Chapter 10: Reconciliation
"Jay, I am so sorry." Chloe said sheepishly as she stepped outside her apartment. "Can you please forgive me?"
"Chloe, there's nothing to forgive on your part."
"Yes, there is. I jumped to all the wrong conclusions without listening to your side of the story. I was so eager to believe that last night wasn't real that I shut you out. Can we pick up where we left of?"
"Of course we can, Sweetheart."
"I guess this is where I leave." Sam said as she headed for her car.
Chloe took Jay's hand and they walked back into Chloe's apartment. Once they were situated on the couch with an old quilt draped over them and Chloe's head in Jay's bosom, she started to prod him.
"Jay, remember that question you asked me last night?"
"Yes."
"Will you be asking it again?"
"Most certainly."
"How would you ask it?"
"Oh, I'd probably get down on one knee."
"Show me."
"All right." Jay gets off the couch and kneels on the floor.
"Now, what exactly would you say?"
"I don't know. Probably something like, 'Chloe, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?'"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Yes."
"You'll marry me?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"What about everything you said last night? What changed?"
"I needed proof that you were over Major Carter, and I got it."
"I do love you, my future wife."
"And I love you, my future husband."
(fifteen years later)
"And that's the story of how your father and I got together." Chloe finished as she held her fourteen-year-old daughter close to her.
"Wow! That's amazing." The daughter replied.
"Well, good night, Honey." Chloe said as she got up and headed for the master bedroom.
"Good night, Mom."
A few minutes later, Jay walked past and poked his head in.
"Did that help you feel better, Pumpkin?"
"Yea. Good night, Daddy."
"Good night, Sam. Remember: The night always follows the day." Jay said as he tucked his daughter in, turned out the light, then went to join his wife in their room.