Part 51: Trouble-3

"I know. But it was Mom and Dad's dream. Dad's gone now, Mom's staying in Florida, Faye has her house and I'm moving in with you as soon as we go back. I'm happy to let it go, and Lucas wants several cottages around the province. Hell, he can afford to have one in every town if he likes." "Wow," Quinn said. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he padded to the bedroom and dressed in soft, flannel pyjama pants. "Come here," he said. Lucy had thrown on a cotton t-shirt and panties, and snuggled up beside him, laying her head on his chest while he stroked her hair. "Are you sure? You said you'd move in with me if this worked out. It hasn't exactly worked out. We've been at each other's throats for months." He didn't want to bring it up, but he had to know she had no doubts about moving in with him. "We haven't been us since we've been here; we've both been under a lot of pressure and there was someone actively working to sabotage us. And I wouldn't say that it hasn't worked out. I learned a lot about myself while I was here, and what I was capable of. Mainly the fact that I don't need an older man or anyone telling me how good I am. I know I'm good. Speaking of which, I do have some news, and I don't think you're going to like it." "Oh?" Please don't say you want us to move to New York, he silently prayed. "I don't want to work in the brewpub anymore," she said. "Oh that!" His relief was instant. "That's fine, honey. But, why?" "The restaurant was Dad's dream. I came back to Nova Scotia originally for him. The brewpub is a great idea and I believe in it, but that's your dream. You and Leon and Marnie are great at running it. I'll stay a silent partner, but I want out of the day to day operations. I'm starting a new company — Phoenix Marketing. I'm going to hire back my New York team. We're digital marketers; we can work from anywhere. I'll come to New York once or twice a month for meetings, but my home base will always be in Port Ross. With you." Everything she said made total sense. "If that's what you want, I will support you, completely," he said. She sighed with relief. "I'm so glad you feel that way," she said. "Of course. Whatever you decide to do, you'll kill it," he said. "Phoenix — rising from the ashes. That's you. I like it," he said, holding her closer. She stroked his arm lightly with her fingers, raising goose bumps. He wished he had more energy to show her how he felt in that moment. "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that," she said. "Of course," he said. "I just want you to be happy, Lucy. That's all I've ever wanted." "Do you think trouble follows us around?" she asked suddenly. "We've both been through some crazy shit since we met each other," she said, propping her chin on her fist and looking up at him with those gorgeous eyes, deep and serious. "I think we have something unique and special. There will always be people who will want to wreck it. We can't let them," he said, echoing something that Jasmine had said to him earlier in the week. "The rest is just plain old bad luck." She nodded. "We won't," she said. He put his arms around her, his heartbeat seemed to pulse through his entire body. Trouble did seem to find them, but that was OK. They'd always come back to each other, stronger than ever. Of that, he was sure. "Lucy?" "Hm?" Bless her, she had laid her head on his chest and was drifting to sleep, still jet lagged. He hated to rouse her, but it was important. "Do me a favour? Could you go into the top drawer on the left-hand side, and get me a pair of socks? My feet are cold." "Okay," she said, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. She walked barefoot to the dresser. "This one?" "No, the one next to that one." He used all of his strength to pull himself up. He wanted to see her face. She pulled open the drawer and paused, looking down. She looked back at him, over her shoulder. "What's this?" "What's what?" He feigned innocence. She reached in and pulled out the little, blue box. "This?" Her eyes were wary, but excitement glinted in their depths. "Why don't you open it and find out?" She brought the package over to the bed and sat cross-legged beside him. Pulling the ribbon, she opened the box, gasping when she looked inside. "Oh my God," she said, her hand flying to her mouth. "Quinn, this is gorgeous. And huge!" He thought briefly about getting down on one knee, but quickly discarded the idea. He didn't want to risk barfing or passing out, mid-proposal — or possibly both at the same time. That would be a story for the future grandkids. He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. It fit perfectly. "I wanted to do this in Florence. That's part of why I was so upset at your business trip to Italy with that scumbag. But I should have used my words and explained myself." He took a deep breath. "I didn't know I'd be doing this moments after I puked on you. But life doesn't always work out the way you think it will. I do know that I love you so completely, so totally, Lucy. And nothing is ever going to change that. I'm yours, if you'll have me. Marry me." She looked up at him, tears spilling down her cheeks. He'd never seen her speechless before. He blathered on, trying to fill the space. "I think trouble does seem to find us. But if you can remember how much I love you and how this ring means that will never change no matter what happens, then I think we can get through anything life throws at us." The tears continued to fall, but she still wasn't saying anything. Moments ticked by. He decided to give her a gentle prompt. "What do you say?" Her continued silence was starting to worry him. Until she threw her arms around his neck in a hug that nearly knocked him off the bed. "Of course, I will," she whispered. He closed his eyes and held her close. "Now," he said, after a few moments of sheer bliss. "I really do need those socks."