Epilogue - Rena
EPILOGUE - RENA
[8 months later]
I sit at my beautiful new writing desk, running my fingers over the intricate carvings Aaron spent weeks perfecting. The smooth wood feels like silk beneath my fingertips, each groove a testament to his love and dedication. My heart swells with gratitude as I remember the moment he unveiled it, his blue eyes shining with pride and affection.
My laptop screen glows before me, the cursor blinking on the university portal. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach as I refresh the page for the hundredth time. This is it, the moment I've been working towards for years—my final degree results.
As I wait, my mind wanders to the past eight months. Moving in with Aaron was a whirlwind of emotions - excitement, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of rightness. I remember our first night together in the cabin, the way his strong arms held me close as we drifted off to sleep, the crackling fire casting a warm glow over our entwined bodies.
Balancing my studies with our life together hasn't always been easy. There were late nights hunched over textbooks, countless cups of coffee, and moments of frustration when deadlines loomed. But through it all, Aaron has been my rock. He's the one who coaxes me away from my desk when I've been working too long, the one who surprises me with picnics by the lake when I need a break. And the one who listens when I read him my latest creative writing assignment.
And every day, I find myself falling more deeply in love with him. It's in the little things - the way he leaves wildflowers on my pillow, the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs at my terrible puns. It's in the big things, too - the way he supports my dreams, the way he opens up to me about his own fears and hopes.
The sound of the study door opening pulls me from my thoughts. Aaron steps in, his hair still damp from his post-hike shower. The scent of his pine-scented body wash fills the room, and I can't help but smile.
"Any news yet, love?" he asks, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
As if on cue, my laptop screen refreshes, and I hold my breath as I scan the results. My heart pounds in my chest, and for a moment, the world seems to stand still.
And then I see it.
"I did it!" I scream, jumping up from my chair. "First Class Honours!"
Aaron's face splits into a grin, and he rushes forward, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around. I laugh, dizzy with joy and love, as he peppers my face with kisses.
"I'm so proud of you, Rena," he murmurs against my lips. "You've worked so hard for this."
He sets me down gently, and I'm about to pull him in for another kiss when I notice a sudden change in his demeanor. He looks nervous, almost shy, as he takes a step back.
"Can you close your eyes for a moment?" he asks, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.
Curious, I oblige, my heart racing as I hear him rummaging in a drawer. The anticipation is electric, and I can't help but wonder...
Could this be...?
I hear Aaron's gentle voice, a slight tremble betraying his nerves. "Open your eyes, love."
As I do, my breath catches in my throat. He's down on one knee, a small wooden box in his hand. The ring nestled inside takes my breath away - a beautifully carved wooden band, the grain of the wood flowing seamlessly around a glittering diamond. It's perfect, a blend of nature and elegance, just like our love.
Aaron's eyes lock with mine, a wealth of emotion swirling in their blue depths. "Rena, you've changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Before you, I thought love meant losing myself and risking everything. But you’ve shown me that true love is about growing together, supporting each other’s dreams, and becoming more than we ever could be alone."
Tears begin to blur my vision as he continues, his voice growing stronger with each word. "You've brought light into my life, Rena. Your passion, your kindness, your unwavering spirit - they inspire me every day. I can't imagine my life without you by my side."
He takes a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. "Rena, will you marry me? Will you embark on this adventure with me, a life full of love and chasing our dreams together? I promise to be your partner, your best friend, and your biggest supporter, always."
Tears are flowing freely now, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. I nod, unable to speak for a moment, before finding my voice. "Yes, Aaron. Yes, a thousand times, yes! For a man of usually so few words, you have a lot to say," I laugh.
I pull him to his feet, our lips meeting in a kiss that feels like coming home. It's a kiss full of promise, of joy, of a future stretching out before us, bright and beautiful and ours for the taking.
As we embrace, the sunlight streaming through the cabin window catches my new ring, making it glint and sparkle. I can't stop staring at it, marveling at how the wood grain seems to dance in the light, the diamond at its center a perfect, shining star.
Aaron's arms tighten around me, and I feel the steady thump of his heartbeat against my cheek. In this moment, I feel completely at peace, wrapped in the warmth of his love and the promise of our future together.
"I can't wait to start this next chapter with you," I murmur, tilting my head to meet his gaze. His eyes are soft, filled with a tenderness that takes my breath away.
"Neither can I, love," he whispers, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "You've already made me the happiest man alive, and we're just getting started."
I grin, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. "Just wait until we start planning the wedding. I have a feeling Madison and Penny will want to be very involved."
Aaron chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "I have no doubt. But as long as I get to marry you at the end of it all, they can plan whatever they want."
I laugh, picturing Madison in full wedding planner mode while Penny loses herself in the menu. "Careful what you wish for, mister. You might end up in a tux yet."
He makes a face, but I can see the amusement dancing in his eyes. "For you, I'd wear a tux every day for the rest of my life."
My heart melts at his words, and I stretch up on my tiptoes to capture his lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. As we lose ourselves in the moment, the world around us seems to fade away until it's just us, our love, and the promise of forever.
When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, savoring the closeness. "I love you, Aaron. I can't wait to be your wife."
"I love you too, Rena. More than anything. And I can't wait to be your husband."
We stay like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the glow of our love and the excitement of our next chapter together. The future stretches out before us, bright and beautiful and full of endless possibilities, and I know that with Aaron by my side, I'm ready for anything.
***
I hope you enjoyed reading the final book in the Heartwood Lake series. I’d love to hear what you thought about Rena and Aaron!