Paul studied the gorgeous ring that had a two-carat diamond solitaire surrounded by smaller diamonds on either side of it. “Remember how much she loved this ring?”

“I remember how much she loved that he pulled off such a great surprise without her knowing a thing about it. She loved that even more than she loved the ring itself.”

Paul smiled at the memory of the parents who’d been so hopelessly devoted to each other. He wanted that. He wanted what they’d had, what Alex and Jenny had. And he wanted it with Hope. “You’re sure you don’t mind if the ring goes to me? You’re the oldest. It should be yours.”

Alex swept away Paul’s concerns with the wave of his hand. “I’m all set for rings, and besides, Mom has other jewelry that can go to Jenny someday. That ring is for Hope. It’s what Mom would want. I know it.”

“Thanks for this, for giving me the push I needed.”

“Any time. I came over to get Jenny’s phone charger, and I’m glad I came when I did. I hate to think of having to deal with you if you let those two get away.”

Paul hated to think of that, too. “I’m going to wait until after the wedding and then I’ll do it.”

“I hope you get everything you want and deserve, Paul.”

“Thank you—and thank you for coming home when I needed you.”

Alex smiled and winked on his way to the door. “Turned out to be the best thing I ever did.”

Long after Alex was gone to the new home he shared with Jenny, Paul stared at the ring in his hand, thinking about what he would say to Hope and hoping he could convince her to stay and make a life with him.

Jenny and Alex scored an absolutely glorious early October day for their long-awaited wedding. Over the last few days, Jenny’s family had arrived from North Carolina and Toby’s family had come from Pennsylvania. Meeting them had been among the more emotional moments for Alex, as he was well aware that their son’s death had made his happily ever after possible. A gruesome thought to be certain.

However, he took his lead from them, and they’d chosen to focus on Jenny and her happiness rather than the sadness of the past. They were such happy, positive people, and Alex admired them greatly for having the fortitude to go on after their unimaginable loss. He also appreciated that they were genuinely thrilled for him and Jenny, and he could see that their acceptance of him and their marriage had filled her with joy.