Epilogue
Charlie
My hands feel a little shaky as I try to get my hair to curl to perfection.
Today's a big day, I can feel it in my soul.
Not only do we get to see our new house for the first time, but I think today might be the day Hayes finally proposes.
He's seemed nervous all morning, trying to play it off like he's just excited for the house but my gut is telling me there's more.
That, and the fact that he hasn't taken his hand out of his pocket, continually fiddling with his tin of mints.
"Come on, Sunshine!" Hayes called out, his voice sounding deeper than normal in the quiet of the hotel room. Olivia insisted we stay at the Cascadia Ranch Resort while she put the finishing touches on our new house.
After the "incident" and then losing Dan, Hayes and I bought a piece of the property Olivia subdivided.
We bought a travel trailer and had all the hookups installed while our house was being built.
We've been able to watch the house be built from the ground up.
Witnessing every step of the process, every nail hammered, and every wall painted.
Hayes has been a huge help with the construction, using his handyman skills to pitch in wherever he can.
Olivia still wanted us to have the "wow" factor of seeing everything done for the first time, though.
She hired movers, an interior designer, and a landscaping team to make sure everything was perfect for our big reveal.
Even despite everything she's going through—losing Dan, being a single parent, running a business, building her own new home—she's still managed to think about the little details for us.
Going above and beyond to make sure our new house felt like home from the moment we walked in.
I take one last look in the full-length mirror before walking out.
My new white dress has lace lantern sleeves with an a-line silhouette and a tiered ruffled hemline.
It didn't feel too short before but now that I have on a cute pair of black wedges, it's pushing some boundaries.
I contemplated changing but, seeing how killer my legs look, I decided against it. I look hot, and I'm going to own it.
Hayes is scrolling on his phone, and I clear my throat to get his attention while I saunter over to where he's sitting. He does a double take when he sees me, and a slow grin spreads across his face.
I loosely hang my arms on top of his shoulders while I run my fingers through the back of his hair.
He leans back, letting his gaze roam freely as his big hands grasp the back of my legs. Lust and admiration fill those golden eyes.
"You're so fucking beautiful, Sunshine."
"Not too short?" I ask while winking, knowing he loves when I show off my legs.
"Perfect," he replies, pulling me closer for a kiss. I dodge it and turn so that he's only kissing my cheek.
"Good, but you're not smearing my lipstick. Yet." I wink and step back.
Pulling up to the driveway felt like an out-of-body experience.
My knees bounced as I leaned as forward as possible, trying to take in the moment and see everything.
Trees line the now paved driveway and we follow them to the front of the house.
Our two-story log home stands tall and welcoming, with natural stones that accent the front porch.
Hanging baskets overflowing with flowers are on either side of the door, brightening up the entrance.
I can't believe this is really our dream home.
All of our dreams are starting to come true.
Hayes says, "One second," before getting out of his truck and making his way to my side. He opens my door and helps me out. We walk hand in hand toward the house, but before we get to the first step, he stops.
Tears begin to blur my vision before I look at him. This is the moment I've wanted since I was a little girl and developed my first crush.
His knee hits the ground and my heart soars in my chest.
He pulls the antique box out of his pocket and all I can smell is peppermint.
"Charlotte Amelia Reynolds, you are the sun that my world has always revolved around.
Not a day has gone by that I haven't loved you or longed for you.
There is nothing I want more in this world than for you to be my wife, the mother of my children, and the one I spend the rest of my life loving.
You're my best friend, my soulmate, and the owner of my heart. Will you marry me, Sunshine?"
My tears of joy turn into sobs as I nod vigorously, unable to form words through the overwhelming emotions.
“This ring has been in here since before my last deployment. You didn’t know it, but you still carried it around everyday that I was gone.
” I can barely see through all the happy tears.
I knew Hayes would have a heartfelt proposal but I never expected it to be this perfect.
I feel like the luckiest woman alive, standing in front of the home we built together, where every dream we've ever had is coming to fruition and new dreams will be born.
This moment is everything I've ever wanted and more.
