Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Good. Let’s start now.”
We don’t stay on the island much longer, and before we know it, we are on the deck of the boat.
“Are we really doing this here?” I smile at her question, and she furrows her brow. “What?”
“I actually had another plan.” The look of confusion has my lips splitting wider, and she rolls her eyes.
“You’re enjoying this way too much.” She has a scowl on her face, but I know Phoenix secretly loves this. After everything we’ve been through, she trusts me completely. I would never give her reason not to. She’s the most important person in my life. Her and my baby in her stomach.
I’m still not sure how I got so lucky. Sometimes, I’m afraid this is all a dream because no way after all the shit I’ve done do I deserve her love.
The guilt sometimes creeps in, but Phoenix reminds me that I need to forgive myself. Sometimes I do, other times it’s harder, but she’s always there to help me when the shadows of my past creep in and threaten to ruin everything.
I owe her my life.
From our island, we take the Panama Canal then head down the coast until we reach Peru. Phoenix doesn’t ask any questions, I’m sure she’s dying to, but she knows better.
When we’re finally off the boat and heading to our secret location, on a private plane and then by jeep, she’s done with my game.
“Tell me where we are.” Her hand reaches out and swats me playfully. I catch her by her wrist and turn her palm up, then place a kiss on her pulse.
“What fun would that be?”
Phoenix stares out the window as we drive. The closer we get, the darker it becomes outside. My hope is that by the time we get there, the night sky will be pitch-black except for the stars.
Finally, we reach our destination. I step out of the car first then help Phoenix down. It might be dark, but I can see her eyes go wide.
“What is this?” she whispers in awe, and I know without turning around what she sees. The stars above reflect off the watery mirror of the land below, creating the illusion that we are walking on stars. There is no telling where the night sky meets the earth.
I wrap my arms around her until my hands rest on her belly. Her back to my front, I lean down and whisper in her ear.
“We are at the El Salar de Uyuni.”
“I don’t—how is it—” I can hear the confusion in her voice. I place a kiss on her hair and explain.
“This was formed by a prehistoric lake that went dry. It’s considered one of the most remarkable places on earth. A thin layer of water is beneath us.” Her head drops down, and she takes it all in. Stars are above us and beneath our feet. “Right there”—I point up to the stars twinkling from above—“That’s the constellation Phoenix. I wanted to bring you here, under the stars you were named after, to marry you.”
I turn her around and place my hand under her chin until she’s looking up into my eyes. “I didn’t just want to marry you under the stars, but I wanted you to stand on them too.”
Her eyes glisten with tears, but not tears of sadness. Tears of joy. They are full of love, an unconditional love that I have been searching for all my life. I never expected to find it—her, but life has a funny way of playing out. Phoenix has taught me that.
You can find love and happiness anywhere, as long as you’re willing to let it in. That and to forgive yourself. I owe my life to this remarkable woman. I will spend the rest of my days proving that, by loving and breathing for her.
“I feel like I’m flying.” Her voice is filled with awe, and it makes me smile.
“You are, my little dove. And from this moment forward, I want to fly with you.” Even in the darkness, I can see her eyes fill with tears, the soft sound of her silent sobs the only noise in the still of the night. “From the ashes, you rose, Phoenix. Rekindled from a spark. You are fire. You are hope. You are everything I need and everything I love. I’m irrevocably in love with you. Will you marry me here? Now. Be mine forever.”
Her arms wrap around me, and she places her lips on mine. “Yes.”
And there underneath the stars, with just the driver officiating the wedding, we say our vows. Sealing our lives to eternity.
Epilogue
Phoenix
One year later . . .
It’s been one year since my father left us. One year of having to figure out a way to live without him in my life.
Alaric has been my rock. He has loved me unconditionally and given me exactly what I’ve needed.