Chapter 9 - The Promise on the Pier
That evening, the sun set over Lake Michigan in a breathtaking display of violet, crimson, and gold.
At the end of the private wooden pier extending from the DeLuca Estate, the water lapped gently against the white wooden pilings.
Wren was fast asleep inside the house, exhausted from her big day, tucked under her white duvet with her plush bear and her silver Navy Cross resting safely on her nightstand.
Maren stood at the edge of the pier, looking out at the endless horizon, the cool evening breeze blowing her dark curls around her face.
Footsteps clicked softly against the wooden planks behind her.
Luca stepped beside her, holding two glasses of sparkling apple cider. He handed one to her, his arm sliding naturally around her waist, pulling her close against his side.
"She’s sound asleep," Luca murmured softly, kissing the top of Maren’s head.
"She asked me if we could build a sailboat this summer," Maren laughed softly, resting her head against his broad chest. "She said her dad knows how to fix boats."
"Then we'll build a sailboat," Luca smiled, his voice filled with an easy, contented warmth.
They stood in quiet peace for a long moment, watching the stars begin to flicker awake in the darkening sky.
"Luca?" Maren asked softly, looking up into his grey eyes.
"Yeah?"
"Eight years ago... when I was sitting in that hospital room alone... I thought my life was over," Maren whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "I thought I would never feel safe again."
Luca set his glass down on the wooden railing, turned Maren around to face him, and took both of her hands in his. His eyes were burning with a fierce, unconditional devotion.
"You brought my daughter into this world alone, Maren," Luca rasped, his thumb gently wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "You protected her, loved her, and raised her to be the braver, kinder, and stronger than any DeLuca who came before her. You saved my life long before I ever found my way back to you."
Luca slowly reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
He dropped down onto one knee on the wooden pier under the starlit sky.
Maren gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears spilled freely down her smiling cheeks.
Luca opened the box, revealing a breathtaking ring mounted with a flawless, radiant-cut sapphire surrounded by delicate diamond laurels—the exact design of the ocean waves in Maine where they had first fallen in love.
"Maren Vance," Luca said, his voice trembling with deep emotion. "You are the love of my life, the mother of my child, and the anchor of my soul. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"
Maren let out a happy, sobbing laugh, dropping to her knees right in front of him on the pier, throwing her arms around his neck.
May you like
"Yes!" Maren cried out, kissing his lips with all the passion, love, and devotion that had waited eight long years to be released. "Yes, Luca! A thousand times yes!"
Luca wrapped his strong arms around her, lifting her up as they kissed under the vast, beautiful starry sky, their laughter echoing over the quiet waters of the lake.
