Epilogue
NICK
“ Stop eating the batter,” Cerys said, swatting at my hand with a wooden spoon. “You’ve already had half of it.”
I licked the edge of my finger, grinning as she glared at me. “Tastes better raw.”
“You’re worse than a toddler,” Cerys said, snatching the whisk out of my hand. “Honestly, do you need a snack to tide you over?”
I grinned, leaning my hip against the counter. “Depends. Are you offering?”
She rolled her eyes, brushing her braid over her shoulder as she turned back to the bowl. “You’re going to get in the way if you don’t find something useful to do.”
I leaned in close, resting my chin on her shoulder. “I am being useful. Moral support is a vital part of pancake-making.”
She arched an eyebrow, her hands pausing over the bowl. “You’ve done nothing but sabotage me since we started.”
“Sabotage is a strong word.” I reached for the wooden spoon she’d set down, twirling it between my fingers. “Let’s call it... creative input.”
Her laugh was a soft huff as she nudged me with her elbow, a warm press against my ribs that made me wish I could stay exactly like this forever. “If you’re so full of creative input, why don’t you take over?”
“Because,” I said, giving her braid a gentle tug as I straightened up, “watching you is far more fun.”
Her lips twitched, but she didn’t look up. “You say that like you’re getting away with something.”
I leaned against the counter, spinning the wooden spoon like a drumstick. “Maybe I am.”
“Careful, Nick. I’ve got flour and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
She glanced at me then, the challenge sparking in her eyes. “You’re all talk.”
I straightened, setting the spoon down with deliberate care. “You sure about that?”
“Positive.”
The batter hit me square in the chest before I even saw her move. Warm, sticky, and sweet-smelling, it dripped down my jumper in slow, mocking trails. I stared at her, mouth open in shock.
“You didn’t.”
She raised the whisk, the corner of her mouth quirking. “Want to test me again?”
I took a slow step forward, swiping the batter from my chest and holding it up. “That was a mistake, Evans.”
She laughed, backing up as I advanced. “Nick! Don’t you dare.”
Her warning only made me grin wider. “You started this.”
I lunged, catching her wrist before she could retaliate with the whisk. She yelped, laughing as I pulled her closer, the batter on my hand now streaked across her apron.
“Nick!” she shrieked, squirming against my hold, but I was laughing too hard to let go.“Payback,” I said, smearing another streak of batter on her arm.
She gasped, a scandalised sound that melted into laughter as she wrested her wrist free. “You absolute menace! Do you even know how hard it is to scrub dried batter out of fabric?”
I grinned, already reaching for another glob. “Guess you’ll have to be quicker next time.”
Her eyes narrowed, her mouth curving into a dangerous smile. “Oh, you want quick?”
Before I could react, she ducked under my arm, grabbing a handful of batter from the bowl. I barely had time to step back before she smeared it across my cheek, her triumphant laugh echoing off the kitchen walls.
“Now you’ve done it,” I said, wiping at my face as she darted out of reach.
She held her ground, her chin lifted in challenge. “Bring it on, rock star.”
“Oh, I will.” I lunged, but she was already moving, darting around the table with a laugh that made my chest ache in the best way. She grabbed the mixing bowl as she passed, holding it like a shield.
“Stay back,” she said, her voice firm with a warning edge, though the curve of her lips betrayed her. “Or the batter gets it.”
“You’re bluffing,” I said, circling the table slowly. “You wouldn’t sacrifice breakfast.”
“Wouldn’t I?” She tipped the bowl slightly, letting a thin ribbon of batter drip onto the table.
“Cerys!” I stopped, my hands raised in surrender. “Alright, alright. No more batter wars.”
She tilted her head, eyeing me suspiciously. “Promise?”
“Promise.” I stepped closer, keeping my movements slow. “Truce?”
Her grip on the bowl relaxed, her shoulders easing. “Truce.”
The second she set the bowl down, I made my move, swooping in to grab her around the waist. She shrieked, half-laughing, half-protesting as I hoisted her off the ground and spun us both in a tight circle.
“Nick!” she yelled, her fists lightly thudding against my shoulders. “Put me down!”
“Say I win.” I held her just high enough that her feet dangled.
“You’re lucky I’m not holding the whisk,” she shouted, but there was no heat in her voice, just laughter that she couldn’t contain.
“That’s not an answer,” I said, slowing my spin but keeping her firmly in my hold.
Her hands gripped my shoulders, her cheeks flushed and her chest heaving. “Alright! You win. Now put me down.”
I lowered her to the floor, keeping her close even as she swatted at me. Her eyes sparkled, her lips parted in a smile she didn’t bother to hide.
“Happy now?” she asked, her voice softening as she met my gaze.
“Getting there.”
I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine, a gentle brush that quickly ignited into something deeper. Her breath snagged, and I savoured the moment, the warmth and softness of her mouth an intoxicating mix. Each touch, each kiss sent a surge of electricity through me, filling my heart with something I’d only ever found with her. Her hands gripped my shirt, pulling me closer. I deepened the kiss, my tongue tracing her lips, coaxing them open, revelling in the simple fact that I could kiss her like this — whenever I wanted — now that she was mine.
