The car pulled off the highway and Emily rolled down the window, sucking in the fresh air tinged with salt. Too many years had passed since she'd visited Bridgetown, even more since she'd walked the streets with Finn.
Surprised he'd suggested the outing, Emily didn't question Finn. Because she didn't do that anymore. He had her best intention in his heart and she his. If he wanted to go to Bridgetown, she'd happily go.
Turns out the love of her life was a romantic. Big time. He was always surprising her. Words were his favourite. Leaving little notes around their apartment for her to find, random thoughts or quotes texted to her when they were apart and whispering sweet nothings in her ear when he slipped her coat over her shoulders, or to pass time as they stood in line at the grocery store.
While she'd given her sister Mary a tongue lashing, Finn refused to answer Simon's text and phone calls. Mary had been on an apology tour for the last few months, and Emily was tired of the attempts at reconciliation. The truth was, she was tired of holding on to the hate. Tired of living in the past, she preferred to focus on the here and now. With Finn. Their future together.
Emily reached across the gap between them, placing her hand on the back of his headrest. His chocolate locks hadn't had time to grow long enough to curl at the tips like it had as a teen, but the tight military brush cut was wanning. His decision to leave the Navy was another surprise, and maybe her favorite. Out of danger and staying in the United States meant more time with him.
Not everyone was happy about Finn's departure. Freed from the charges against her Lieutenant Casey had returned to active duty, and so had Max. He'd promised to stay with them when in town but Emily could tell he'd miss Finn as head of his unit.
To make up for eight years apart, they'd spent the summer like teenagers, carefree and in love. Reuniting with each other, filling in gaps, rediscovering their favorite things.
Still, the man sitting beside her held on to the hurt and it pained Emily. Perhaps the trip today was a step towards reconciliation. A way to remove one of the bricks that weighed Finn down and kept him from moving forward.
When the car turned on to the familiar road to Bridgetown, a tingle of concern tweaked Emily's heart. Yes, there were many wonderful memories of this small town. Her childhood, her mother, the lake house, meeting Finn and their summer together. But it was also a source of pain, especially for Finn.
"Do you trust me?" He held out his hand.
Without hesitation, she wove her fingers through his and squeezed. "Always."
The sun beat down and faintly familiar scenery slipped by. Emily focused on the happiness of the then and the now. She saw the countryside with fresh eyes and a heart full of love. The world seemed brighter, more colourful, more alive now Finn was by her side. Almost like she was rediscovering it.
Finn took the lane to the lake house and butterflies swarmed in her stomach. She wasn't sure she could hold in her emotions if she saw her beloved home, her mother's house, now owned by someone else. Had they changed it? Would the cherry blossom tree still be in the backyard? Would the red front door still be there? Would her mother's handprints still be in the sidewalk leading down to the lake?
"Do you know what today is?"
"Tuesday."
"Yes." His lips tickled her knuckles. "But it's also the day I returned from Syracuse eight years ago."
Emily searched his face for a hint of the ache that rocketed around her heart. None was present. "Not an anniversary I want to mark."
"That's why I thought we should find another reason to remember this day." They were almost at her driveway. No, not her driveway any more. Her family didn't own the lake house. "When Mary gave me the letter, I didn't believe her and drove straight here." Finn turned down the gravel drive. "I was determined to sit on your doorstep until you returned."
"Oh Finn, I'm soâ"
"Don't you dare apologize for what your sister did." The edge in his voice pinched. "You did nothing wrong."
The white brick house loomed before them, and Emily couldn't help but look. The red door welcomed her, still intact. A knot under her ribcage eased. The house still looked as it did the day they had forced her to walk away.
Finn slowed the car and stopped. Emily tore her eyes from her old home to find a grinning Finn watching her. The rare sight of his smile still took her breath away. "Why are we here?"
Instead of answering her, Finn got out of the car and coming around to her side and opened the door. Hand held out, he helped her out of the passenger's seat. With a gentle tug, he pointed Emily towards the house and wrapped his arms around her in a backwards hug. He squeezed her waist, tucked her into his chest, and kissed her neck.
