Epilogue
One Year Later - Valentine’s Day
Willa
The bakery is packed for this year’s “Heart-to-Heart” event, and I’m behind the counter helping Mark fill orders while Henry sets up for his big surprise.
I know he has a surprise. Ben hasn’t been able to stop giggling all week, and Henry keeps giving me these secret smiles that make my stomach flip.
I moved in with them two months ago. The cottage is rented to a nice young couple now who are expecting a baby in seven months, and they’re not the only ones.
Henry doesn’t know. I thought I just had a little virus but turns out it was more.
A baby…
I don’t know how he’ll feel about it, but no matter what, I’m excited and I’m happy.
I wake up every morning in Henry’s arms with Ben jumping on our bed demanding pancakes.
It’s chaotic and perfect and everything I never knew I needed.
“Dr. Willa!” Ben tugs my sleeve. “It’s time! Daddy’s gonna do the thing!”
“What thing?”
But he just grins and drags me to the center of the bakery where Henry is standing, looking nervous and handsome in his flannel and apron.
The crowd quiets, and Henry takes my hands.
“Willa Monroe,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You walked into my bakery a year ago and changed my life.”
My heart is pounding. “Henry, I need to—”
“You taught me that love isn’t about playing it safe.
” He’s not going to stop, he’s too nervous.
“It’s about being brave enough to try. Brave enough to fight.
Brave enough to choose happiness even when you’re scared.
” He drops to one knee, and I gasp as he pulls out a ring.
“Will you marry me? Will you be Ben’s mom?
Will you build this crazy, beautiful life with us? ”
“I… I need to tell you something.” I lean down to his ear. “I’m pregnant. Almost three months.”
He stills, but when I pull back, I only see that smile that tells me I have a sweet deal with this man. Forever.
“A baby?” he says more loudly than I expected.
The crowd gasps.
Okay people, it’s not like it’s the 1800s.
“A baby?” Ben says confused.
Henry rises to his feet. “You are everything and this baby will just be the icing on the cake.”
I chuckle. “You’ve been waiting to say that, right?”
“Maybe. But still, the question stands… will you marry me, Willa Monroe?”
Tears blur my vision. “Yes! Yes to all of it!”
The crowd erupts in cheers as Henry slides the ring on my finger and kisses me. Ben crashes into us both, and we’re laughing and crying and I’ve never been happier.
“I’m getting a mom and a brother!” Ben announces to everyone and the crowd cheers even louder.
“Hey, hey, it could be a sister,” Henry offers.
His nose crinkles up. “Girls…”
I kneel down, cupping his face. “Hey, I’m a girl.”
“You’re different. You’re a brave girl.”
Later, after the event winds down and Ben is showing off his new mom to anyone who will listen, Henry pulls me close.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m perfect. We’re perfect.” I kiss him softly. “Thank you for fighting for me. For us.”
“Always, sweetheart. Always.”
Mark appears with coffee. “Large coffee, black, and a blueberry muffin?”
I grin. “Actually, I’ll try something new today and decaf for the coffee. Surprise me.”
Henry’s smile could light up the world. “That’s my girl. Always ready for an adventure now.”
He hands me a specialty drink. “It’s The Willa.”
“Oh, I like that,” I say after tasting it. “Sweet and complex and perfect.”
“Just like you.” He kisses me, and I taste cinnamon and promise and forever.
The bakery is full of people whom I love, full of warmth and laughter and hope. I came to Valentine running from a sour past.
I stayed for a sweet future.