The Cleansing: Part One (Book Two of the Golden Eyes Trilogy)

Chapter 56: It Was Perfect

Finn

Later that day Nova went up to her room to take a nap after giving her family the cooler of meat from the trunk. You could tell they were excited about it. She promised she'd find a way to send them more while she's gone but she wanted to make sure they were provided for. She could barely keep her eyes open before practically crawling up the stairs and into her room.

Morgan asked for me to follow her to the wine cellar and I was down for that. We still had a good amount from the last time we were here but we could always use more. She shut the door and brought out some crates for us to fill. I had a feeling she wanted to talk to me alone and I knew what it was about.

I know she didn't mean to let it slip that she knew Nova had died but Nova didn't know it was me so I was okay about it. I just hoped she didn't ask me for anything that I really couldn't share. But I do like Morgan so I don't mind talking to her and helping her put her mind at ease. Well at least try.

"So Avery said Nova kept all of you safe back in the states. I'm trusting her to do it again. But how does she do it? I want to know how she will do that. What she's capable of. Is she like a highly trained assassin now or something?"

I chuckled as Morgan did, putting another bottle in my crate. That's a harmless question. I can definitely answer that.

"She's a badass in hand-to-hand combat. She doesn't fight like a girl at all. You would think she was trained as a spy or something with some of her moves it's crazy. She's great with guns and her bow and even knife throwing. She'll take down a man twice her size like it's nothing. And she isn't afraid of anything. If it meant keeping us safe she did it with no hesitation.

"She's so smart too. She can make a plan and complete the tasks with ease in a matter of seconds, even predicting different outcomes so she knows what to expect. And even if her predictions aren't what she premeditated she'll come up with a plan in seconds and follow through with it successfully. She's dangerous. Very dangerous. I think it's pretty hot."

Morgan chuckled and nodded her head, starting on her next crate too. "I know she'll be okay. But she's so my baby so of course I'll be worried the whole time. But at least she has you to look out for her too. So you make sure you bring my baby home to me."

"I will. I promise."

"So what's going to happen after this? What are your plans once the world is saved?"

I smiled even bigger, thinking about my future with Nova. We had it all planned out and I couldn't wait for it.

"Like I said last time we'll be moving into the vacation house and living out our life there. She'll have her animal shelter, I'll be writing. Four kids, plenty of dogs. Everyone living close to us so we can be together forever. She even agreed to marry me two years from now so I'm looking forward to that too. And in a couple years I'm getting my Finnley Jr. And then in a couple more years our Emmy. The big family I've always wanted. We have it all planned out Morgan. And I'm excited for it."

Morgan looked happy with my answer and then gave me a different smile. Like she knew something I didn't. "When are you planning on proposing?"

I felt deflated at that. I've been thinking about it for a while but I never found the right ring and I didn't want to give her just any ring. I wanted it to be something she'd love. And I haven't found anything anywhere.

"I'd like to but I haven't found anything I know she'd like and I can't have any made. I'll probably have to wait until everything is okay in the world to do it. But god do I want to. I think about it a lot. Especially since she said she'd marry me two years from now. It sucks."

Morgan's knowing smile grew and she took my hand, pulling me inside and up to her room. She shut the door behind us and locked it before heading over to a jewelry box and opened up a secret compartment like Nova's. She pulled out a small box and turned to face me still smiling. Except this time it was a soft and happy one. Like she was at peace. I just hope it is what I think it is. 

"Aggy doesn't like jewelry. No necklaces or bracelets or rings. Your promise ring to her is the first time she's ever wore something. And it's even better because it matches this one perfectly. Anyways when when Grayson asked for my permission to propose I told him he could but I had to design the ring myself.

"It's a family tradition for the mother to make the engagement ring for her that she sees fits her daughter perfectly. My mother made mine. My grandma made hers and on and on. Off track again. So I had this ring made for Aggy. And I think it's perfect.

"Grayson kept asking for it and for some reason I kept putting it off. Deep inside me I knew that wasn't the man for her and I just couldn't bring myself to give it to him. But I want you to have it. And you still have my permission to ask her. Is that okay with you?"

She handed me the box and when I opened it I near about melted. Morgan knew her daughter very well. The ring was made of ruby stars side by side lined with silver too. It did match her promise ring. It was perfect. That's exactly what she would want. I couldn't believe it.

"Morgan this is perfect I can't-I mean wow. She's going to love it."

Morgan smiled and hugged me tight, pulling back to wipe away a couple of happy tears. "I'm so happy you're going to be part of our family. I really mean that Finn. I want to know when you do it immediately. And when you come back to Australia we'll have a party to celebrate. My baby is so happy Finn. And it's all because of you. You keep her safe okay? She'll be worrying about everyone else before herself so it's up to you to look out for her."

"I will. I promise."

"Good. Now let's go finish crating up the wine and make dinner. Nova will wake up soon."

I tucked the ring into my pocket and followed Morgan out, a giant smile on my face. I can propose. I have the perfect ring. Now I just need the perfect time. It probably won't be until we get back from our mission but now if I wanted to I could.

I listened for Nova and heard her steady breathing coming from her room. She was still asleep good. I looked at the ring again and smiled even bigger. And I didn't think it was possible. I probably looked crazy right now but I couldn't help it. Our whole family is crazy. The family here and back at our other house. Our little family of four.

We don't hide crazy in this family. We put that shit on the porch and give it a drink.

If Nova is as crazy as I think she is she'll say yes. But it has to be the perfect moment. One we'll both remember forever. But I had the ring and Morgan's permission so when that time comes I could do it. I just can't believe how perfect the ring is.

Nova was going to love it and I couldn't wait to see it on her finger. I'm going to marry her two years from now. This was a step towards our happily ever after and I couldn't wait for that either. I'm ready for my forever with her. I just hope she's ready for forever with me too.