Epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
Who says you can't have it all?
When I found out I was pregnant, I was worried that everything I'd worked so hard for in my life would fall by the wayside.
That couldn't have been more wrong. Sure, for about eight months after I gave birth to two human beings, I was focused entirely on being a mom, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't get the restaurant dream out of my head.
All my life, I have lived and breathed food, and my dream didn't die because I became a mother. While Maria and Mae are the greatest things I have ever created, a year ago I turned my attention toward my dream of opening a business.
Raising two daughters is difficult. A lot of things in this world aren't made for women, and I want them to know that dreams do come true. That's why it's important to me to make sure my restaurant thrives.
“Are you ready?” Drake asks as I stand on the curb outside the new restaurant, ready to flip on the light for the sign for the very first time.
Maria and Mae are on either side of me, gripping my hands tightly as they look around the sidewalk curiously. They want to go out and run, neither fully understanding the significance of what's happening. I take a deep breath with them by my side and nod to Drake.
He flips the switch on the light and a bright pink neon sign in the window reading “Maria Mae’s” turns on, making me cry.
Right before me is everything that I have ever wanted, and I couldn't be happier.
I have a partner who loves me unconditionally, two beautiful, healthy daughters, and the restaurant of my dreams is having its soft launch in a matter of hours.
Drake picks up Maria, and I bend down to hold Mae in my arms as we stare at something we've worked so hard on. “I can't believe this is happening. You have no idea how long I've wanted this.”
“This is going to be one of the best restaurants in the city,” Drake says as he wraps an arm around me, and the four of us stand together soaking in the moment.
I say goodbye to the three of them as Drake piles them in the car to go home while I tend to my first service at the restaurant.
My new kitchen staff is already inside prepping the menu for tonight. The soft launch isn’t public, but open to family and friends. It's basically just letting the staff get used to how service works before we officially open the doors next week.
Prep goes smoothly as everybody falls into sync. It its surreal knowing this is my first service in my restaurant. Just saying the words my restaurant is unreal.
I open the doors at 5 p.m., and Callie is the first person to show up with Steve. After I moved out, Steve moved in, and I’ve gotten to know him very well over the past couple of years. Callie has never been happier, and I’m waiting for an engagement announcement any day.
“I'm so happy for you, Liv,” Callie says in my ear as she hugs me. She hands me a bouquet of flowers, and I happily take it and find a vase in a storage room to display them.
My dad arrives with his date, a woman from his gym named Amanda whom he's been seeing for a few months.
It was a little awkward finding out he was dating someone at first, but I'm happy for him.
I want him to find someone who makes him as happy as Drake makes me.
I know it might be hard because he'll always be comparing people to my mom, but Amanda seems lovely.
He wraps his arm around me as I give him a tour of the restaurant, introducing him to the staff as I go. He wears a wide, proud smile that reminds me of the look he had the first time he held his grandkids .
“I'm so proud of you, Booger,” he says, hugging me before looking around at my accomplishment. “Your mom would be, too.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say before he turns around and tries not to cry.
Other people file into the restaurant shortly after.
Michelle and Brianna are here with their partners, and the staff invited some of their friends and family as well.
The only people remaining before we can start service are Drake and the girls.
I'm about to pull out my phone and call him to see where he is when the front door opens, and he walks in with a giant bouquet of flowers and the girls on either side of him wearing beautiful matching dresses.
Drake is notably overdressed, wearing a tuxedo to the opening of a mostly casual restaurant. I narrow my eyes, not understanding why he is dressed like this. Before he can say or do anything, I see Callie whip out her phone, and a burning feeling in my stomach tells me this is it.
This is a moment I have been waiting for for more than two years.
We have been so busy that the idea of adding a wedding to all this was overwhelming.
We were constantly busy with the kids, plus Drake's business was so new, and I was opening a restaurant.
Where would we have fit planning a wedding into that schedule?
Drake had promised me that a ring was coming, but he wasn't going to propose until we could properly focus on the wedding.
Now that the restaurant is up and running, it's a perfect time.
“Oh, my God,” I say shakily as I feel tears stinging my eyes.
Drake hands me the flowers and drops to one knee with Maria and Mae on either side of him, staring at us with smiles on their little faces. He pulls out a blue velvet box and opens it in front of me.
“Olivia Porter, I was charmed by you the first time I laid eyes on you, and there hasn't been a day since where I haven't thought of you,” Drake begins as the smile on his face grows wider.
“These past two years have been the best of my life, and I want every year after this to be the same. Would you please do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”
I'm speechless, tears are streaming down my face as I nod. Drake stands and wraps his arms around me while everybody in the dining room claps and cheers. I kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck before he pulls away and slides a dainty, elegant ring on my finger.
“I love you so much,” I say through a joy-filled sob.
Everything I've ever wanted has fallen perfectly into place, and I couldn't be happier. I have Drake to thank for all of this. I love him and our family more than words can describe and I'm looking forward to our future.
The End