Epilogue
It had been a long five months since everything with Henderson. I'd been in therapy, and I had even moved all my things into Duke's place. I couldn't go back to the apartment above the shop, not unless it was on a temporary basis. I couldn't close my eyes there and sleep peacefully. Even now.
The shop's significance never changed for me. It was still my choice and my one connection to my mother. I found myself rereading the letters she left me whenever I needed to feel closer to her.
Duke didn't find a single problem with my need to practically be in his skin these days. Even the town was aware of my full identity now. In their words, it didn't matter. Rose Haven had birthed and adopted many celebrities. They just wanted to make sure I would still be running my bakery.
After the shooting, I had to close it for a while until I felt mentally ready to go back. Unbeknownst to me, I should have gone back sooner. The moment I stepped back into that kitchen, a peace fell over me that I hadn't realized I needed.
It seemed like whenever I wasn't with Duke, I had a hard time. But the moment I got into that kitchen, all of that stopped. Tonight, Duke had been on a mission to take me on a date.
It wasn't often that we got dressed up. We were jeans and t-shirt people. It was funny to say that now, because before I came to Rose Haven it was all about glam and designer labels.
I stepped out every now and again in a designer outfit now that I was able to use my cards again.
I still didn't deal with social media, at least not since I went looking to see what had happened to Desirae.
The day after Henderson's rant, I reached out to the authorities and told them what he'd said.
Her body was found shortly after, stuffed in a freezer. I hated knowing that was how her life ended. Henderson had told me she had been helping him at one point, but when it mattered she told me the truth. I would always be grateful to her for that.
After that, I left social media behind. I didn't want to give the next psycho a chance to fixate on me.
My hair had grown past my shoulders, so I added a few curls.
I was wearing a tight red dress that accented my pregnant belly.
Shortly after the barbecue we'd had, I realized I hadn't gotten my period in a while.
The months prior had been so hectic that I hadn't had a moment to think about it.
I guess somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a baby had decided to make its presence known. But I didn't mind one bit.
I rubbed my belly and smiled at my reflection in the mirror. For the first time, I felt like I deserved everything I was experiencing. Duke walked in wearing a pair of black slacks tailored to fit him perfectly, a dress shirt with a few buttons popped, and his all-black leather jacket.
He looked good enough to eat. I bit my lower lip as I turned to face him and leaned back against the counter. Duke leaned forward and kissed the corner of my mouth since I had on lipstick, then leaned down to place a kiss against my belly.
"You better cut it out before you ruin the surprise."
I groaned and followed him out of the bathroom with my heels in my hand. Duke had paid for me to get my feet and nails done. For some reason he was going all out to make today special. It wasn't unusual for him. If I wasn't happy, neither was he.
But today had a little more umph added to it. Normally he would have bent me over the sink and given me something to moan and groan about.
Duke turned around to face me.
"You ready, love?"
My brow lifted. Normally he called me Sweets. But when he said love, he was in his feelings and trying to be delicate with me. This man was going to have me stressed out trying to figure out what he had up his sleeve.
"Yes. Are you ready to tell me what you have planned?" I asked.
Duke smiled and leaned down to pick me up bridal style, then carried me downstairs and out to my car. We had been using my car more often now that I was pregnant. He only rode his bike when he needed to handle Thorn or Chrome business.
Once he was sure I was comfortable in the passenger seat, he closed the door and strolled around to the driver's side. I was practically staring a hole into the side of his face, hoping he would give me something.
"Patience, love. Staring at me all night isn't going to make me change my mind about this being a surprise. Can't I do something nice for you?" he asked.
I poked my lower lip out. "Yes, you can. But I still want to know. I'm anxious."
Duke pulled out of the driveway and onto the street, then reached across the armrest to hold my hand.
"What are you anxious about? Aren't you always safe with me?"
I didn't have to think twice about the answer.
"Absolutely."
"Then allow your man to show you how special you are, love."
I released a sigh and leaned back into my seat, deciding to watch my surroundings instead, hoping I could figure out where we were going. Twenty minutes passed before he parked along the street near the food trucks.
