Page 86 of Jasper

It looks like it belongs in a picture book. Like something plucked straight out of a dream.

I turn to Jasper, my mouth falling open. “What is this?”

He grins, slow and proud. “It’s yours. I know how much the camper meant to you. It was your home when you had nothing else. I couldn’t get rid of it, so I fixed it up. Thought maybe you’d want your own special place, close to the garden. Somewhere to play when you’re outside.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and my heart swells.

He brushes a piece of hair behind my ear. “Go look inside.”

I nod, legs shaky, and walk through the little picket gate and up the short steps. The door creaks, like it always did, but everything beyond it is brand new.

My mouth drops again.

The interior has been completely gutted and transformed. Fluffy white carpet stretches across the floor, and the walls are painted in soft pastel shades of yellow, lavender, and sky blue. Twinkle lights zigzag along the ceiling. Bins of toys are neatly stacked in the corner, next to a low shelf filled with picture books and coloring supplies. In the middle of the room, sits a giant beanbag chair—so soft and plush I justknowI could curl into it and never get up.

It’s perfect.

I spin around to run out and thank him, my hands halfway up in the air, ready to tackle him with a hug, but I stop dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

Jasper is at the bottom of the steps, one knee on the grass. In his hand is a small black box, open, revealing a delicate silver ring with a daisy-shaped stone in the center that glitters under the sun.

I gasp, my hands flying to my mouth.

He looks up at me, eyes shining. “Ariana, I love you. I love all of you. You’re my girl, my Little one, my heart. I want to keep you forever. Will you marry me?”

For a second, I can’t breathe.

Then I’m walking down the steps, tears already sliding down my cheeks. I throw my arms around his neck and nod so hard my head wobbles.

“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, yes, yes.”

He laughs and slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly.

“I want to be your girl forever,” I reply into his neck.

He pulls back just enough to look at me and kisses me like I’m the only thing in the world that matters.

And for the first time in my life, I truly believe I’ll get a happily ever after.

Because I’ve found it.

Right here with him.

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