Chapter 9 - The Promise
Adrian dropped to one knee on the wooden deck of the porch, looking up at me. The sunlight caught the brilliant spark of a flawless, pear-cut diamond ring set in silver platinum.
"Adrian..." my hands covered my mouth, tears instantly welling in my eyes.
"Seven years ago, I lost the best part of my life because I didn't know how to protect what mattered," Adrian said, his voice filled with deep, sincere emotion. "I spent seven years living in darkness, thinking I would never see your face again. You gave me a son, Claire. You gave me a reason to be a better man."
He took my shaking hand in his, slipping his thumb over my knuckles.
"I don't just want to protect you anymore. I want to spend every sunrise and sunset loving you. Will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me, Claire Bennett?"
Before I could answer, the screen door slid open, and Ethan poked his head out, holding a glass of juice.
"Say yes, Mom!" Ethan called out with a big grin. "He said if you say yes, we can get a dog!"
Adrian laughed softly, looking back up at me with a hopeful, nervous smile that melted my heart completely.
"I was going to say yes anyway," I laughed through my tears, dropping to my knees in front of Adrian and wrapping my arms around his neck. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"
Adrian lifted me up as he stood, pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss that sealed our past, present, and future together. Ethan ran over, throwing his arms around both of our legs, joining the embrace. We stood there together in the warm California sunlight—a complete, unbroken family at last.
Six months later.
The coastal breeze swept through the white orchids adorning the cliffside garden of our Bel-Air home. A small, intimate gathering of close friends, medical staff who had saved Ethan's life, and loyal team members sat along the aisle.
Music played softly as I walked down the runner, holding a bouquet of white roses. I wore a simple, elegant lace gown that flowed around my feet.
At the end of the altar stood Adrian, looking breathtakingly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo. Beside him, acting as the best man, was Ethan, wearing a matching tiny tuxedo, holding the velvet ring pillow proudly with a massive smile on his face.
When Adrian looked at me, his eyes filled with tears.
When I reached him, he took my hand, his grip warm, steady, and full of eternal promise.
"You look stunning," he whispered.
"You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. Blackwood," I whispered back with a smile.
The minister began the ceremony, but all I could focus on was the man standing before me—the man who had crossed heaven and hell to bring us home.
"Do you, Adrian Blackwood, take Claire Bennett to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part?"
Adrian looked deep into my eyes, his voice steady and firm as the mountain rock. "I do. I will love her and protect her for all eternity."
"And do you, Claire Bennett, take Adrian Blackwood to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," I said, tears of happiness spilling over my eyelashes. "With all my heart."
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"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Adrian pulled me into his arms, dipping me slightly as he kissed me passionately under the rain of falling white flower petals. The guests cheered, and Ethan jumped up and down, clapping his hands.
