Page 64 of Yours, Always
“You talked to Gabe about it, but not me?”
“It never seemed like the right time. I didn’t want to spoil what we’d just started.”
Prudence’s anger deflated as she thought about not telling him about Chuck. “It seems like we both had a lot to tell each other.”
“I wish you were there when Samantha and I had lunch. I thought of you the whole time, how you’d be on the floor laughing at the ridiculous things she was saying. Then she started hinting that she’d come to Amber Falls after I told her I was leaving town for a while. I didn’t take her seriously, but I wish I had. I had no clue she’d show up here. In fact, I know Nadia was in on it, Samantha confirmed they came here together.”
“Really?”
Greyson nodded. “After Nadia called the other day, I’m certain it was her you saw on Tuesday. She represents Samantha, too. A movie deal with both of us would’ve been a big payday for her.”
“Double bucks,” Prudence said.
“Double bucks,” Greyson confirmed.
They lapsed into silence again until Prudence spoke. “I can’t fault her, though.”
“Nadia or Samantha?” Greyson asked.
“Both, I suppose.” She paused before continuing. “Nadia is one of the best in the business and she hasn’t gotten where she is by standing by and letting deals come to her. She’s fought her way to the top and wants to stay there. It was conniving of her to try to come between us.”
“And Samantha?”
“I take it back.Shecan go fuck herself.”
“Even though her father runs Lithica Studios?” He didn’t even wait for an answer. “You know what? She can go fuck herself. In fact, Hollywood can go fuck itself. I’m ready to retire, accept the teaching job and move back home, full-time.”
“You mean it? Like, that’s your final answer?”
He ran his fingers over her cheeks, smoothing her brows with his thumbs, as if he was memorizing her face by touch. “I thought I lost you. I thought you were gone forever,” he said quietly. “I’m never going to feel like that again. I love you, Prudence Hardwick. I’m yours, always.”
Prudence’s heart soared. “I love you so much, Grey. I’m sorry I didn’t stay when I saw you, I’m sorry that I ran, after telling you in the maze that I was ready to fight for you, fight for us.” She laid a hand on his cheek. “I promise I’ll never run again, no matter how hard things might get. And we need to promise each other that no matter what, we say what’s on our minds, no more waiting for the right time.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise.”
Epilogue
New Year’s Eve, two months later
The warm fall weather had stretched into early winter. That, combined with below normal snowfall, meant that Prudence’s friends, and the citizens of Amber Falls, had been able to enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays more than usual with a plethora of outdoor events including the Grand Tree Lighting and Christmas Caroling. Prudence hoped the good weather would continue into the Winter Wonderland celebrations that usually took place a week after New Year’s, however the tides were turning. The weather was getting chillier, and the local news station was forecasting the first nor’easter of the year, expected within the next few weeks.
Greyson and Prudence left their house late New Year’s Eve after a private celebration and were headed to Gabe’s bar to finish off the night with their friends. Prudence’s mind was still on the weather, hoping the snow would miss them during the Winter Wonderland, when she noticed Greyson was navigating them toward his brother’s neighborhood, rather than his bar. Greyson stopped at a house a few streets up on Gabe’s same block. Though the night was late, it was a full moon which cast a particular light, the kind of light only seen in the dead of winter. It shone over the landscape, reflecting off the snow almost like it was still daylight out.
“What are we doing here, Grey?” Prudence looked around, confused. “I thought we were going to Finnegan’s.”
“I wanted to show you something first.” Greyson got out of the car and hustled around to open Prudence’s door. “I have some thoughts I’d like to share with you.”
“You know I’ll have to charge you double for my consulting fee, it being a holiday and all,” Prudence joked as she swung her legs out and took his proffered hand, letting him lead her through an iron gate and up the walkway of a run-down estate. The large colonial had a massive yard, lined by a tall hedge with neglected rose bushes lining the path to the front door. The house itself was in shambles, its columns cracked and weathered, the roof a bit sunk in above the door, the brick of the façade long past the point of needing attention.
Greyson stepped behind Prudence and placed his gloved hands on her shoulders. She gave a slight shiver—it was cold with a light snow falling quietly around them.
“Just picture it, Pru.” He slowly moved her shoulders, guiding her to the places he wanted her to see as he spoke. “What it could be once it’s gotten some much-needed TLC. With the brick and iron work restored, maybe add a nice front porch with a couple of rocking chairs, or a bench swing. Can you see it? Me and you sitting here on quiet evenings watching our kids play in the yard?”
Prudence gasped at his mention of children. They’d talked about having kids while they were huddled in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve, but nothing bordering on serious. It was only in the most abstract of terms, really, so hearing him mention kids, outside, on this cold December night in front of a large house that could hold a baseball team’s worth if they wanted, startled her more than she thought it should. “You want us to live here?” was the only question she could think to ask. She felt his hands leave her shoulders and turned around to see Greyson down on one knee, a little blue box in his hand. “Oh. Ohhh. OH!”
Greyson smiled, his heart-stopping smile, the one he kept just for her. “Prudence, you’re it for me. I’m not here to see how things go or what we can make of this, I’m here because you are mine, you always have been, even when we were young, or apart, or growing our lives. I may not have understood my feelings until middle school, but I knew you were it for me the moment you walked into Mrs. Lydel’s kindergarten class. I went home and told my mom that I’d met the girl I was going to marry. Prudence Marie Hardwick, please make me the luckiest man alive and tell me you’ll be my wife.”
Prudence couldn’t help it, her mitted hands were at her mouth, her eyes watering. “Yes, Greyson, yes, I will marry you, a thousand times over, yes.” Greyson opened the box to reveal an antique ring. She felt the tears forming anew as he took her hand, removed her mitten and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.