Page 60 of The Tides Between Us

The boat slowed to a stop after we were about two miles offshore. Giana lifted her head away from me and rose to her feet as the captain killed the engine. I followed along with her and we walked over to where Pop-Tart was in her container filled with water. I looked down at the turtle, feeling a smile pulling on my lips. Who would have thought an injured sea turtle would have brought the one thing that was missing into my life?

“Who wants to do the honors?” Crew said as he glanced between all of us.

Giana turned to look at me.“I think you should be the one to release her… since you were the one who found her and saved her life.”

I smiled at my girl and shook my head. “I think we should do it together.”

Giana’s smile matched mine.“I like that idea.”

Together we both maneuvered the turtle out of the container and walked to the back of the boat. There were two steps that led to a smaller platform that was only a few inches above the surface of the water. I held most of Pop-Tart’s weight as I lowered myself down to my knees and Giana did the same.

I looked at the water below before looking at Giana. “Ready?”

She nodded. “I’m ready,” she whispered the words, so soft and quiet, no one heard them but me. They weren’t meant for anyone but me.

Gently, we both lowered Pop-Tart down into the water, dipping her beneath the surface before letting her go. We were both on our knees, side by side, as we watched the turtle move her strong flippers as she began to swim through the water. She turned around to face us, almost as if she were saying goodbye before she began to dip deeper. We watched her until the distance grew and we couldn’t see her any longer.

I looked over at Giana, seeing the tears falling down her cheeks. Reaching for her, I pulled her close against me, wrapping my arms around her. “It’s okay,” I murmured as I held her close and stroked her hair. She couldn’t hear the words I spoke, but it didn’t matter. She could feel them. “She’ll be okay.”

We stayed like that for a few minutes as everyone else began to get the boat ready to head back to the marina. Just like that, it was over. It was like turning the page and closing a pivotal chapter in both of our lives. Pop-Tart was where she was supposed to be and she never would have had that chance without any of us on the boat.

Giana finally pulled away and let out a breathless laugh before pushing the tears away from her face.“That was embarrassing,”she signed to me as the engine of the boat came to life.

“Nothing you do is ever embarrassing. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to express your emotions.”

She gave me a small smile.“I just cried about releasing a turtle into the wild. I’ve done this countless times and have never had it hit me this hard.”

“Pop-Tart was special.”

Giana nodded.“She really was. If it weren’t for her, I’m not sure I would have ever found you.”She paused for a moment as her eyes penetrated mine.“You’re both home now.”

“We’re both where we’ve always belonged.”

“Are you moving back in with your brother?”

I shrugged and let out a chuckle. “I’m hoping. He doesn’t even know I’m back yet.”

Giana rose to her feet and held her hand out to me. I slid mine into hers and stood up with her. She let go of my hand and slid her arms around the back of my neck as she tilted her head back to look at me.

“Stay with me.”

I could barely hear the words over the rumble of the engine, but I fucking heard them. My eyes widened slightly and bounced between hers. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

She pulled me closer, lifting onto her toes as her lips brushed my ear. “You’re what I want.”

A smile was on her lips as she moved back to look at me. She took a step away and offered me her hand again. “Come. Let’s go home.”

I smiled back at her as I slid my hand into hers and she led me up onto the main part of the boat. I watched her as she stood along the side, staring out at the ocean. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. I was completely entranced by her.

And I was home.

EPILOGUE

DECLAN

One Year Later

Giana eyed me skeptically from the passenger seat as we got into my Jeep and I started the engine. I couldn’t help but grin at the feistiness that was rolling off her in waves. She wasn’t one for surprises, so when I told her I had one for her when she got home from work, she was less than amused. It was killing her, not knowing what I had in store for her.

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