Chapter 17 - The Question Beneath the Stars
A year after the airport reunion, Declan took Cassidy to Piedmont Park.
The same bench where he had first met his daughters properly.
No photographers.
No crowd.
No giant display.
Just Cassidy.
Declan.
And three girls hiding badly behind a tree.
Cassidy pretended not to see them.
Declan took out the plastic ring.
She laughed immediately.
“Seriously?”
“It was recommended by three highly qualified consultants.”
Then he produced a second ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
He did not kneel immediately.
First he said what mattered.
“I don't want our old marriage back.”
Cassidy's smile faded into emotion.
“Neither do I.”
“I want something we've never had. Equal. Honest. Free.”
Then he knelt.
“Cassidy Monroe, would you choose me again?”
Not forgive.
Not return.
Choose.
Cassidy looked toward the tree.
Three heads disappeared.
She looked back at Declan.
“Yes.”
Three screams erupted.
The girls charged toward them.
Declan barely managed to stand before all three collided with him.
Cassidy joined the embrace.
May you like
Five people laughing beneath the Atlanta sky.
But before their story could close, Cassidy needed to make one final decision about the secret that had started everything.
