Epilogue
Ethan
“ Take a deep breath,” Danielle, Natalie’s best friend, places a hand on my shoulder as I pace the grounds, casting a glance at the arch leading into the smaller garden. “You’re going to be fine, I promise.”
She abandons me when I don’t take her advice, going to sit and shoving a grape into her mouth and muttering something under her breath.
I catch a couple of words: “ Mafia… scared? Strange.”
It makes me chuckle, breaking the tension for a moment. I’ve never been nervous about anything in my life, not even when my company and inheritance were at stake.
Planning a perfect proposal, on the other hand? I can feel the sweat beads dotted on my forehead.
“If you want to worry about something,” Danielle calls out, “then you should spend your mental energy thinking of how to stop the waterworks when they begin.”
Right. I stop, whirling around with my shoulders squared in attention. “What do you suggest I do?”
She shrugs. Shoves another grape into her mouth. “I wish I could offer some magic trick, but if you keep a bunch of tissues on hand, you’ll keep your shirt dry for a couple of hours.”
I’m nervous. Excited. Anxious. More emotions than I’ve felt in a long time, and it’s spiraling all over the place. I rub my hands on my pants for the umpteenth time and pat the bulge in my pocket, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.
Everything is set.
The flowers scattered on either side of a makeshift pathway. The dozens of roses carefully arranged in a circle. I would’ve gone with a destination proposal, but Danielle said,
“ Keep it simple. You don’t want her to go into labor from extra happiness.”
If her arrival takes any longer, though, I might meet Natalie on the road.
On cue, my phone beeps. My very pregnant and amazing girlfriend texts that she’s arrived, and a happy smile spreads across my face.
I send one back: “ I’m behind the house , in the garden where you hosted that first party.”
As Natalie approaches, my pulse hammers against my ribs. She’s glowing with each patient waddle, her hand over the swell of her belly.
Every day, I think it’s going to be the day the baby comes, and every day, I get more time to learn how to love her more than I did the day before .
More time to memorize the way she smiles when she thinks no one is watching, the way her fingers absently trace patterns over her stomach as if already comforting the life growing inside her.
Today, though—today is different.
She slows when she sees me, her brow furrowing in curiosity. “What are you doing here? Why are there flowers?” She glances around. “Are you throwing a party?”
I exhale a short laugh, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. “I was waiting for you.”
Her steps falter, and her gaze flicks between the bouquet in my hands and the nervous set of my jaw. Then I reach for the box in my pocket, and her eyes widen at its reveal.
“Ethan—”
“I know.” I step closer, reaching for her hand. She doesn’t pull away as I lead her to the middle of the circle. “I know I’ve made mistakes. I know I don’t deserve you after everything I’ve put you through. But if there’s one thing I’m certain of in this world, it’s you, Natalie.”
Her lips part, and I take the moment to drop to one knee, opening the box to reveal a carefully crafted ring with encrusted diamonds. It’s symbol is eternal, just like my promise to her.
A sharp breath escapes her. One hand flies to her mouth, the other still clasped in mine. “Did Danielle help you with this?”
I nod, looking over my shoulder briefly. “Yeah, she’s somewhere around, I think.”
Natalie exhales, biting her lip as her eyes turn glassy. “I can’t believe she managed to keep a secret from me. She’s usually horrible at those.”
“I made her promise,” I say.
She sniffs, and a tear falls. “It’s beautiful. ”
“Not as beautiful as the chance you’ve given to me. A chance at happiness. At something I never knew existed in my world,” I continue, voice raw.
“This is where I first saw you. Where my life shifted without me even realizing it. And now, I want it to mark the beginning of something even bigger. Something better. I want a life with you,” I reach for her other hand, “and the baby. To have a family with you.”
Tears well in her eyes, and I tighten my grip, needing her to feel the truth in my words.
“I love you, Natalie Monroe. I have for longer than I can admit. And I don’t want to spend another second without knowing you’re mine in every way that matters. So, Natalie…” I swallow hard, heart pounding. “Marry me.”
A beat of silence stretches between us. The world feels suspended, waiting for her answer.
Then, she exhales a wobbly laugh, nodding furiously. “Yes,” she whispers. “God, yes.”
Relief crashes into me. I slide the ring onto her finger and rise to my feet, pulling her into my arms, burying my face in her hair.
She clings to me as the sobbing comes down heavily, and I remember Danielle’s instructions, but it only stirs my heart with a fierceness that never wants to let go. For this moment, I’d give every shirt I own and a thousand more.
Because this is it.
The beginning of our forever that unraveled in the most unexpected, imperfectly perfect way.
THE EN D
Thank you for reading Mob Boss's Second Chance , Book 11 in my Mafia series!I hope you enjoyed the story. Be sure to check out the next book, Falling for the Mafia Boss — I’ve included a sneak peek on the next page!