Our Way Home

Chapter 21

Song recommendation: You & Me by James TW

A couple of weeks later Jared had almost fully recovered. When I left to visit him his room was completely empty.

"Excuse me what happened to the patient who stayed here?" I ask a nurse walking by.

"You don't know? He was discharged today."

"Discharged?"

"I think he left something on the nightstand there."
I tread my feet to see a small card on the desk with my name on it.

It's written and decorated with a blue marker,
"Follow the trail and you will seek what your heart desires or something like that."
Pft that idiot. At least he's trying. It's cute.
I wonder what he's up to.

Every six feet there's a sticker of our favorite anime characters starting from the room.
They lead me to the highest floor and eventually the rooftop. The slight breeze blows my hair and gives me goosebumps. I'm surrounded by candles and rose petals but Jared is nowhere to be found.

I bite my lip when I hear his voice,
"I was starting to think you wouldn't find me."
I slowly turn around to find him on one knee.

He looks absolutely gorgeous in a suit. During golden hour his eyes look almost aqua blue. My heart is pounding like a drum.
He pulls out a small box from his pocket revealing a lit up luminous ring.
It's too good to be true. I must have fallen asleep without realizing it. I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Tears stream down my face. He's also tearing up yet smiling so big.

"Miley Anne Hayes, will you marry me?"
This was always the scariest part I anticipated.
From this moment on our lives will be changed forever. Even if it ends in heartbreak and pain it'll all be worth it because it was with him.
My voice falls into a serious tone.

"No." He looks at me utterly shocked.

"Are you being serious? Yes!"

"You're such a brat! You would not be surprised at how long all of this took! I'm trying to be romantic and you're being-!" I stop him with a kiss.

He picks me up and twirls around. When he sets me down I hit his chest.

"You could have given me a warning to dress up! I look like a mess!" He caresses my cheek.

"You're always beautiful." His gentle touch makes me blush.

"Did you forget to put on the ring?" He looks down.
"OH SHOOT I DID!" He slides the ring on my left finger and presses his lips to my hand.
"We should go back. Your hands are freezing."

"Maybe I'll turn into an icicle." He takes off his jacket and wraps it around me.

"Fiancée. You're my fiancée."

"Hm, I like the sound of that."

•TIMESKIP•
10 Months Later

That day I became Miley Riverton.
We both agreed to have our wedding on a beach during the summer. The only word to describe our wedding day was unforgettable.
To have the love and support from all of our friends and family was overwhelming. The one thing I can say is that he cried a river when I walked down that aisle. I felt peace, love, and joy that day. I was certainly on cloud nine the entire time. It was all so worth it in the end. The trials and tribulations all of it lead up to this moment we shared together.
It felt like nothing could ever tear us apart.
From that point on we promised each other to never leave each other's side.

5 Years Later

Jared & I had two beautiful babies, a girl, and a boy. I published a book focused on PTSD. Jared became assistant manager of the New York Times. Bella and Asher got married and had a boy. After college, Zoey became a professional artist. I always love visiting her studio.
The twins' names are Henry and Hailee.
They're the light of my life.
Never in a million years would I think that my life would look like this. Nevertheless, I wouldn't trade it for the world.