Chapter 45—Raine

One Year Later:

I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as Jade in a white dress. She stands next to Mom and the Justice of the Peace on the beach. I stand next to Jonah. They are reciting their wedding vows, but I can’t keep my eyes off my gorgeous girlfriend. She looks at me and blushes. She knows I’m not paying attention to anything but her. Jonah and Mom decided on a small wedding here in Big Sur with just close friends and family. My Dad and Dani are here as well as Grandpa. I can’t wait for this part to be over. I just want to dance the night away with Jade. I still don’t like feeling everyone’s eyes on me. But I have been getting a lot more practice. Dad has had me perform with him quite often. His song about me really turned out to be a huge hit. It has opened a lot of doors for me as well. He is acting as my agent, thankfully. I don’t know much about the business. But he is handling it.

Ezekiel is now serving a total of two life sentences in prison. I don’t even think about him anymore. I do get to see some of my siblings. It’s really nice. Most of them are adjusting well to the real world. They are all in counseling. And so am I, thanks to Jade. It’s really helping me to let go of the past and look confidently toward the future. A future I plan to spend with Jade.

Mom and Jonah said I do and are now kissing, and everyone is cheering. I follow Jade’s lead as we head back down the aisle. When we get passed the people, I take her in my arms and kiss her right on the lips. “I love you so much baby.” I tell her. “You know I'm your sister now, right?” she asks giggling. “I know, and then one day you will be my wife too. And I can’t wait. I don’t care if people have a problem with it. I was your boyfriend before I was your brother.” I tell him with our noses pressed together. “I don’t care either. And I really don’t think any of our friends do. In fact, your Dad told me that whenever we decide to tie the knot, he would love for us to have the ceremony at his house.” “Is that so?” I ask as I get down on one knee in front of her. She covers her face with her hands. I take them in mine and force her to look at me. “Jade Monroe, I love you more than anything in this world. Will you please marry me?” then I take the little black velvet box out of my pocket and open it. She looks at the ring with huge eyes. I take it out and place it on her slim finger. I look at her watery eyes and I can see the rest of my life deep within them. “Yes!” she says as she throws her arms around me. Mom and Jonah are standing beside us clapping. So is the rest of the audience.

We head over to the ocean side again to take photos. Jade and Mom are both crying now. Holding each other. Only a year ago I thought I might lose them both. It was terrifying. Imagining my life without them. I wouldn’t want to live it. Jade was my salvation. She was the person who made me realize that my life could be more than what it was. She helped me see that love can change your life. It can make it so much brighter and happier than I ever imagined.

Soon after I healed, Jade decided she needed to be brave too. She told her Dad about her tiredness and that she was worried she had Lupus as well. She finally went to the doctor and found out that she had an iron deficiency. That’s what was making her so severely tired. She started treatment for it right away and is now doing much better. They checked her for signs of Lupus, and she had none. Thank God for that. But she has to go in every six months just to make sure.

I released a single with the help of my Dad a couple months ago. And Jade finally showed me the painting she did of me. I thought it was awesome and so did Dad. We decided to use it for the cover of my single. Jade has been selling her artwork in a few galleries in California. She also did more paintings for the charity. They sold for more than the ones last year. She is really starting to get her name out there in the art world. I am so proud of her.

Mom finished and sold her book to a publishing company. They are working on it currently. They believe it will do really well. I'm proud of her too. So many things have changed over the last year. We moved in with Jade and Jonah. I got the spare room. Jonah still watches us like hawks. That’s okay, I would never disrespect his wishes. Especially in his own home. Jade and I have managed to keep our relationship PG-13. Right now, we are focused on our emotional attachment. That’s enough for me until we get married.

Finally, we head into the reception hall to have dinner. I'm starving as always. I still work out a lot and burn a ton of calories. I had to do quite a bit a physical therapy last year because of the damage from the bullet. Thankfully it didn’t hit me on the other side where it would have been in my heart. But I'm much better now. Maybe even stronger than before. And all that work was well worth it when I was able to overpower Ezekiel without having to murder him. I couldn’t have lived with myself if I took a human life.

It’s time for me to make the toast. I tap my fork on the side of my champagne glass and then clear my throat. Everyone is listening. “Jonah, my Mom means the world to me as you know. And I may be a little overprotective of her at times.” I get a little laugh for that one. “But I always knew that you were perfect for her. That you would take care of her just as I would. You are a great man. Thank you for loving me and my Mom and also for giving me the love of my life.” I turn toward Jade, wink at her, and raise my glass. Everyone else clinks their glasses together.

I play a Shawn Mendes song for their first dance. Jonah is holding her like she is the most precious thing in the world. Then the band takes over and Jade and I dance beside them. I can’t get enough of her. I nuzzle my nose into her neck and take in the smell of strawberries. She giggles as always. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. I promise I will take care of you and treasure you forever.” I whisper in her ear. I feel a chill go up her arms. She’s so sweet. “Raine, you are the only man I have ever wanted and will ever want for my entire life. I will be so proud to be your wife. I love you to no end. I owe you my life and you have my soul forever.” She tells me. And then I kiss her, right there on the dance floor.