Epilogue
Marcella
Four months later
Ryerson carried the last box to his truck and slid it inside the bed amid the rest of the boxes. He clapped his hands together, a big smile lighting up his whole face. “That’s everything. Come here, roomie.” He opened his arms, and I walked right into them. One of my favorite places to be.
“You better never call me roomie, again.” I teased as I inhaled his intoxicating scent. Four months with this hunk of a man and I still obsessed over his smell.
Okay, I basically obsessed over everything when it came to my man. I was head over heels for Ryerson, madly in love with his mind, body, and soul that I even embraced the outdoors some. Strong emphasis on the some.
But let’s not get carried away. A hike or two I’ve managed but he has yet to convince me to go camping. Maybe one day.
“It’s finally official and I can’t contain my excitement.”
I let go of our embrace and stepped back, turning to face my rental.
It was no longer mine, my lease officially over as of today, and while I’ve slowly moved my stuff into his place over the past month, we did the final walk through and pick up of the last of my things this afternoon.
It was time to turn in my keys and start my new life. With Ryerson.
With one last long look at the place, I’ve lived in since I moved here with Brielle, I faced forward and looked into the eyes of my future. With my handsome mountain man.
His eyes reflected so much love and kindness, wrapping me in a warm hug and making me feel as if I were home. He’s my home.
I let out a little cheer and clapped my hands. “To our new life together.” Sliding my arms around his neck, I nuzzled his beard with my nose and kissed him.
“I love you so much, Mar.” Ryerson said before crushing his mouth against mine and pulling me in for a deep, long kiss.
“I love you too.” I said when the kiss had finished. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“Mmm. Same for me.” He hugged me close, and we stayed hugging and kissing in the moment for several minutes.
“We should go grab a drink to celebrate.” I said after we broke apart and got into his truck. “Forget about my stuff for now. It’s not going anywhere.”
“Okay. The bar in town is a cool spot. There’s live music, too.”
“Perfect.”
He took my hand in his, brought it to his mouth, and kissed the back of it.
As he drove in town, our conversation flowed, more discussions of our likes and dislikes or stories from our childhood.
I’d already met his parents and his younger brother Thane.
And I introduced him to Brielle and her fiancée, Rhodes.
We went on a double date and had loads of fun, our guys getting along well.
It still boggled me how my life could shift so easily from one single event on one single day. But here we were- living proof of it.
Brielle insisted it was the magic of Appleridge. Cupid shooting arrows from the sky and shit. I didn’t believe her until it happened to me. Now we’ve talked about marriage and becoming pregnant at the same time.
It only made sense to move in together. My lease was ending, and I spent every night at his place anyway, only swinging by from time to time for clothes. I moved most of my plants over to his house so I could continue taking care of them. Ryerson understood- they were like my babies.
I quit my job at the garden center, my need to get out of the house and not go stir crazy solved by hitting the outdoors more with Ry.
He even got me eating better. I couldn’t complain considering his cooking was delicious.
I actually enjoyed salads and smoothies, grilled lean meats and roasted veggies.
On the flip side, he grew more patience with my not being so neat all the time and even learned to enjoy sleeping in from time to time.
“How are you so amazing?” I asked him as he pulled into a parking space outside the bar.
“I have an amazing woman by my side.” He winked and hopped out of the truck.
Later as we raised a toast to us, our love and our relationship, we clinked glasses and drank. “Cheers to us, my queen.” Ryerson said before kissing me softly.
“Cheers, my king.”
THE END
I hope you enjoyed Ryerson and Marcella’s story!