Deception Bonus Epilogue

Everleigh

The hum of the motor, combined with the sun warming my exposed skin, lulled me into a sense of tranquillity I’d come to associate with our boat trips. We usually stayed around the bay, watching Sofie search for dolphins and birds. But today Lucius was taking us out to Catalina Island.

The boat was one of two he’d purchased for his business. It could fit about twenty people which meant there was plenty of room for the three of us. Sofie was busy putting her fishing gear to rights so she could drop her pole in the water as soon as we stopped.

She went out with Lucius as much as she could, especially during school vacations. In less than a year, he’d built his business into a thriving enterprise. He wasn’t restless any longer and seemed to embrace his new life.

I’d never been happier than I was now. Despite the way we’d met, he was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I still had nightmares and moments where my mind took me back to Guyana. But for the past six months I’d been talking to a therapist and working through what had happened.

The only part that cast a dark shadow over our new life was that we still hadn’t out where Archer was. He’d called me a few times, but never saying more than not to worry and that he was safe.

 At least I knew my brother was still alive. And I had to keep faith that I’d see him again.

Lucius grinned at me from his position in front of the wheel. “Why are you all the way over there?” He had to shout to be heard over the noise of the motor.

I got up, fitting myself against his side when he opened his arm, drawing me in tight. I kissed his chest, getting as close as possible. Every moment with him seemed like a dream. One that I never intended to wake up from.

“What time does Mariana get in?” Despite being so close to him, I still had to raise my voice.

“Ten. I was thinking I’ll pick her up with Sofie and then we can all have lunch together.”

After a lot of red tape and filling out what felt like a million forms Mariana would finally get here tomorrow. Lucius had contacted her as soon as we were settled in San Diego. It had quickly become clear that she’d move mountains to see him, Moni and Ava. And somehow they’d accomplished getting her over.

She was going to stay with us for two weeks, and then move up to Oregon to be with Moni and Ava.

“That sounds perfect.”

We were coming up to Catalina Island, my favorite spot in San Diego. We’d been out here a few times, but it never seemed to lose its magic, no matter how often we made the trip.

Lucius avoided the harbor, instead pulling around to the side of the small island and up to a secluded beach that was only accessible from the water. As soon as he dropped anchor and shut the motor off, Sofie expertly dropped her fishing line.

She never kept the fish she caught, always making Lucius take the hook out and throw them back.

Lucius pulled me over to the large bench seat that I’d outfitted with soft, oversized pillows. They looked out-of-place in the otherwise utilitarian set-up, but Lucius never moved them. I’d soon come to realize that there wasn’t much he wouldn’t let me get away with. Even if it included frilly pillows. He settled in with me draped across his lap, my side leaning into his chest.

Sofie’s soft humming and the lapping of the water against the hull made for the perfect soundtrack. The gentle rocking of the boat put me in a state of bliss, my eyes getting heavy. Add to that the gentle hands currently caressing up and down my back and I was in my happy place.

Life didn’t get much better than this.

At least I thought it didn’t until a ring appeared in my line of vision.

“Marry me?”

My breath hitched in my throat and my eyes went glassy. It was the perfect proposal because it was all him. “Yes.” The one word was all I could choke out.

We’d talked about getting married. Not only because we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, but also because it would provide security for Sofie.

And I had every intention of adopting her. She was as much mine as she was his.

But he’d gone quiet the last few months. Before that, he’d talked about getting married all the time.

He slid the ring on my finger and turned me in his arms, his mouth finding mine.

“Can you take the hook out?” Sofie’s voice cut into our blissful fog, reminding us that we were not alone on the boat. Celebrations would have to wait until tonight.

We broke apart, only to be met with the googly eyes of a Yellowtail Amberjack.

Lucius released me and helped Sofie get the fish back into the water. He was on the smaller side, the only reason she’d been able to pull him out herself.

We spent the rest of the day out on the water, swimming, fishing and lying in the sun. The perfect day and I hoped one of my many more to come.