Gravity: A Salvation Society Novel
Page 33
He is my best friend, my king, and the unconditional love of my life.
Epilogue
Grayson
One year later…
“Holy shit. This never gets old.” I smile, the thrill of what I’m experiencing filling my body.
“I know, right? This is one of the reasons why I love them so much.”
“God, I love Virginia.” I look down, still mesmerized by what I’m seeing, even though I’ve seen and experienced this so many times before. At a ridiculous time this morning, we headed down to Chesapeake beach as it’s the time of the year when little, tiny turtles hatch from their eggs and make their way to the ocean. The excitement in Nora’s eyes had been priceless, and the grin hasn’t left her face in hours.
“And they just swim off now on their own?”
“The ones we haven’t managed to catch today do. But unfortunately, they don’t all make it. Only one percent of the nest will make it out to sea and reach adulthood. Then, in around thirty years from now, the females will return to where it all started to lay their eggs.”
“Same beach?”
She nods, holding one of the tiny turtles. “This very one.”
“I never knew that.”
“They have a memory of where it all started, and they come back home when they are ready to lay their nest. These that we’ve got this morning will remain in the Aquarium for a year before they are placed back into the ocean, fitted with transmitters so we can track them.”
I listen and watch her with awe as she talks. “God, you amaze me.”
Now working for the Virginia Aquarium, Nora is in her element and is loving life more each day. With everything that had happened, returning to college was something that she didn’t want to do. Although it would only have been a few hours away, her heart needed her to remain where she could be close to her mom.
She looks up and grins wickedly. “Yeah, I know I do.”
I laugh. “I’m serious. You’re just so smart. I love this informative side of you when it comes out.”
Giving the turtle to one of her colleagues, she steps forward and wraps her arms around my waist. “So, you’re glad I woke you up early this morning?”
“Absolutely. I mean, I love it when you wake me up early every morning, but this ticks the box, too,” I grin.
“Good. Now to remain informative, I need food. Therefore, you need to feed us.”
I raise a brow and place my hand on the small bump of her stomach, loving the fact she is now the mother of our unborn child. “Again? All you do is eat.”
“Are you saying I’m fat?”
“No. I’m saying all you do is eat. And even if you were fat, I’d still love you anyway.”
“I’d advise that you stop talking.”
I laugh, pulling her in for a kiss. We never planned to get pregnant, but when we found out, it was a beautiful distraction. Seven months into his sobriety, and him slowly getting his life back on track, Asher’s court date came through leaving us all in complete shock when he was sentenced for twelve months. Although in the back of our minds it had been expected, it was different when it came to the reality of it. It had taken me a long time to forgive him after what he’d done to Nora, and I’ll never forget any part of that time, but our friendship is getting back to where it used to be and his relationship with Nora seems somewhat stronger, considering what she went through. Nora is five months gone, and I’m glad she has a new focus in life while Asher serves his last seven months.
“So, little lady, where shall we dine for breakfast this morning?” I ask taking her hand as we make our way up the beach.
“Hot Tuna. I like the fact I can take my pants off in your office if I get too uncomfortable.”
“I like the fact you can take them off, too.” I smirk. “Will you be doing that again today?”
“Most likely.”
“Excellent.”
“See how lucky you are to have me.”
“Oh, I know. However will I repay you?”
“Well, you could become my husband.”
I halt our steps, my heart skipping a beat. Turning to look at her, she stares at me, her bottom lip between her teeth and her eyes wide as if she’s just said something she shouldn’t have—or even said something she wanted to—and going by the flush in her cheeks, something tells me it’s the former.
“Did you… did you just ask me to marry you?”
“No. I said you could be my husband,” she grins. “But now the question is out there. Is it something you’d run from?”
I don’t even have to think about it. “No. But I—”
Before I have a chance to do or say anything more, she drops to one knee. My eyes widen, and I look around, just to get some clarification that we’re still on the beach and I’ve not been transported into a dream I never saw coming. “Nora, what…”
Taking my hand, she looks up at me. “I know this is a shock. Believe me, I never had this in mind when I woke this morning, but if I’ve learned anything since Pop died, it’s to live for the moment. So, I’m just going to live for it. And because of that, I don’t have any fancy ring that I’m going to magically produce from nowhere.” She finally takes a breath. “But the truth is, Grayson, I don’t need any of that to express my love for you. And I love you with all my heart. Now, I know we individually haven’t had the best of times these last few years, but I feel that this past year has been a turning point for us and that together we can become so much more. I want to be yours in every way I can. Marriage doesn’t have to mean now. It doesn’t have to be next year or the year after, but I’d love nothing more than for you to be my husband. So, will you marry me?”
