Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“That house, Melissa,” he finally murmurs. “After your mom died, I’d walk the halls at night. I’d remember all the good times and the not-so-good ones we had together.”
I feel my emotions rising, tears in my eyes just hearing him mention my mom, which he rarely does.
“I know I should have talked it over with you, Melissa, but this is a huge deal worth ten times what the house is worth. I was thinking of you and your future.” My dad sniffs, wiping at his eyes and pinching his nose. “It’s been a living hell in that house, you understand? Every day I miss her more and more, and everywhere I look, all I see is her,” Dad sobs, finally losing control of his emotions.
I move my arms around him, rocking him as he cries, something I’ve never seen him do. He’s got a lot of tears to shed for my mom.
“I-I understand, Daddy. I really do, but I can’t break my promise, and me and Mark? Well… well, that’s got nothing to do with the house. Not really. All this project stuff is news to me,” I inform him.
“You really love her?” my dad finally asks Mark once he’s composed himself a little.
“With all my heart. I’d give everything I own just to have another day like we’ve had,” he says with emotion, making me tear up.
“It’s a win-win, Steve. You get the proposal, and you get to keep your house,” Mark reasons.
“But I’m losing my daughter,” my dad sighs bitterly.
“No,” Mark says with conviction. “You’re gaining an in-law… and you’ve already got a friend for life in me, mate.”
All three of us share a group hug, with Mark promising to go over the finer points of everything while Dad stays with us. Mark promises to take care of any expenses Dad’s already racked up with making arrangements for us to move to Australia permanently.
It looks like I beat him to it on that front. I’d already decided I was moving here the moment Mark claimed me.
“As long… as long as this is what you really want,” Dad murmurs.
“Oh, I want it, Daddy,” I promise him. “I want it like nothing on earth, and if we have your blessing, then I know you’ll be making Mom happy as well as me.”
“As well as us,” Mark chimes in.
“Then… then welcome to the family, bug guy!” my dad gushes, embracing his best friend.
The man I love with all my heart. My new best friend. My lover. My husband-to-be.
My forever.
EPILOGUE
TWO WEEKS LATER
Mark
I meant what I said. Melissa and I got married the day after her dad arrived. I thought Melissa would want a big fuss and a huge ceremony with all the trappings. With no friends or family except her dad in Australia, and maybe a bit of my haste to put a gold band next to her diamond one, we married in a private ceremony in our honeymoon suite.
With her dad as a witness and once we finalized the new deal—securing the family home in Melissa’s name—Steve was eager to set to work on the property development. I offered him a place to stay with us while he was in town, but I was more than relieved when he returned to the States to work on things from there.
He’s only ever enjoyed moderate success, so he saw his chance at the big times and has run with it, already securing enough backing to have another development underway. So, it really is a win-win for everybody.
Melissa gets to preserve the memory of her mom. Steve gets his dream job and a truckload of cash. And me? I get the one thing that’s been missing in my life, and I get to keep her forever.
Driving Melissa home after dropping her dad at the airport, I can see how confident she is now compared to a few weeks back. We’ve had plenty of time alone to get to know each other in the way we’ve craved. Instead of anything becoming routine or boring, I’m finding more to love about her with every moment when we’re together.
“Now, can I show you around?” I ask, meaning that I’ve still yet to show her just how amazing not just Sydney is but Australia—all of it. You could spend two lifetimes traveling here, and just like Melissa’s beauty and personality, you’d still never discover all of it. I’m itching to see as much of it as I can with Melissa by my side.
“Around Sydney?” she asks, interested, but I can sense she’d rather we just head home.
“Around Australia!” I exclaim, quickly adding that I don’t mean right this minute.
“Oh! Sure!” she agrees and sidles over to me, resting her arm on my lap as I drive. We start to make loose plans about where to go and what to see. None of it makes a big difference as long as we’re together.