AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That was… impressive, Cari,” he says, a hint of admiration in his voice. Then he turns to me, his expression softening. “Dylan, I owe you an apology. I was out of line the other day. I thought I was protecting Caress, but I see now that I went about it all wrong.”
Relief washes over me. “It’s okay, man. I get it. You were just looking out for her.”
Joel nods, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, well, it’s pretty clear she doesn’t need me to do that anymore. Not when she’s got you in her corner.”
I wrap an arm around Caress’s waist, pulling her close. “I promise you, Joel, I’m going to do everything in my power to be there for her, in every way I know how. She’s the most precious thing in my world.”
“I know,” Joel says, his smile growing. “I can see that now. Just… be good to each other, okay?”
As Joel walks away, I turn to Caress, overwhelmed by the love I feel for this incredible woman. “It’s true, you know. You are the most precious thing in my world. I don’t know how I gotso lucky, but I swear I’m going to spend everyday making sure you know how much I love you.”
Caress’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “I love you too, Dylan. More than I ever thought possible.”
We spend the rest of the day soaking in the last moments of our cruise, stealing quiet moments between farewell festivities. As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, we find ourselves back on our balcony, reminiscent of that first morning when everything changed.
“It’s funny,” Caress muses, leaning back against my chest as we watch the coastline grow closer. “If you had told me a week ago that this is how our trip would end, I would have thought you were crazy.”
I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Sometimes the best things in life are the ones we don’t see coming.”
She turns in my arms, her expression suddenly serious. “Dylan, what happens when we get back? With work, and… everything?”
I cup her face in my hands, making sure she can see the conviction in my eyes. “We figure it out together. I know it won’t always be easy, but as long as we’re on the same team, we can handle anything life throws at us.”
A slow smile spreads across her face. “Promise?”
“Promise,” I say, sealing it with a kiss.
As the Infinity Voyager docks and we prepare to disembark, I find myself filled with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. This cruise may be ending, but our real journey is just beginning. And with Caress by my side, I know it’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime.
Hand in hand, we step off the ship and into our future, whole-hearted and ready for whatever comes next.
Epilogue
Caress
1 Year Later
The pulsing beat of music and the buzz of excited chatter wash over me as I push open the door to the Stellar Sky Lounge. One year ago, I stepped onto the Infinity Voyager, my heart guarded and my future uncertain. Now, I’m walking into Jasmine’s end-of-season celebration party, my life transformed in ways I never could have imagined.
Joel’s hand on my back guides me through the crowd. “You okay, sis? We can leave early if you’re not feeling up to it.”
I roll my eyes, but can’t help smiling at his concern. “I’m pregnant, not made of glass. Stop fussing.”
He holds up his hands in surrender, but I catch the proud gleam in his eyes. My brother, the soon-to-be uncle.
We spot Jasmine near the bar, her tall frame easy to pick out even in the crowded room. She beams when she sees us, waving us over with her characteristic enthusiasm.
“You made it!” She pulls me into a bear hug, then steps back, eyeing my still-flat stomach. “How’s my future niece or nephew doing in there?”
I laugh, resting a hand on my belly. “Keeping me up at night and making me crave the weirdest food combinations. So, pretty standard, I think.”
Jasmine grins, then glances around. “Where’s the baby daddy? Don’t tell me he’s working late again.”
“Stuck in traffic,” Joel supplies. “Said he’d be here as soon as he could.”
A tall, athletic woman with braided hair approaches, two drinks in hand. She passes one to Jasmine, who smiles gratefully.
“Thanks, Tricia,” Jasmine says, then turns to us. “Guys, this is my teammate, Tricia. Tricia, this is my best friend Caress and her brother Joel.”
