Forever And Ever

Three Years Later

Grayson grabs my hand and pulls me towards the beach.

"Gray," I laugh. "What are we doing?"

"Emmy, you need to stop asking questions all of the time," he sighs dramatically.

He slows down when we get to the sandy area.

He squeezes my hand as we walk along the ocean, the sunset bright and beautiful.

"It's so beautiful," I whisper, watching the waves.

"Most beautiful thing ever," he agrees.

I look up and see him already watching me.

"I meant the water," I giggle.

"I didn't," he pulls me against his chest and kisses me.

"I can tell," I smile against his lips.

"You know," he grins, "most people don't think New York beaches are pretty. Like at all."

"Well, I'm not most people," I kiss him again.

"I can tell," he murmurs, tracing the outline of my lips.

"Are you going to tell me what we're doing out here?" I tilt my head.

"Maybe," he shrugs. "Maybe not."

He picks me up and spins me in a circle.

"Gray," I squeal, laughing.

"I don't understand how anyone is allowed to be as gorgeous as you are," he sets me down, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Oh, stop, you big flirt," I giggle, swatting his arm playfully.

"I'm just being honest," he smiles before kissing my forehead.

"Can you believe, Emmy, that we met almost fifteen years ago?" He whispers.

"It's crazy," I blow out a breath, shaking my head.

"I've been in love with you for almost fifteen years," he smiles.

I nod and he brushes my hair back.

"I wish I would have let myself fall for you sooner," I kiss his hand.

He shakes his head, smiling softly.

"Gray, why are you acting weird?" My eyebrows pull together.

"I love you," he murmurs, his eyes full of worry.

"I know, I love you too," I kiss him.

"Fuck, Emmy," he closes his eyes.

"Gray, what is it?" I cup his face with both of my hands.

He sinks to his knee in front of me and my heart stops.

Holy shit.

"Emmy," he whispers, tears forming in his eyes before he can say anything else. The ring he's holding shines in the light.

I bring my hands to my mouth, tears falling down my cheeks.

"Fuck," he shakes his head, wiping his eyes.

"I love you, Emery Nicole Jenson. Forever and ever," he breathes. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I whimper, sinking to my knees and wrapping my arms around him.

He holds me tight against his chest and slips the ring onto my finger.

I hear clapping and turn to look.

Devyn, Aria, Leia, Joslyn, Rebekah, Paul, and Stella are all watching us.

Aria throws her arms around me and I can feel the tears streaming down her face.

"My little sister is getting married," she cries.

"Stop crying, you dork," I let out a watery laugh.

Joslyn, Leia, and Rebekah all hug me.

Leia takes my hand in hers and looks at the ring.

"Em, it's beautiful," she whispers.

She looks down at her ring and puts it next to mine, grinning at me.

"Now we'll both be married," she smirks.

Devyn asked her to marry her two months after we graduated.

"You're going to be my brother-in-law," Devyn shoves Grayson playfully, and I see tears prick at his eyes.

He scoops me up and spins me in a circle.

"Little Ems is all grown up," he murmurs, ruffling my hair.

Paul comes up and hugs me tight.

"It's about time. I've been telling my son to get on his knee since he brought you home for the first time," he smiles at me. "No one is better for him than you."

"Thank you," I smile, hugging him again.

When I let go, I turn around to face Grayson.

He smiles at me and I wrap my arms around him.

"I love you," I kiss him.

"I love you too," he smiles.

Everyone walks away from us so that we have a little more privacy.

I look down at my ring and he wipes my eyes.

"I've been wanting to ask you for almost two years," he whispers. "I was just scared."

"You know there's no way in hell I would've said no, right?" I whisper, tears still streaming down my face.

Tears fall down his cheeks and he kisses me again.

"When did you get it?" I breathe.

"The same time Devyn did. We went together to look at rings," he murmurs.

"Gray," I smile, tears pricking at my eyes again.

"I told you, Emmy. You're the only one I've ever loved," he brushes my hair back.

I interlock my fingers with his.

"Thank you," I smile at him. "I love the ring. It's gorgeous."

"So are you," he takes my face in his hands.

"I'm yours, forever and ever," I rest my forehead against his.

"And I'm yours," he closes his eyes.