Epilogue
I walked through the short grass of a familiar park with Aiden by my side. We were silent, but the world around us was filled with quiet noise. Birds were singing songs and I could even hear the gentle wind rustling the leaves in the trees. My fingers were laced through his and, like always, I found immense comfort in his touch. I smiled up at him briefly, and he flashed me a soft smile back as we continued walking along the path that we had only walked upon once before together.
I looked back on the past year of my life and couldn't help but smile. A year ago to the day, Aiden had asked me to make things official with him. Of course I accepted--it was what I had wanted in the depths of my heart ever since the first day I laid my eyes on him. Ever since the day he refused to call me Kate. My smile widened at the memory.
My time with Aiden was always special. We spent almost all of our time together. I would stay at his place, or he would stay at mine. I couldn't remember the last time we hadn't spent the night together. Some of my friends would comment to me that they thought I was falling too quickly, but I couldn't help it. It didn't feel right when Aiden wasn't sleeping next to me. I found comfort around him. He made me happy.
Not to say things were perfect between us. After all, we were only human. But we both knew that small disagreements had their place in every relationship. We just knew how to put the fights behind us every night. There isn't any logic behind going to sleep angry.
I've even been able to start looking back on my years with Charlie and not regret them. If I hadn't been with Charlie, there would have been so many valuable lessons that I wouldn't have learned. My experience with Charlie taught me so much about life and love. It also taught me that I needed to step out of my comfort zone and take some risks every now and then. My experiences with Charlie also helped me value my relationship with Aiden even more. I was so lucky to be with Aiden.
I also learned that just because something is comfortable, doesn't mean it's right. I stayed with Charlie because of my fear of being alone. I was so scared to leave him, but it turns out leaving him was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I still wish that I had left him months, even years, before I did.
Aiden was the one who showed me that there was more out there for me. I didn't have to settle for a man that didn't treat me well. And I was so lucky that Aiden was still willing to give me a try even after not speaking to each other for months at one point.
I've also been injury free since my knee healed completely about six months ago. I was walking completely normally again, and hadn't seen the inside of an ER in ages…well at least not as a patient. I would sometimes see the ER when I visited Aiden during his lunch breaks on the weekends, but lunch visits were the extent of my ER visits.
So my unlucky streak was officially broken, and I always joked with Aiden that he was the reason I regained my luck. He was a miracle worker…ever since we started our relationship I had been accident free. He, of course, called me crazy, but I truly believe that Aiden was and is my lucky charm.
We approached a picnic table and then both took a seat. Aiden's lips found my cheek and he smiled at me.
"Do you remember this table?" He asked softly.
"I brought you here after my first appointment with Dr. Mason. It's where I told you how much of an ass I was and how much I wanted to be with you." I smiled at the memory and then found his eyes with mine.
"This is the place where we finally got on the right track for you and me to actually happen. I love this spot. And I knew I wanted to bring you back here."
"It's really beautiful here." I commented as I looked around me and took in the beautiful scenery.
"I love you." He whispered gently before gently placing his lips on mine.
"I love you too." I responded after he broke the sensitive kiss. He suddenly looked very nervous and it made me feel very unsettled. "What's wrong? You look worried."
He shook his head. "Just thinking."
I scooted in closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "About what?"
"You." He whispered.
"Oh yeah?" I asked with a soft smile. "Only good things I hope."
"More than good." He reassured me before placing a gently kiss the top of my head.
"Oh that sounds good. Care to share?"
"Just thinking about how much I love you and love the time we spend together. And about how lucky I am that I'm sitting here with you. We got through a lot to be here."
"I think I'm the lucky one." I whispered in response.
"My parents love you." He continued.
"My parents love you too, Aiden. You know that. My dad thinks you're God's gift to the world. And you've even won over my mother."
"I'm glad that they like me. It means a lot that they do." He took in a deep breath. "I truly never thought that I was going to find someone after the accident." I knew that he was referring to his ex-fiancé who had died in a car-accident. We rarely talked about her, but I knew that she still held part of his heart. But I was happy that she was still in his heart, I wouldn't ever expect for his love for her to disappear just because she was gone.
"I'm so happy that I can make you happy."
"You make me more than happy. I can't even put it into words."
Suddenly he was on the ground, kneeling in front of me. His hands were shaking slightly as they cupped my cheeks.
"I love you so much." He said in a strong voice. One of his hands disappeared from my face and I instantly realized what he was about to do. My heart stopped working and my breath got hitched in my throat. I tried to breathe again, but I couldn't seem to do it.
"Oh my god." I whispered in utter disbelief when a black velvet box appeared in his hand.
"Kate Taylor, would you please be my wife?" He popped the box open and sitting inside was a beautiful solitaire princess cut diamond placed on a white gold band. A single tear slipped out of my right eye.
I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get the words out of my mouth, but somehow I muttered, "Yes," before he slipped the beautiful ring onto my shaking ring finger.
His face fell. "It doesn't fit."
He was right, it didn't, it was just slightly too large for my finger, but I really couldn't have cared less. "It's perfect."
"We'll get it resized." He assured me as he peered into my eyes.
"Aiden, stop worrying. The ring is perfect, this moment is perfect. I'm so perfectly happy. You have no idea."
"I think I actually do have some sort of idea." He said before he placed his hands under my armpits and in one swift motion, I was in my arms.
In that moment I remembered everything that I loved abut Aiden. I loved his gentle, caring nature. I loved his freckles and his sparkling green eyes. I loved his willingness to fight for what he believed in. I loved that no matter what he did, I was somehow happier because of it. Aiden was my match and I was so glad that he was a part of my life.
In the moment, I felt like I was the luckiest girl alive.
Edited 11/22/09
Thank you so much to those of you who have read my story. I truly hope that you liked it since I certainly enjoyed writing it. Thanks to everyone who has left reviews or added my story to their favorites, it means so much to me. Hope to see you at some of my other stories :-)