Emily sat on the balcony flipping through a bridal magazine. If it had been up to her, they would have been married at City Hall. Her father had been aghast at the idea. Surprisingly so had Finn. He was all-in on a grand affair. The bigger the better.

Finn said it was because he wanted the whole world to watch him get to marry her.

Turns out the love of her life was a romantic. Bigtime. He was always surprising Emily. Words were his favourite. Leaving little notes around their apartment for her to find, random thoughts or quotes texted to her when they were apart and whispering sweet nothings in her ear when he was putting her coat on in a restaurant or they were standing in line at the grocery store. 

But Finn made grander gestures as well. Yesterday had been the grandest yet. She felt giddy inside at the memory.

It had been the anniversary of the horrible day Emily got on a plane to Japan eight years ago. The day everything went wrong.  Finn had brought it up, suggesting they christen the day with a new memory.  A romantic weekend away. Emily loved the idea.

Finn planned everything, telling her it would be a surprise.  When the car turned on to the familiar road to Bridgetown, a tingle of concern tweaked Emily's heart. Yes, there were many good memories in this small town.  Her childhood, her mother, the lake house, meeting Finn and their summer together. But it was also a source of pain, especially for Finn. 

He had taken her hand and asked if she trusted him. It was an easy answer – yes.

As the scenery slipped by Emily focused on the happiness of the then and the now. She saw the countryside with fresh eyes and a heart full of love. The world seemed brighter, more colourful, more alive now Finn was by her side.  Almost like she was rediscovering it.

When Finn took the lane to the lake house, she tried to keep calm.   She wasn't sure she could hold in her emotions if she saw her beloved home, her mother's house, now owned by someone else.  Had they changed it?  Would the cherry blossom tree still be in the backyard? Would the red front door still be there? Would her mother's handprints still be in the sidewalk leading down to the lake?

The white brick house loomed before them, the red door still intact.  To her surprise, Finn pulled into the driveway and stopped the car.

Emily tore her eyes from her old home to find a grinning Finn watching her.  Seeing him smile still took her breath away. 

"Finn, why are we here?"

Instead of answering her, Finn got out of the car and coming around to her side, opening the door, he helped her out of the passenger's seat. With a gentle tug he pointed Emily towards the house and wrapped his arms around her in a backwards hug. He squeezed her waist, tucked her into his chest and kissed her neck.

"I thought you'd like to visit our new home."

The closeness of Finn, his scent mixing with his words sent Emily's heart racing. "Home?"

"Yes," Finn giggled.  He actually giggled. The sound did not help Emily's heart palpitations. "The deal closed yesterday. It's ours."

Ours.  Emily loved this word.  Almost as much as she loved Finn. Turning to face him, she asked, "You bought the lake house?"  She looked back at the house to confirm she was not dreaming and then back at Finn.  The ocean in his irises danced with delight. "For us?"

"We can't raise kids in that little apartment of yours."

Emily tried to keep from jumping for joy.  She failed. It was impossible to keep still. Joy surged through her as she peppered the man she loved with kisses. Everything was perfect. Finn here in her arms, her favourite person in the world, standing in front of their new home, her favourite place in the world, discussing their future, her new favourite topic. 

Finn had arranged everything, even furnishing the most important room in the house – the master bedroom. 

It was a surprise to learn Finn fell into the well-off end of the wealth spectrum. The nomad life of a soldier meant the military paid for almost everything including room and board. With no expenses and the help of Campbell's brother, who happened to be pretty good at picking successful stocks, Finn had made his meager salary work for him.  Over the years, Finn had amassed quite a tidy sum of money. 

Emily heard Finn calling her name. "I'm in the bedroom," she replied.  Putting down the magazine, she prepared to greet him, wondering what mood he would be in.  He'd been to see his brother this morning.

The last time they met, Finn had come back with bruised knuckles. Finn was furious with Simon over his role in keeping them apart. It took a lot for Emily to convince Finn to take his brother's calls.  She played her trump card, impressing upon Finn how much time was wasted in their lives that she didn't want either of them to lose another moment in regret.  He acquiesced and was now partially talking to his brother. Simon even made it into the wedding party. Not as the best man. That honour rightfully had gone to Campbell.

But it was a step in the right direction.

Emily tried to take her own advice and had forgiven Mary.  It was a little easier because they had never been close.  Not like Finn and his brother. With Mary, the betrayal was almost expected. To her credit, Mary did seem quite contrite, admitting she had been wrong. Emily tried not to wonder if Finn's new financial prospects didn't have something to do with the change. Still, both she and Beth were bridesmaids and Mary was making every effort to help with the wedding.

When Finn stepped onto the balcony, Emily was pleased to see a lack a of a black eye or a broken nose. "How did it go?"

Finn shrugged, pulled Emily into him and buried his face in her hair. Emily felt his chest rise and fall as she slowly rubbed his back, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. 

"Finn, let's not hold on to the hurt, let's hold on to the love," she offered.

Her fiancée rubbed his thumb along her cheek and chuckled, "Always the optimist."

"Well, it's my mission. And with you it's easy."

His hand moved to her neck, his thumb caressing the hollow above the silver charm there. "I love you beyond..." Finn completed the sentence with his lips on hers, pulling her into a deep kiss.  The kind Emily never wanted to end. 

Finn however had a different plan. As he lifted her in his arms, Emily wrapped her legs around his waist. Heading for the bedroom, he broke the kiss long enough to purr, "My new mission is to make all your dreams come true."

"Since you love me, Finn, I'd say mission complete."

Hi there! D. L. Croisette here.  Thank you so much for coming along on the journey of Emily and Finn. I appreciate all the reads, votes and very valuable feedback.

Although this is the end of the story from Emily and Finn's point of view, their story will continue in Perfectly Pink and Grey Skies. Perfectly Pink will give you insight into Emily's sister Mary Montgomery as she struggles between what she thinks she wants and who she loves. You may be surprised by who Mary is in love with – not that she will admit it. Any guesses?

Grey Skies tells the story of Sophie and how she finds love after loss in a most unlikely way. At least to her. Hint: Emily and Finn help

Before you go, stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter. Once a month you'll get updates and sneak peeks plus behind the scene content. Plus I feature a favourite character - sometimes mine, sometimes from another author (more books like mine!) and a good quote. 

Oh, and if you read Ruby Red, my first book, there's a bonus chapter. (It's from Sam's perspective.) Click on the link here ---->

Will Mary let love in?  Find out here. --->

Can Sophie learn to love again? Find out here----->