be your wife.”

I stand up from the stage. Then I lean forward and scoop up an emotional Penny into my arms. I carry her down and off the platform, then set her back on her feet. Grace and Jace play one last song, while Penny’s family hugs us. Champagne is served, and the love surrounding us expands to complete strangers, wishing us well on our future together.

Taking Penny into my arms, we start to slow dance to the softer ballad.

“Thank you,” she says softly.

My brow furrows. “You are welcome. But for what?”

“For loving me at times when I wasn’t sure I could love myself.”

I kiss Penny on her forehead, feeling the most at peace I ever have in my entire life. Around us those invisible strings are tied a little tighter, binding us by the promise of forever. And the boundaries I thought my heart wouldn’t be able to stretch expand enough to make room for all the future has to offer us.

But I know for certain just one thing…

Forever won’t be long enough.

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