Epilogue
6 MONTHS LATER
The small church glowed with warmth and joy, filled to the brim with friends, family, and the love Ella and Tom had cultivated in Harmony Falls. Gareth stood at the front, his brothers flanking him, all of them beaming with pride as they watched Ella walk down the aisle.
The church was resplendent with fresh flowers and simple, elegant touches that perfectly reflected the couple—understated but undeniably beautiful. Children whispered excitedly in the pews, their eyes wide with wonder. The entire town had turned out to celebrate their beloved teacher and the man who had captured her heart.
Gareth’s mind drifted to six months ago, to the day Tom had surprised them all with his proposal. The lad had enlisted the entire community, orchestrating a moment during the spring festival that would go down in Harmony Falls history.
As Ella had browsed the booths, blissfully unaware, Tom had given the signal. The crowd had fallen silent, parting like the Red Sea as he’d stepped forward, determination and love etched into every line of his face.
Gareth could still picture it perfectly—Tom dropping to one knee in the town square, surrounded by friends and neighbors holding signs that read “Say Yes, Ella!” Children had tossed flower petals, their laughter mingling with the collective gasp as Ella had turned, her eyes widening in shock and wonder.
“The boy outdid himself,” Gareth thought with a mix of pride and grudging admiration. “He had the whole town wrapped around his finger—and Ella too, by the end of it.”
He glanced at Lissa, radiant in her matron of honor gown as she stood beside Ella. In her arms, their son cooed happily, while their daughter twirled in her flower girl dress. For a moment, Gareth allowed himself to imagine proposing to Lissa all over again, to relive the joy of choosing her, of building a life and a family together.
But as he looked at his wife, her eyes shining with love and contentment, he knew he wouldn’t change a thing. They had weathered their own storms, had fought for their happiness. Just like Ella and Tom.
Gareth’s gaze returned to the bride, marveling at the change in her. Gone was the hesitant newcomer, the wary widow. In her place stood a woman radiant with joy and purpose, a woman who had found her home, her family.
“She’s one of us now,” Gareth thought, his throat tightening with emotion. “Not just because of Tom, but because she’s found her place here. With all of us.”
It hadn’t been an easy journey. After the truth about their meddling had come out, Ella’s trust had been shattered. Gareth winced, remembering the hurt and betrayal in her eyes, the way she’d pulled away from them all.
Winning her forgiveness had been a humbling experience. He’d swallowed his pride, apologized more sincerely than he had in centuries. And he’d given her space, let her come to terms with their interference in her own time.
Looking at her now, incandescent with happiness as she faced Tom, Gareth knew it had all been worth it.
“Every bit of groveling,” he thought wryly. “Every uncomfortable conversation. To see her like this, to know we helped bring these two together... It was worth it all.”
As the couple began to exchange vows, Gareth found himself unexpectedly moved. Tom’s voice rang out, steady and sure, his words heavy with the weight of eternal promise. This was no mere formality, no expected recitation.
“That proposal might’ve been grand,” Gareth mused, blinking back the sting in his eyes as he hugged his wife to him, “but these vows? They’re the real deal.”
Pride swelled in his chest, knowing he had played a part in this love story. His meddling, misguided as it might have been at times, had helped shape this moment.
When the ceremony concluded and the newlyweds kissed, the church erupted. Cheers rang out, happy tears flowed freely. And in the midst of it all, Liam couldn’t resist tossing a handful of rice he’d smuggled in, rules or not.
Ella and Tom practically glowed as they made their way back down the aisle, hand in hand, ready to begin their new life together. Gareth reached for Lissa, twining their fingers together as they followed the procession out into the sunlight.
“Sometimes meddling is a gamble,” he thought, watching Tom and Ella accept congratulations and well wishes from the exuberant crowd. “But when you’ve got a love like theirs, a bond that strong... It’s worth every bit of trouble.”
The reception swirled around him, a kaleidoscope of laughter, music, and joy. Gareth watched contentedly as Ella and Tom took their first dance, as the MacGregors told embarrassing stories in their toasts, as the entire town celebrated the couple they’d all come to adore.
At one point, Ella broke away from the festivities to embrace him, her eyes shining with gratitude and understanding.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “For everything.”
Gareth hugged her back fiercely, marveling at the journey that had brought this once-wary stranger into the very heart of their family.
“No, lass,” he murmured gruffly. “Thank you. For making our Tom so happy. For being part of us.”
She smiled at him, radiant and understanding, before Tom swept her back onto the dance floor, both of them laughing with unbridled delight.
As the celebration stretched on, as day faded into night and laughter continued to echo under the stars, Gareth felt a bone-deep contentment settle over him.
His family was complete. Ella and Tom were beginning their happily ever after. And Harmony Falls had proven, once again, that love always found a way.
Even if it needed a little meddling to get there.