"I thought you'd like to visit our new home."
The closeness of Finn, his scent mixing with his words, sent Emily's heart racing. "Home?"
"Yes." Finn giggled. He actually giggled. The sound did not help Emily's heart palpitations. "The deal closed yesterday. It's ours."
Ours. She loved this word. Almost as much as she loved Finn. She rotated in his arms to face him. "You bought the lake house?"
It was a surprise to learn Finn fell into the well-off end of the wealth spectrum. The nomad life of a soldier meant the military paid for almost everything including room and board. With no expenses and the help of Campbell's brother, who happened to be pretty good at picking successful stocks, Finn had made his meager salary work for him. Over the years, Finn had amassed quite a tidy sum of money.
With a glance back at the house to confirm she wasn't dreaming, a bubble of giddiness fizzed in her chest. Turning back to Finn, the ocean in his irises danced with delight. "For us?"
"We can't raise kids in that little apartment of yours."
The bubbles expanded. "Children?"
Finn brushed a few stray hairs off her forehead. "Let's start with a little girl with your auburn hair."
"And your blue eyes?"
He nudged her nose. "So, you've thought about it."
"Maybe once or twice. You?"
Finn nodded. "I imagined we had two girls and two boys."
"Four kids." Emily didn't attempt to hide her shock.
"I want a big family, lots of people around. And with Lance and Beth's children, there will be cousins."
"Mary's too." The words slipped out. Despite what happened, she would always be a part of their lives. Maybe one day Finn might even forgive her.
Not today, apparently. Finn rolled his eyes. "If you can find someone willing to procreate with her."
Emily ignored his comment. "I'd like to start with a girl."
"I'm good with that." His blue eyes clouded. "But don't you think we should get married first?"
Her heart rate double timed at the suggestion. "Finn Wainwright. Did you just propose to me?"
He let go of her and dropped to one knee. From nowhere, a ring appeared and Emily's ears buzzed, her heart triple timing. "I did. But given our past communication issues, let me be clear. Emily Montgomery, the only woman for me, would you do me the greatest honour and consent to be my partner in life by marrying me?"
Emily tried to keep from jumping for joy. She failed. Physically impossible to keep still. Joy surged through her as she peppered the man she loved with kisses.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes. Affirmative. Aye. Confirmed." Emily pulled on Finn's collar and he rose to his full height. "I'd love to be your wife."
His fingers found hers and slipped the ring on her left hand. "I'd love you to be my wife." Finn sealed her lips with his, pulling her into the kind of kiss where she forgot the world around them existed. The kind Emily never wanted to end.
Hands at her waist, he hoisted her into the air, his arms supporting her as she wrapped her legs around his core. He broke the kiss long enough to purr, "My new mission is to make all your dreams come true."
Emily squeezed his neck, lest she float away on a cloud of happiness. "Since you love me, Finn, I'd say mission complete."
The End
Hi there. D. L. here. What did you think of the story? A simple thumbs up or thumbs down in the comments would be awesome.
If you read the original version, True Blue, I'd love to now if which version you liked better. Comment Navy for this version and True for the other.
Any feedback on this story would be greatly appreciated. There are aspects of True Blue I adore (the flashbacks!) and parts of this new version I'm in love with. Especially those huge plot hole covers.
Although this is the end of the story from Emily and Finn's point of view, their story will continue in the next book, in the Ruby Romances Collection - Perfectly Pink. This book will give you insight into Emily's sister Mary Montgomery as she struggles between what she thinks she wants and who she loves. You may be surprised by who Mary is in love with â not that she will admit it. Any guesses?
Before you go, stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter. Once a month you'll get updates and sneak peeks plus behind the scene content. Plus I feature a favourite character - sometimes mine, sometimes from another author (more books like mine!) and a good quote. Go to dlcroisette.com or follow the link in the comment.
Oh, and if you read Ruby Red, my first book, there's a bonus chapter on my website too. (It's from Sam's perspective.) Click on the link here ---->
Will Mary let love in? Find out here. --->