Epilogue
Maven
The community barn was hardly recognizable.
Three chandeliers hung from the center beam to light the room, with string lights adding to the ambiance.
The dance floor was surrounded by circular tables draped with white cloths, each one showcasing a two-inch thick wood slice Ben had cut, which I had covered in an arrangement of green foliage and white flowers with touches of pink and burnt orange.
One side of the barn held a photo booth with a glowing sign in the background that read Mr. and Mrs. Walker.
Then, near a flowered arch on the other side of the closed barn doors, a massive collection of pictures of Ben and me together covered the wall and invited guests to add their own memories of us into a book.
All of Autumn Ridge had come to celebrate with us, along with some of my friends from New York.
Cassandra was rightly being treated like an honorary family member as my mom took her around, introducing her to everyone.
Ben’s old boss, Wally, chatted with the Ednas and their husbands.
Boone attempted to wrangle his three kids away from the dessert table, which was still being set up, while his pregnant wife spoke to Whitney and her husband.
The Walker clan stood at the photo wall—Liv and Tate quietly talking as they perused the pictures while Jaxon and Luke told an animated story that made Landrie, Ben’s parents, and Mayor Monroe smile in amusement.
Emma and her sister Rosie greeted me and Ben before joining Dean, Dom, Reese, Ari, and Wade at their table.
I watched Penny run up and give Emma a hug, and Carson didn’t hesitate to follow, making me smile.
Even Judge Rost and her husband had surprisingly accepted our invitation, and I couldn’t help but be grateful for the part she played in all of this.
She seemed sincerely thrilled that Ben and I had reconciled.
I was equally shocked that Mr. Rost had wanted to talk about all things music and my career until his wife had guided him away so we could converse with other waiting guests.
My gaze slid to Ben in his brown linen suit that perfectly accentuated his brown hair, brown eyes, and excessively nice physique.
He looked adequately warm despite the cold air drifting in from the open doors, whereas, I’d opted to wear a knee-length champagne-colored dress with lace sleeves and a lace back in the middle of November.
But with the way Ben kept looking at me, I didn’t regret it.
Ben’s hand settled on the small of my back. “Did I tell you how absolutely incredible you look?” he whispered. His breath was warm on my ears, sending a rush of chills through me.
“More or less, but I won’t complain if you tell me again.”
He brushed his thumb across my cheek, lingering his lips just above mine. “I’ll just say you should definitely bring that dress on our trip.”
I quirked my head slightly. “What trip?”
“I was thinking we should go to Prague since you weren’t able to make it there this fall.
I was doing some research, and it turns out they have the last remaining theater where Mozart performed, which you definitely already know.
It sounds pretty epic, and apparently late spring is a great time to travel there.
” He grinned. “Which would give us time to get our passports in order.”
My jaw slackened. “You’d want to go to Prague?”
“You’re not the only lover of classical music in this family of ours, and I hear they have quite the concert scene.”
I was full-on gawking at him.
He lifted his hands. “Unless you don’t want to go—”
“No, I do!” I barely refrained from squealing in my delight. “If you’re sure.”
“With you, I’d go anywhere.”
“Aunt Maven,” Penny said, stepping in front of us, completely unaware of the moment we were having and unfazed by our proximity to each other. “How long until the ceremony starts?”
With a knowing smirk, Ben glanced at his watch. “We should probably get everyone seated. I’m getting pretty hungry.” His gaze returned to Penny. “How about you?”
She gave an enthusiastic nod. “I was watching them set up the dessert table, and I already know which one I want, but Dad says I need to eat my dinner first. And we can’t eat until the ceremony is over.”
Ben chuckled, glancing at me. “I’ll let my dad know that we’re ready to start.”
I smiled. “Sounds good.”
Penny reached for his hand. “Can I come with you, Uncle Ben?”
The look of pure joy on Ben’s face at being called Uncle Ben by Penny melted my heart. He was going to be the best dad. “Absolutely.” He allowed her to lead the way through the crowded barn to where Tom Walker stood, chatting with Juliet and Archer.
