Green Lights (ASORM, Book 1)

Epilogue: CARISSA IS LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER

A few months later

The Forum

Inglewood, CA

Carissa could imagine the pavilion packed with spectators cheering for the gymnastics competition in less than a week. The air be thick with tension and anticipation, everything would be heavily dusted with chalk.

Most of the equipment was already set up, so it wasn't too hard to envision the competition. She knew that the USA would most likely win, like in previous years, especially since they were on their home ground again.

"It's pretty amazing, huh?" Bentley asked, coming up behind her.

"What? That I get to be dating the choreographer for the next opening ceremony on American turf and not this one?" Carissa teased, tapping his nose.

"I was referring to the fact that you're this huge icon who is sponsoring the Olympics, but whatever," he jokingly replied, putting his arms around her.

Since he had faced his parents and officiated moving back to LA, Bentley hadn't been able to fully achieve his dreams as an individual choreographer, but had landed a position as the dance teacher at a local ice skating rink and his parents had convinced him to begin basic classes at Santa Monica College, "just in case."

His grandmother had almost fully recovered, although his sister had moved in with her and took the 30 minute commute to Palo Alto every day. He had agreed to move in with Carissa permanently, and although his dad wasn't entirely approving, Carissa had met his mom and they had become fast friends.

Currently, Carissa and Bentley were looking over the final preparations for the facilities. Winnie had tagged along, claiming that she wanted to take pictures when Bentley proposed, although they had established that they weren't quite ready for engagement or marriage yet.

She was staring over the railing at the setup.

"Zach will be here," Bentley smiled, looking up from Carissa and over at her.

"Haha, very funny."

"That was the whole reason why you wanted to come, wasn't it?" Carissa laughed.

"It's okay, he probably has a girlfriend now," she shrugged. "I wouldn't know, I don't try to stalk him on the internet. And it's only been, what, six years since I've seen him in person? Well, and actually talked to him."

They stared at her.

"What?? You guys don't have to worry about me being single." She laughed. "So you going to pull out that ring or what?"

"For the last time, we're not getting married ye-" Carissa started, then noticed that Bentley had decreased in height.

"Will you marry me?" he held open a.....n Altoids box.

She playfully slapped him. "I'll take one, though."

"Whoops, wrong box," Bentley closed the box and pretended to scramble around in his pocket for another few seconds. "Now, let's try again," he took a dramatic breath. "My dearest Carissa, will you marry me?"

This time, he was holding a black velvet box that contained pearly white silk surrounding a small sheet of paper.

Carissa looked at him suspiciously. "If you're planning on making me look under every mat in this room looking for a ring, you'd better be kidding."

"I should have thought of that, but, alas, I didn't," Bentley stood up.

Carissa plucked the paper out and undid the four folds. I wrote this because I was afraid that there would be a moment that would come where I just had a need to propose to you. But this isn't a proposal, because even if I do have the passion, I think we both need to proposal to be done right. Even if there isn't a "right." You are the love of my life, and I know we'll make mistakes, sometimes together. But I don't want this to be one of them. You're supposed to laugh to alleviate the tension now. No worries, one day, an even nicer box will hold a ring of gold and diamond. Love, Bentley.

Carissa did laugh. "How can you do something so mean and still be so adorable?" She hugged him, and he kissed her on the lips.

When they separated twenty seconds later, Carissa looked over and saw Winnie videotaping the whole thing.

"You can't be serious," she rolled her eyes.

"Yup, I'm so showing your kids this." She smiled. "I'll be out in the hallway if you need anything."

"You're not going to tell me now that you're going to leave me for a hot gymnast?" Bentley raised his eyebrows at her as they resumed hanging over the railing, looking at the vacant stadium.

"I could ask the same of you," She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"They're all a little too short," he kissed the top of her forehead. "And why would I want somebody else when we're living happily ever after?"

"Define happily ever after," Carissa linked one of her hands with his.

"It doesn't matter where we are, we know we have each other. We don't have to be married, or even engaged and we definitely don't need kids. We don't have a castle, but that mansion of yours is a pretty good substitute," he laughed. "We've found each other, and I'm happy. I think you are too. And this is our ever after."