Epilogue
One Year Later
“Mom.” Lexi barges into my room. “We’re going to be late. We’ve been waiting on you for like thirty minutes.”
“You have a license now. You and Abby can head up there.” I’m putting on the final touches of my makeup. It’s going to be hard to top last year’s look for the annual Valentine’s dinner at Starlit Fields, but I think I accomplished it. “I can drive up there myself. It’s not like it’s far.”
“I know, but Peter and Piper said we have to get there at a specific time. There’s no point in all of us taking our vehicles when we’re coming back to the same place.”
She’s not wrong. Peter’s staying here for a while. He’s doing renovations on his house to add on some rooms and bathrooms before we move in with him. We toyed with idea of him moving in here, but Lexi said she’d rather have her room at Peter’s.
“Okay. Can you get my shrug? I’m not making the same mistake this year.”
“Yep. I’ll even get the car started as long as you’re almost done.”
“Give me two minutes.”
She runs off to start the car. They are working with the catering crew to earn extra money for the holidays. Her and Abby are also trying to save money to take a trip after they graduate in a year and a half. I’m not ready to let her go, but I think I’ve done a great job raising her.
I finish applying my lipstick and stand to look at the full effect. Perfect. It’s not as short as the one last year but accentuates all the areas Peter loves. It is still red, though.
Lexi hands me my shrug as soon as I’m in the living room. “Can we go now?”
She’s acting off tonight. Maybe it’s nerves because she’s working, but I feel like it’s something more. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.
It doesn’t take us long to get to Peter’s parent’s house. They aren’t here. They decided to do a couples cruise after being home for a while. I don’t blame them. They are doing things they enjoy together, and I can’t wait to experience that stage of life with Peter.
Lexi turns off the car and gets out. “We have to get something from their backyard. Piper said she needs it for the dinner.”
Weird. But I don’t argue with her. Piper does unconventional things when it comes to marketing and events for the winery. Business continues to grow, and they’re hiring more people all the time.
I follow my daughter and her best friend to the backyard, unsure if they need help with what we’re getting. My heels clack along the pathway in the stillness of the night and I come to a stop as soon as we’re through the gate.
Peter is standing next to the picnic table we also used to gather around for snacks in the summer. There are lights strung across the backyard and the girls are nowhere in sight.
“Where did the girls go? They said they needed something for the event.”
“They’re around.” He rushes over to me and his eyes trail my entire body. “You look stunning. I need to pick up my game if I’m going to look good on your arm.”
I roll my eyes and look around the yard. “What do we need to get? Your sister will blow a gasket if we’re not there soon.”
“Come with me.” He takes my hand in his and I follow him to the table we sat at when we were kids.
In the dim light I can see where each Summers kid has carved their name into the top. I run my free hand along the grooves until Peter stops on the other end. My name and Lexi’s have been added to the table. The cuts look fresh and I wonder when he did it.
“We spent so much of childhood together. Many of those days ended here.” He turns toward me and gets down on one knee.
Oh my God. He’s not…no, he can’t be. “It’s about time we added your names to the table since you’re a part of this family now.
I love you more than anything. You, and Lexi, brought me back to life.
Made me see there’s more to it than working and trying to prove myself.
All I want to do is show you how much I love every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
I refuse to admit how much I’ve dreamed of hearing that specific question from Peter. From when I was a lovesick teenager daydreaming about our future together to the day he came back into my life, no matter how hard I tried to fight it.
“Yes, Peter.” He slides the ring on my finger. The perfect fit. He scoops me up as he stands and twirls me around. Clapping comes from everywhere around us. My lips meet his as he sets me down to continued cheers.
“That would have been really embarrassing if you said no.” He smiles down at me.
“There isn’t a lifetime where that would have happened.
” I glance around at the faces of all his brothers and sisters, even Pierce.
Things are still rocky between them, but he’s here, and that’s all that matters.
Piper has a phone in her hand, and I can hear their parents yelling congratulations.
Miles is leaning on the fence grinning. As if he knew this would happen all along.
Lexi rushes up and throws her arms around us. “Finally. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been keeping this secret?”
“The two of you have got to stop plotting.” I say to both of them.
Peter has the decency to look as if he’s in trouble. Lexi shakes her head. “Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.”
“Crap.” Piper yells. “Sorry, Mom and Dad. But we have to go. Have fun on your cruise.” She ends the call before they have a chance to say anything. “Everyone to the main building. We have an event to put on.”
Each person gives us a hug as they hurry to the golf carts waiting on the other side of the fence. I’m not sure how I didn’t see them. They leave one behind.
“I’ll see you later Callie.” Miles wraps me in a hug.
“Are you going to the event?” It’s not really his scene, and he doesn’t look to be dressed for the occasion.
“Hell no.” He laughs and lets me go. “I don’t want to tempt fate into finding me someone to date. I’m happy as I am.”
“Well, have fun with whatever you’re doing.”
He gives a quick wave and leaves the backyard. Both of us watch him go before Peter turns to me once again.
“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” Peter kisses my forehead.
“Me too. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me in the last year.”
“And I’ll keep doing it.” He glances at the golf cart. “We better get going. Piper will lose it if we’re not up there soon.”
“We definitely don’t want to make her mad.” I glance at my shoes and the grass between us the cart. “Any chance you want to carry me so my heels don’t sink.”
“I’ll carry you anywhere.” He bends down cradles me in his arms to ease the journey for me. “Is Lexi staying with Abby tonight?”
“I think so.” I’m not sure where he’s going with this line of questioning.
“Good. When we leave here. I want you in nothing but those heels.”
Oh. “You can count on it.”
Every day he shows me how much he wants me. How beautiful he thinks I am, stretch marks and all. He’s broken every insecurity I had about myself and welcomed my daughter with open arms. Sometimes the wait is worth it.