Chapter 33 The Heartbeat of Beanstalk
The Heartbeat of Beanstalk
GAbrIEL
Getting away with Millie and Aura for a few days was exactly what we needed. We’ve been home for a few days now, and Millie is consumed with work at the cafe and planning our wedding.
I’m in the cafe, the soft hum of the espresso machine fills the space, blending with the low murmur of early-morning customers.
I lean against the counter, wiping down a few stray crumbs, watching Millie as she moves through the room.
There’s an ease about her now, a lightness in the way she walks like she’s finally settled into our little life together.
The engagement still feels like a dream.
Being able to celebrate in Costa Rica was surreal. Waking up with her in my arms, seeing Aura’s bright smile each morning as we watched the sun rise over the ocean. Those moments…I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my life as I want this—us.
I can’t help but smile as I watch Millie greet a couple of regulars with that infectious energy of hers.
It’s effortless for her. She doesn’t even have to try to make everyone feel like family.
I’ve always been drawn to how she takes care of people—like she’s the missing piece for all of us, filling the spaces between the cracks of our lives.
Even the regulars notice. Yesterday, Mrs. Donnelly—who’s been coming here since opening day, told Millie “There’s magic in this place, but it’s mostly coming from you.
” Millie brushed it off in the moment, but I could tell it meant something to here.
She is the heartbeat of Beanstalk and everyone knows it.
Millie gazes from across the room, her brow furrowed as she arranges a few pastries. “Everything ok?” She asks, her voice light, but I know her well enough to hear the underlying question there.
I give her a small smile, sensing her need for space but unable to ignore that quiet worry in the back of my mind. “Yeah, just checking in. You’ve been a little quiet today.”
She hesitates, just for a moment, before giving me one of her signature smiles, but it doesn’t reach the eyes like it normally does.
“I’m fine, babe. Just a lot going on, I guess.
” She shakes her head like she’s dismissing it, but I know her better than that.
“The cafe is doing better than I expected, but I think I need a bit of a break from everything. Just breathe, you know?”
I nod slowly, my chest tightening at the thought of her feeling burdened.
Our time in Costa Rica, after the proposal, had been a dream.
But now, back to reality, I can see how much weight she’s carrying—between the cafe, the wedding planning, and everything else that’s suddenly fallen into place for us. It’s a lot.
“Well, you’ve got me,” I say, reaching across the counter to take her hand in mine. Her fingers are warm, and I give them a gentle squeeze. “Whatever you need, I’m here. We’re in this together. No rush on anything.”
She looks at me, her eyes softening. “Thanks, Babe. I really do appreciate it.”
I smile at her, a little relieved, but something about the way she still seems distant makes me wonder if she really believes it or if it’s just one of those things she says to keep the peace. I don’t want her to feel like she has to put on a brave face for me.
She’s been doing that a lot more lately—smoothing her face into calm when I know her thoughts are anything but. Even in bed when her body presses close to mine, I can tell her mind is miles away.
Before I can say anything else, she’s already moving to help a customer. I watch her go, the lines of her body carrying a slight tension I don’t think she’s aware of. I can’t help but feel that I’m missing something—maybe I’m not being as present as I should be.
I decide to send a message to her family, planning a dinner for tonight to try and boost her spirits.
The dinner table is a familiar sight. It’s the kind of setting where stories are told, laughter spills freely, and the warmth of family fills the room.
Tonight, it’s a full house at the Feely’s—Millie’s family, all gathered around in the comfort of their dining room.
The table is set with her mom’s roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and the kind of comfort food that makes you feel like everything’s going to be ok, no matter what.
Millie’s mom, Claire, is in the kitchen still adding a few last touches to the meal, her apron tucked neatly around her waists as she hums a tune I’ve heard a hundred times. I can already smell the garlic and herbs filling the air. It smells like home.
Millie, sitting beside me, looks relaxed, but there’s something about how her eyes flicker from person to person.
Checking in on everyone makes me realize again how much she carries.
It’s the same way she looks at me when she’s worried or when she’s protective, but tonight, she’s mostly glowing.
She’s right where she’s meant to be, and I can feel it in the air.
Reuben’s teasing Asher about something—probably another one of his overly dramatic jokes—and I can hear Kenna’s laugh from across the table. It’s that kind of dinner—loud, lively, and filled with the kind of warmth only family can provide.
And then I glance down at the high chair where my daughter is sitting, happily banging her spoon against the tray. Aura’s wearing a tiny fall printed dress that is way too cute for anyone’s good, and her eyes are wide, taking in the chaos like it’s just another day.
When Haley left, I never dreamed that my daughter would have this kind of life. One filled with family—aunts, uncles, grandparents—fills me with so much happiness.
