Chapter 14 - The Harbor of New Beginnings
Spring arrived along the Rhode Island coast with a rush of warm sea breezes, blooming wild hydrangeas, and clear blue skies.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Clara Carter Pediatric Heart Institute drew thousands of attendees to the harbor. Standing on the grand wooden podium overlooking the sparkling Atlantic, Lily cut the wide silk ribbon alongside Dr. Marcus, greeted by a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd.
Later that evening, after the crowds had departed and the harbor lights began to twinkle across the water, the four of us gathered on the private yacht anchored off the estate’s private cove.
The ocean was calm, reflecting a sky filled with a million brilliant stars.
Lily was asleep below deck, exhausted from the day's excitement, curled up with her sketchbook of future charity projects.
Gabriel sat on the aft deck, strumming an acoustic guitar with surprising skill, while Declan leaned against the railing, smoking a cigar and watching the peaceful horizon.
Roman and I stood at the bow of the ship, wrapped together beneath a heavy cashmere blanket against the cool evening breeze.
“Look at that,” Roman murmured, pointing toward the estate perched atop the granite cliffs.
The lights of Falcone Manor glowed warmly against the night sky. The fortress that had once struck terror into the hearts of everyone on the eastern seaboard was now a lighthouse of hope, safety, and charity.
“We did it,” I said, resting my head against Roman’s chest, listening to the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat. “Clara and Isabella would be proud.”
“They are proud,” Roman said, turning to face me.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box.
My breath caught in my throat as Roman sank down onto one knee on the teak deck of the ship. The moon caught the edges of his dark hair, illuminating the raw, fierce love burning in his eyes.
He opened the box to reveal a breathtaking ring—a rare, flawless diamond surrounded by a halo of emeralds, crafted to match the matriarch signet on my right hand.
“Maeve,” Roman said, his deep voice carrying over the gentle lapping of the waves. “You walked into my life when my soul was made of stone and ash. You challenged me, you saved my family, and you taught me what it means to truly live. There is no empire, no fortune, and no future I want without you by my side. Will you marry me?”
Declan stopped smoking, watching with a proud grin, while Gabriel played a soft, beautiful chord on his guitar.
Tears of pure happiness spilled down my cheeks. I smiled through the tears, nodding without a single second of hesitation.
May you like
“Yes,” I whispered, throwing my arms around his neck as he rose to his feet. “A thousand times, yes.”
Roman slid the ring onto my finger, pulled me against him, and kissed me deeply beneath the starlit sky, the cheers of Declan and Gabriel echoing across the water.
