Page 80 of Love Story
Ten minutes later he parked his car in the lot behind her hotel. The place was situated on the edge of the lake, just like she’d said. The place was beautiful and the view was even better. Cody was about to get out of his car when he noticed someone sitting on a fallen tree near the water.
She had a puppy with her.
Like all his life had led to this moment, Cody stepped out of the car and walked toward her. He had called Andi’s parents on the way here. He had their permission. Like her father told him a few minutes ago, he would always have their permission.
Cody took in the sight of Andi, the way her hair fell over her shoulders. The lyrical sound of her voice as she talked to her puppy. He didn’t want to rush this, and he definitely didn’t want to frighten her. But as he reached her, she still hadn’t heard him approaching. Cody stopped a few feet away and called her name. Like it was the most beautiful word in all the world.
“Andi...”
She turned and as soon as their eyes met, she stood. “Cody... I’m sorry.”
“I know.” He came to her and took her in his arms while her puppy frolicked around at their feet. Cody blinked back tears. “I knew you’d come. I’ve prayed every day since I left.”
“Me, too.” Tears filled her eyes and mixed with her laughter. “I can’t believe you’re here. That you actually... you’re not mad at me.”
“Of course not.” He looked into her blue eyes, all the way to her kind, sincere, brave soul. He felt his smile fade a little. “And Caleb?”
“He’s not for me.” She shook her head and more tears shone in her eyes. “There will never be anyone for me, but you.”
Cody figured that much, after reading her letter. But he had to hear it from her. Like this, face to face. He smiled again. “I have so much to tell you.”
“I’ll listen, Cody. Forever.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks and as she did, he closed the distance between them and kissed her. The puppy was still playing nearby and Andi laughed. “Max, you’re okay, buddy.”
“Max.” Cody chuckled. “I like it.” Then he hugged her again and kissed her one more time. The puppy moved to a spot at the end of the log, bored with the two of them. Cody had longed for this every day for as long as he could remember. “Andi Ellison...” He whispered her name, his cheek against hers. Then he drew back and slowly—so he’d know he wasn’t dreaming—he dropped to one knee.
Andi gasped and covered her face with her hands. “What?” She squealed. “Cody... I never thought...”
From his jeans pocket he pulled out the ring. Not the same one he’d given her two times before. But a new one. The ring he’d bought before he moved to Montana.
Just in case she changed her mind.
“Andi...” Cody opened the velvet box and took the ring from inside. He slipped the box back into his pocket and held the diamond solitaire up to her. This time there were no parties, no photographers. Nothing but the two of them. “I meant these words before, but they’re different now. I understand them better. What they mean for the two of us, together.” He paused. “Andi... will you marry me?”
She nodded. “I will. And I’ll stay here with you in Montana. I’ll go wherever you go, Cody. And this time it will be different. I know it will.”
He stood and wrapped her into his embrace one more time. Then he slid the ring onto her finger. “Look at that.” He grinned at her. “A perfect fit.”
And so it was.
“I have an idea.” A plan was unfolding in his heart even as the words came to life. “Here, sit beside me.”
They sat together and Cody took a deep breath. “What if we...”
It took little time to convince her. They held hands and prayed and made their decision. Surely they could have a wedding party later, but after all they’d been through this seemed the only right thing to do.
An hour later they stood at the county clerk’s office. Cody glanced at Andi, the love of his life. He squeezed her hand so he’d know this was real, and she was here in front of him. He had never been happier in all his life.
They filled out paperwork, paid the fee, and there—before a court justice—they promised to take each other as husband and wife, for better or worse, in sickness and health. Now and forever more.
Until their final breath.
•••
HANNAH JENNIFER PAULcame into the world right at sunset, after eight hours of labor. The doctor and nurse worked together to clean her off, and then they laid her on Bailey’s chest. Both she and Brandon wrapped their arms around her.
Their little girl’s very first minutes on earth.
“She’s perfect.” Brandon’s tears slid down his cheeks, the same way Bailey’s did. “She looks just like you.”