Carson stepped to my side, filling the space left open by Ben. “You ready?”
I smiled at my brother. “I am. I think already being married helps with the nerves.”
Carson chuckled, his gaze shifting to the table with our friends. “I bet.”
My gaze followed his to the beautiful redhead his eyes were fixed on. “Penny seems to really like Emma.”
Carson nodded in agreement. “No surprise there. She’s quite the woman.”
“She is.” I placed my hand on Carson’s. “And don’t worry. I’m not too bitter that you told Ben you had feelings for her before you told me.”
Carson’s mouth opened, then closed. “I would have said something. I just…” I pinned him with a look, causing him to grimace. “I’ll keep you updated from here on out.”
I grinned. “That would be much appreciated.”
Penny scampered back toward us, an excited smile on her face. “They’re going to get started.”
Carson’s gaze shifted to me. “At Penny’s request?”
I tucked my lips inward. “Ben was getting hungry too. And we can’t eat until the ceremony’s over,” I said, winking at Penny.
Carson shook his head, but before he could correct Penny for her endearing persistence, Tom’s voice sounded over the microphone. “If everyone could take a seat, we’ll go ahead and get started here in a minute.”
Sending my brother a parting smile, I made my way to the rear of the barn where Ben waited for me beneath the flower arch, his dad standing nearby.
He slid his hand around my waist when I reached him, our gazes moving across the room of familiar faces. Mine caught on Judge Rost. “Oh, I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you remember when I agreed to help you with your senior prank and you made a deal that if we got caught, you’d let me have your firstborn child?”
His brow narrowed slightly, like he wasn’t quite sure where this was going. “I remember.”
“Well, considering Judge Rost clearly knew it was us, I’m cashing in on that. Besides, the dream always did include a house full of babies.”
Ben’s fingers unconsciously curved into the fabric of my dress at the small of my back, sending a wave of pleasure through me. He searched my expression, as if to verify that I was being serious. Then his smile widened. “I’m happy to start working toward that objective at any point.”
“What’s the etiquette around leaving your own vow renewal party early?” I teased.
Ben chuckled. “We’ve given this town plenty to talk about. Why stop now?”
I ran a hand along his jawline, unable to resist lifting onto my toes for a quick kiss.
The humming of voices quieted, and Tom lifted the microphone again, forcing our attention back to him.
“Thank you all for being here to celebrate this special occasion with us. Ben and Maven have given me the great honor of officiating their renewal of vows ceremony, though I have been kindly instructed to keep it short and sweet.” Laughter echoed through the barn.
“The first time these two stood before each other to make their vows, they were young and full of hope. Today, they stand before all of us with a certainty that comes through hardship and sacrifice and a knowledge of what it truly means to love someone. Of what it takes to make a relationship endure. And the absolute resolve to do it.” His smile shifted to us.
“From time to time, I think we’re all in need of a second chance, but I can’t think of anyone who deserves that chance more than these two. ”
A round of applause sounded, and I gave Tom a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“We’re so glad we get to keep you in this family,” he whispered back before handing me the microphone and pulling my prepared vows from his pocket.
With so many eyes on me, I suddenly didn’t feel as calm as I had a few minutes ago.
My hands shook slightly as I unfolded the paper, but I was determined not to cry in front of so many people.
“First,” I said as I looked out at the full tables, “I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate with me and Ben. For the love and support you’ve given us over the years—both when we were together and when we weren’t.
It has meant more than you’ll ever know.
Especially considering, thanks to so many of you, we not only pulled together today’s celebration, but Ben and I also have a fully finished and functioning house to live in weeks before we’d planned on it being ready. So thank you.”
In my periphery, Ben nodded his agreement before my eyes locked with his.
“And to you.” I drew in a slow, calming breath.
