Page 81 of Unspoken Words

Those were all dreams, but I would give up those dreams again to know I could spend the rest of my days with her now.

At the end of each journey, there is a reward for our accomplishments. I survived. Amelia survived. We beat the odds, and now we can enjoy the end.

Epilogue

"Clara, Annie, and Emma are going to be quite angry with us, Amelia," I tell her as our New York ferry docks in front of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

"This doesn't concern them," Amelia said, slapping her hand against the air. She has clearly thought this through. "We have our witnesses, and that's all that matters."

I glance over at Amelia, who is decked out in a beautiful white dress beneath her black overcoat. Her hair is up, held with dazzling pins, her lips are red, her cheeks are pink, and white gloves cover her hands. As the other travelers disembark the boat, I offer Amelia my hand to help her from the seat.

I focus on the way the white glove eases in my grip. "My darling, shall we?"

Our grips are tight as we slowly make our way into the building. It feels as though we are walking into an endless sunset together. Amelia's heels click and clack, and I notice people lining the walls, applauding us as we walk through the corridor.

"A true inspiration," I hear from a man as we pass by.

"We were assigned a small room just down there," I say as we continue walking forward.

I spot my best friends at the end of the hall, just in front of the courtroom doors. As Claude and I had always planned, we grew old together, but I still see the young versions of us all. Claude and Juliette, with their hands still intertwined, walk toward us. "I was wrong, brother. You were right, and I have wanted to say those words to you for so many years. I see now why you never gave up," Claude says in my ear.

"It is a pleasure to meet you finally," Juliette tells Amelia. "I have spent a lifetime hearing how wonderful you are. I am elated to share this day with you both."

"I feel as though I know you both," Amelia tells Claude and Juliette. "Charlie has shared the ups and downs of his story with me these past few months, and while I realize I still have more than seventy years to catch up on, you two have been his foundation, and I could never thank you enough for being his family when he had no one."

"You have been alive in his heart, Amelia. He has always had you," Claude tells her, placing a kiss on Amelia's cheek. "It is beyond a pleasure to meet you."

Claude and Juliette follow us toward the justice of the peace that has been waiting for us to arrive. The two take a seat, and I take my girl's hand, staring at her with gratitude.

"Your story is remarkable," the justice of the peace begins. "In a time where true love is hard to find, you two have proven what patience and perseverance are worth. We cannot change our past, but we can allow our past to mold our future. We spend our days working hard to earn money and respect—but not often do we see the hidden fruits of our labor. You two have worked harder than most to get here with your soulmate, and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness."

"I love you," I whisper to Amelia.

"I love you, Charlie Crane."

"Vows are meant to be used as promises for couples who are intending to commit themselves to one another. However, you both have proven the vow you have for each other throughout the last seventy-four years of your lives. Therefore, I ask of you, Charlie, do you take Amelia Baylin to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Tears fill my eyes as I gaze into Amelia's. Her eyes show no sign of age, and I can still see forever as I once had. "I do."

"Amelia, do you take Charlie Crane to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," she says just before throwing her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine.

Nothing has changed. Not a day has passed.

"It is at this time that I now humbly pronounce you husband and wife."

A kiss behind prison walls.

A kiss in front of a guard's tower.

We left the dangers behind, but the love has forever been captured between us, and our unspoken words were the links that tied us together, keeping our memories alive—the connection forever intact.

Amelia pulls away just enough to look me in the eyes. Her lips smile, and she blinks slowly. "It was a battle we fought, Charlie, but it was a battle we won."