Page 84 of Diverge

What the fuck?!

As soon as Nate begins talking, I forget where I am. It’s just me and Nate.

“Baby, meeting you was the best point in my life. You made me realise I needed to change, to become an honest man, not just for Noah but for me. We have both lived a portion of our lives separately and have grown into better, stronger people. I love that you have achieved all that you have wanted for so long. I am so proud of you for following your true desires. I love the way you pout when you don’t get your way... the way you get excited right before you eat, and I absolutely adore the way you care for others in your life. When I look to the future, all I see is you.

You are my dream, baby, a life with you, kids with you... grandkids with you. I want it all... with you. Marry me, Billie. I love you more than I love anything else in this life.”

The entire stadium is silent, waiting for my reply, and I let out the breath I was holding, tears begin streaming down my face as I nod, covering my mouth with both hands.

“Yes, yes... yes... a billion times yes!” I shout as he rises, and I throw my arms around him, the whole stadium cheering and roaring.

EPILOGUE

The mid-April blueskies are clear above us. Looking up, I breathe in the fresh spring air, seeing the light shine through the large branches of the trees. I run a hand over my growing belly and close my eyes.

I did it, Finn. I hope you’re proud of me. I hope you’re looking down and watching as I make good on my promises to you. To live out my life the way I was supposed to, to become a mother. I miss you more than words can describe, but I’m happy. Nate makes me happy, and I am so lucky to have found someone who loves me just as much as you did. You will always be in my heart, until the day I die. We were just kids when we fell for each other, and I will always remember the way you used to protect me... the way you used to love me. Wherever you are, I hope you are at peace.

“Baby, we have about ten minutes before we have to go.” Nate’s worried expression consumes his face as he looks at me. “Are you sure you’re up for it?” I love this Nate, the one who is worried if I move too quickly that I might hurt myself or the baby. Ever since I fell pregnant, he’s been the most attentive. Not to say he wasn’t previous to the pregnancy, but this has just amplified it by a hundred.

I chuckle as I look up at him from our picnic blanket. “Please relax, I am fine!” He reaches out to me, and I grab his hand as he helps me up off the blanket.

Today is my nephew’s third birthday, and they have decided to travel all the way to the States because I wanted to host it for them.

I miss them. Ever since I moved here and began a life with Nate, I haven’t had much opportunity to see them.

“They’re going to be here in a bit... everything is done and ready, so don’t go doing stupid shit like putting balloons on the ceiling,” he warns with a stern look.

“Okay, okay. I’ll just hand out drinks.” I say.

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head. “You will sit down and look pretty.”

I groan audibly as we walk into the house. I ended up moving in with Nathan since his house was far nicer than my small apartment. The place looks fabulous. It’s smaller than the houses back in Australia, but it’s cute. It’s homey. I hear the front door open as Noah greets Riley, Georgia, Harriet, and Jamie.

“Aunty B, Aunty B!” Harriet comes running through the hallway to the back of the house.

“Hayhay!” I lift her into my arms as she gives me a little snuggle.

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