Epilogue
Owen
October 31 st —One Year Later
The crisp October air is alive with the familiar sounds and scents of Halloween in Midnight Falls—children’s laughter, leaves crunching underfoot, and the faint aroma of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and woodsmoke wafting from the decorated houses lining the streets. But it all fades into the background as I take in the sight before me.
Willow’s parents’ house has been transformed into a veritable Halloween wonderland. Orange and purple lights drape over the porch railings, glowing pumpkins of every shape and size line the walkway, and hand-carved wooden witches, ghosts, and black cats stand guard around the yard. The grand finale is a massive, grinning jack-o'-lantern that dominates the front steps—one that I carved earlier today.
And now, beneath the twinkling lights, in front of her family and friends, I’m about to ask the woman I love more than life to be my wife.
Willow stands on the front porch, chatting animatedly with her mom, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She’s glowing tonight, dressed in a black velvet dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, her hair a cascade of fiery waves tumbling over her shoulders. I can’t take my eyes off her.
One year. That’s how long it’s been since I came back to Midnight Falls—since I walked into her bakery and realized that she was still everything I ever wanted and more. It’s been a year of rebuilding, of healing old wounds, of proving to her that I’m here to stay.
My parents' house sold quickly to Linda, of all people. She’d been looking for a place for her and her son, Billy, for a while, having outgrown her tiny apartment above the florist shop. I’m glad it’s someone local, and I know she and Billy will have many happy years there.
My job at the high school has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. Teaching biology to a bunch of rowdy teenagers keeps me on my toes, but I love it. There’s a satisfaction in watching their eyes light up when they finally grasp a difficult concept or when we delve into a fascinating topic like the ecology of our own Midnight Falls forest. I’ve built a life here that feels right—solid and permanent.
And Willow? Her bakery has gone from strength to strength. The Bewitched Bakery is the place to be in town now, her shelves stocked with everything from cookies to cakes, all with her signature creative flair. I’m so damn proud of her. She’s worked her ass off, and it shows.
We’ve talked about the future—about houses, kids, and what comes next. But tonight, I’m taking it a step further. I’m done waiting.
Taking a deep breath, I step onto the porch, drawing everyone’s attention. Willow’s gaze snaps to mine, and I see the flicker of curiosity in her green eyes.
“Can I steal you for a moment?” I ask, my voice steady despite the wild thumping of my heart.
She nods, frowning slightly as I take her hand and guide her to the center of the yard. The crowd around us murmurs, a few soft laughs and whispers of anticipation filling the air.
“Everyone,” I say, raising my voice slightly to be heard. “I’m sorry to interrupt the festivities, but I have something important to say.”
Willow glances around, confusion mingling with a hint of amusement. “Owen, what are you doing?”
I take a deep breath, dropping to one knee as I reach into my pocket for the small velvet box I’ve been carrying around all day. The crowd gasps, and Willow’s eyes widen, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Willow Winters,” I begin, my voice low but clear. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. You’ve been the one constant in my life, the one person who makes everything make sense. Coming back to Midnight Falls was the best decision I ever made because it led me back to you.”
Her eyes shine, brimming with unshed tears, and my throat tightens.
“I want to spend my life with you, Low. I want to wake up every morning beside you, build a home with you, have a family with you. You’re my heart, my best friend, my everything. So… will you marry me?”
I flip open the box, revealing the ring I chose—a delicate vintage-style band set with a single diamond flanked by tiny emeralds that remind me of her eyes.
The world seems to stand still as Willow stares down at me, her mouth open, her hand trembling. I see the exact moment it sinks in, the moment she realizes I’m serious.
“Yes,” she breathes, her voice breaking. “Yes, Owen, I’ll marry you.”
The crowd erupts in cheers, but all I hear is her. My Willow. My Low. My soon-to-be wife .
I slide the ring onto her finger with shaky hands, then surge to my feet, pulling her into my arms and kissing her deeply, ignoring the whoops and catcalls around us. She melts into me, her arms winding around my neck as we lose ourselves in the moment.
“I love you,” she whispers when we finally break apart, her eyes glowing in the soft light of the Halloween decorations.
“I love you, Low,” I murmur, resting my forehead against hers. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“Does this mean we’re planning a big wedding here in Midnight Falls?” she teases, brushing her nose against mine.
“Absolutely,” I reply, grinning. “But I was also thinking… after the wedding, how about we take some time off? Maybe a long honeymoon? You’ve always talked about seeing Europe—Paris, Rome, Vienna. Let’s do it. Just the two of us.”
Her eyes widen again, and then she’s laughing, a joyous, carefree sound that fills my heart to bursting. “ You mean it?”
“More than anything,” I say softly. “We deserve a little adventure, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” she whispers, her smile radiant. “Oh, Owen, yes. I want that so much.”
“Then it’s a plan,” I murmur, kissing her again as the world around us fades to a blur of twinkling lights and happy faces.
I hear a familiar chuckle behind us and turn to see Mark, grinning like a fool, his arm wrapped around a brunette I’ve never met before. He gives me a thumbs-up, and I laugh, nodding in thanks. His presence tonight means the world—after all, it was his tech wizardry that finally nailed Matthew Crane’s ass to the wall.
And now he’s exactly where he belongs: serving time in state prison. With the mountain of evidence we had—thanks to Mark—Matthew was charged with everything from stalking to harassment, and he didn’t stand a chance in court. He was sentenced to eight years with no parole. We finally have peace of mind, knowing he can’t come anywhere near Willow again.
But tonight isn’t about the past. It’s about us, our future, and the life we’re building together.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Melvyn leaning on his cane, his face a mask of stoic gruffness that can’t quite hide the smile lurking beneath. He gives me a sharp nod of approval, and I return it, silently thanking him for being the grounding force I needed when I first got back.
“Congrats, sonny,” he grumbles when I approach him later, Willow’s hand still clutched tightly in mine. “’Bout time you did things right.”
“Thanks, Melvyn,” I say sincerely, squeezing Willow’s hand. “Means a lot coming from you.”
He huffs, his blue eyes twinkling. “Well, don’t think I’ll go easy on you now just because you’re gettin’ hitched, but at least you two figured it out.”
Willow laughs softly, reaching up to kiss Melvyn’s cheek. “Thanks, Melvyn.”
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of congratulations, laughter, and more than a few happy tears. And through it all, Willow stays by my side, her hand in mine, her smile never leaving her face .
I look around at the glowing pumpkins, the smiling faces of family and friends, and know I’m the luckiest man alive.
I send up a silent prayer, thanking Mom and Dad for always looking out for me, for their love and support. And for guiding me back to Midnight Falls and my Low.
Tonight isn’t simply All Hallows Eve.
It’s the beginning of forever.
Thank you for reading Midnight Lessons. If you enjoyed Willow and Owen’s story, please consider leaving a review wherever you purchased or borrowed this book.