Page 130 of Gravity

“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?”