42. Epilogue
Epilogue
Nova
T he Sunday before Christmas, Savannah was unusually warm for that time of year, so when Anson suggested another walking tour of a historic house, it seemed like a fun activity.
When we pulled up to a historic home by the river, I felt a wave of déjà vu wash over me. The elegant white columns and the sweeping porch looked just as beautiful as I remembered. I turned to Anson, puzzled.
"We've already been here. Are we taking the tour again?"
He smiled, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "Somethin' like that, Sugar."
We stepped out of the car, and I noticed that the usual crowd of tourists was missing. The house stood silent as if waiting just for us. Anson took my hand and led me up the steps, and through the grand front door.
"Anson, where is everyone?" I asked, my curiosity growing.
He squeezed my hand gently. "Patience, darlin'."
He opened the front door, and led me to the living room, where we had once stood listening to the guide's stories about the house's history.
He stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face me, a serious yet tender expression on his face. Before I could ask what was going on, he dropped to one knee, and pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket.
My heart raced, surprise and anticipation flooding my senses. "Anson, what are you doing?"
We had been dating, this time around, for a few months only. We weren't ready to get married. I knew we would get there, eventually, but we were still working toward it.
He opened the box, revealing a simple, elegant key resting on a velvet cushion.
"Nova, this house is ours. I bought it for us. We're not getting married just yet," he chuckled when he saw the relief on my face, "cause you're not ready, but I want to start our happy for now, to work toward our happily ever after."
Tears welled up in my eyes as the significance of his words sank in. He understood me. He wasn't giving me a hard time for still being careful with my heart. But he was asking for us to start our future now, in a house that he knew I'd fallen in love with.
I looked at Anson, his eyes filled with love and hope, and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy.
"This house is a bribe, isn't it?" I joked tremulously.
"Fuck, yeah."
"We're already building a life, honey, but I'd love to live with you here in this fucking fantastic and amazing house."
He stood up, took the key out of the box and placed it in my hand.
"Welcome home, Nova."