39. Epilogue
Simeon
A s Chia strode purposefully into the Cedar Valley Retirement Village, she clearly believed she owned the place.
With her newly minted scarf denoting her as an official therapy dog, she sort of did.
That being said, Ryan and I had met with the administrator of the facility first, and we’d obtained permission, and we’d met with a good portion of the staff so they’d know what to expect. Chia wasn’t their first therapy dog, but the last one had retired in September. Now, in April, residents were apparently abuzz with news of the newly arriving visitor.
Nanny and Bops didn’t know. This was to be a surprise.
They’d seen Chia a number of times since they’d moved in. At least once a month they came out to the house for brunch. Nanny was absolutely tickled at the redecorating we’d done. Bops had commented on the big bed in the primary bedroom.
As Ryan liked to remind me…I’d turned puce.
Nanny and Bops sat at a table on the patio, basking in the warm spring air. A heat wave of sorts was hitting Cedar Valley. A nod to climate change, or so I thought. Nanny remembered the temperatures being this hot in sixty-eight. Or maybe that had been seventy-two. Regardless, she’d assured me during last night’s video call, this wasn’t unprecedented.
She spotted us first, smacking Bops on the chest.
He jolted, as if he’d been snoozing. He did that more and more.
We’d managed our night at the opera, but he’d needed three days to fully recover. So we weren’t likely to go again.
“What? Oh, hi, boys.” He waved.
I smiled because I’d always be his boy . I’d asked Ryan if he minded being called boy. He’d said he was honored. That had made me smile.
Nanny nearly bounced in her seat. “Chia!”
Our dog kept her cool and delicately made her way over to my grandmother.
“Oh, what a pretty kerchief. Does that mean you’re an official therapy dog?”
Ryan grinned. “Yep.”
Nanny clapped. “Oh, I’m so very proud of you.” She patted Chia. “Is she allowed on my lap?”
“As long as she’s nowhere near where food is, she has permission.” Again, Ryan grinned.
The list of rules was extensive for here, and we intended to follow every one.
“P-pat your lap and say up .”
Nanny patted her lap. “Up.”
Chia checked with Ryan.
He indicated she could jump.
She leapt into Nanny’s lap.
Nanny giggled. Bops guffawed. Several other people pointed.
“Will we get our turn?” A gentleman with a walker stood nearby.
“Everyone who wants to.” Ryan stroked Chia’s fur. “I mean until you all tire her out.”
Several people laughed.
“We’ll wait our turn. A few hours until dinner.” The guy headed off to a table where two women sat.
“That’s Ernesto.” Bops leaned closer. “He’s got Alzheimer’s. If he meets you tomorrow, he’ll have completely forgotten. He lives in the high-care wing.”
Thus far, Nanny and Bops were in the lower level of care. I liked that they would be able to move up as their needs progressed. Unless something catastrophic happened, they’d likely be able to stay here until they passed. Given how happy they were, that was a true blessing.
Ryan pressed a kiss to Nanny’s cheek.
She giggled.
Ryan laughed. “I know where your priorities lie.” He moved to Bops for a hug as I kissed Nanny as well.
“H-happy anniversary.”
She blinked. “You remembered.” Then she waved her hand. “You always remember.”
“W-we worked hard to make sure Chia was qualified for today.”
Nanny hugged the dog. “Best anniversary present ever.”
“Well, we have another one.” Ryan offered his trademark grin.
I cocked an eyebrow. We had agreed my grandparents truly had everything and that Chia being here today was enough.
Ryan gazed at Bops.
Bops nodded back.
After a moment, Ryan stepped before me. Then dropped to one knee.
Nanny gasped.
He fished something out of his pocket. Before I knew what was happening, he held a ring box out to me. He gestured for me to take it.
I did. I didn’t open it. I just stared at him.
He cleared his throat. “Okay…so I had this grand speech rehearsed.”
