Page 108 of Stepson

I giggle, sitting back in my own seat as I put my seatbelt back on and look out the front. Gabe has turned off of the highway as we travel through a neighborhood. Over the horizon, I can see the sun setting just beyond the ocean, casting the perfect hues of red and orange. It’s breathtaking, and I can’t wait to see this every single night.

The pictures we’ve seen of the place are far and few in between, but we know it has full ocean views and sits up on a cliff. Gabe continues to drive through the neighborhood as Inotice all of the houses are mini mansions and probably worth millions of dollars, but they’re all very close to one another. I hope our place doesn’t have close neighbors. The pictures didn't seem that way, but you never truly know what a place looks like until you’re there in person.

Our house number on a fancy stone pillar catches my eyes just as Gabe turns in, but we’re stopped by a gate.

"Shit, do you know the code?"

I fumble through the paperwork I left in the glovebox for easy access and find a four digit codeI pray is the right one.

"Try 4178."

Gabe leans out the window and types the code in. A buzzing sound comes from the gate, and a moment later, it slides open for us. Gabe drives forward as I watch the gate slowly slide closed behind us. Then my eyes move forward as we drive up a long driveway that gets higher and higher.

And then I see it.

Our new home sits atop a cliff overlooking the ocean and sunset below. The entire place looks as if it’s made of glass, but only part of it is. It’s a modern build, and I can’t stop staring at it. Behind the house, toward the woods, is an in ground swimming pool that’s lit up. It’s so fancy and elegant looking that I can’t pull my gaze away.

Gabe parks at the front door as we both get out, staring up at the giant house. There isn't a single visible neighbor up this high, and all you can hear is the ocean waves crashing at the cliff's base and the soft howling wind through the brush. It’s paradise.

He comes around to me, lacing his fingers with mine before we climb the steps to the front door. Retrieving the key from his pocket, he unlocks the door and pushes it open to let me enter first. My breath nearly leaves my chest at the sight before me. The entire first floor is wide open with huge floor to ceiling windows facing the ocean and sunset. An open staircase rests onthe far wall, opening to a second floor balcony that overlooks the first floor. Several doors line the balcony, and I imagine they’re the bedrooms.

Everything about this place is perfect, and it’s ours now.

“Should we go see which bedroom is ours?” I ask as impatience nearly takes over.

He chuckles. “Lead the way, beautiful.”

I tighten my grip on his hand and pull him toward the steps. With a view like this from the living room, I know there has to be a bedroom with the same view. And I find it. It’s the last bedroom on the balcony with a huge walk-in closet, master bath, and a private balcony overlooking the ocean.

"Picture it," I whisper as I stand back and mimic where everything will be with my hands. "The large bed would go right here, the TV hung on the wall right there, and a dresser…"

I trail off when Gabe steps behind me, wraps his arms around my hips, and gently kisses my neck.

"And the crib for our babe right there." He nods toward the corner and my heart melts.

"It's perfect," I whisper.

"Nah, babe, you're the perfect one."

He releases me as I spin to look at him, finding that he’s now on his knees. My eyes bulge as he pulls something from his pocket, cracking open the ring box as he smirks up at me.

"I've thought of no other woman besides you since the day I met you. Years were taken away from us, but we have the rest of our lives to make up for it. Will you marry me, Bentley?"

Tears blur my vision as I grin, vigorously nodding my head. "Y-yes!"

He slides the ring onto my finger before he stands up and frames my face with both hands. "I love you so fucking much, baby." And then his mouth is on mine, kissing and nibbling until we’re breathless.

Then he turns me to face the balcony and the view outside, embracing me against his chest as we rock back and forth.

"This is our new life, babe, what are we going to do with it?"

"Live happily ever after," I whisper.

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