Vivian & Everett

A family picnic surprise engagement

Vivian

Mateo and Logan bolt from the backseat with Poppy bounding after them the second I pull up to the boat launch. The boys have been whispering and giggling all morning, and I have the distinct impression that they’re up to something, though Matty refuses to talk.

I had to promise Everett I wouldn’t pack anything but my swimsuit. He says he’s taking care of everything for our adventure on the lake.

The warm summer sun heats my bare shoulders as I hurry down the dock, the wood planks flexing under my feet and the rich mineral scent of the water filling my senses. At the end of the dock, Everett jumps down from the boat he and Linden bought to greet the boys and scoop up a squirming Poppy, and though he’s listening to their chatter, his gaze lifts to mine. The connection between us intensifies, making the air molecules crackle and my pulse tap faster beneath my skin. I’m so in love with this man. With the life we’re building. He smiles, his eyes shining in the morning sunshine. My heart leaps inside my chest. I smile back, making the moment last just a little bit longer.

When I get to the boat, the boys are already clipping into their lifejackets, their laughter ringing into the still morning air.

“Ready?” Everett asks me, offering his hand. Though it’s been only an hour since we parted ways at the house, I lean in to steal a kiss. His lips are soft and full on mine, and his peppery scent is like a hit from my favorite drug.

“Ready,” I reply, breathless from our kiss.

He helps me into the boat, then unties it from the dock and jumps on. The boat has a captain’s chair and cushioned areas for passengers along the side and the back, with a tall windscreen and a high roof. Two wakeboards rest in angled holsters on either side. Everett climbs into the captain’s chair and the engine rumbles to life. While the boys settle into the seats at the back and Poppy sits dutifully at their feet, Everett motors from the shore. Once we’re clear of the no wake zone, he accelerates, the cool wind brushing my face. Mateo whoops in surprise. When I glance back, the boys are all smiles, the brisk wind making them squint. The boat cuts through the glassy lake as we head north, around a forested point and past another boat towing a giant inflatable couch loaded down with four grinning kids, their bronzed skin glistening with beads of lake water. The Bitterroots flash into view, their purple spires and pale, jagged ridges cutting into the pale blue sky. The boat towing them steers over our big wake so that the couch bounces, making the kids cheer and squeal.

Once we’re far enough from other boats, Everett slows to a stop and gets set up for wakeboarding. Logan goes first while Mateo watches intently, hopping from foot to foot in his excitement. Poppy parks her paws on the back seat, whining when Logan jumps into the water and slips his feet into the wakeboard straps.

“It’s okay, girl,” Matty says, stroking her head.

Everett hands Mateo a pole with a red flag. “If Logan falls, you to hold this up, okay, bud? That way other boats will know we’ve got a skier down and they’ll stay clear.”

“Okay!” Matty says.

I move to sit next to him and plant a kiss to the top of his head. His silky hair is hot from the sun and he’s practically vibrating with excitement. He’s never wakeboarded before but Logan and Greta’s stories have been stoking his anticipation for weeks. It’s a wonder he was able to fall asleep last night.

Everett climbs behind the wheel and adjusts his mirror so he can see Logan, then inches the boat forward to make the tow rope pull taut. Logan’s floating with the wakeboard parallel to the boat and his arms straight out, and the second the rope tightens, he yells, “Hit it!”

Everett accelerates, the engine’s throaty hum piercing the still air and the cool wind blasting my face. Matty’s eyes are focused on Logan, who pops up and swivels the wakeboard so fast it’s like magic. Everett somehow keeps an eye on Logan in the mirror and where he’s going. Behind us, Logan zips back and forth, using the boat’s wake like a launch pad.

“Wow!” Matty cries, his eyes wide. “He’s really good!”

“He’s had a lot of practice,” I say.

Everett makes a long curve to the left, and Logan swings wide, then zips back across the wake, catching an impressive amount of air. He lands off balance and suddenly he’s down, the empty rope skimming along behind us.

Matty holds up the flag and Everett circles back.

“You did so good, Logan!” Mateo says, leaning over the back of the boat.

Logan flashes him a smile. “Thanks, little man.”

Everett puts the boat in idle and comes back to help the boys. “Matty, hop in and Logan will show you how to set up.”

Mateo’s eyes light up. “Okay!”

Everett checks Mateo’s life jacket straps. “Remember to let go of the rope if you fall. The life jacket will keep you afloat.”

