Chapter 34

34

F aith didn't know her heart could be this full. Her lips were pressed to Destiny's and she never wanted this kiss to end. She could feel Destiny's love, forgiveness, and relief that they were truly going to spend their lives together.

A noise in the distance brought Faith back to the realization they were kneeling in the rock garden at the site. She'd asked Mark to sneak to the rock garden and spell out Marry Me right before they started their final walk-through of the project. He, along with Monica, Amy, and most of their workers were in the parking lot waving, clapping, and hollering with happiness.

Destiny pulled away and widened her eyes. She looked over her shoulder and could see the commotion in the parking lot. "Is that?—"

"Yep." Faith chuckled. "Here." She slid an engagement ring onto Destiny's finger. "If you don't like it we can get something else."

Destiny held her hand out and gazed at the diamond that sparkled in the fading sunlight. "It's beautiful. I love it."

"Oh, good."

Destiny stood up and pulled Faith up with her. "I can't believe this! I made this special design for you."

"Let me see," Faith said, looking at the rock formation. "Oh, babe. That's so cool! It's our love. From now on, it's an unbroken circle."

"You haven't seen it?"

"No," Faith said. "I had Mark come up here and place the rocks for me. I knew you'd done something special as a surprise and I wanted to see it with you."

"I don't think I've ever been so surprised as when I turned around and you were on one knee," Destiny said.

"I've told you, but I wanted to show you that I trust you. I trust us," Faith said. "What better way than getting married and committing to one another for life."

"We don't have to get married to do that," Destiny said.

Faith tilted her head. "You don't want to get married?"

"No, no," Destiny said. "I do! I don't want you to do this just for me."

"I want to marry you, Des."

Destiny giggled. "I want to marry you, too, babe."

They could hear horns honking in the parking lot and Faith laughed. "They're waiting on us. We're having a party at our karaoke bar to celebrate us and the project. Wait." Faith stopped. "We have to get a picture for Mrs. Baker. Smile!"

After the picture they hurried to the parking lot and received hugs from their friends and coworkers. Then they all piled into their vehicles and took off for the bar.

"We've got to call Mrs. Baker," Faith said, getting into the truck and pulling out her phone.

When the call connected, Faith exclaimed, "She said yes!"

They could hear Mrs. Baker's laughter through the phone. "That's no surprise."

"I was surprised when I saw Faith on one knee!" Destiny said excitedly.

"I'm sure you were," Mrs. Baker replied.

"We're on our way to the bar, but we'll come by to see you tomorrow," Faith said.

"Oh, wait," Mrs. Baker said. "Destiny has something I asked her to show you at your house. You have time to swing by there, don't you?"

Faith looked over at Destiny and furrowed her brow. "Something for me?"

"Yeah," Destiny said, pulling the truck onto the street. "It won't take but a minute."

"Okay," Faith said.

Mrs. Baker chuckled. "Bye, girls. You were meant to be together."

"Bye," Destiny and Faith said in unison.

A few minutes later Destiny pulled around the shop to the tiny house and killed the engine.

Faith looked over at Destiny who was smiling and shaking her head. "What?" Faith asked.

"You want to marry me," Destiny said. She stared at the engagement ring that adorned her finger.

"I do." Faith grinned.

Destiny nodded. "Come with me."

They got out of the truck and Destiny led them over to the chairs in the area they designated as their front porch. The glow of the sun was still visible out in the field.

"With all the excitement we forgot about the sunset," Destiny said.

"It's beautiful," Faith replied. "It's like the sun knew we needed a special show tonight."

Destiny chuckled, put her arm around Faith's shoulders, and gazed out at the field as well.

"What are you supposed to show me?" Faith asked, turning to Destiny.

"Mrs. Baker was helping me out, so we'd have a reason to come here," Destiny explained. "You see, we really are on the same page, babe, because I planned to propose to you right here."

Faith gasped. "No way!"

Destiny nodded and laughed. "Yep."

"Oh, baby," Faith said, taking Destiny's face into her hands.

Destiny rested her forehead against Faith's and closed her eyes.

Faith pulled away and grinned. "Okay, then. Let's hear it."

"Hear what?"

"Let's hear your proposal," Faith said.

Destiny smiled and slowly sank down on one knee. She took Faith's hand. "I thought about proposing in one of the gardens at the site, but right here is where I got my life back. On this piece of ground we call a front porch, we sat here, drank beer, and shared our fears, our doubts, our pain, and opened our hearts." Tears stung the back of her eyes. "I never stopped loving you, but here is where my faith was rewarded. I may be your destiny, but you, Faith Fields, are my everything. I want to show you that you have my trust, babe. I commit to you now and always, but just for fun, will you marry me?"

"Just for fun?" Faith exclaimed with tears now in her eyes as well.

"I promise it'll never be boring." Destiny grinned.

Faith tilted her head. "I don't know. With all we've been through, maybe boring would be nice."

Destiny chuckled. "Are you going to answer my question?"

"I thought I already had," Faith said. "I told you I wanted to marry you."

Destiny raised her eyebrows and waited.

"Get up here," Faith said, pulling her to her feet. "Yes, my love, I will marry you."

Destiny softly brushed her lips against Faith's then pulled back. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the ring. "With this ring, I thee wed," she said as she slipped it on Faith's finger.

"Wow!" Faith exclaimed. "It's like the one I gave you."

"I know," Destiny replied. "I can't believe us."

Faith laughed. "You know who's laughing with us right now."

"Mrs. Baker," they said at the same time.

"She knew and didn't say a word to either one of us," Destiny said.

"You talked to her?"

Destiny nodded. "She's your family. I asked for her blessing."

Faith nodded. "I talked to your parents. They'll be at the bar."

Destiny wrapped her arms around Faith and stared into her bright blue eyes. "If we ever make it to the bar."

"I love you so much," Faith said.

Destiny replied by softly pressing her lips to Faith's. She could feel Faith's arms tighten around her, pulling her closer. Destiny deepened the kiss as soft moans provided the music to their dance of love.

Their love began as a newly planted garden with tender roots trying to secure their hold. It was beautiful, but when the harshness of life sent them down different paths, on the outside, things withered. However, this love would not be buried. While they were apart their love remained. It grew, and overcame the darkness.

This current growing season brought about discovery, forgiveness, and hope. Their love's roots were strong and they knew that together they could withstand whatever life wanted to throw at them.