Chapter 39 - Breaking the News
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The drive back to the city was a blur of absolute, euphoric happiness. The beautiful, vintage diamond ring resting perfectly on my left hand caught the bright summer sunlight, casting tiny, dancing rainbows across the dashboard of Marcus's car. We had decided to tell Ethan and Sophie the incredible news together during our usual Sunday evening family dinner.
I was nervously chopping vegetables for a salad at the kitchen island while Marcus carefully tended to the steaks on the backyard grill. When Ethan and Sophie finally wandered into the kitchen, drawn by the delicious smells, I couldn't stop the massive smile from completely taking over my face.
"Okay, what is going on?" Ethan asked instantly, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"You both look like you just won the lottery," Sophie added, hopping up onto one of the tall wooden barstools and stealing a piece of bell pepper from my cutting board.
Marcus walked in from the patio, wiping his hands on an apron. He walked straight over to me, wrapping his arm securely around my waist, and looked proudly at the two children we had raised through the darkest of storms.
"We have some news," Marcus said, his voice beaming with pride.
I simply held up my left hand.
For a split second, the kitchen was totally silent. Then, Sophie let out an ear-piercing shriek of pure joy. She practically vaulted over the counter, throwing her arms around my neck in a crushing, ecstatic hug.
"Oh my god! Finally!" Sophie yelled, tears immediately springing to her eyes. "I am so happy for you guys!"
Ethan walked over, a wide, genuine grin spreading across his handsome face. He pulled Marcus into a fierce, deeply respectful embrace.
"Congratulations, Marcus," Ethan said softly. "Thank you for taking such good care of her. And of us."
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"It is the greatest honor of my life, Ethan," Marcus replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Standing there in my bright, warm kitchen, surrounded by the beautiful family we had forged from the ashes of betrayal, I knew that my healing was finally, completely absolute.
