Page 126 of When We Are Old

Ronnie swivelled her head between me and the lock. “I’m confused.”

“The house is ours, Ronnie. All ours.”

Her mouth flapped open. “But you live in Scotland.”

“Did live in Scotland. Did, past tense.”

“But the boys…” She trailed off, her gaze falling on Jack and Ewan. “How was the end of school?”

“Fine,” they both said in unison. Jack, as planned picked up the can of lavender paint at his feet and showed it to her. “Dad says we need this.”

“I really don’t understand.” She pushed her hand through her hair, grey eyes wide.

“It’s quite simple, Ronnie.” I swept her into my arms, lifting her off her feet, breathing in the scent of her strawberry shampoo as she looped her arms around my neck. “We’re a family.”

“But… Scotland… Your family…”

“Is right here, where I need it to be. The only place I ever should have been.”

I waved the boys in and they crushed into us. Hannah sloped out of the front room, adding herself into the mix.

“But you’re a Carling.” Ronnie’s voice wobbled.

I pushed my hand into my pocket and pulled out the diamond eternity band I’d chosen. It perfectly represented the endless love Ronnie and I had maintained over the years. Maybe it wasn't the classic solitaire an engagement ring should be, but it symbolised everything about us.

“And so are you.”

A tear slid down her face.

“But…”

“No more buts, Ronnie. There’s only yes from now on for all of us. I couldn’t have survived the last two months without you, wouldn’t have wanted to. You’re the sun I need to exist, to grow and to live.”

She nodded and held out her left hand. I pulled off the shreds of cotton that represented our former life and replaced it with something far more substantial, a ring that would last even when we were old.

Epilogue

Lace and Rose

Ronnie

“Muuuuuuuum.”

I screwed my eyes shut and flung my arm across my face. “I’m not getting up. No one can make me.”

Fingers swept across my stomach, a familiar touch that I knew with more clarity than I knew anything else in my existence.

“It’s a big day.” The majors and minors rumbled together in their heavenly symphony and I pointed and stretched my toes, my insides warming.

“It is a big day, but we don’t need to start yet.” I pinged open an eye to find Matthew leaning on his elbow, his head resting on his hand.

“Are you watching me sleep?” I stretched my hands above my head, my spine creaking at the movement. Above us, sheer gauze made the canopy of a four-poster bed.

The Highland hotel was stunning. The entire thing breathtakingly beautiful. The grounds and lawn led down to the edge of a loch. It was very, very Scottish.

“I always watch you sleep.”

“I know.” I pushed him away, but it had little force behind it. “It’s weird. You’re like a stalker I can’t shake off.”