Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
Ellie
The day after I officially started my full-time job at On Point, I was over the moon, and I was throwing a party to celebrate. Ian said I could host it at his place, and I loved the idea.
I was in the bedroom where the catering team had brought all the food, laying it on folding tables with chafing dishes and iced trays. There wasn’t enough counter space in the kitchen to bring everything at once.
I surveyed the bed, happy with the order.
The chef in charge of Isabelle’s party, which was taking place the next week, catered the food.
Isabelle had advised me not to do the cooking myself because I would be more stressed about cooking than enjoying the party.
It turned out she was right. Someone else was in charge of the culinary side, and I was still stressing about it.
We had quite a few people coming in. Dylan, Josie, and Isabelle were coming with their family, of course, but I’d also invited the Winchesters.
I really liked them. They were a fun group.
I straightened up when I heard the doorbell ring.
Okay, that was interesting. The guests weren’t supposed to arrive for another hour.
Were they already here? I left the bedroom quickly and was stunned when I heard voices in the living room.
Oh my God. My family was here. I had invited them, but except for Henry, no one RSVP’d.
Mom said she'd try to make it, and Dad said he didn't think they could leave.
But they were all there in the living room.
"What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?
” I asked. My voice wasn't right. It was a bit high-pitched, but hey, I could be forgiven for it, right?
I hadn't seen the family together in a long time.
Mom had styled her brown hair in a bob since I last FaceTimed with her.
It looked good on her, contrasting with her angular cheekbones.
Linc, my stepdad, had a big smile on his face.
Stephanie, my stepmom, was wearing a yellow dress and looked lovely.
Dad was clapping Ian’s shoulder, winking at me.
What was happening? When did Dad meet Ian? I’d thought about introducing Ian to my parents in person whenever I used the voucher Ian had gifted me, but it seemed that it wasn’t necessary anymore.
Henry was closest to me, and he hugged me first. I looked at Mom over his shoulder. She was smiling from ear to ear.
"We're surprising you," Mom said.
"Ian did what I never could manage: get everyone together," Henry said.
"He's a great guy," Mom added.
"I like what I'm hearing. Everyone's singing my praises," Ian exclaimed, looking proud of himself. He hooked an arm around my waist, kissing my cheek from behind.
“Okay, I need details,” I said. “When did all this happen?”
“Recently,” Ian replied with an air of mystery. I was so immensely happy. I couldn't believe Ian pulled this off. And he thought he wasn't a romantic? I couldn't imagine anything more romantic than this.
"All right. We have some time until everyone else arrives," Ian said, "but we can pop open a bottle of champagne to celebrate Ellie's new job."
“Yes, let's celebrate," I said. My voice still wasn't right. Ian immediately brought a bottle. He poured drinks in seven glasses, and then we all clinked.
"We're so proud of you, Ellie," Mom said. Oh my God, she was a bit teary-eyed. This was so uncharacteristic for her that my stepdad kissed her temple.
Dad spoke next. "You've come a long way, little one. We're proud that you went after your dream. We might not make it there to celebrate every accomplishment, but we're proud of you, and we love you."
Ian was right next to me, putting an arm around my shoulders as if he knew how important this was for me and that I was emotionally in need of his support.
"Ellie, no one is happier than me that you moved to New York.
It's not an exaggeration when I say that you've changed my life for the better.
" He looked at me, and I was startled at the emotion swimming in his eyes.
Something clenched in my chest. "I'm so lucky you moved here and wanted to be my girlfriend. And I need luck on my side again today.”
Everyone seemed to draw in their breath. What was going on?
He took a step back and lowered himself down on one knee. My breath caught. I brought a hand to my chest. He took a velvet box out of his pocket, holding it out to me. "I'd be the luckiest man if you wanted to be my wife. Here, before everyone, I wanted to ask you— will you marry me ?"
I clasped my hand there on the velvet box, taking it in my hands for a closer look.
"I think that's a yes," Mom said.
I started to laugh, and so did Ian as he stood up, putting the ring on my finger. It was gorgeous, with a square-cut diamond, and there were also little stones around the edge.
I hugged him tightly, but my throat wasn't working properly, so I couldn't put in words everything I was feeling.
Mom and Linc hugged me first, and then Dad and Stephanie. I could feel everyone's happiness like a blanket around me. Henry hugged both me and Ian at the same time.
Once everyone returned to nursing their drinks, Ian kept an arm around my waist. "My parents will kill me. Isabelle and Josie too," he said.
"Why?" I asked.
"The plan was to wait for everyone to arrive before proposing."
I couldn't help but laugh. “So you couldn't wait, huh?"
