33. Juno
Juno stepped out of the shop next door to her coffee bar and shook out her arms to release the tension in her shoulders. It was a mess in there, and right now, it was hard for her to see how things were going to come together over the next month. Alex had assured her that the project would take no longer than three weeks, but today, all she could see was the demolition that came before the reconstruction.
"Trust me," Alex had murmured against her ear as he pressed her up against the wall and then kissed her into submission. "I know what I'm doing." He'd taken her to the back of the new space and showed her the carefully draped sign that they were going to hang on the front of the building in the morning: "Juno's Coffee Bar it had been a form of catharsis, of taking off the weight of bitterness that had driven her to be such a lone soldier all these years.
"What he did to you wasn't because you're you. It's because he's him." She repeated Poppy's mantra aloud for possibly the hundredth time since hearing it. She was learning to accept that, to accept herself, too.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Alex: Just picked Lena up from school. Be there in 15. She's practically drooling about her milkshake.
Juno typed back: Tell her I've got a special surprise flavor today.
Alex's reply came quickly: Now she's kicking the back of my seat. Thanks a lot!
The weekly milkshake tradition had continued since Lena had officially moved in with Alex.
It had been a bumpy transition at first, with Lena missing her mother and struggling to adjust to school in a regular classroom setting rather than being taught by a tutor.
Alex, too, had discovered that single parenthood was a 24-hour job, seven days a week, and that there was no such thing as time off. His life now revolved around Lena's schedules, Lena's needs, Lena's wants, and Lena's habits, both good and bad. His angelic Lena-bug, he'd quickly learned, had mastered the art of silent treatments and slammed doors, modeled by her mother over the years, he was certain. But in the tiny apartment they shared, her silence was louder than any raised voice.
Then there were her tears. Tears of devastation over a misplaced trinket. Tears of anger over a classmate's unkind words. Tears of remorse that followed the silent treatments and slammed doors. Tears of grief over why Melissa wasn't like other mommies, why she'd rather go live with some guy in France than stay in Autumn Lake to be with her. Those tears, especially, were difficult for Alex, because there was nothing he could do or say to explain Melissa's decisions in a way that would comfort their daughter.
Juno had assured him on multiple occasions that Lena didn't need him to fix everything for her. She needed him to be there for her, to hold her and tell her she was deeply loved.
Melissa had kept her promise to maintain regular contact. She'd been back twice already, once at Thanksgiving, and again just before Christmas, and had spoken with Lena by phone almost daily. She was arriving next Thursday and would spend three weeks in Autumn Lake for Lena's 9th birthday, during which time Lena would stay with her as much as she wanted. To Alex's surprise, Melissa had booked a room at The Garden Gate Bed really." What he did to you wasn't because you're you. It's because he's him.
Alex nodded, understanding in his eyes. He'd been there through the entire emotional journey—the anger, the shame, the gradual acceptance that her father's actions weren't her responsibility, and that she couldn't force him to be the man she wanted him to be.
They found Lena with her apron already around her waist, and standing on a step stool by the counter where Juno had set out ingredients for the day's special milkshake creation—strawberries, vanilla bean ice cream, and fresh mint.
"What are we making?" Lena asked eagerly.
"Strawberry-mint dream," Juno replied, joining her at the counter. "It's a spring specialty."
As they worked together, Juno marveled at how natural it felt, this little family they'd created. Alex leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a smile that made Juno's heart skip. She'd caught him looking at her that way more and more lately—with a mixture of tenderness and something deeper, something that spoke of permanence.
Once the milkshakes were blended and poured into mason jars with rims coated in white chocolate spread and dipped in crushed strawberry wafers, they settled at the counter in their usual spot. Alex and Lena each had a shake, while Juno sipped a mild ginger and lemon tea. She'd had enough sugar and caffeine for the day.
She glanced out through the front window and was surprised to see all of her Garden Variety Lovers Club friends gathered out on the sidewalk, their heads together like they were discussing something important. Claire glanced up and waved, but didn't beckon her outside to join them.
Hmmm. The last time her friends had gotten together without her knowing had been for her fundraiser. Surely, they weren't up to something else, were they? Was it possible to die from too much kindness?
