Page 147 of Finders Keepers

I can’t help but smile as Sophie runs ahead of us through the Dallas Arboretum. The air is filled with the sweet perfume of flowers, and Gavin’s hand is firm in mine as we follow an energetic Sophie around. The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the manicured lawns, and I can hear birds chirping in the nearby trees.

“Mommy, look at all the pumpkins!” Sophie squeals, pointing at a large area with a colorful array of fall mums outlined with pumpkins and gourds. Her eyes are wide with wonder as she twirls around, taking in the spectacular display.

“Wow, that is a lot of pumpkins,” I say, squeezing Gavin’s hand. He’s been unusually quiet since we left the house, but his smile hasn’t left his face once.

We make our way through the various gardens, Sophie insisting on stopping to smell nearly every flower bed we pass. Her little nose scrunches up adorably with each sniff, and she offers her expert five-year-old opinion on each one. When we reach the Japanese garden, the tranquility of the space washes over us. The carefully manicured trees and stone pathways lead us to a beautiful koi pond where vibrantly colored fish swim lazily beneath the surface. The gentle sound of water trickling over rocks creates a peaceful atmosphere.

“Look at the fishies!” She exclaims, pressing her face close to the water’s edge, her reflection rippling in the pond. I’m about to tell her to be careful when she suddenly straightens up, something clutched in her small hand, her eyes twinkling with delight.

“Mommy! Finders keepers!” she exclaims with a mischievous grin, bouncing on her toes.

“Sophie Marie, what is that?” I let go of Gavin’s hand and hurry over to her, concerned about what foreign object she might have picked up. When I reach her, she giggles and places something in my palm. It’s a small blue velvet box.

My heart stops. The world around me seems to freeze.

With trembling fingers, I open it and there, nestled in white satin, is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. It’s a delicate vintage-style princess cut sapphire surrounded by tinier diamonds that catch the light and scatter tiny rainbows across my hand.

I turn around, and there he is, down on one knee, his eyes shining with love and nervousness.

“Bailey,” he begins, his voice thick with emotion, one hand steadying himself on his knee, “I don’t just love you; I admire you. I’ve watched you fight battles no one should have to face, and through every hardship, you’ve shown more courage and grace than anyone I’ve ever known. You and Sophie are my home now, my reason for every breath. Loving you isn’t just something I feel, it’s who I am. And I promise for as long as I live, I will never stop choosing you.” His voice wavers slightly as he speaks, and I can see the depth of his feelings written across his face.

I’m crying now, hot tears of joy streaming down my cheeks as Sophie wraps her small arms tightly around my legs, looking between us both with pure, unfiltered joy.

“Sophie,” Gavin continues, turning his attention to her with such tenderness that it makes my heart swell even more, “you know how much I love you and your mommy, right?”

She nods enthusiastically against my leg. “To the moon and back and all around the stars!” Her little voice rings out with absolute conviction.

He chuckles, wiping at his own eyes with the back of his hand. “That’s right, Soph. And I promise to always love you both that much and more. You are gentle and so compassionate, lighting up my world with your smiles and laughter, and you make me feel so loved every single day. I promise to protect you, to always listen to you, and be there for every moment, big and small. I promise to read you bedtime stories and chase away the monsters and love you like you’re my own, because in my heart, you already are.”

She beams at him, her whole face lighting up, and I can barely see through the cascade of tears that won’t stop falling. My heart feels like it might burst with happiness.

“Bailey,” he says, turning back to me, his voice carrying all the weight of this perfect moment, “you’re it for me. You’re the first person I want to talk to every morning and the last person I want to see every night. You’re the strongest, most loving, most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me.” His hands shake slightly as he takes the box from my hands. “Bailey, will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

I’m nodding before he even finishes the question, my whole body humming with emotion. “Yes,” I manage to choke out through my tears. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”

With steady hands that contrast his emotional state, he takes the ring out and slides it onto my left ring finger, and it fits perfectly. He stands and pulls me into his arms, kissing me deeply as Sophie dances around us, clapping and cheering with unbridled excitement.

“Did I do good, Gavin?” she asks proudly, practically bouncing with contained energy. “Did I do good keeping the secret?”

He scoops her up in one fluid motion, and I realize this whole magical thing was planned between them, my heart melting at their conspiracy. “You did amazing, Soph. You’re the best secret keeper ever.”

“And now we’re gonna be a real family?” she asks, looking between us.

“Sweet girl,” I say, my voice thick with emotion as I wrap my arms around both of them, feeling complete, “we already were. This just makes it official.”

As we stand there in the Japanese garden, surrounded by the beauty of fall and the love we’ve built together, I think about how far we’ve come. From those terrifying days of running and hiding to this moment of pure joy and promise. Gavin’s right, we did start growing in Pine Grove, Sophie and I, finding our place in our small Texas town with this wonderful man who loves us both so completely. Cherry blossoms float around us like nature’s confetti, celebrating this moment alongside us.

“I love you,” I whisper to him, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw as he kisses me again. My heart feels like it might burst from happiness, a feeling I’d almost forgotten was possible before him.

“I love you too, future Mrs. Mitchell,” he murmurs against my lips. The way he says my future last name sends a spark through my entire being.

“Me three!” Sophie chimes in, wiggling between us with her infectious giggle, making us both laugh. Her small hands reach out to touch the ring, eyes wide with wonder.

And in this perfect moment, with Gavin at my side, Sophie in our arms and a ring on my finger, I know we’re exactly where we’re meant to be. The garden’s peaceful atmosphere wraps around us like a warm embrace, and I silently thank whatever twist of fate brought us to Pine Grove, to him, to our happily ever after.