Epilogue
I was still trying to adjust to being back home after the Ranch.
My apartment felt smaller somehow, quieter, though I’d tucked pieces of my “little space” into the corners–the beanbag Daddy had insisted I keep, the star projector lamp, even a couple of books she’d snuck into my bag. It helped, but it wasn’t the same.
A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts. I frowned, tugging at the hem of my sweater as I padded over. When I opened the door, my breath caught.
Emerson stood there, grinning, dressed in dark jeans and a button-up that made him look older than his years but still completely himself. In his hands was a small bouquet of wildflowers, stems wrapped in twine.
“Hi,” he said, almost shy but steady at the same time. “I’m here to take you out.”
My heart thumped hard, confused for half a second. Then I noticed the figure beside him.
Daddy.
She was radiant, dressed in a soft blue dress shirt that skimmed her curves and black capri’s, her hair swept back like she’d taken her time with it just for tonight.
No Daddy look was complete without fresh sneakers.
She looked at me with that knowing smile, the one that always made me feel seen all the way through.
The pieces clicked, and suddenly I was laughing through the warmth rising in my chest. “Wait—you two planned this?”
Emerson smirked a little. “Well, I had help,” he said, nodding toward Daddy. “But yeah. I figured you deserved a real date. One where you don’t have to think about driving class or if I’ll be fine at home alone. Just you, me, and Mama.”
“Okay. When you asked if I was free to go out, I thought you meant the two of us.” I said to Daddy. “This is even better though.”
Emerson lifted the flowers toward me, his hand only trembling a little. “And I got these for you.”
The lump in my throat nearly stopped me, but I took them, pressing them close to my chest. “They’re beautiful.”
Daddy gestured for me to come out and then her hand brushed down the small of my back, steadying me as my emotions threatened to spill over. “You ready, little one?” she asked softly.
I looked between them—my Daddy, my Emerson—both of them waiting for me, both of them dressed up and smiling like this was the most normal thing in the world.
And all I could do was beam back at them.
“Yes,” I said, my voice breaking into a grin. “I’m ready.”
Emerson offered his arm, Daddy caught my other hand, and just like that, I was swept into the night with the two people who made me feel like I finally belonged.
The night had been better than I could’ve planned.
Emerson had outdone himself, planning the little date with flowers, dinner, and even a playlist for the car ride.
Watching Sera glow between us—her laughter spilling out freely, her eyes wide with joy—made every sharp edge of the past few months feel worth it.
Later, when she was tucked against me on the couch, her hair smelling faintly of the shampoo she’d borrowed from me, I let my mind wander to the other conversations that had finally settled into place.
Emerson was staying with me full time now.
Audrey and I had gone back and forth for weeks, and in the end she’d admitted what I already knew—she wasn’t in the right headspace to parent him the way he needed.
She promised that once she found her footing again, she’d reach out to set up visitation.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. Emerson needed stability, and I was more than willing to give it to him.
My gaze drifted down to Sera, her cheek resting on my chest. She didn’t know everything I’d been juggling in the background—and that was by design. I wanted her free to focus on herself, her healing, and us.
Her father had called again that afternoon.
This time, it wasn’t with apologies or questions.
He wanted to have dinner with us later in the week.
“Us” meaning me and Sera. He said he wanted to meet me, to see for himself who his daughter had chosen.
Josephina would be there too, mostly to keep him in check, though she admitted she was curious about me herself.
I hadn’t told Sera yet. There was no sense in winding her up with nerves over something that couldn’t be avoided. I’d wait until the day was closer. Until then, I would keep her mind occupied, her shoulders loose, her little heart protected.
As for her mother? She still wasn’t on board. She probably never would be. And that was okay. I wasn’t here to win her over. My loyalty was to the girl asleep in my arms, the one who’d fought so hard to belong to herself.
I brushed a strand of hair from Sera’s forehead and kissed it softly.
Whatever was waiting for us—family dinners, uneasy conversations, or more obstacles—we’d face it. Together.
And I was standing on that.
I looked down at her hands and wondered…
What size ring does she wear?
Seraphina had decided to push back her Disney Cruise plans because she wanted to extend her travel time, which would cost more. I couldn’t help the plan that was already unfolding. What better way to propose to her than by taking her on her dream trip? Or is that where we should get married?
The End