Paper Hearts

Chapter 35

Epilogue

The sun cast its warm rays down on the busy shopping street as we slowly strolled past the large windows. Somewhere in the distance the faint notes of a saxophone carried through the summer air, accompanied by the occasionally joyous laughs of children as they danced through the large fountain.

Gabriel had his arm around my shoulders as he stopped at a car dealership, his gaze traveling across the old Ford models set out on the displays. I took the time to watch the people passing by, some rushing along with shopping bags in their hands, and others walking at a leisurely pace, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.

"We should go on a road trip sometime" Gabriel said absentmindedly as he walked a little further to look into one of the rotating cars.

"Yeah?" I asked smiling as I looked up at him.

"Yeah. From the east coast to the west coast, we can stop by in Kentucky if you want" he looked down at me.

"I'd love that" I said, feeling my heart soar with love for his spontaneity and thirst for new scenery.

He bobbed his head, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Let me guess, you want to go on that road trip in '69 Ford Mustang?" I asked him teasingly as he looked back at said model.

"What ever are you talking about?" he chuckled, continuing down the sidewalk slowly.

I sighed happily, leaning my head on his shoulder as we got closer to the sax player. A crowd had collected around the young man, people recording his impressive piece on their phones. I let my eyes drift over the animated audience until my gaze caught on a couple strolling towards the artist from the far side of the road.

My heart thumped harder in my chest as I watched him come closer. He'd changed. His eyes were brighter and his hair floppier. He had his arm protectively around the waist of a woman who was smiling up at him. She wore glasses that annunciated her watchful eyes that flitted across Ezra's face as he spoke to her. They'd come to a stop on the other side of the circle that had formed around the musician, both of them instantly captivated by the soothing notes of the saxophone.

She couldn't have been more perfect for him. Without knowing her she seemed as if she'd always been destined to be with him. The way their fingers were linked together at her hip, to the way he gently kissed her forehead as she whispered something.

So he'd finally found someone I thought with a smile. By god he deserved it.

When the song came to an end and everyone clapped his gaze flickered up and met mine.

I froze as he watched me. Watched the way Gabriel had his arm around me and watched the slim ring on my finger catch the light of the sun.

The woman in his arms had a content look on her face as she rested back against Ezra, oblivious to the silent conversation going on between her boyfriend and myself.

After a beat Ezra's eyes met mine again and a smile tugged at his lips. Just as enchanting as the few precious smiles I'd seen before.

I felt a weight being lifted of my shoulder as he placed a kiss on the crown of the girl's head, and slowly led her along as the crowd dispersed.

Gabriel's thumb drew lazy circles over my sun-warmed skin, and when I looked up at him I saw the gentle look in his eyes. He'd seen the interaction.

I leaned up to kiss him, lacing my arms arounds his shoulder as he held me against his body.

"He's found the one" I whispered.

He nodded his head, "Are you okay?"

"I made the right choice that night" I smiled.

He grinned back, his eyes shining in the sunlight.

When a particularly loud whoop of joy came from the fountain, we both looked over.

"Where is he?" I asked, scanning the group of children playing in the water.

A soft tug at my dress had me looking down into a pair of bright blue eyes and a big toothy grin,

"I'm right here mom"