15. Epilogue- Three Years Later
SILAS
I adjust my tie in the reflection of the shop window, watching Harper fuss with the display inside. Even after three years of marriage, the sight of her still makes my heart skip a beat. Her brow is furrowed in concentration as she rearranges a display of pink dog sweaters for the tenth time this morning.
"My love, the store looks perfect," I call out as I push open the door, the little bell jingling overhead. "You've got to relax a bit."
Harper turns to me, her eyes wide with excitement and nerves. "I know, I know. I just want everything to be perfect for the grand opening."
I cross the room and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close. The scent of her lavender shampoo fills my senses. "It will be perfect because you’ve planned it to be," I murmur, kissing her forehead softly. "London won't know what hit it when you open the doors."
She leans into me, letting out a shaky breath. "I still can't believe we're really doing this. Opening an In the Pink in London… it's like a dream. I know this is the fourth one, but I planned this location specifically when my Park Avenue location was still under renovation."
I chuckle, remembering the nights I watched Harper hard at work, seething that she’d ruin my aesthetic and drop the value of my flagship hotel. We couldn't have been more different or ill-suited for one another, but the universe gives you what you need—even when you don’t understand why. Within weeks, she went from the bane of my existence to the love of my life.
Harper pulls back slightly, her eyes shining. "Do you still think it’s a ridiculous concept for a store?" She reaches up, straightening my tie with a smirk.
I shake my head and bring her into my embrace, crushing my lips to hers. “Nothing you do is ridiculous.” I stop to look around at the bright pink decor and smile. “I still think it’s way too much pink, but I’d never say it’s ridiculous.”
"Thank you, Silas. Thank you for coming around, believing in me, and loving me so much.”
"Always," I reply, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "Now, what do you say we grab coffee before the madness begins?"
Harper nods, a smile breaking through her nervous expression. As we step out onto the busy London street, hand in hand, I can't help but feel like the luckiest man alive. “I’ve got a surprise for you, baby.”
“What?” Harper excitedly skips onto the crosswalk, playfully looking over her shoulder as I follow closely.
"So," I begin, trying to sound casual, "I was thinking. Once all the craziness of the opening dies down, maybe we could take a little trip. Just the two of us."
She looks up at me, curiosity in her eyes. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"
"Well," I say, my heart rate picking up slightly. “I was thinking Scotland. It's beautiful this time of year. We could rent a cozy cottage in the Highlands, do some hiking, and see the sights." I pause, gathering my courage. And maybe… start working on our family."
I hold my breath, watching her reaction. We've discussed having kids before, but always as a distant someday. Now, I'm ready. More than ready. I just hope she feels the same.
A blush creeps up Harper's cheeks. She bites her lip, trying to hide her smile. "I’m all for Scotland, but about that family…"
“You’re not ready?” My heart sinks, but I try to hide my disappointment. I’m fifteen years older than Harper and it’s no surprise she’d need more time before drastically altering her life.
She pulls back slightly, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Baby number one is already on their way, but I’m all for pretending if you planned to do something special to knock me up."
My smile widens as I wrap my arm around her waist and steal a kiss. “I promise, I won’t let you down.”
“You never do.”