Epilogue
One Year Later
The old porch swing creaks beneath us as Presley curls into my side, her bare feet brushing against mine as the summer dusk settles over the fields. Fireflies blink in the tall grass like tiny promises.
“I never thought we’d be back here.” She says, resting her head on my shoulders.
I kiss the top of her head. “Thought I’d have to burn this place down to bury the past.”
She smiles. “Instead, we built something new.”
Behind us, the house is halfway through renovations. The kitchen smells like sawdust and new beginnings. Presley’s easel stands by the window, a half-finished painting catching the last light. My truck sits parked at the edge of the drive, gathering dust in favor of my new addiction… Staying still.
“I talked to Rafe and Agatha today,” she says, eyes flickering to mine. “They want to come visit.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Should I panic?”
“Rafe said Agatha is bringing baby clothes.”
I blink. “You told them?”
She takes my hand and presses it gently to her stomach. “Thought it was time.”
For a moment, the air goes still.
Then I exhale like I haven’t breathed in years. My hand spreads across her belly like it is something sacred. “A little chaos of our own.”
“Or calm.” She teases.
I smirk. “Doubtful. They’ll be ours.”
The night deepens around us, but for once, there is no fear in the dark. Just me, Presley, and a future that had waited for us to be brave enough to claim it.