Maybe It's Fate, page 30
Cutter and I hugged, and then something told me I needed to encourage Antonia to say what she needed to say. I placed my hand on her hip and leaned in. “Tell him what’s on your mind.” She nodded against my scruff.
Antonia cleared her throat, not that it did anything for her. She tried again. “Cutter, I—”
“I love you, Mom,” he said before she could get the words out. He crashed into her open arms and held her tightly. My eyes watered, watching the two of them.
“I love you too. Do good, okay? Don’t squander this opportunity. Your mom would’ve wanted this for you.”
“I know, and I won’t. Tell Nova I’ll call her every Sunday.”
Antonia nodded and released him, wiping her tears. Cutter and I hugged again, and then he jogged off.
A lot had changed in the last year and a half, except for how I felt about Antonia. I reached for her hand and held it tightly. “It’s going to be okay. He’ll come home at Thanksgiving and eat us out of house and home.”
“I’d like to come for Parents’ Weekend,” she said as if it weren’t already on our family calendar. “It’s important he knows he has a support group.”
“He knows, but yes, I’ll take the time off, and we’ll fly down.”
In the car, she didn’t say much as I drove to our hotel. We’d decided to spend a couple of days at the beach as a mini vacation before driving back to New Hampshire. The southern weather in August was still warm and relaxing.
We checked in, set our stuff down, and set out to explore the quaint town. We shopped, taste-tested samples of fudge, and roamed the streets until it was time to head back to the hotel and change for dinner.
“We could order in,” she said as she pulled her belt tight around her waist.
“We could, but we have a reservation, and while our once-a-month weekend in Boston is nice, I’d like to take my girlfriend out.”
She rose onto her toes and kissed me. “You know the house is going to be quiet.”
“Not by much,” I told her. “Nova’s social calendar is filling up, and she told me she wants to play soccer.”
“She mentioned it. I don’t know anything about it.”
“Shocker,” I said teasingly. “Everyone is learning at her age; she’ll be fine. I’ll take her and get her signed up next week.”
“You’re the best.”
My eyes fluttered. “I try.”
The restaurant where I’d made our reservation abutted the beach. I’d asked for a coastal view and wasn’t disappointed with where they sat us. We were so close, there was sand under our feet.
We ordered a bottle of wine and perused the menu. When she told me she planned to order a salad, I knew we should’ve come here tomorrow night. Sometimes she made herself sick with worry, and having dropped Cutter off, she most likely wasn’t feeling well.
“Do you want to go back to the room?”
“No, this is lovely.”
I reached for her hand. “He’s going to be okay, and if he’s not, he’s going to call you.”
“I know. It’s silly, but I’m going to miss him.”
“And you can see him whenever you want. Thanks to modern technology, you can video chat by pressing a button.”
Antonia relaxed. “Easier said than accepted.”
I didn’t even want to think about when Nova left for college. Antonia was going to be a nervous wreck.
After dinner, we walked along the beach, watching as the waves came ashore and the sun went down.
“I think this is a good spot,” she said as she dug into her handbag. “Miri would want to be where her son is.”
She opened a small bottle and shook out some of Miri’s ashes. The slight breeze in the air helped push them all around.
We were silent for a moment, standing there, watching the ashes disappear. I pulled her close, and she rested her head on my shoulder.
“It’s nice here.”
“It is,” I said. “We’ll have to make this an annual trip.”
“Next year, he’ll want his car.”
This time I was going to be the voice of reason. “I don’t know if I’ll be comfortable with him driving this far without someone with him.”
Antonia raised her head and looked at me. “You could always drive down with him and then fly back. Malik may want to ride with him as well.”
“Definitely a possibility.” I kissed the tip of her nose, and she sighed. I was madly in love with her and had been since the day I’d met her. I’d been there at her worst, and when she could’ve pushed me away, she hadn’t. Instead, she’d invited me in, folding me into her chaotic life as a new mom. There wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.
