Epilogue
AURORA
Five months later…
The smell of old books wrapped around me like a familiar hug as I stepped into Page Turners.
Morning sunlight streamed through the front windows, and soft chatter filled the space—customers browsing, the hiss of the espresso machine from the new café corner, the occasional laugh from the cozy reading nook we’d built by the window.
It was everything I had ever dreamed of.
And it was mine.
I trailed my fingers along the nearest bookshelf, my heart swelling as I took it all in.
The renovation had transformed Page Turners into something even more magical than before.
The walls had been repainted a warm, inviting shade of deep blue, with gold accents that caught the light just right.
New shelves lined the space, stocked with hand-picked books, and a charming café corner now stood where an unused storage area once had been.
And the best part?
Right near the register, sitting proudly on a display table, was my book.
My book.
I still couldn’t believe it.
A soft tap on my shoulder made me turn, and I was met with Ethan’s knowing smirk. “You're staring at it again.”
I huffed. “I am not.”
“You are.” He crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. “You do that thing where you tilt your head, like you're still trying to convince yourself it’s real.”
I sighed, glancing back at the neatly stacked copies of my debut novel. “Maybe I am.”
Ethan’s smirk softened. “It’s real, Aurora. You did this.”
I pressed a hand to my chest, my fingers brushing against the chain of the necklace I always wore—my uncle’s old safe key, now a reminder of how far I’d come.
“I didn’t do it alone.”
“Maybe not.” Ethan’s voice was quieter now, more thoughtful. “But you didn’t give up. That's all you.”
Before I could get too emotional, the front door swung open, and Mason strolled in, a to-go coffee in each hand. “All right, nerds. I come bearing gifts.”
He handed one to Ethan before setting mine on the counter with a wink. “For the boss lady.”
I raised a brow. “I don’t pay you, Mason.”
He smirked. “And yet, here I am, showing up every day like a dedicated employee.”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “He's just here for the café pastries.”
Mason gasped, placing a dramatic hand over his heart. “How dare you. I’m here for moral support.”
I snorted. “Right.”
The door chimed again, and this time, it was Owen who stepped inside. His gaze found mine immediately, a small smile tugging at his lips.
There was still a part of me that reacted every time he looked at me like that—like I was something worth holding onto.
“Hey,” he said, his voice warm as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. “How’s your morning?”
I exhaled, glancing around the store, at everything we’d built together. “Perfect.”
Owen’s eyes flicked toward the display table. “Sold another copy this morning?”
I bit my lip, the disbelief still lingering. “We sure did.”
Mason slung an arm over my shoulder. “Duh. You're kind of a big deal now, babe.”
Ethan nodded. “We should probably start charging for autographs.”
I rolled my eyes even as warmth spread through my chest. They were teasing, but I knew they were proud.
Owen’s hand found mine, his thumb tracing small circles against my skin. “We’re all proud of you, you know.”
I squeezed his fingers. “I know.”
And I did.
I wasn’t just chasing dreams anymore, I was living them.
Right here, in the heart of Medford, surrounded by the people I loved.
My home. My bookstore. My future.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Especially not my men.
Okay, so it was unconventional and not what I ever expected, but it was perfect.
Mason was my laughter, my chaos, my spark on the darkest days. Owen was my steady anchor, always there to hold me when I needed grounding. And Ethan. Ethan was my quiet strength, my calm in every storm.
And somehow, someway, they had all become home to me.
The first sharp pain hit in the middle of a book club meeting. At first, I brushed it off as nothing. Braxton Hicks, maybe.
But then another came.
Then another.
The murmurs of conversation around me started to blur as I pressed a hand to my belly, exhaling slowly.
Lila, ever perceptive, narrowed her eyes at me from across the room. “Aurora. Are you okay?”
“I…” I started to nod, but then I felt it—a deep, pulling pressure that made my breath hitch. “I think…”
A rush of warmth flooded down my legs, and the entire room froze.
Beatrice gasped. “Holy cow. Her water just broke.”
Nancy clapped her hands. “It’s happening!”
For a second, I just stood there, staring at the growing puddle on the floor, my brain not computing.
Then Mason’s voice rang out from across the store. “Holy shit.”
Seconds later, all three of them came running.
Ethan’s eyes scanned me from head to toe. “How far apart are the contractions?”
“I…” Another wave of pain had me gripping the counter. “I don’t know, but very close together.”
Owen was already pulling out his keys. “We need to get her to the hospital. Now.”
Mason, meanwhile, looked downright terrified. “Oh my God. Oh my God. This is happening. You're having the baby. Right now. We’re having a baby.”
“ I’m having the baby,” I corrected through clenched teeth.
“Right, yes, you are,” Mason said quickly, practically vibrating with nervous energy. “But we’re involved!”
Owen grabbed my coat, helping me slip into it. “We can debate logistics later. Let’s go.”
I barely remembered the car ride to the hospital.
I was too busy squeezing Ethan’s hand into dust while Mason kept rambling in the front seat, alternating between panicking and hyping me up.
When we arrived, everything blurred together. Nurses, IVs, words I couldn’t focus on. All I knew was that my hands never left theirs.
Ethan, murmuring calm reassurances in my ear.
Mason, pacing like a caged animal but always returning to kiss my forehead.
Owen, never letting go of me, his eyes locked on mine, steady and unwavering.
Then, suddenly, after what felt like both forever and no time at all, there was a cry.
A strong, perfect wail filled the room, and my chest cracked wide open.
The doctor smiled. “It’s a girl.”
Tears burned in my eyes as a tiny, wriggling pink bundle was placed against my chest.
She was warm and real and ours .
Mason choked on a laugh, brushing his fingers across her impossibly soft cheek. “She's so tiny.”
Ethan exhaled, his voice thick. “She's perfect.”
Owen leaned down, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You did so good, baby.”
I couldn’t stop staring at her.
My daughter.
Our daughter.
A whole new chapter of our story, beginning right here, in my arms.
I looked up at them, at the men who had stood beside me through everything.
Who had built this life with me.
Who were family.
And with a full heart, I whispered the words I had never been so sure of, “We’re home.”
The end.