Chapter 9 - The Family Preserved
Six months later.
The summer sun shone brightly over the manicured grounds of Blackwood Point Estate. The air was warm, smelling of ocean salt and blooming coastal lavender.
The estate’s back lawn had been transformed into a paradise for four-year-olds. A custom wooden playground—complete with slides, climbing walls, and a miniature pirate ship—sat near the edge of the lawn.
Laughter echoed across the terrace.
Jack and Noah were running through the lawn sprinklers, wearing colorful swim trunks, squealing with delight as Nurse June—who had been hired as our full-time private family nurse—chased them with oversized fluffy towels.
Mrs. Gable stood near a long picnic table under the shaded patio, laying out platters of freshly baked cookies, lemonade, and grilled sandwiches.
I sat on the edge of the stone patio, wearing a yellow summer sundress, my bare feet dangling toward the cool grass, a glass of iced tea in my hand.
Dominic walked out from the house, wearing a simple white linen shirt and dark shorts. He looked younger, relaxed, the harsh lines of stress that had defined his face for years completely gone. Silver still touched his temples, but his gray eyes were bright, filled with deep contentment.
He walked over to me, sitting down beside me on the stone ledge, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against his side.
"How are my boys?" he asked, watching Jack successfully steer the plastic pirate ship wheel.
"They just ate three cookies when Mrs. Gable wasn't looking," I laughed, resting my head against his shoulder. "Jack claims he’s the captain and Noah is the chief navigator."
Dominic laughed—a rich, deep sound that made my heart leap. "Sounds like an efficient crew."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet jewelry box.
I blinked, looking at the box. "Dominic? What is that?"
"Open it," he murmured, his eyes watching my face intently.
I took the velvet box and popped the latch open.
Inside, resting on black velvet, was a breathtaking diamond ring. It wasn't my old wedding ring. It was a custom-designed platinum band set with a flawless three-carat cushion-cut diamond, flanked by two smaller, brilliant blue sapphires.
"The sapphires represent Jack and Noah," Dominic explained softly, taking the ring from the box. "And the diamond is you—the center of my world."
He took my left hand, sliding the heavy ring onto my ring finger. It fit perfectly.
"Nora Wells became Nora Vale five years ago in a quiet courthouse," Dominic said, looking into my eyes with a devotion so fierce it brought tears to my eyes. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me again? Next month? Here on the cliff, in front of our sons and the few people who truly love us?"
Tears spilled over my cheeks, hot and sweet.
"Yes," I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, loving kiss. "Yes, Dominic. A thousand times yes."
From the lawn, Jack’s loud voice boomed: "Eww! Mom and Dad are kissing again!"
May you like
Noah chimed in, giggling: "Gross!"
Dominic pulled back from the kiss, laughing softly, and called out across the lawn: "You two better get used to it! I'm going to kiss your mother every single day for the rest of my life!"