He reaches for my shaky hand with his steady one and places the ring on my finger.
A beautiful cushion cut with a diamond band.
It must have cost a fortune, but in that moment, all I could see was the love and commitment behind the gesture.
I wouldn't have cared if he proposed with a silicone ring; the sentiment is still the same.
I get to spend the rest of my life with Hayes.
Hayes wipes away my tears and whispers, "You and me, forever."
I smile while staring at the ring on my finger, placed on his hard chest. "This is the best day of my entire life."
"Mine too. Ready to see the rest of the house?" Nodding, I turn. I've lost a little bit of the steam behind seeing the inside, ready to call my family and tell them the good news, but I know that can wait. I want to live in the present and enjoy the first moment we step into our future.
"Let's do it, fiancé."
He opens the front door for me, and when I step inside, everything is perfect.
The dark stained trim contrasts with the light walls and beige furniture we picked out.
The great room, dining room, and kitchen are all open and connected.
Hayes picked out an enormous dining room table that has a beautiful floral centerpiece.
Our kitchen isn't huge, but the counters are all butcher block and the stainless steel appliances give it a modern touch.
"It's everything I wanted." Tears spill again as I hug Hayes and bury my head into his chest.
"There's one more thing I want to show you." He grabs my hand and guides me to the patio.
Through the French doors, I see more overflowing flower baskets, but the real surprise isn't what I see on the patio; it's who.
I fling open the door and throw my hand in the air, showing off my new ring. Connie, Odessa, Everett, Olivia, Ellie, and Ben shout and cheer at the same time.
Odessa is the first to hug me, followed by Connie, who whispers in my ear, "Your mom and I dreamed of this moment." An overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude hit me as I looked around at my closest friends and family celebrating with me.
Everett is face-timing with Drew, who is looking slightly teary-eyed as well, and I'm so thankful even he gets to be part of this. I held the phone and showed off my giant rock.
"It really is the perfect date." Everett's cheeky grin is in full force as he holds up a champagne glass. "April 25th, not too hot, not too cold."
Odessa rolls her eyes but holds her glass up next to his, finishing his joke. "All you need is a light jacket."
Everyone stares at them, waiting for the punchline or reference. With these two, it's guaranteed to be a rom-com.
Hayes gets it first. "Miss Congeniality? Of all the movies? You choose Miss Congeniality?"
Everett shrugs and his smile gets even wider. "You chose the date, my friend."
Odessa laughs and clinks her glass with Hayes', "Don't complain, it could've been much worse knowing Ev."
Olivia and the kids have been hanging back, smiling from a distance. I assume it’s because she doesn't want to intrude, but that isn't how this family works. She should be as involved as everyone else, especially because I can guarantee she's the one who set this all up.
I hand the phone back to Everett and yell to Olivia. "Hey, Liv! Get your ass over here and congratulate me."
She laughs and carries Ellie over. Ben follows right on her heels, and a huge smile lights up his face when Hayes reaches down to him.
"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you both."
"Good, then stop being weird and come join the celebration. You're part of this family too, you know."
Olivia blushes and nods, her eyes going misty. We've been through the wringer the last few years together, both holding each other up when we needed it. I wouldn't be standing here today in my dream house, engaged to my dream guy, if it weren't for her.
"Auntie Char!" Ellie reaches for me, and I take her from Olivia.
"What do you think, Ells? Do you like my ring?"
Her eyes go wide and she grins. "'s so sparkly!"
"It is! Hayes picked out the prettiest one."
"More like the biggest one." Everett chuckles from his seat at the patio table. Connie and Odessa are already sitting next to him.
"Nothing wrong with that," I say while winking at him.
"Y'all come, eat!" Connie motions toward the table.
Everyone sits and begins to eat, drinking champagne like its water and sharing stories.
We're all still sitting on the patio when the sun begins to set over the Cascades', casting a warm glow over the pond we had designed.
Hayes and I share a knowing look, our hearts are full of gratitude for the love and laughter that surround us.
Despite everything bad that has come our way, we've made it through to the other side.