Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 136296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
“Holy crap, Clover. How the hell did you manage to do this without me knowing?”
“Careful planning and a lot of help.” I look over my shoulder, smiling at his family and mine, who seem just as excited as me for this unveiling.
He takes a few steps forward, pulling me along with him. “Holy shit, is that . . . are those my cranes?” He reaches up and touches one. They’re hanging from the ceiling in a spiral design. They’re every color of the rainbow, and some of them sport inappropriate and hilarious designs, which I found out from Violet was old wrapping paper from Christmas and other holidays over the years. She always held on to them.
In the very center of the spiral is the first crane he ever gave me. The one he left on my nightstand. It wasn’t until we moved in together that I realized there was a note inside that read:
Clover,
I wanted to leave my number, but I don’t think I could handle the disappointment if you didn’t call. 1000 cranes equal a single wish.
Mine is that the universe brings you back to me.
Only 999 to go.
~x Maverick
I put it in a special box and kept it safe, until now.
“Your mom brought a few boxes over from the house, and we spent a couple of days putting them up. There are a thousand. Exactly enough for a wish.”
He takes my face between his hands. “You are everything I never knew I needed.” He presses his lips to mine and wraps me in a hug I feel all the way to my soul. “Thank you for this,” he adds. “I can’t tell you how much it means that I have all of you backing me.” His voice cracks at the end, and he releases me to hug the rest of his family, all of whom helped make this happen, not just for him, but for us.
“I have something for you.” Maverick reaches into the pocket of his hoodie.
“For me? It’s your birthday. The presents are supposed to be for you.”
“It is for me.” He takes one of my hands in his and drops to his knee.
“Maverick?” I glance over at our families, who are all standing there like they knew this was going to happen. His mother smiles and then gives me her cringey face. It looks like she’s going to cry—but happy tears. I turn my attention back to him.
“Thank you for being my light in the dark, for opening my eyes and for taking a chance on us. For saving me from myself. The only thing I want for this birthday, and every single one yet to come, is to know I get to celebrate with you. You’re already my partner in every way that matters. Marry me, Clover. You have my heart, I want you to have my soul too.”
He flips open the box, and inside is a beautiful diamond ring—four stones arranged in what could be a clover.
My eyes well, and my lip trembles.
He nods toward his family and winks at me. “No pressure or anything.”
I laugh. “Of course I’ll marry you. I’m yours, until the end of forever and whatever comes after.”
Our families clap and whistle.
He puts the ring on my finger and stands to kiss me. And of course, because he’s Maverick, he slips me the tongue. Just a quick stroke and then he pulls back. “I’m really glad you said yes. Otherwise this would’ve gotten real awkward.”
We’re enveloped in a huge hug, one that speaks of unconditional love. I know that however unconventional our beginning, Maverick and I are supported and celebrated by the people who matter most to both of us.
I might have been the hand that pulled him up from the darkness, but Maverick is the light. And I get to watch him shine every day.
THE END