In the end

Chapter 42 - Yes

~ Bree POV ~

We ate breakfast outside on the patio. I hadn't even realized how much time had passed until he said 'good morning'. "Jare? Can we take a walk?" "Yeah of course." We got dressed and he held the door open for me, glancing down at the folder tucked under my arm but not saying a word. We walked on the beach as the sun rose, our hands clasped together. My other arm was still clutching the folder. "You okay?" I paused before answering him to actually consider everything I was feeling. Just being there with him made me happier than I could remember. I also felt a sadness pulling at me that he knew who I really was. He didn't need to have those images in his head. I pulled him down with me to sit on the dry sand. There was something I needed to do.

He sat down more graceful than his size should allow and put his arm around me. "I want to tell you something." I played with edge of the folder I balanced in my lap. "I still wish that you never saw this. You shouldn't have to carry this crap too." I continued before he could say anything. "I wanna be clear, it's not that I mind you knowing it's just that I hate for you to think of me like that ya know." He pulled his arm away and turned to face me. "I understand. Now I want to tell you something too. I don't think of you any different than I did before this. You are still the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever known. This just made me see just how strong you really are, and I love every single thing about you." I tried to swallow away the lump in my throat to be able to speak but gave up and just crawled into his lap. Then I started to laugh. Deep, body shaking, can't breath laughter. I could see him wondering if I'd lost it. "I'm- ssorry- I just- ahh. I just can't believe that I'm sitting here with you, it's been so long and so much has changed but.."

He took my hand and pulled us up so we were both standing. "Nothing has changed about how I feel about you. I know this is crazy but I don't care." I stopped breathing altogether when he dropped to one knee. "Briseis Ariadne Katsaros, I loved you in the beginning, I love you now and I promise to love you forever. Will you marry me." There was much love and joy in his eyes that I didn't even hesitate. Because there was nothing to think about, I could handle anything now, as long as he was with me." "Yes." The look on his face was breathtaking. He pulled me down and kissed me with so much emotion I started sobbing. He pulled a ring from his pocket and had to hold my hand steady to slide it on my finger. "I don't- when did even get-" "Last night, while you were asleep." He grinned at me slyly. "Holy crap. We're engaged!" I almost shouted at him making him laugh. All I could think about was getting back to his room so I could rip his clothes off. But there was still one thing I had left to do. I took a deep breath and picked up the folder I had left on the sand. Taking the lighter from my pocket I looked at him for a moment before lighting the end. I let the flames lick up the sides enough that it would stay lit. I said goodbye to all the pain and guilt I had felt for so long, took Jared's hand, and walked towards my new life.