"No, I couldn't."
We chatted a bit about everyone’s journey, and Ian opened another bottle of champagne.
The rest of the guests arrived earlier than we expected, by a full thirty minutes.
Mom’s eyes were wide when she saw both the Winchester and the Gallagher gang.
She was used to me making friends wherever I moved, but she wasn’t used to me letting people in my life the way I’d let in Ian and his family and friends.
Skye, Josie, and Ryker brought their kids, too, so the condo was getting super crowded.
Isabelle took one look at my hand and burst out laughing, nudging Josie, who shook her head, smiling from ear to ear.
"We should have come even earlier. I told you he wouldn't be able to wait," she said.
Ryker gave Ian a thumbs-up. “Great job. Can’t believe you went from self-proclaimed bachelor to engaged already! It’s a record in this group.”
Ian groaned. “Ryker. I worked hard to build my reputation with Ellie’s parents. Don’t ruin it.”
Ryker winced. “Sorry, man.”
I leaned into him, kissing his jawline. “Awww, don’t worry about that. They adore you.”
Tess took her nephew from Skye’s arms, and with him on her hip, came to us.
When everyone said their congratulations, I could feel Ian's gaze on me. I looked over my shoulder at him, winking. How could I be this happy?
"Okay, everyone, I'm just going to bring in some appetizers for us to snack on. I'll be right back," I said after a while.
To my surprise, Mom joined me, and we both checked on the canapés: cheese platters and slices of baguette with vegetable spreads. It was mostly food that didn’t need to be refrigerated for that short time. Mom was looking around with a smile. She seemed lost in thought.
"Mom, is everything okay?" I asked.
"Yes.”
“Want to tell me how Dad already knew Ian? Well, all of you?”
Mom couldn’t keep secrets. “Yes, it was honestly the most romantic thing I’ve seen. He spoke to Henry first, who told us he’d be coming to visit us.”
Holy shit, he’d gone there in person? How did I not notice? I mean, we weren’t living together yet, so there were a couple of nights a week we didn’t sleep in the same place, but still.
“I was so stunned when Ian asked for your hand in marriage. He went to both our households, your dad's and mine, and spoke with each of us, and also told us how important it is for you to see us all together. I'm sorry that I didn't pay attention before."
"Mom, it's okay."
"No, it's not, but it will be from now on. I'm so glad you found him and that you're happy. It makes me fulfilled. For a while, I thought you weren't going to give your heart to anyone."
I couldn't correct her because I had thought the same, but Ian changed something inside me.
I hugged Mom tightly, immensely happy that she was here. "Okay. Let's go back," I said once I pulled back. “I’ll take a tray. Can you take one too?”
“Sure.”
We each managed to grab two small trays, carrying them to the kitchen island.
The group was standing and chatting around the room.
I loved seeing the gang come together. I tiptoed to Ian, who seemed to hear me approach anyway, and turned around, immediately putting both hands on my waist. My skin ignited.
How could a simple touch affect me so much?
"Thank you for asking everyone to come here," I whispered.
"Anything to make you happy, Ellie. Always.
" He kissed the side of my neck, and then he turned around to the group.
"Everyone, this was supposed to be the moment when I proposed," Ian said loudly.
Taking my hand, he held it up for everyone to see.
"If you can't see from my fiancée’s finger, I was too eager.
Thank you all for coming here to celebrate this milestone with us.
Being surrounded by our family makes us both happy, and we're looking forward to celebrating many more milestones together. "
"Hey, don't you even think about eloping," Josie warned, "or accidentally getting married before the guests arrive."
"Yes. I can forgive missing the proposal, but not the wedding," Isabelle added.
"We won't do that. I promise," I said. Everyone toasted. I loved the happiness practically rolling off everyone.
“Did you decide where you want to have the wedding?" Tess asked.
I pressed my lips together, glancing at Ian from the corner of my eye. "No, he just proposed, but I think we have time. I mean, we haven't even set a date."
"Tell me when you do, and I'll do everything I can to help."
“Thanks.”
"The earlier you decide on a dress, the better. It can take forever to have it all done, especially if the style isn't one that they usually carry," Isabelle said.
I was already panicking a little as everyone else started pitching in with wedding advice.
"Eloping doesn't sound so bad now, does it?" Ian whispered when I reached for a piece of cheese.
"Nah, we can’t do that,” I whispered. “Look how much everyone’s looking forward to it.”
I never thought that meeting Ian would lead to finding love and bringing my family together like this. I smiled, glancing around the crowded room. With our family and friends around us, we’d figure out everything, one day at a time.