Well, whatever they were up to would have to wait. She had a very important young lady and her father to entertain at the moment.
"How was school today?" Juno asked Lena, who was already sporting a whipped cream mustache.
"Good! I got an A on my science project. The one about photosynthesis, remember? And Jesse Draper tried to kiss me at recess, but I told him I'm too young for kissing."
Alex nearly choked on his shake. "He what?"
Lena rolled her eyes dramatically. "Relax, Daddy. I handled it."
Juno bit back a laugh at Alex's stunned face. "Sounds like you did," she agreed, winking at Lena. "Very mature."
Alex shook his head, recovered from his momentary shock. "When did you get so grown up?"
"I'm almost nine," Lena reminded him solemnly. "That's practically a teenager."
This time, Juno couldn't hold back her laughter. "Not quite, sweetheart. You've got a few years to go."
As they chatted, Juno saw Alex and Lena exchange surreptitious side-glances, as if sharing a secret. Twice, Alex reached into his pocket, then seemed to change his mind.
"Okay, what's going on with you two?" she finally asked. "You're being weird."
Lena giggled, eyeing Alex expectantly. He cleared his throat, suddenly looking nervous.
At that moment, her friends bustled inside, then huddled suspiciously in a group by the window instead of coming to the counter to place their orders. They were up to something for sure.
Juno narrowed her eyes at them, but only Liz locked gazes with her, and she shrugged and grinned like she was just along for the ride.
"We, uh, have something for you," Alex said, drawing her attention back to him. He was reaching into his pocket again. This time, he withdrew a small black velvet box, which he and Lena together slid across the counter toward her.
Juno stared at it, her heart pounding. "What's this?"
"Open it," Lena urged, practically bouncing on her stool. And then, unable to contain her excitement, she exclaimed, "Daddy asked me first, just like you said he would, and I said yes. So what are you going to say?"
With trembling fingers, Juno picked up the box and opened it. Inside was an antique-looking band of white gold with a small but brilliant diamond in the center, flanked by tiny sapphires.
"It was my grandmother's," Alex said quietly. "Mom gave it to me to give to you. With her blessing."
Juno looked up at him, her vision blurring with tears. "Alex..."
He reached across the counter to take her hand. "I love you, Juniper Thomas. I've loved you as long as I've known you. I never stopped loving you, even when I thought I'd lost you forever." His voice was steady, though his eyes betrayed his nerves. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me—"
"To us," Lena interjected, reaching over to add her hand to theirs.
"To us," Alex amended. "Will you marry me?"
"Marry us, Dad," Lena corrected again. "Remember?"
Juno was aware of Trevor and Poppy frozen in place down near the register, of Claire and Penny, of Addison and Liz and Candy, still loitering at the back of the room, but with their full attention on her. Of the handful of regular customers who had gone silent, all watching the scene unfold.
But in that moment, all she could see was Alex and Lena, looking at her with matching hopeful expressions.
"Yes," she whispered, and then louder, "Yes, of course I will."
The shop erupted in applause as Alex slid from his stool and drew her around the corner so that he slip the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made for her.
"I love you," she murmured as he pulled her close.
"I love you too, June-bug," he replied, the old nickname a term of endearment rather than a reminder of what they'd lost.
Lena wiggled her way between them, wrapping her arms around them both. "We're going to be a real family now," she declared, her face alight with joy.
Juno bent to kiss the top of her head. "We already are, sweetheart."
And it was true. Somewhere along the way, through all the pain and misunderstandings and second chances, they had found their way back to each other.
As Alex pulled them both closer, Juno caught sight of her friends moving in to circle around them, their faces alight with happiness for her.
"My elephant family," she declared, fighting back tears of joy. "I love you all so much."
Isn't it remarkable how hard it can be to ask for help? And how rewarding it can be when we finally realize we're better together? I hope you found Juno and Alex's journeys toward forgiveness, second chances, and new beginnings both inspiring and satisfying. It's always a pleasure to have you read along as we walk with these characters through life-altering events and see them through to the other side where hope and love prevail. There are more Autumn Lake Romances!