Page 79 of Below the Barrel

“Oh, it’s alright, sweetheart,” his mom says with a warm smile, waving her hand dismissively. “The cupcakes will need some time to cool before we can do that. You two go on, enjoy yourselves for a bit. I’ll finish up dinner, and once they’re ready to frost, we can come back and do it together.”

I hesitate, glancing at Koa, who’s now grinning at me like he knows something I don’t. His mom gently ushers me out of the kitchen, her hand resting on my back, as if silently encouraging me to go. “Go, have some fun,” she says softly, her tone full of kindness.

I nod, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement bubbling up inside me as Koa leads me out of the kitchen and down the hall. “Where are we going?” I ask, glancing up at him.

“You’ll see,” he says, that mischievous smile still lingering on his lips as we head outside.

THIRTY-ONE

KOA | OAHU, HAWAII

It’s sunset,the sky a mix of warm oranges and pinks that blend with the blue horizon, and I’ve finally managed to get Maliah out of the house without giving her too many hints about where we’re headed. She’s been asking questions the whole way, but I’ve just kept smiling, telling her to be patient. I lead her out back, and we follow a small, hidden pathway from my family’s house up the hill. The smell of tropical flowers fills the air, and the evening breeze is soft and warm against our skin.

As we reach the top of the hill, the view opens up in front of us—the whole of Oahu spreads out below, the vibrant greens of the land meeting the deep blue ocean beyond. The sun dips low, casting a golden glow over everything. Maliah gasps, releasing my hand as she takes a step closer to the edge of the overlook.

“This is amazing,” she breathes, completely awestruck.

I can’t stop staring at her. The way the sunlight touches her face, making her blonde hair shimmer like gold, and the soft, peaceful expression settling on her features—it’s as if she’s part of the view itself. Her eyes are wide, sparkling with the fading light of the day, and her lips part slightly in awe. She’s beautiful—no, stunning—beyond words, and I feel my chest tighten with the sheer force of how much I love her.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the small box in my pocket. My heart races as I pull it out, the velvet edges familiar under my fingers. My hands tremble slightly as I drop down to one knee behind her, waiting for her to turn around.

“Maliah,” I call out softly, just enough for her to hear.

She turns slowly, and the moment she sees me kneeling, her eyes widen and a gasp escapes from her lips. Tears fill her eyes instantly, and she presses her hand to her mouth, completely speechless.

I smile up at her, my heart full. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to do this…and standing here with you, in this place, it feels right.”

Her tears spill over, and she wipes at them, still staring at me in disbelief.

“Maliah, you’ve changed my life. You’ve been my light, my best friend, and the love I didn’t even know I needed. And I’m so grateful that you’re here, with me, sharing the things we love, doing this crazy life together.”

I glance down at the ring in my hand—a pearl and a diamond sharing a white gold band. It glimmers in the light, as perfect as she is. “I had this ring made for you a couple of years ago, when I realized I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. I know it’s not much, but it’s a piece of me, of us, and I hope…I hope you’ll accept it, and me. Maliah Cooper, will you marry me?”

Her breath hitches as she starts to sob, nodding rapidly before I even finish my sentence. She holds out her hand, her fingers trembling.

“Yes,” she whispers, her voice barely there through the emotion.

I can barely believe it as I slide the ring onto her finger, and it’s a perfect fit. My heart feels like it’s going to explode, a mix of elation, relief, and pure love. I rise to my feet, pulling her into my arms as she continues to cry, burying her face in my chest. I holdher tight, pressing my lips to her hair, feeling like the luckiest guy on the planet.

She’s mine. She’s finally mine. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she knows just how much she means to me.

Maliah is surroundedby my cousins, aunts, and parents, all of them gathered around her, admiring the ring on her finger. She’s glowing, her face lit up with happiness as she holds her hand out, showing it off. Her laughter fills the room, blending with the excited voices of my family, and I can’t help but smile. Seeing her like this, so accepted, so loved—It’s everything I wanted.

My dad pats my arm from where he’s sitting in his wheelchair beside me. “You did good, son,” he says with a proud smile.

I nod, feeling a wave of emotion that I can’t quite put into words. “Thanks, Dad.”

My mom, tears in her eyes, steps forward to embrace Maliah, pulling her into a warm hug. “Welcome to the family, Maliah,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “And if you need any help at all with the wedding or dress shopping…I’d be ecstatic to help you plan. Anything you need.”

Maliah smiles, her eyes shining with tears of her own. “Thank you,” she whispers, looking so touched.

Dinner is lively, everyone around the table talking, laughing, and eating like there’s no tomorrow. The scent of roasted turkey, glazed ham, and all the side dishes fills the air. I watch Maliah throughout, the way she fits right in, talking with my cousins, laughing with my aunts, and sneaking glances at me from across the table.

After dinner, Maliah and my mom sneak off to the kitchen to finish icing the cupcakes. I know they’re probably sharing stories again and getting to know each other better, and it makes me feel so damn lucky that the two most important women in my life get along so well.

A little while later, Maliah comes back into the living room, holding a tray of cupcakes in her hands. She’s beaming as she sets them down on the coffee table, and everyone grabs one while we start opening presents. The tree is glowing with lights, the room filled with wrapping paper, gifts being passed around, and the sound of laughter as my cousins open their presents.

Maliah suddenly walks over to me, a small box in her hands. She gives me a sheepish smile. “I know we said no gifts because there’s not much space left in our luggage, but this is something you won’t have to pack.”

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