Tears fill her eyes and people gather around us now that they can see what is going on.
My eyes remain on one woman. How can I say no to an unexpected proposal like that?
Lifting her to her feet, I cup her cheeks as she reaches up on her tiptoes.
My grin is huge. “Nora Nelson, you fucking kill me, and I love every damn part of who you are,”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a hell yes.”
Crashing my lips to hers, I lift her by the waist, falling into her as people cheer around us. There is no doubt that my heart, soul and life is with this woman. She has changed me, made me a better person, loved me at my weakest, brought the light back into my life and is soon to make me a father.
She is my everything. My forever. But above all, my little lady.
THE END
The Salvation Society
Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed this Salvation Society novel. Click on the link below to become a member of the Society and keep up with your beloved SEALs.
Join the Society:
https://www.subscribepage.com/SSsignup
Signup for K.L’s newsletter:
https://bit.ly/KLJnewslettersignup
Check out these books in the Salvation Society available now!
Guardian by Stacie Santoro
Shattered by Bella Emy
Warrior by A.M. Brooks
Gravity by K.L. Jessop
Lethal by Tara L. Ames
Want to see what else is coming from The Salvation Society?
Click below for a complete list of titles:
https://www.thesalvationsociety.com/all-books/
Acknowledgments
Corinne Michaels: WOW, I don’t even know where to begin. I’m one for doubting myself every time it comes to my writing but with this story, knowing that I was jumping into your world and being part of the Salvation Society, the pressure was immense. I’m glad I pushed through though, because I’m so pleased that Grayson and Nora’s story is out there for the readers to experience. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your world. I am truly honored that you took a chance on me and even through my tears and times of anxiety, I’ve enjoyed every part of this journey. X
Eleanor Lloyd-Jones: For a long time, I never thought I’d finish this
book and when I sent it to you, I was honestly waiting for that message where you’d ask me what the hell I’d done. I was convinced it was a disaster LOL. Thank you for being on this little journey with me, you know I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you SO much both professionally and as my friend. X
Brooke O’Brien: I DID IT! When you first told me to sign up to the Salvation Society, I thought you were crazy lol. I opened that link so many times before I dared to fill out the form. Writing in the SS World has been a roller coaster of emotions and I’m so glad that I had you right beside me enjoying the journey, too. Thank you for letting me harass you with endless questions, you truly are my favourite author bud from across the pond. X
Paula Ramsden: You were the first person to get your hands on Gravity and fell in love with Grayson and Nora as much as I did. Your support throughout this book has been amazing and I’m pleased my endless messaging and nagging haven’t annoyed you to the point you’ve blocked me LOL. Love you always. X
To my family: Your continued support and the reason I hide away so much is to bring you stories like this. Xx
Louise Roach: I adore you as always! X
Najla Qamber: Nine covers down and you still amaze me. I love working with you and cannot wait for further projects together.
Scarlet Le Clair and Mich: Thank you both for taking the time to read my story. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
To my readers: Thank you for your support, I hope you love Gravity as much as I do. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible.
Books by K.L. Jessop.
The Spring Rose Bay Series
Found By You #1
Unworthy Of You #2
Saved By You #3
The Promise Series. (Christmas Novellas)
The Promise Of December #1
The Promise Of Forever #2
The Lost and Found Series.
Lost In The Darkness. #1
Standalones
My Kind Of Perfect.
Breaking Everly.
You can get all my books here: http://www.authorkljessop.co.uk/
About the Author
I’ve lived in the South West of England my entire life, just on the edge of Dartmoor where the moorland goes on for days. It’s beautiful, beath-taking, and occasionally rather wet.
I probably swear way more than I should. My mum makes the best cupcakes in history, and I go weak at the knees for a man with a five o’clock shadow.
Let’s connect:
Facebook Author page
http://bit.ly/FBAuthorpage
Facebook Reader Group
http://bit.ly/KLJsSassyReaders
Newsletter
https://bit.ly/KLJnewslettersignup
Goodreads
http://bit.ly/GReadsK-L-J
Twitter
@Jessop30K
Instagram
http://bit.ly/2cu0vyA_KLJ
BookBub
http://bit.ly/2HINmTt