Chapter 8: Walk Beside Me
Chapter Summary: Cormac asks Meredith to go for a walk
Chapter Notes: Lyrics for Walk Beside Me, By Celtic Woman, Composer-Lyricists: Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Tony Nilsson
Walk Beside Me
Don't walk in front of me
I was not born to follow
Don't walk behind me
We were all born to lead
Don't walk without me
I might need you tomorrow
Walk right beside me
Be the real friend I need
Walk right beside me
Be the real friend I need
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From last chapter: Meredith's last Easter Egg included a note, "After the easter egg hunt, please take a walk with me. C"
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"Sorry that took so long to head out," Meredith states as they are finally walking down the street away from her house.
"Don't fret. We had kids and parents to organize," Cormac remarks, slipping his hand into hers as they walk along the quiet neighbourhood street, enjoying the shade from the beautiful white and pink cherry blossoms.
"Yes. That was crazy. Are you sure Liam is OK with all three girls?" she asks, thinking of Liam's plan to take Zola, Ellis and Harriet to the playground.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Amahle will meet them at the park. Just relax. Plus Jackson, Link or Amelia will head to the park if needed. And Austin and Bailey will enjoy the time without the girls and Scout went down for a nap. Don't worry," he says. Link's parents had decided to head back to their hotel room for some quiet time before dinner, while Cormac's parents were going back to his house so his mom could do some baking, and his dad could enjoy some quiet time.
Cormac and Meredith head the few blocks towards Kinnear Park. The park contains some beautiful walkways through a forest of douglas fir, Garry Oak, maple trees and arbutus trees, overlooking Elliot Bay with wildflowers poking up near the garden edges. From the park the grain transfers at Pier 86 can be seen along with the Elliot Bay trail, and cruise ships can also be seen through the trees at Piers 90 & 91.
Stopping under a beautiful Arbutus tree with its tiny white flowers, Cormac pulls Meredith off the trail so they can enjoy some quiet time at the park. Reaching into his backpack, he grabs a picnic quilt and spreads it out so they can sit on the grassy area. As they sit he pulls out each of their water bottles and some sliced fruit.
"You've thought of everything. You are spoiling me," she comments.
"Mm-hmm," he murmurs, pulling her comfortably in between his legs so she is leaning with her back to his chest and kissing her neck, his hands wrapped gently around her, her arms resting on his legs. They sit enjoying their time together, holding one another, lost in thought wrapped in each other's arms.
"Life has dealt both of us many challenges. This year has been so much easier facing them with you. When I met you, even that first day when we battled over Jamie, I knew I'd met my match, you challenge me, support me and amaze me. I know we both come with our past loves, our children, our families and our careers, but with you I see a future. Will you walk beside me for the rest of our lives? Marry me?" he asks eventually breaking the silence, pulling the ring box from his bag that sat beside them and holding it to her.
She twists in his arms, so she's facing him and kisses him reaching her hands up and holding him close. "Yes!"
A/N: The Arbutus, Pacific Madrone or Madrona tree (Arbutus menziesii) is native to the area, especially through the coastal areas of the Puget sound and San Jaun Islands in Washington, as well as Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Arbutus menziesii is an evergreen tree with rich orange-red bark that when mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a satin sheen and smoothness. In spring, it bears sprays of small bell-like flowers, and in autumn, red berries. It is up to 30 metres tall, usually with a crooked or leaning trunk that divides into several twisting upright branches and an irregularly rounded crown.