Chapter 9 - The Proposal Hidden Beneath the Tree
The wedding was small.
A garden.
Snow beginning to fall.
White lights.
Red flowers.
Michael stood beside Vincent.
Frank sat in the front row.
Daniel walked Clara down the aisle.
Maisie carried the rings.
When Clara reached Vincent, he took her hands.
“You came into my life because your daughter broke the rules.”
Clara smiled.
“She still does.”
Maisie shouted from the front,
“I heard that!”
Everyone laughed.
Vincent continued.
“You gave me something I didn't know I needed.”
“What?”
“Home.”
The ceremony ended under falling snow.
Later that night, everyone gathered around the fireplace.
Maisie was asleep on the couch.
Michael handed Vincent a glass of sparkling cider.
“You finally did it.”
Vincent smiled.
“What?”
“You became happy.”
Vincent looked across the room.
Clara was laughing with Daniel.
Frank was fixing a toy.
Leo was telling a ridiculous story.
Michael was teasing him.
Maisie slept beneath a blanket.
Vincent nodded.
“I did.”
Michael smiled.
“Then don't screw it up.”
Vincent laughed.
“Too late.”
That night, Clara found him in the study.
He had opened the old metal box.
She sat beside him.
“Why tonight?”
“Because I wanted to remember where we started.”
She looked at the key.
“You still keep it.”
“Always.”
She took his hand.
“You know what I remember?”
“What?”
“You looked at that little red box like it was a bomb.”
“It basically was.”
She laughed.
Then she became serious.
“Do you ever miss the old life?”
Vincent thought about it.
“No.”
“Not even the power?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He looked at her.
“Because power couldn't hold my hand.”
She smiled.
He kissed her.
Then Maisie appeared at the doorway.
“Mommy?”
Clara looked over.
“Yes?”
“Why are you kissing Mister Vince?”
Clara laughed.
“Because he's my husband.”
Maisie thought.
“Oh.”
She looked at Vincent.
“So now you're Daddy?”
Vincent went completely still.
Clara's eyes widened.
Michael appeared behind Maisie.
“I told her that was coming.”
Vincent crouched.
“Do you want me to be?”
Maisie nodded.
“Yes.”
He opened his arms.
She ran into them.
Vincent closed his eyes.
May you like
For a man who once believed family was something that could be inherited, bought, or defended with violence, the truth was much simpler.
Family was something you chose every day.