“I knew it,” she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. “Took you long enough.”
We jolted apart at the sound of Meinir’s voice, her tone brimming with unrestrained glee. My hands dropped to my sides while Cerys fumbled to smooth her hair, her cheeks flushed.
Meinir stood in the doorway, arms crossed, a wide grin lighting her face. Her boots tracked faint smudges of mud onto the floor, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her sharp eyes darted between us, and she let out a soft laugh, warm and knowing.
Cerys groaned, brushing a hand over her braid. “Meins, please.”
“What?” Meinir’s grin widened. “I’m just saying, it’s about time. Gareth would’ve had a good laugh about how long it’s taken you two to figure this out.”
Her words tightened something in my chest, but I didn’t let it take root. For years, I’d let Gareth’s memory hold me back, like every step towards Cerys was a betrayal. I’d blinded myself to the truth — what we had wasn’t about Gareth at all.
“I think he’d want this for us,” I said, my voice firm. I glanced at Cerys, finding her green eyes steady on mine. “And I want this. I want you.”
Her lips parted, something soft and surprised flickering across her face before she squeezed my hand.
Meinir watched us, her smile warm now, her eyes glistening with emotion. “You’re right,” she said, her voice quieter but still strong. “He’d want you both to be happy.”
I nodded, my jaw tightening as I let go of the last hesitation I’d clung to for years. “I’ve been holding myself back for too long,” I admitted, glancing down at our joined hands. “But not anymore. Cerys, I—” I broke off, clearing my throat. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. I want you more than anything.”
Cerys’s hand tightened in mine, her smile breaking into something that made my chest ache in the best way. “You’re already doing it,” she said softly.
Meinir clapped her hands, cutting through the moment with a laugh that carried no small amount of triumph. “Finally! Well, it’s official, then. You two are together. Don’t even try to deny it.”
Cerys pinched the bridge of her nose, her other hand still locked in mine. “If I say yes, will you stop looking like you’ve won the lottery?”
“Not a chance,” Meinir said, leaning against the counter. “This is better than the lottery. I’ve been waiting years for you two to stop being idiots.”
I chuckled, glancing at Cerys, who groaned softly but didn’t pull her hand away. “Alright, Meins, you win. You were right. And... thank you.”
Meinir’s smile softened, her gaze flicking between us with a mix of pride and affection. “Don’t thank me yet. You’ve still got to clean my kitchen.”
Cerys muttered something under her breath, and I couldn’t resist pulling her closer, tilting my head to catch her eye. “What was that?”
She sighed, though there was a spark of humour in her eyes. “I said she’s never going to let us live this down.”
“Too right,” Meinir said, already moving towards the table to inspect the damage. “But don’t worry — I’ll only remind you every time I see you.”
I turned to Cerys, brushing a stray bit of flour from her cheek. “Reckon we’ll survive?”
She smiled up at me, small but genuine. “As long as you’re willing to scrub every pan, maybe.”
Meinir barked a laugh from across the room. “You two had better get started. That batter’s not going to clean itself.”
Cerys reached for the cloth, but I caught her wrist, tugging her back towards me.
“Not yet,” I murmured, my voice low enough that only she could hear. “I need to kiss you again first.”
“Meins is right there,” she hissed, her eyes darting towards where Meinir was rummaging in a cupboard, clearly pretending not to eavesdrop.
“So?” I said, lowering my voice and leaning closer. “She’s already planning a parade. Might as well give her something to celebrate.”
Cerys’s lips parted, her cheeks still flushed. “You’re shameless.”
“And you love it,” I said, closing the space between us without waiting for a reply.
Her breath faltered, but she didn’t pull away. I caught her lips with mine, soft at first, savouring the moment, then deeper, more certain. Her hand slid up to my chest, her grip tightening as if she wasn’t planning to let go anytime soon.
Behind us, Meinir let out an exaggerated cough.
“Do I need to get the hose?” she said, her voice full of laughter and absolutely no shame.
Cerys broke away, spinning to face her, her face redder than the batter-streaked counter. “Meins!”
“What?” Meinir said, grinning so wide she practically glowed. “I’ve waited long enough for this moment. You’re not going to stop me from enjoying it.”
I laughed, still holding Cerys’s hand as she muttered something under her breath, avoiding Meinir’s gleeful gaze.
“Fine,” Cerys finally said, her voice quieter but steady. “You were right, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Meinir placed a hand over her heart, her expression falsely solemn. “More than you know.”
I glanced at Cerys. “She deserves it,” I said, my voice low. “After all, she did get us here.”
Cerys sighed, shaking her head but smiling as she squeezed my hand. “Thank you, Meins. For meddling.”
Meinir clapped her hands, practically bouncing on her feet. “You’re welcome. Now, get on with breakfast before I faint from hunger. And don’t think I’m not telling everyone I know.”
Cerys groaned, burying her face in her hands, but I just laughed, leaning down to kiss her temple. “Let her have this,” I whispered. “She’s earned it.”
Her hand lowered, her smile softening as she looked up at me. “You might regret saying that when she starts planning our wedding.”
“I’ll risk it,” I said, kissing her again before grabbing the sponge to tackle the mess.