Mateo locks eyes with Everett, his face softening. “Thank you for letting me try.”

Everett grins. “You bet.”

With Everett’s help, Mateo climbs over the back of the boat, to the narrow swim deck. “Brr,” he says as the water laps at his bare feet.

Poppy gives a soft whine, her paws on the back seat again.

“It’s only cold for a minute,” Logan calls out. “Once you’re up you forget all about it.”

Mateo glances back at me, his blue eyes tense with longing, then to Everett.

“You got this, Matty,” Everett says.

Mateo leaps from the back of the boat, making a giant splash. Logan swims over and in less than a minute he’s got Matty in the wakeboard straps with the rope in his hands.

“When the boat pulls you, push back with the board. Keep your knees bent and lean back with your arms and you’ll pop right up,” Logan says, moving the board into position, then shooting Matty a grin.

“Awright,” Mateo replies, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“You’re gonna do great, but if you fall, it’s okay. Everybody falls.”

Logan swims to the back of the boat and climbs on. Poppy attacks him with kisses while he quickly dries off. “See, I made it back in one piece, silly girl.”

“Thanks, Logan,” I tell him.

He sends me a shy smile and a humble shrug. “’Course.”

Everett inches the boat forward, his eyes on his mirror, until the rope goes taut. I expect Matty to hesitate, but he barks, “Hit it!”

Everett accelerates, and Matty pops up like a pro. His eyes go wide and his mouth pops open. “Mom!” he cries.

“Good job, bug!” I yell while Logan cheers.

Everett steers us straight ahead, keeping his eye on Matty, a proud smile on his face. When he sees me watching, his whole face lights up.

We spend the next few hours towing the boys around the lake. I even give it a try, though it takes me a few epic failures to get up. When I finally do, I have my very own cheerleading squad—Poppy included—rooting for me. With the cool breeze on my wet skin and the shushhh the board gliding across the sun-dappled water and the sun shining in the summer sky, it’s easy to see why the boys are so addicted to this simple thrill.

When everyone’s had enough, Everett zips us north to a secluded cove. We anchor the boat and wade through the sandy shallows, Poppy swimming right alongside, to the sunny beach. The boys and Poppy race off to explore the forest and make use of a rope swing.

“How do they have energy for more?” I say as their chatter and shouts echo down the beach. Poppy gives a hearty “Woof!” from somewhere down the beach, followed by a splash as she gallops into the water after a stick.

Everett chuckles. “I think they all feed off each other.”

I take in the sweeping views of the Bitterroots ringed by thick forest above the sparkling lake. “What a beautiful spot. Have you been here before?”

Everett gives me a mischievous grin. “A few times.”

“It seems weird that we have it to ourselves.”

Everett hooks me around the waist. “Nice though, yeah?”

I smile. “Very.”

His deep brown eyes sparkle in the low light as he lowers his lips to mine. His soft scruff brushes my cheeks, sending a pulse of heat down my thighs. I lean closer, flicking my tongue against his, and wrap my arms around his waist. His body is warm and solid and he smells like the lake and summer, with that little hint of peppery spice that makes my thoughts race.

“You looked pretty good out there today,” he says, leaning back to grin at me.

 I laugh. “Yeah, right. The boys made it look easy.”  

With a smile, he kisses my forehead.

Down the beach, Logan and Mateo are standing on the rope swing together, leaning back and forth to get it going. They’ve become so close these past months. I thought their friendship might wane after the initial adventure of us moving in wore off, but the opposite has happened. Their laughter and silly banter start the minute they wake up and only shuts off when they’re asleep. Logan looks after Matty, and Matty looks up to Logan. Like a big brother.

Everett unfurls a quilt and we anchor it with cobbles, then I peek at the lunch Everett and the boys made. There’s yummy chicken salad with sweet, crunchy grapes and toasted walnuts, my favorite smoked gouda cheese and fancy butter crackers, the season’s first peaches, watermelon, and fudge-chunk brownies. I’m surprised to find a bottle of sparkling apple-cranberry soda in the bottom of the cooler.  

“Are we celebrating?” I ask, shooting him a curious look.

His eyes fill with warmth. “Every day we’re together is worth celebrating.”

I lean in and kiss him again, and he rocks me into a gentle embrace.

“Should we get the boys?” I say, curled into his strong chest. “They’ve got to be hungry.”

“Yeah.”

