Epilogue
Callum
To say I’m in love is an understatement. I never knew love could feel like this—like something out of a storybook, but not the cliché kind with dragons and knights. No, this feels more like the kind where you find someone who makes the everyday moments extraordinary. Violet looked absolutely stunning today—so effortlessly beautiful that I could hardly breathe when she walked down the aisle. And now, as we sit here wrapped in an oversized quilt, gazing at the stars, I can’t help but feel like I’ve got everything I’ll ever need in this life.
Her head rests against my shoulder, her body curled into mine as we sit on the porch of our place. The sky is clear, the stars brighter than I’ve ever noticed, and the air smells like fresh evergreens and the lingering scent of the evening’s barbecue. Our family and friends had scattered not long ago after celebrating with us, leaving behind a trail of laughter and memories that made today more perfect than I could’ve imagined.
I look down at Violet, her red hair glowing in the soft moonlight, and I can't resist brushing a strand away from her face. "So, Mrs. Bossman," I tease, my voice low and full of affection, "what do you think? Did today meet your expectations?"
She looks up at me with that mischievous smile that always drives me crazy, her eyes twinkling. "Hmm," she says, pretending to think. "It was decent. I mean, the groom wasn’t bad-looking, so I guess that helped."
I laugh, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Just decent, huh? I’m gonna have to step up my game then."
She grins, nudging me with her elbow. "Please, you knocked it out of the park. It was perfect. And I’m not just saying that because I’m legally obligated to now."
I chuckle, my heart swelling at the lightness between us, the playful banter that’s become so natural. "Good to know you’re not just sticking around because of the paperwork."
She snuggles in closer, resting her hand on my chest. "Well, I’m definitely sticking around for more than the paperwork. There’s also the ranch… and the brewery... and maybe a tiny bit of you too."
"Just a tiny bit, huh?"
She tilts her head up, that mischievous gleam returning to her eyes. "All right, maybe more than a tiny bit. Maybe, like, a lot."
"Good," I say, my fingers tracing idle patterns along her arm. "Because you’re stuck with me now. No take-backs."
We fall into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the crickets and the occasional distant call of an owl filling the night. The stars above us seem to shine brighter with every passing moment, like they’re putting on a show just for us.
"So," I say, breaking the peaceful quiet, "what’s next for us, Mrs. Bossman? Now that we’ve tied the knot and survived all the family chaos."
She exhales softly, the sound full of contentment. "I think we’ve got a good start. The ranch is doing great, the brewery’s thriving. Maybe a few more spontaneous star-gazing nights like this... and who knows? Maybe one day we’ll add a couple of little ones running around, keeping us on our toes."
I raise an eyebrow, turning to look at her. "Little ones, huh? That sounds like a whole new level of chaos."
She shrugs, but there’s a softness in her eyes as she gazes up at me. "Could be fun."
"Fun? You’re talking about mini versions of you and me. That’s dangerous territory."
"Exactly," she says with a grin. "What could be more exciting?"
I shake my head, laughing softly as I pull her even closer. "Okay, I’m in. But you know, if they turn out to be troublemakers, I’m blaming you."
"Deal," she says, her laugh joining mine. "But I think we’ll manage. After all, we make a pretty great team."
I nod, my heart full, thinking about everything we’ve built together—from the ranch to the brewery to this life we’re creating, piece by piece. It’s not just the big moments like today that make it special—it’s everything in between. The quiet nights, the shared dreams, and the unspoken understanding that we’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.
"Today was perfect," I finally say, my voice soft as I kiss the top of her head. "I couldn’t ask for more. All the people I love were here... but most importantly, you were here."
She smiles, her eyes softening as she looks up at me. "And I always will be."
With the stars twinkling above us and the future laid out before us, I realize this is it—our happily ever after. No dragons, no knights, just us. And it’s better than any storybook ending I could’ve ever imagined.