Aura reaches up and makes grabby hands towards Millie. “Mama,” she says, her voice a soft, sweet murmur.
Millie turns, her heart melting at the sound of Aura’s voice. “What’s up, Sweets?” She asks, lifting Aura from the chair and placing her on her lap.
Aura’s small hand reaches up and tugs at Millie’s necklace. She giggles, and it’s like everything else falls away for a moment.
“Don’t break it, sweetheart,” Millie chuckles, but there’s so much love in her voice it’s almost tangible.
Claire peeks in from the kitchen, a knowing smile on her face. “She’s already got expensive taste,” she jokes. “She takes after her mama.”
Millie laughs. “Let’s just hope she doesn’t develop a coffee habit by two years old.”
Reuben chimes in. “Gosh, we’d be broke before she got to preschool.” Everyone laughs, the sound echoing through the room.
Asher, who’s already halfway through his second helping of potatoes, looks at us and says, “So, speaking of Mama, when are you two gonna get married?”
Mille glances at me, and I can’t help but smile at her. There’s a small, almost bashful look in her eyes—she doesn’t know how to break the news. I can feel the tension in the room shift as everyone looks at us, waiting for an answer.
“We’ve been talking about specific dates. I mean, we told you guys we want to do it around Christmas in a few months, but I think we are gonna choose the twenty-first.” She says, holding Aura close, her thumb brushing gently over her cheek.
I lean forward, grinning. “It’s time to get down to business, fam.”
Kenna, who’s leaning against the island, sipping her wine, raises an eyebrow. “You’re not getting out of planning, Mills. Plus, if you don’t pick a wedding planner, I call dibs on being it.”
Millie laughs, rolling her eyes playfully. “You can’t be the wedding planner, Ken. You’ll probably make it all about you.”
Kenna smirks. “I always make it about me. That’s how it works, Mills. But I’m so happy you’re happy.”
Millie smiles, her eyes brightening. “I am, Ken. I’m really happy with everything, with Gabriel…
with us.” She reaches out to take my hand under the table.
The subtle way she touches me, the way her fingers squeeze mine like she wants to remind herself I’m here—here with her and her family, in this chaotic, loud, and so real moment.
Claire raises her glass. “To Millie and Gabriel. And Aura, who officially made us all softies.”
Everyone joins in the toast. Aura claps along not a clue to what’s going on, just happy to be included.
The rest of dinner is full of laughter and love. The conversation flows easily between bites of food, the sound of Aura giggling as she tries to grab my fork, and the comfort of family.
The house is quiet when we walk in, the only sound being the soft click of the door as I close it behind us.
The night has settled in, a calm after the whirlwind of dinner, We’ve been surrounded by love, teasing, questions about the wedding, and enough laughter to fill a thousand rooms. But now it’s just us, our little family of three.
I glance at Millie as I set my keys on the table, the weight of the evening still hanging in the air, but in a good way. She’s kicking off her shoes, letting out a small sigh, her tired eyes looking back at me with that familiar warmth. We both know what’s coming next—putting Aura down for bed.
Its a ritual we’ve since grown into, one that’s somehow both grounding and exhilarating at the same time.
Aura’s bath is filled with lavender bubbles. Millie hums a lullaby while washing her hair. I dry her off and wrap her in her favorite bunny towel. We do this together in a quiet rhythm. It’s not glamorous, but it’s everything.
Once Aura is tucked into bed, Millie and I find ourselves on the couch. She leans against me, and I can feel her relax as she unwinds on me. I can sense the worry in the way she’s chewing her lip.
“Bumper,” I say softly, breaking the silence. I pull her closer, enough to feel her heartbeat against mine. “If you want to hire more people to take on the responsibilities at the cafe, do that.”
For a moment, she doesn’t answer. Her eyes shift to the floor, her fingers continuing to make gently movements on my chest. Then, finally her voice breaks the quiet, barely a whisper.
“I don’t know, Gab,” she begins, her words slow, like she’s trying to figure it out herself. “ I think I’m just overthinking everything. The cafe, the wedding, the custody, us. It’s like everything’s happening so fast, and I don’t know how to slow it down.
I let out a quiet breath, wishing I could take some of the weight off her shoulders. “We don’t have to rush anything, Millie. I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together, no matter what.”
She looks at me then, her eyes filled with something that feels like relief. “You always know exactly what to say,” she whispers.
I shake my head, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not about what I say, Bumper. It’s about what we do. And I’m here with you every step of the way.”
She leans in, her lips brushing mine in a kiss so soft, so tender, it’s almost like I can feel her soul in it.
And for a long moment, we stay there with her body curled into mine. The world finally slowing down just like Millie wished it would. In this moment, we are just two people in love, clinging to the little things that remind us we’re not alone.