Epilogue
Ivy
Almost twelve months later
“Ready, baby?” Wyatt asks as I step out of the bedroom.
Even though it’s the off-season, we’re in Phoenix for the weekend.
The penthouse sold months ago, and Wyatt’s been renting this place as his base here.
Our real home, the one off Willow Street, is finally finished.
After months of planning and renovating, we moved in four weeks ago. It still feels a little surreal.
Wyatt and I spent what felt like forever choosing everything; cabinets, flooring, bathroom fittings, furniture, everything, even down to the light switches.
I loved it, though. Every part of the process felt like we were building something together, something that belonged to both of us.
But actually living there now, waking up beside him every morning… nothing compares.
He walks over and wraps an arm around my waist. “Shall we go, birthday girl?”
I smile and nod. When he asked what I want to do today, I told him I wanted to go back to the butterfly conservatory in Scottsdale. It was one of the first places we went together, and it feels like the perfect way to mark how far we’ve come.
We stayed the night in Phoenix last night, and after the conservatory, we’ll head back to Hope Creek for a birthday dinner with family. But before that, before the cake and celebration, I have something important to tell him.
And somehow, the quiet magic of that place feels like exactly where I need to say it.
Wyatt pulls into the nearly empty parking lot about twenty minutes later, and I glance over at him with a smile.
“Did you rent the whole place out again?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Yep. Not sharing you today,” he says with a playful smirk. “At least not until tonight, when I’ll have to give you up to everyone else.”
I laugh. “I’m still coming home with you, remember.”
His grin softens into something more tender. “Yeah, you are. Come on. Let’s go inside.”
We climb out of the car and meet at the front, our hands finding each other easily.
As we walk toward the entrance, I feel that same little flutter in my chest I did the first time we came here, although back then, I had no idea what spending time together would lead to, and how amazing it would be.
Like last time, the moment we step inside, the air shifts. It’s warm and heavy with humidity, rich with the scent of tropical flowers. Butterflies dance around, occasionally drifting down to land on us. It’s just as magical as I remember, maybe even more.
And standing here again, surrounded by all this, I realize how much I love this place… and how deeply I love the man beside me.
I drop Wyatt’s hand and walk a little ahead, my gaze fixed on a giant butterfly that’s landed on a metal butterfly-shaped bench.
With my eyes still fixed on the butterfly, I whisper. “Look at this one, Wyatt. It’s beautiful.”
When he doesn’t answer, I turn around, my eyes widening and my hand flying to my mouth when he’s down on one knee, a ring box open in his hand.
“Ivy,” Wyatt begins, his voice unsteady, “when you walked into that charity auction for me just over a year ago, I knew in that moment, everything was going to change.”
He pauses, his eyes locked on mine.
“You’ve always been in my life, but like an idiot, I never truly saw you, not the way I should have. But the more time we spent together, the more I realized how incredible you are. And I fell… hard.”
Tears slip silently down my cheeks, his words sinking into every part of me.
“Back then, I was lost. Pretending I had it all together, when inside, I was barely holding on. But you changed everything. You showed me what real happiness feels like. What real love feels like."
He takes a deep breath.
“I love you, Ivy. More than I ever thought possible. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to you. Will you marry me?”
My breath catches, and for a moment, everything around me fades and it’s just him and me.
I let out a shaky breath and, suddenly, I’m smiling through the tears.
This man, this beautiful, incredible, kind-hearted man, is offering me everything I’ve ever wanted.
I hope in a few minutes I’m going to give him something he’s always wanted too.
“Yes, Wyatt. A million times yes. I love you so much.”
Relief floods his face as he rises to his feet, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I can’t believe he even questioned whether I’d say yes. I’ve been his for months, heart and soul.
He kisses me before sliding the ring onto my finger, a stunning diamond solitaire that sparkles under the lights of the conservatory. It fits perfectly, and I stare at it for a moment, still not quite believing this is real.
He laughs, happiness radiating from him as he lifts me off the ground and spins me in a wide circle. I squeal and cling to him, laughing too.
“You’re really going to be my wife?” he asks as he sets me down.
I nod. “And you’re going to be my husband.”
His whole face lights up. “God, I love how that sounds.”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too, baby. So damn much.”
I take a breath, my heart fluttering with nerves and excitement. If there was ever a right time to tell him, this is it.
“I have something for you too,” I say, and his brows lift in curiosity.
“You do?”
“Close your eyes.”
He holds my gaze for a beat, then smiles and shuts his eyes.
I quickly reach into my oversized purse and pull out the tiny football jersey I tucked inside before we left Hope Creek. My hands tremble slightly as I turn it around to reveal the name on the back. My heart pounds in my chest.
“Okay,” I whisper. “Open them.”
His eyes flutter open and lock onto the jersey. I watch, breathless, as the realization dawns. His mouth falls open, then slowly transforms into a grin so wide that it steals my breath.
“Baby Brookes,” he reads aloud, his voice low. “You’re… pregnant?”
I nod, my eyes filling with tears. “I know it’s sooner than we planned… but I’m so happy, Wyatt. I hope you are too.”
“Happy?” He laughs in disbelief and sweeps me into another tight spin.
“I thought asking you to marry me was the best moment of my life, but this? This tops everything.” He sets me down again and cups my face, his eyes brimming with emotion.
“You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Ivy. When did you find out?”
“Just a few days ago. I wanted to tell you here. This place means so much to me already… and now, it’s even more special.”
He leans in, pressing his forehead against mine, his hands still wrapped around me.
“Our beginning,” he murmurs. “And now… our forever.”
I never imagined I’d have something like this, something this good. And certainly not with him. But here we are, and it’s everything. I get to love him for the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to begin.
He’s right. This moment is only the beginning of everything. The beginning of forever.
THE END