Epilogue
EPILOGUE
MARIE
THREE MONTHS LATER
The smell of fresh paint and sawdust still lingers in the air, mingling with the faint scent of new books. My fingers brush over the polished edge of a wooden shelf, my other hand instinctively resting on the swell of my belly. The baby gives a soft kick in response, as if sensing my excitement.
Garrett walks beside me, a clipboard in his hand, checking off items as we move through the store, his brow furrowed in concentration.
I stop in front of the cozy reading nook, where the chairs we picked out together sit with the soft lighting above them from decorative lamps. The warm glow spills across the floor, creating an inviting oasis. I sink into one of the chairs.
“Perfect,” I say, looking up at Garrett with a smile.
He grins, setting the clipboard aside and crouching beside me. “I told you it’d be perfect. You had the vision; I just followed orders.”
I laugh softly, reaching out to brush my fingers against his cheek. “You didn’t just follow orders, Garrett. You made all of this happen.”
He presses a kiss to my hand before standing and helping me to my feet. “We made it happen.”
As we walk toward the children’s corner, my eyes are drawn to the colorful murals on the walls—vibrant scenes of storybook characters like Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland. I imagine the sound of little feet scurrying across the soft rug, the excited chatter of kids exploring the shelves.
Garrett chuckles beside me. “What’s that look for?” he asks, his tone teasing.
I smile, leaning into him as we walk. “Just imagining how much my mom would’ve loved this. She always dreamed of creating a place where people could escape into a story. I think we’ve done that.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “We have, and we’re just getting started.”
We step into the café area, where the counters gleam under the overhead lights. I picture the tables filled with customers sipping coffee and chatting, the smell of pastries filling the air.
“Are you nervous about the opening?” Garrett asks, his voice soft.
“A little,” I admit, rubbing my belly absently. “But mostly, I’m excited. It feels like everything’s finally falling into place.”
We stop in the center of the store, and I take a slow turn, letting my eyes sweep over the space. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the layout of the shelves to the placement of the lighting fixtures. It’s a labor of love, a testament to what we’ve built—not just the store, but our life together.
And what a beautiful life it is. We have each other, our friends, Garrett’s family…and even mine. Things between me and Dad aren’t perfect, not by a long shot, but he’s been making an effort these past few months to mend our relationship. Reaching out just to ask about my day rather than demand a favor, standing up to Meredith for me…little by little, he’s showing that he genuinely cares.
“I was thinking,” Garrett says, his voice pulling me back to the present. “We should name the baby something bookish since we finally got together because you helped me with my English course. Like Atticus or Matilda.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re not naming our child Atticus.”
He grins. “Fine, but I’m putting it on the table. Just in case.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. “We’ll see.”
The baby kicks softly, and I press my hand to my belly, smiling at the tiny reminder of the life growing inside me. My thoughts drift to the days ahead, imagining late-night feedings, soft coos, and the weight of our child in my arms. I think about our niece, Leila, and our nephew Oliver and how they’ve both filled our lives with so much joy lately. Having them around has only deepened my anticipation for our little one.
“I was thinking,” I start, turning to share my thoughts, but the words catch in my throat.
Garrett isn’t beside me anymore. He’s behind me, kneeling on one knee.
I can’t move. Time seems to slow, and the world narrows to the sight of him looking up at me, his eyes filled with love and a hint of nervousness. In his hand, he holds a small ring box. The light catches the delicate band, making it shimmer.
“Marie,” he begins, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, and I know I’ve been slow to acknowledge it, to show it, and to say it the way I should have. Every second with you, though—every dream we’ve shared, every challenge we’ve faced—it’s made me certain of one thing.”
He pauses, taking a deep breath, and I realize I’ve stopped breathing altogether.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the one you lean on, the one who makes you laugh, the one who stands beside you through everything. I want to be your husband, and I want us to be a family in every way.”
Tears blur my vision as his words wash over me, filling every corner of my heart.
“Marie,” he says softly, opening the box to reveal the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen, “will you marry me?”
“Yes.” The word escapes my lips before I can even think. My voice trembles, but there’s no hesitation in my answer. “Yes, Garrett. I will absolutely marry you.”
His face breaks into a smile—one of those rare, unguarded smiles that makes my knees feel weak. He takes my hand gently, slipping the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly.
Standing, he pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly.
“I love you,” I whisper against his chest, my voice muffled.
“I love you too,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
As we stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the bookstore fades into the background. All I can feel is the overwhelming sense of gratitude and excitement for what’s to come—for our child, our marriage, and the life we’ll build together.
We’ve come so far, overcome so many misunderstandings and so much hurt, but it’s all brought us to this moment. I like to imagine Leila is looking down on us, smiling, happy that we are together and so in love…and proud of Garrett for keeping his promise in the end.
Want to know Christian and Haven’s story?
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