The Post Sunday Experiment | COMPLETED 2020

Chapter 39

Slipping into the dark of another room, Eric flicked on the flashlight. He opened his mouth to call for Mae, but before he could say anything, he felt her delicate fingers wrap over his wrist tugging him up the stairs and down the hall.

He followed her through the darkened house and out through the primary bedroom and to the balcony. It overlooked the rows and rows of trees, bushes, and flowers that bloomed beautifully.

It was nearly twilight now, but it wasn't too late. Mae didn't speak before she leaned in to kiss him. He froze. It took him a moment to return her kiss, but when he did, he had to try not to smile.

"Wait," Eric's word sounded sharper than he meant it to. He had broken the spell they'd both been under. Mae froze. "I have something I've been meaning to ask you for... well, a while now."

Mae tilted her head to the side, her big blue eyes urged him on. Fidgeting with the little box in his pocket he looked into her eyes and began to speak.

"I know it's soon. I know it's sudden. I fully understand if you'd like to wait—"

"Eric," Mae smiled as she gazed into his eyes. He froze.

"I like you. A lot. Will you be mine?" Mae knew what he was going to say in response to her question. In fact, she'd known for a while now. She'd known longer than she'd dare to admit.

Looking deep into the depths of his eyes, Mae couldn't read him but she didn't need to. She knew him well enough to know what his answer would be. It had always been that and she knew it. That's part that threw both their marriages for a loop. They'd always had an undeniable connection that refused to diminish with time.

"Yes, Mae, oh my word, yes," he exhaled. Eric wrapped his arms around her. He closed his eyes in bliss.

For once, he felt like it was truly finished. They were all safe and for once in Mae's life, she didn't have to stress about anything.

She would've never guessed he had the ring in his pocket that night. Yet as he held her in pure joy, she could have sworn she felt the shape of a box in his pocket press against her side.

They'd known each other for years before their respective divorces. But when Mae had moved away, they'd grown apart. And because they'd not kept in contact during that time, they'd not witnessed each other subtly changing. Despite the differences, they were still the same people they were years before. They loved each other. Mae didn't like to profess her love, but she felt it just as strongly as he. She truly did and they both knew it.

So, as they stood there watching the sunset, she repeated five words: It is going to be okay. It is going to be okay. It is going to be okay. Only this time, she truly believed it.