“Even passed it by me.” Bops beamed. “Asked my permission as well.” He turned to Ryan. “I warned you that you might forget it all.”
Ryan forced out a laugh. “You did warn me. I just…” He gazed up at me. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. And I didn’t know this much love was possible.” He gestured to my grandparents with his chin.
“An added bonus.” Bops again. Clearly enjoying himself.
Nanny pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, this is so lovely.” Then she turned to Bops. “You knew?”
He laughed. “I love you, my dear. Have you ever, in your entire life, been able to keep a secret.”
“I’m certain…” She trailed off. “Okay, perhaps not.”
We all laughed.
My attention returned to Ryan.
“Open the box, sweetheart.”
His name for me. He used it all the time when we were alone. Well, and my name. But mostly sweetheart. Because he thought I was the nicest man he’d ever met. I tried to argue that some of our friends were even more awesome—but he wouldn’t hear of it.
And since he was the best man I’d ever met, I called him my love. Usually without stuttering. Because, around him, I had a sense of calm. A calm similar to that which I felt around my grandparents. That I didn’t have to try so hard. That no one was judging me.
I opened the box.
A simple gold band. I removed it and set the box on the table. I squinted and found the inscription. My sweetheart. My love. Good thing I didn’t need reading glasses yet, because the typeface was tiny.
I held out my hand.
He put his in mine and let me tug him up and into my arms.
We kissed.
Then he placed the ring on my finger.
I stared down as he slid it into place. “H-hey. It fits.”
He laughed. “I might’ve measured with a piece of string one night while you were dead to the world.”
I cocked my head.
“The day you finished the extension at Maddox and Ravi’s. You couldn’t even stay upright.”
That had been a week ago. I’d worked with Jacob’s construction company to get the rooms finished. The extension had an office for Maddox where he and Ryan could work when they needed to collaborate, as well as a huge playroom for the twins. Maddox’s old office had been converted into a spare children’s room as he and Ravi had put their names forward and they’d been approved as foster parents. Like having twin terrors in their terrible twos wasn’t enough…they were willing to take in children in need.
Ryan and I had spoken to social services. They were happy to take our application and to begin the process of running background checks, but the fact we’d been together for such a short amount of time had been a concern. I’d also noticed the worker checking for wedding rings when we’d first met with him. Well, we were about to rectify that.
“A M-May wedding?” I gazed hopefully into Ryan’s eyes. Now he had a ring on my finger, I knew he was all-in.
“You haven’t even accepted.” Nanny tisked. “And September would be much better. More time for me to plan.”
“June.” Ryan held my gaze. “Something simple. I asked Kennedy, and she’s willing to host us at the ranch.”
I laughed. “They’re g-going to become known as a wedding venue.”
Ryan laughed. “Oh God, don’t say that to her. I pointed out we met there. She’s nothing if not sentimental.”
Nanny chuckled. “Those Dixon sisters are good women.”
“T-they are.” I gazed into Ryan’s eyes. “We’re really d-doing this?”
“You’re my heart.”
I eyed him. “And your d-dad?”
“He’s paying for the wedding.”
Which sort of meant everything. Between Ryan’s amazing salary working in cybersecurity and my income with the handiwork, we did just fine. A wedding at the ranch wouldn’t stretch our budget much.
But for him to have come this far with his father? That he’d let the man pay for our wedding?
I blinked back tears.
“Sweetheart.” His voice caught.
“I’m j-just so happy.”
Bops cleared his throat.
We glanced over to find everyone watching.
“Nice proposal. We want the dog.” Ernesto grinned.
Ryan and I sealed the proposal with a kiss.
And toured Chia around the patio where she was the star of the show.
As it should be.
Want more Gabbi Grey?
Everett’s story is coming up next in her Love in Mission City series. Rayne’s Return will be available for preorder shortly.
In the meantime, check out a story about an adorable man and a super cute Frenchie puppy in Love Furever – book 1 of the Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series.