I take his offered hand, his big, calloused palm warm in mine, and together we trace the curve of pale sand while tiny lake waves comb the shallows.

But they must see us coming, because they jump down and hurry toward us, Poppy loping beside them. Everett pulls me to a stop and takes my other hand, turning me to face him.

The boys arrive, breathless. They each lock eyes with Everett for a fleeting moment, and my stomach goes into freefall.

“Hold my hand, Mama,” Matty says, reaching up.

“Why?” I ask.

He swallows, his face tense with emotion. “Because it’s nice, remember?”

I take a slow breath as the memories flood through me. Of being invited into Everett’s family table, of their heartfelt and warm welcome. Of the way they so easily trusted me and have brought me into their family.

I smile at my baby who’s growing up so fast. “Okay.”

Logan steps in between Everett and me and offers his hand and that sweet smile that hits me right in the heart. I blink at Everett for a second, then it dawns on me what’s happening.

“Ev,” I manage before my throat clamps shut.

As if to reassure me, he steps closer and gives me a tender kiss.

That the boys don’t complain is another clue of what’s about to happen.

I take Mateo’s and Logan’s hands and face Everett, forming a little circle where we’re all connected.

Everett’s smile is like sunlight. Gentle and warm and unfailing.

“I love you, Vivian. I think it started the day we met, in the middle of that blizzard. You didn’t like me, and it got under my skin.”

I laugh through the emotions churning inside me. “It wasn’t personal.”

Everett leans in and kisses me again. A sensual, gentle kiss, his soft scruff tickling my lips. “And the more I knew about you, the more I wanted in your life. I fell in love with you even as you were trying to push me away.”

“Sorry,” I say, wincing.

“I’m glad you didn’t give up,” Mateo says, his eyes serious.

I lean down and kiss him on his precious head. “Me too, bug.”

“I love you for your independent spirit,” Everett says. “For your kindness, for your tenacity, and for how fiercely you show up for the people you care about. I love you for the ways you’ve helped me grow. I’m a better person because of you.”

“It’s true,” Logan says with a cheeky half-grin.

I have to break my hold on Matty’s hand to swipe at the tear slipping over my eyelid.

“I love what we’ve started,” Everett says, giving his hold on Logan and Matty’s hands a little shake as he eyes each of them. A tear trickles down his cheek and he laughs a little as he wipes it away.

I gulp a breath and try to take in everything that I’m feeling, but it’s too big. It’s like trying to lasso a storm cloud or a rein in a herd of wild mustangs. “I love it too,” I manage.

“What do you think, boys?” Everett asks, shooting each of the boys a questioning glance. “Do you give me your blessing to make us a family?”

Mateo nods and Logan sniffs hard, then whispers a soft, “Yeah.”

Everett releases a slow breath through pursed lips, his brown eyes locked on me. He releases the kids’ hands and slips a small black box from his pocket.

Then he lowers to one knee in the sand.

Logan steps to Everett’s side, a hand on his shoulder, and Matty moves closer to me. His grip in mine is the only thing keeping me grounded. That and the look of yearning in Everett’s steady gaze.

“I am so in love with you, Vivian,” he says. “If what we’ve built so far is a look into the future, I want more just like it. I want your tomorrows and somedays and everything that comes after.”

He opens the box, revealing an inset diamond on a shiny silver band with tiny pave diamonds on both sides. My hands fly to my mouth to stifle my gasp.

“Everett,” I breathe.

My big, strong, cop has tears in his eyes. For me. “Marry me, Vivian.”

“Yes!” I say as my throat clamps shut. “A thousand times, yes!”

He slips the ring from the box and slides it on. The silver is cool on my shaking finger and the diamond catches every color—the indigo of the lake, the forest’s deep green, the earthy hues of the mountains, and the golden sun.

“It’s beautiful.”

Everett presses his lips my fingers for a moment, like he’s taking it all in too, then he stands and takes my face in his big, calloused hands. “Not as beautiful as you, sweet girl. Not even close.”

I close my eyes as our lips touch. He gives a contented hum against my mouth as I kiss him back with everything that I have. All my care, my tenderness, my desire, my trust. With this kiss, I show him that I am completely and undeniably his. For now. For always.

“I love you so much,” I say, breathless.

He kisses me again, his lips embracing mine, tugging on my lower lip just long enough to send a shiver ghosting over my skin.

“I’m going to love you forever,” he says, his gaze locking with mine.

“Forever,” I sigh.

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