Page 118 of In Too Deep
Uncle Noah.The title settled over him like a gift.
Noah’s throat tightened.“How about mid-September?Would that work?And I’ll be bringing someone.”
“Meg?”Will couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice.“Becca will be thrilled.She’s been dying to meet the woman who finally caught your attention and made you settle down.”
“I haven’t settled down,” Noah protested.“I’m still plenty exciting.”
Meg snorted beside him.Tried to cover it with a cough.Failed completely.
“Whatever you say, brother.Just get here when you can.”
They said their goodbyes, and Noah pocketed his phone, turning to Meg with a smile.
Then he paused.
“I should have mentioned.Will is Mary’s brother.I hope it isn’t weird if?—”
“Are you kidding?Of course I want to meet them.Mary is and will always be a part of you.”Her voice was steady.“Remember, we want it all, even the broken, messy, and complicated bits.”
The words—his words thrown back at him—made his chest ache in the best way.
Liam and Teague eventually wandered off, leaving them alone again with the sunset and each other.
Noah knew there was still work to be done—another chest to find, Jeremy to face in court with his charges and accusations.All the daily challenges of life and love and healing.
But sitting here with Meg, planning a future that included meeting his new niece, talking about possibilities and dreams and wherever life might take them—it felt right.
It felt like home.
Not the canyon.Not this place.Not any location on a map.
Her.Them.This.
And that was more than enough.
“I love you,” he murmured against her hair.
“I know,” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice.
Noah laughed, pulling her close again.Carefully.Mindful of his healing side.And as the sun set over the canyon they both loved, painting everything in shades of purple and indigo, he knew with absolute certainty that whatever came next—whatever challenges, whatever joys, whatever messy, beautiful, complicated moments life had in store—they’d face it together.
The light shining in the darkness.
And the darkness would not overcome.
Not them.Not anymore.
Because they’d found something stronger than fear, more powerful than trauma, more enduring than pain.
Grace.Forgiveness.Second chances.
Love that didn’t demand perfection but celebrated progress.
Love that said you’re enough even when you didn’t believe it yourself.
Love that stayed when everything else ran.
Noah pressed a kiss to Meg’s temple and watched the stars begin to emerge overhead.One by one.
