Epilogue | Liam

I'd been a little surprised when Mamma announced we'd be having Easter dinner. Pretty sure none of us were Christians, although the topic had never come up during the usual flurry of conversation that happened over the Kumar dinner table.

We'd all settled in after the last of the traditional Western culinary items were placed on the table. Jamal and I both made a wheel of food on our plates and then dug in. I'd been put in charge of the stuffing which meant I'd been here since early in the morning to help stuff the turkey with it. I'd made it ahead of time at home along with the homemade cranberry sauce.

Everything was amazing, but I kept glancing over at Jamal. We'd been living together for almost two months. No part of me would ever consider leaving his side. We were seamless. Sure, we'd had a few disagreements, but they always ended with a solution and the urge to fully make up in bed. We'd cultivated unwavering harmony with one another.

I loved him so much.

The beating of my heart sped up and I had trouble finishing my dinner. Then there was dessert, and it was all taking too long. My face flushed and I could feel dampness on my upper lip.

I'd never been so nervous.

Finally, it was time to do the dishes. Meera, David, and Zahir had been assigned the task. Jamal and I chatted with his parents and grandparents while we waited for them to finish.

I wanted everyone with us .

I felt faint as the entire family gathered in the living room. I felt around in my pocket and found the small box I had been contemplating revealing at home. The atmosphere had never felt right. I needed the love of family around as I took this momentous step.

I slipped off the sofa and got down on one knee in front of Jamal.

His eyebrows shot up. "What are you doing?"

I fished the box out of my pocket and pried it open. "Asking you to spend the rest of your life with me. I know it's quick, but no one has ever made me feel the way you make me feel. From the first day we hung out, I knew there was something special about you." I smirked at him. "All those random facts sealed it for me. That day in the museum, I started falling hard for you."

I lifted the ring from the box. It was a simple silver band. Nothing fancy. Jamal gripped his knees as he stared at it. A tear ran down his cheek. I had to quell a feeling of panic.

Is he going to say no?

I took a deep breath.

I knew he loved me as much as I loved him.

I trusted his love.

Jamal extended his left hand and clutched his chest with the other.

"Yes," he whispered, and my entire soul took flight. This beautiful, caring, funny, intelligent man had said yes to a question I never thought I'd ever in my life be asking.

For whatever reason, the universe had blessed me with an incredible love. All the years of loneliness and my inability to accept and love myself were slipping away.

This love … this here. This was everything.

Jamal's hand was trembling. I had to hold it steady to slip the ring on his finger. Once it was on, he gripped my hand first in one, then the other, and clung to me. His face was covered in a sheet of tears. I realized mine was too. We were embarking on a life together.

"I love you," I whispered. This moment was private. Jamal kissed me, weeping, and clutched the back of my head to keep us together. He pressed one kiss after another onto my lips.

He parted from me. "My love for you is profound."

"You're sure this is what you want?"

"Sweet, sweet man. You are my absolute everything. I want to be your husband for life."

My body filled with warmth. Whatever the world had in store for us, we were ready. Our love may have come on fast, but it was strong—solid. We were meant to be.

I held his face and bestowed on him the gentlest kiss.

My lover. The heart of my heart.

We became one.

We'd always be one.