Epilogue
The following year
I’m walking out of the florist’s office when my phone rings. I laugh when I see Evan’s name pop up on my screen. Man, he’s nervous! “Hey, I’m ready,” I say in greeting.
He laughs. “I didn’t even ask you yet.”
“I know, but you’ve been stressing about the details for days. I’m on my way to pick up the flowers now. It’s all a go.” I thought I was nervous about getting married. Evan’s a mess, and he’s just popping the question!
“Thanks, man. I appreciate your help.”
I laugh out loud. “Like I’d let you do this alone.” He was there beside me on my wedding day, and I’ll do the same for him. Growing up, Evan was like a brother to me. Now that we are adults, that sense of found family is even stronger.
“I’ll be waiting,” I say, and hang up.
I switch to Gabby’s number and hit dial. “Hey, darlin’,” I say when she answers. “You guys doing okay?” I left her home alone with Olivia, Scarlette and Zade. Dominic hasn’t been able to take leave, but since Olivia retired from the Army, she decided to homeschool Zade. Which meant they could come and join us for the Fall Festival this year.
“We’re getting ready now. We’ll meet you there?”
Gabby’s sweet voice never fails to put a smile on my face. “I can’t wait.”
Hanging up the phone, I click the button to unlock the fancy new SUV we purchased last week. Sliding inside, I place the flowers in the passenger seat, and look to the rear, imagining what a car seat will look like buckled into the middle of the back row.
I pull into the parking lot of the festival with plenty of time to spare. Grabbing the flowers, I hop out and hit the lock button. I grab a ticket and make my way past the games to the rear of the festivities. I pick a bench near the Ferris wheel, and wait for them to show up.
“Hey, Heath’s here too,” Karlee says as they get closer.
I pretend not to notice them walking up, making sure the bouquet is well hidden.
“Heath!” Karlee calls.
I look in their direction and wave, one hand hidden behind my back. “Oh, hey,” I say, smiling at her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Evan grins and gives me a thumbs up behind her back.
“It was going to be a girls’ day, but the guys found a sitter and decided to join us.” She points over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh,” I say. Panicking a bit. Evan and I hadn’t talked about why I would be here alone. “I was hoping to bump into this girl I know,” I say, my lame attempt at a joke falling flat.
“Oh, have you found her?” Karlee asks, looking around for Gabby.
“No, not yet. I’m sure I’ll run into her, though. She was meeting me here.” At least that part’s true.
She nods. “Well, you’re welcome to join us until she shows up.”
“Nah, I’m going to keep moving and see if I can find her. Thanks, though.”
“Better get in line,” Evan says, guiding her to the end of the line.
I wait until she’s distracted, cross behind them, and pass the flowers to Evan without her seeing. Phew, Operation Evan Proposes is in play. I can’t contain my smile as they get in the passenger pod and Evan passes her the flowers. Her stunned expression makes every moment of today worth it. I’m so happy for them. If they can find half as much joy in marriage as Gabby and I have, they will be happy the rest of their days.
I watch as they make it to the top and Evan pulls out the ring. When she says yes, the crowd around the ride claps and congratulates them loudly.
I glance at my watch. Gabby and Olivia should be here with the kids now. We invited Mom, but she didn’t feel up to being out at the fair today. Truth be told, I think she was looking forward to seeing her newest friend from the cancer support group. Jim has been coming over nearly every day. Mom thinks I don’t know just because I got married and moved out.
As if I don’t drive by and check in on Mom every day. After interrupting their dinner twice, I now know to keep driving when I see his car parked out front, and then I call her instead.
It’s worked so far, but eventually, she’s going to have to tell me about her special friend.
“There you are!” Gabby says when I meet up with them near the entrance. “How’d it go?”
I grin. “She said yes,” I say, chuckling. “He managed to pull it off.”
“Yay!” Gabby does a happy dance. “I’m so happy for them.”
I pull her close, placing my hand on her stomach. “I am too,” I say before giving her a kiss.
“Eww,” Zade says, covering his eyes with his hands. “Why do grown-ups kiss so much?”
I laugh. “You’ll understand one day. When you find the person your soul doesn’t want to live without.”
He shakes his head. “Nuh-uh, that’s gross.”
Olivia laughs. “Keep thinking that.”
We spend the afternoon taking Zade on all the rides and stopping at several of the game booths before calling it quits and heading back home for dinner.
“Mom’s here,” I call from my spot on the couch, baby Scarlette nestled in my arms. I can’t wait to hold my own baby soon.
“Grandma!” Zade yells, running to the front door. “Can I open it?”
“Yes,” Olivia calls from the kitchen. “Just be careful not to knock her over.”
Mom’s scans have been clean, and she’s getting stronger, but she’s still more fragile than she was before. Hopefully the cancer doesn’t come back, but if it does, we’ll be ready to support her.
Zade flings open the door and stops short. “Grandma has a friend,” he calls.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Mom says, stepping into the house. “I invited Jim.” She blushes—a phenomenon I’m not sure I’ve ever seen on her.
“Of course we don’t mind,” Olivia says, wiping her hands on a towel and greeting them. “Nice to meet you, Jim. Any friend of Rosie’s is always welcome.”
Once the introductions are made, I pass the baby back to Olivia and help Gabby take the dishes into the dining room and set the table. “Are you ready?” I ask her, giving her a kiss on my way past her to the kitchen to grab the rest of the food.
She nods and rubs her hand over her stomach nervously. “I think so.”
It had been a rough first trimester. Between spotting, nausea and the extreme fatigue, it had been all I could do to convince her to take fewer shifts on the floor. Thankfully, managing the diner gave her plenty of opportunities to work and sit at the same time.
Now that she’s in the second trimester, she’s been feeling a lot better and is ready to share our news.
“Dinner’s ready,” I call out. Mom, Jim, Olivia with the baby, and Zade all make their way into the dining room and squeeze around the table.
“Here,” Gabby says. “I’ll take her and lay her down in the playpen if you want.”
“Thanks,” Olivia says, gently passing the baby to Gabby. “Let’s hope she sleeps long enough for me to eat.”
Gabby disappears down the hallway with the baby. A few minutes later, she returns with the baby monitor and sets it on the table by Olivia. “She’s out cold.”
“I have an announcement of sorts,” Mom says once everyone has their plates made. “Jim and I are dating.” He reaches over and takes her hand.
“Your mother is a very special woman,” Jim says, looking at me.
“I know,” I say, holding eye contact. “Be good to her, and I’ll be happy.”
He nods. “That’s my plan.” He lets go of her hand and picks up his fork to eat.
“Well then,” Olivia says, grinning. “If we’re making announcements, I have one, too.”
I groan. Seriously?
“What?” she asks.
“I’m hungry,” I say, deflecting.
“You can wait another minute. Dominic is retiring, and we are moving to Piney Brook!” Zade claps his hands. “We’ll be close enough to see you every day, Grandma!”
Mom chuckles. “I can’t wait!”
I glance at Gabby and shrug. May as well.
“Before we actually get to eating, I guess it’s our turn.” I stand and move behind Gabby. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I give it a squeeze for support.
“I’m four-months pregnant,” Gabby says.
Everyone cheers and congratulates us.
“Looks like we’ll be close enough to babysit for each other,” Olivia says.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Gabby says. “I was going to ask you to watch the baby when I go back to work.”
I sit back down at the head of the table and half listen to the chatter around me. Mom’s healthy, and she’s found someone that makes her happy. Olivia and Dominic are moving to town with Zade and Scarlette, and the love of my life is having my baby. It doesn’t get any better than this.
If you enjoyed Heath and Gabby’s story, I’d love for you to leave a review.