Page 55 of Just One Chance

Someone had built a fire in the distance, and Avery could see groups of people gathered around the dancing flames. The closer she got, the more she thought she recognized someone standing around the fire. But it didn’t make sense. The person she thought she recognized was her brother. And she’d know if he was in town. Another few feet closer, and someone broke from the group and ran toward her. A very tiny someone.

Seconds later, her three-year-old nephew jumped into her arms. “Aunt Avery!” he said, burying his head into her shoulder.

“Charlie! What are you doing here?”

“I came wif Mommy and Daddy,” he said. “And Gwa-ma and Gwan-pa.”

Avery looked back to the bonfire. “They’re all with you? Right now?” She lowered Charlie back to the ground.

“Hmm-mmm.” He tugged on her hand. “Come on.”

Avery let her nephew lead her to the bonfire, immediately seeing her brother standing off from the rest of the group, watching their approach.

“Daddy, I found her,” Charlie said.

“Good job, man,” Shawn said. “I knew you could do it.”

Avery gave her brother a hug. “What are you doing here?” she said. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Come on. Everyone’s here.”

Shawn really had meant everyone. Shawn. His wife, Ellie. Charlie. Mom. Dad. Melba. Shelley. Avery’s boss, Nancy. Avery’s two best friends from high school. Her college roommate. Lucy and John. Even Haley from the ER was there. The only person missing was David.

Avery made her way around the group, greeting the people she hadn’t seen in a while, growing more and more puzzled when no one would answer why they were all gathered together, or where her boyfriend was. She spoke to Melba last. “You know what’s going on here, don’t you?”

Melba only grinned. “Of course I do. We all do.”

“Is anyone going to tell me?” Avery wasn’t exactly frustrated, but she hated being the only one in the dark.

Melba motioned over Avery’s shoulder. “I’m guessing he might.”

Avery turned around, finally seeing David as he approached the group. He wore dark jeans and a white t-shirt, a button-down shirt over top, untucked and open at the front. It was a relaxed look that suited him.

When they’d officially started dating six months before, it hadn’t taken long for Avery to realize she was desperately in love with David. She would have claimed early on that it was impossible for her to ever love him more. But every day, their love seemed to grow, eclipsing anything she’d ever experienced before.

David stopped in front of her, a smile on his face. “Hi,” he said, before leaning in for a kiss. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited a few people over.”

“How did you find my college roommate?” Avery asked. “This is crazy.”

“That took some work,” David said, “though it wasn’t quite as tough as fresh hushpuppies from the Darling at eight in the morning.”

Avery shook her head. David still hadn’t told her how he’d managed that one.

“I don’t understand,” Avery said. “What is everyone doing here?”

“You know I’m not very good at getting my words out. Not when I’m nervous.”

“I know,” Avery said. “You know I don’t care about that.”

“I know. But tonight, I wanted you to be surrounded by perfect words. No . . .” he swallowed and closed his eyes for a moment before starting again. His hands trembled slightly and Avery squeezed encouragement into his fingers. She was pretty sure where this was going, and knowing David like she did, he needed all the encouragement he could get. “No hesitations,” he said. “No false starts. Just all the reasons why everyone loves you. So I asked for some help.”

David dropped her hands and turned her around so she faced her family and friends, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders.

One by one, everyone in the group stepped forward, saying a few things that they loved about Avery. Her mom told a story about when she was a little girl and guarded a nest of sea turtle eggs night and day for a solid week; her dad said that he’d never known anyone to live with as much passion and find as much joy in the ordinary things as Avery; Charlie stated that no one on the whole planet gave better hugs.

By the time it was Melba’s turn, Avery was already in tears. She sniffed. “Oh man, now I’m really going to fall apart.”

David gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

“Avery, child, I’ve loved you like you were my own since you were a tiny little thing, running around this island in nothing but a swimsuit, a rash of freckles across your cheeks. I’ve seen you at your best, and I’m rightly sure I’ve also seen you at your worst. Which means I can speak on good authority when I say that the man behind you? He brings out the very best version of you. I’ve seen that kind of love one time before, when your grandma fell so hard for your grandpa.” Melba smiled wide. “She’s proud of you, child. I’m sure of it.”

Avery crossed the sand and gave Melba a big hug. “Thanks, Melba.”

She turned back to David, heart-full and happy.

Their eyes met and he took a steadying breath. “Avery, if I say too much, I’ll probably screw something up. So I’ll just say this. I love you. Completely.” He dropped to one knee and looked to John, who tossed him a tiny, black jewelry box. He caught it smoothly with his long, capable fingers and opened it up. Looking at Avery, the firelight dancing across his face, he smiled wide. “Marry me?”

Avery dropped into the sand in front of him and kissed him, the cheers of all the people she loved erupting behind them. “Yes,” she said, tears flowing freely now. “Absolutely yes."