Second Epilogue
Callie–one year later
The warm glow of late afternoon sunlight streams through the tall windows of Devil’s Peak Lodge, spilling golden hues across the gathering. The hum of laughter and chatter fills the air, punctuated by the occasional burst of giggles from kids darting around tables and chairs. The place is alive, a celebration that feels like a living, breathing thing.
I stand near the large fireplace, leaning against the stone mantle, watching Liam cradling our twins with a tenderness that never fails to steal my breath. Alexander and Allison, our perfect little miracles, are swaddled in matching blankets, their tiny hands curling and uncurling as Liam coos softly to them.
“Look at you, Mr. Grayson,” I tease, walking over to him. “Big, grumpy blacksmith reduced to a puddle of mush by two tiny humans.”
His lips twitch, the faintest hint of a smirk ghosting across his face. “Don’t let it get around. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
I grin, reaching out to brush a hand across Allison’s impossibly soft cheek. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
The sound of Zane Warner clearing his throat draws our attention to the front of the room. He’s climbed onto a chair, a glass of whiskey in hand, his usual mischievous grin firmly in place.
“Oh no,” Liam mutters under his breath. “Here we go.”
Zane’s voice booms over the din, silencing the room. “All right, everyone, settle down. I’ve got something to say, and I promise it’ll be worth your time—or at least worth the whiskey I’m holding.”
The crowd chuckles, and someone from the back shouts, “Get on with it, Warner!”
Zane winks in their direction. “First off, let’s give a big round of applause to Liam and Callie for giving Devil’s Peak not one, but two new residents to terrorize us all in about ten years.”
The room erupts into laughter and cheers, and Liam shakes his head, his smile soft despite his grumbling. I press my hand against his arm, feeling the tension there ease as he relaxes under my touch.
Zane raises his glass, his tone growing more serious. “But on a real note, these two? They’re something special. I’ve known Liam since he was a moody teenager who thought he could fix every problem by hammering it into submission.” The crowd laughs again, and Zane flashes a grin. “And Callie? She was the girl who brought joy into every room, even when she didn’t realize it.”
A lump forms in my throat, and I glance at Liam, whose jaw tightens just slightly. His eyes, though, are softer than I’ve ever seen them.
Zane takes a breath, his smile turning nostalgic. “I like to think I had a hand in this. I mean, if we’re being honest, I’m the one who dared Liam to pass that note to Callie back in seventh grade.”
The crowd laughs and cheers, and Zane raises his glass higher. “So yeah, I’m taking credit for this love story. Because when you know, you know. Even if you’re just a couple of awkward kids making a marriage pact.”
The room erupts into applause, the sound almost deafening. Liam shakes his head, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest.
“He’s never going to let us live that down,” he murmurs.
“Probably not,” I agree, my voice soft. “But maybe he’s earned it.”
Liam glances at me, his eyes searching mine. “You okay?”
I nod, my chest tightening with the kind of happiness that feels almost too big to hold. “Better than okay.”
Zane steps down from the chair, the crowd beginning to mingle again as the band strikes up a lively tune. Kids dart between tables, their laughter a soundtrack to the celebration. Liam hands Alexander to me, his fingers brushing mine in a way that sends a shiver up my spine.
“Let’s sit for a bit,” he says, guiding me toward a quiet corner near the large bay windows. The view of Phantom River in the distance is breathtaking, the water shimmering under the fading sunlight.
We settle onto a cushioned bench, Liam pulling me close as I cradle Alexander in my arms. Allison sleeps soundly against his chest, her tiny face nestled into the crook of his neck.
“You ever think about how we got here?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Every damn day,” he replies, his tone low and rough. “Still can’t believe I got this lucky.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “Lucky? Liam, you’ve been through so much. You deserve this. All of it.”
He leans down, pressing his forehead against mine. “You’re the one who made me believe that. You walked into my life and turned everything upside down, and now… now I can’t imagine a day without you.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away, smiling instead. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“Good,” he murmurs, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that’s soft but full of promises.
The band shifts to a slower song, the melody filling the room with a gentle rhythm. Liam stands, holding a now-snoozing Allison carefully. “Come on,” he says, extending a hand. “Let’s dance.”
“With the babies?” I ask, laughing.
“With the babies,” he confirms, his grin widening.
I take his hand, and he leads me back to the center of the room. The crowd parts for us, and we sway together, the twins nestled between us. The moment feels almost surreal, like a snapshot from a life I never dared to dream.
“You’re mine. Always.”
As the song ends and the applause rises around us, I look up at Liam, my heart full.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being you. For this life. For everything.”
He kisses me again, his touch as sure and steady as the man himself. And in that moment, surrounded by our friends, our family, and the love we’ve built, I know one thing for certain: we’re forged in fire, and nothing will ever break us.
The End.