“I used to assume love was supposed to be loud. That love came with bold declarations and grand gestures. But it turns out the greatest love I’ve ever known wasn’t loud at all.
It was quiet. But it was constant, and it was fierce.
It came in an unyielding desire to support me.
To sacrifice for me. It was every call you made to hear my voice.
Every concert you attended. And every piece of classical music you played when we were apart. ”
My voice wavered slightly, but I set my gaze back on my paper, forcing down my emotions.
“It was the way you loved me with all the miles between us. And how you cheered me on in every dream I chased, even those that took me farther away from you. It was never loud or showy. It was perfectly you. And every day, for the rest of forever, I promise to cherish and support you. I promise to put you first and to love you without reservation—the man who quietly and faithfully”—I sent him a teasing grin—“and sometimes even regrettably loved me through every version of myself.” Ben smiled, and I paused briefly as light laughter filtered through the room.
“The man who never gave up on us. The man who built a house I could come home to. The man I never stopped loving. So thank you for forcing me to remember that you are the dream, Ben. I will never again forget it.”
Ben gave a hard swallow, his smile quivering ever so slightly. “I love you,” he mouthed.
I handed him the microphone, but instead of receiving a paper from his dad as I had, he took my hand in his.
“Maven.” He blew out a breath and shook his head, clearly attempting to get ahold of his emotions.
In all our years together, I’d never seen him so close to tears, and it made my own tears threaten to surface.
“I’m not good with words and declarations, as you so eloquently just hinted at”—he gave a small smirk—“but I have had a really, really aggravatingly long time to think about all the things I’d say to you if I ever had another chance to say them. ”
His voice hitched with emotion, and he cleared his throat.
“I have loved you for so long, I can’t remember what life was like before.
You are in all of my top memories. All of my favorite things involve you.
Every dream I ever dreamed has you at the center.
And despite all my failings and poorly judged sacrifices, my heart has always been yours.
I’ve loved you when you were by my side, and I’ve loved you from hundreds of miles away.
On our best days, I’ve loved you. And on those days I thought I’d lost you forever, I still loved you.
Because, it turns out, loving you was never a choice.
It’s as instinctive to me as breathing.”
I could no longer stop my tears.
“You are my favorite person and my best friend. You are the one that makes me laugh and my greatest adventure. The first person I want to share news with.” He gave a teasing smile. “Even if you still share your news with Carson and your mom before me.”
I shook my head, smiling even though tears were now running down my cheeks.
His expression grew serious again, the warmth of his brown eyes speaking right to my soul.
“Maven, you are the love of my life. You always have been, and you always will be. So today, I promise that no matter where life takes us, you won’t face it alone ever again.
” Ben gave another clearing of his throat, but not before a tear escaped, and he quickly wiped it away.
He took a second to regain his composure, pressing his thumb and fingers against the bridge of his nose and drawing in a few slow breaths before clasping my hand again.
“I will be here to love and support you. I know I won’t do it perfectly, but I promise to always choose us.
To listen instead of making assumptions.
Because somehow, after all these years and all the heartache I put us both through, you still look at me like I’m the best thing that has ever happened in your life.
And I will work every day to make it true. I love you, Maven.”
He handed his dad the microphone, and without waiting for any sort of prompt, I slid my hands behind Ben’s neck, pulled his head to mine, and kissed him to the laughter and cheers of all those present.
“So, that just happened” I whispered against his lips, smiling up at him. I’d remember this moment—the words he’d said—for the rest of forever. “And it was so worth it.”
Ben took hold of my face and wiped my lingering tears with his thumbs. “I’m just relieved that moving forward, there won’t be an audience when I profess my love to you.” His gaze softened as his eyes held mine. “But, yes, this was absolutely worth all the trouble.”
With the way he looked at me, I wasn’t sure if he was talking about exchanging our vows in front of everyone or how we’d gotten here. I supposed it was probably a little of both. My smile couldn’t have been bigger with the realization, and I couldn’t help but kiss him again.