Slowly, I got down on one knee and fished the ring I’d bought for her out of my pocket. Antonia stepped back slightly and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Weston.” Her voice was barely above the sound of the waves, but I heard her clearly.
“Somewhere around the three-week mark of knowing you, I said I was going to marry you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Antonia. Ever since you walked into the gym, and still to this day, I go to sleep and wake, thinking about you.
“When we all moved in together, you gave me the family I’d always wanted. Together, we’re raising two amazing kids, and I’m so thankful to be on this journey with you.”
I held the ring between my two fingers and then held it a bit higher. “I know we haven’t talked about taking this next step, but I’m hopeful you want to be my wife. Will you marry me, Antonia?”
Antonia crouched to my level and held my hand in hers. “Weston, you’ve been my guiding light since I arrived. You were there, a constant in my life, waiting for me to notice you. I noticed and continue to do so every day that we spend together. Saying yes to you would be . . .” She paused.
“But?”
“No buts,” she said and cleared her throat. “Can I finish?”
I nodded.
“Saying yes to you will be the easiest thing I’ve done in a long time. Yes, I’ll marry you. Under one condition.”
“Name it.”
“We get married at Christmas, when Cutter’s home. Just us and our friends and family, in our home where Miri’s watching over us.”
“Sounds like the perfect wedding for me. Before I slip this ring on your finger, you should know, Cutter gave me some of Miriam’s ashes. I had the diamond created with them.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek. I wiped it away, never taking my eyes off hers. “I knew you’d miss sharing this moment with her, so I did what I could to make sure she was here.” I slipped the ring on her finger and then caressed her cheek with the back of my hand.
Antonia held her hand out, allowing the setting sun to cast a prism in the diamond. She beamed.
“I’m sure you can figure out that I asked Cutter for permission, but I asked your father as well.”
“He said no, didn’t he?” Antonia laughed.
I couldn’t help but laugh right along with her. “It was your brother. I’m going to have to work on him.”
She cupped my cheek and looked into my eyes. “I love you. I know our lives are hectic and I don’t say it enough, but know that I do. Aside from the kids, you’re the best thing to happen to me.”
“I love you more,” I said as I pulled her to me and sealed our lips together. We’d already become a family, and now we were going to make it official.
Acknowledgments
This story had been playing in my mind for a while, but it didn’t fully take shape until my daughter and I went to visit a friend—who happened to be vacationing just a few towns over—for coffee. What should’ve been an hour-long visit turned into an amazing, all-day adventure.
And that’s how the character of Antonia was born.
So, Cara—thank you. Thank you for being a constant in my life and in the lives of my girls. And thank you for introducing us to your sister, Toni. I adore you both more than words can say.
To Lauren and Lindsey—my favorite Ls. I appreciate you so much. You always know how to make my words shine and keep me grounded. This was, by far, my most favorite development letter ever received. I’ll save it forever!
To my incredible team at Montlake—being part of this family is a true blessing. Thank you for believing in me and in my stories.
To my bestie, Yvette—sometimes I loathe your imaginary red pen, but truthfully, I wouldn’t want to do any of this without you. Your insight, patience, and brilliance mean everything.
To Erik, Madison, and Kassidy—I love picking your brains about titles and cover options. Your input is invaluable, and I’m so lucky to have your support.
To JiLL, Racicot, and Rugby—you’re the best writing companions ever.
To Michelle D.—our daily and nightly sprints have been a game changer. Your wisdom, guidance, and friendship continue to be a constant in my life, and for that, I am forever grateful.
To Taylor D.—all is well. Always.
To Karrie O.—thank you for the encouragement and the constant “Is it done yet?” messages.
And finally, to Trudy—I cherish you.
About the Author
In 2012, Heidi McLaughlin turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career. She is now the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archer Brothers. McLaughlin has written more than twenty novels, including her acclaimed first novel, Forever My Girl, which was adapted into a 2018 film starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.
Visit the author at www.heidimclaughlin.com, and keep up with her latest releases by subscribing to her newsletter.
McLaughlin, Heidi, Maybe It's Fate