I pointed to my outfit. "Um, baby, you got me this dressed up for a hot dog? I like hot dogs but I could have worn my jeans and a t-shirt for that."
Duke laughed and put the car in park, then got out and walked around to the passenger side.
Once he opened the door, I handed him my heels.
He dropped down to one knee, placed my foot on his knee, then slipped my heel on and laced it up comfortably but snug.
He did the same with the other foot, then helped me out of the car.
We stood outside and he pulled a pink blindfold from his pocket.
"Do I have to put that on?" I asked.
"Humor me, love."
I nodded and he reached out to cover my eyes. My equilibrium immediately felt off, but the moment my hand intertwined with his, I felt steady.
He led me a few steps, then told me to stop and turned me to face right.
"Stay there, love."
I stood patiently as "Find Someone Like You" by Snoh Aalegra played softly around me. My heart hammered in my chest as he finally spoke again.
"Remove the blindfold, love."
I hesitantly reached up with shaky hands and pulled it away. My hands shot up to my mouth and my eyes immediately misted at the sight before me. Duke was standing in front of a large heart wrapped in pink and white flowers with glowing letters that read, Will You Marry Me.
I glanced down at my feet, finally noticing the white rose petals that had led me straight to him. Scottie's food truck was lit up behind him, reminding me of the first time I ever saw Duke. I’d bumped into him and knocked over his skittles.
The thought made me catch my breath. I rarely saw him with skittles these days.
I stepped over the rose petals when he held his hand out for me.
Someone loudly sniffled to my right, so I glanced over to see Miss Lottie, Jessa, and Aubree sitting at one of the tables, all dressed up.
On the other side were Duke's parents and grandparents, while the Thorns were spread out around them.
Everyone except that hoe Vanessa. I hadn't seen her since I beat her ass, and honestly, neither had anyone else. I had a feeling the man standing at the end of this aisle had something to do with that. But I didn't care.
I took his outstretched hand and he pulled me to stand in front of the heart. Someone turned the music down as he pulled a bright Tiffany blue box from his pocket.
I knew he had to have gone into Straton Bay for that, and he couldn't stand the city. I didn't even know when he'd had time to do all of this.
Tears slowly fell down my cheeks and Duke reached out to dab them away. He hated to see me cry, even when they were happy tears.
"Let me get this off my chest before you speak, love."
I nodded as he continued to hold my hand.
"Solana Amore Wright, you're everything and more to me.
I never thought for a minute that the woman who ruined my bag of skittles would be the same woman I needed to spend the rest of my life with.
I know life hasn't always been kind or fair to you.
But I want you to know that if you ever feel like you're running low on anything — love, patience, strength, warmth, security — you can take what you need from me.
The well will never run dry when it comes to you and our kids. "
He paused, caught up in his emotions, and a single tear slipped down his cheek. I reached up and wiped it away, instantly wanting to shield that side of him from everyone around us. That was just for me.
"I say all of that to say — will you allow me to fill in the places you need me most and love you for the rest of your life? Will you marry me?" he asked, then bent down on one knee, flipping open the ring box on his way down.
"Yes, hell yes!"
I nodded quickly, then bent down to kiss my man like nobody was watching. He reached out and slipped the ring onto my finger.
Everyone laughed and cheered around us, but to me it was just Duke and I.
"I love you so much, baby. I knew you were up to something. When you didn't call me Sweets once today, I knew it had to be serious," I told him between kisses.
Duke laughed, then kissed my belly before standing.
"Is that right, Sweets?"
"Yes, sir."
The fire in his eyes let me know I was in for a long night. But I would do anything for that man of mine. Who knew the biker down the street would become everything I needed.
Duke bent down and kissed me once more, then whispered in my ear.
"You know I don't plan to take it easy tonight, right?"
I giggled.
"Oh, I hope not, Mr. Hinton."
He kissed me one last time before our families crowded around to congratulate us. I peered up at the sky and smiled.
Thank you, Mom. This had her written all over it.
The End.