Epilogue
EVAN
M y hands grip the steering wheel, knuckles white with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as I drive through town. I’m barely going the speed limit, but I couldn’t care less when I have such precious cargo onboard.
“Come on, Evan,” Abby teases, her voice cutting through the silence. “My grandma drives faster than this.”
I chuckle, knowing she’s right but unable to help myself. “Can’t be too careful, Sunshine,” I say, glancing into the rearview mirror, where I see Ava Rose sleeping soundly in her car seat.
It feels surreal, this moment of bringing our daughter home for the first time. My heart swells with a love I never knew possible as I steal another glance at Abby. Her eyes sparkle with amusement and exhaustion, and I’m struck by a wave of gratitude for the life we’ve created together. From best friends to lovers, it’s been a journey filled with laughter and passion and some weird drama. But now, I have a perfect little family to show for it.
As we pull into the driveway, I park the SUV with deliberate care, the vehicle a tangible symbol of our new family life. Abby shakes her head in disbelief, a playful smile on her lips as she comments on the trade of my beloved truck for something more kid-friendly. “I guess it’s better than a minivan.”
“The safety ratings are better.” I shrug.
Then I exit the vehicle and move to Abby’s side, opening the door with a gentle touch. I offer my hand and help her get to her feet, before turning my attention to Ava, carefully unbuckling her car seat and removing it from the car.
Balancing our tiny pink bundle in one hand while supporting Abby with the other, I guide my little family toward the house. This is it, the beginning of our forever, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
The door clicks shut behind us, and I set the car seat on the coffee table, my eyes never leaving Ava’s peaceful face. She looks so small, so innocent—a tiny miracle wrapped in soft blankets.
“Are you both comfortable?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, as if even that might disturb the serenity of the room.
“Perfectly.” Abby’s eyes meet mine with a smile that speaks to a shared understanding between us.
Taking one last look at my girls, I excuse myself to retrieve the rest of her belongings from the car. As I carry the bags inside, I find myself planning all the little adventures we’ll embark on as a family. And when I return to the living room, I’m greeted by an image that takes my breath away: Abby, cradling Ava in her arms, cooing to her while she nurses. The moment is so intimate, so beautiful, that I’m captivated by the sight of the woman I’ve loved for years nurturing our child.
“Did you get everything?” she asks, her voice gentle and concerned as it draws me back to the present.
“I got it all. Be right back.”
Abby nods and returns her attention to the baby.
There’s a small velvet box tucked away in our bedroom. I’d hidden it away weeks ago, waiting for the perfect moment to present it. Now, as I watch Abby with our daughter, I can’t wait a second longer.
I slip away to retrieve the box, my heart pounding with anticipation when I return to the living room. This is a promise that will change our lives forever, and I hope like hell she says yes .
My knees touch the soft carpet as I drop in front of Abby, my gaze locking on to hers. A boyish grin spreads across my face as I hold out the small black box in my hand. Her eyebrows lift, but amusement dances in her brown eyes.
“Is this… what I think it is?” she asks, her voice laced with skepticism and humor.
Laughter fills the room, bubbling up from deep within me—a joyful sound that echoes the love I feel for her. I nod, confirming her suspicions. “It is.”
“Really, Evan? You couldn’t have picked a better time? Boob out, tiny human attached?”
Her remark only makes me laugh harder. It also reminds me why I want to marry my best friend—she’s the woman who can make me laugh, who makes me happy, who makes life better just by being in it.
“Abby,” I begin, my voice trembling as I stare into her eyes. “I want to marry you because you’re not just my best friend; you’re my everything. You’ve made my life so much brighter, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of it without you by my side.”
As I speak, everything around us stills, as if we’re cocooned in our own little world, one where nothing exists but the three of us. Abby gazes at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and I see the joy and love reflected in them.
Then she nods, accepting my proposal. “Of course, I’ll marry you, Evan,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “You’ve been my soul mate since we were kids.”
Leaning in, I kiss her tenderly, sealing our promise of a new chapter in our lives together: one filled with love and solidified by the unbreakable bond between me and my best friend.