Epilogue
Belle
Over the last few months, I spent more time at Maverick's house. It gave us a much-needed break between work and our personal life. It also gave us more room and privacy. I didn't have to worry about anyone stopping by.
I worked with a therapist to learn about setting boundaries. She included Maverick in the discussion. I felt more grounded and surer of myself than I ever had before.
Maverick said his life was better because I was in it, and I'd grown as a person since we started dating.
The patio was a lovely addition to the bookstore. It was a favorite meeting spot for everyone in town, and the children loved to play in the fountain. Every time I looked outside, I was awed by the design. I loved that my drawing of the little girl had been memorialized in this way.
Visitors were eager to hear the story behind the statue. The first time someone asked if they could buy one of the drawings, I couldn't believe it. I refused to sell the first series, but I offered to draw new ones and sell those.
There had been a demand for the drawings to put in their children's nurseries and bedrooms. I had a feeling if I ever had a child with Maverick, our little one's room would be filled with framed drawings.
I loved that Maverick thought of the little girl on the fountain as me and our future daughter. It filled me with love and contentment and the realization that he saw me. The little girl who had been caged by her parents' expectations, finally running free.
He'd been working on the four-seasons room, and it was finally completed. I was planning a celebration to formally introduce the patio and the new room to the community. But tonight, Maverick had insisted on closing the store for us to enjoy it.
I had no idea what he had planned, but I couldn't wait to see the finished space. He'd made me promise not to peek into the room the last few weeks. He'd even placed tarps so I couldn't peek through the windows, and I was excited to see how it turned out.
The store was closed for the night, and he'd placed his hands over my eyes, helping me walk into the new room.
I smiled. "Can I look now?"
He slowly removed his hands, and I blinked against the light.
There was a long table for group meetings on one end, and on the other there was a stone fireplace with leather chairs and a couch arranged in a cozy circle around it. The mantle was a rough chunk of wood, decorated for the holidays with garland.
The walls facing outside were glass, but bookshelves were added between the store and the room.
"It's gorgeous," I breathed.
"Is it everything you dreamed of?" Maverick asked carefully.
"It's better than I imagined. There is so much more stone than I envisioned." It ran from the floor to the ceiling, acting as the centerpiece of the room.
"I wanted the fireplace to be what everyone saw when they came in."
"I think you accomplished that goal."
"Sometimes, I create things because I want people to love them and to generate word-of-mouth referrals and maybe get a mention in a design magazine. But this time, I designed the fireplace and the fountain for you. I wanted to create something that you would love and be able to enjoy forever."
I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love it."
"You didn't ask for the bookshelves, but I wanted this room to still have the feel of a bookstore."
"I think it's perfect. I'm just upset I hadn't thought of that."
"It was a bit of a last-minute decision. The designer who created the mantle mentioned that he could build shelves to match, and I thought it was a great idea."
Music played on speakers he'd mounted in the room, and a small two-person table was covered in a tablecloth and set with plates and silverware. There was a cart of covered food next to it. "Are we recreating our night in the Denver library?"
His lips quirked. "Kind of. But this will be a little different."
I tipped my head to the side. "How so?"
"Tonight is just for us." He guided me in front of the fireplace where there was a thick white rug under our feet.
Then he dropped to one knee. "Belle, you've changed my life.
You've made me want to be a better man. To be someone that I can be proud of at all times.
I want to make everything beautiful for you, and I hope that you'll always allow me to do that. "
"Of course," I murmured, knowing I couldn't stifle his creativity. It was a part of him, and he loved surprising me.
He let out a breath and looked up at me. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
I knew it was coming, but nothing prepared me for the impact of those words. "I can't wait to be your wife."
He took my hand and slid a ring onto my finger. I lifted it so that the light of the fire reflected off the facets of the square diamond.
He stood. "The store owner said it was a princess cut, and I thought that was fitting for you. A diamond for a princess."
I never thought of myself that way, but lately, I felt like my life was playing out like a fairy tale. "You make me feel like one."
Then he kissed me, pouring everything he felt into it. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. "Do you like it?"
I laughed. "Do you mean the room, the dinner you planned, or the ring?"
"All of it." His expression was still a little uncertain, even though I'd accepted his proposal.
I smiled. "I love everything."
He tipped his head to the side. "Did I top the night at the Denver Public Library?"
"You easily topped that night because this space is ours." We could use it whenever we wanted. We could spend lazy evenings here reading a book in front of the fire or even plan a special dinner for two. I loved our life together, and this store had become a hub of community meetings and events.
It was the place where we'd first seen each other again after high school, reviewing the plans for the addition, and where I'd run out of the building in bare feet and lingerie, reminding Maverick that his desire for me had only burned hotter over the years.
The store was located in the middle of town, whereas our relationship was the center of everything. I would always cherish it. "I love you."
He let out a breath. "I don't want you to ever doubt my love."
"I see it in every stone of this fireplace and every line on that statue of the girl outside and in your eyes."
Then he kissed me, reminding me that nothing was more important than us.
When we finally broke apart, he served me dinner in front of the fire, telling me about everything that went into the construction of the room, inspiration for the fireplace design, and the shelves which weren't straight wood.
Instead, the designer sanded the wood until it was curved and smooth, matching the slab of wood he'd used for the mantle.
I loved listening to him talk about what he was passionate about.
After we finished dinner and were sharing a slice of chocolate cake, he said, "I hope you don't mind, but a design magazine asked if they could feature your patio in their upcoming publication."
I frowned. "Why would I get mad about that?"
"I don't want you to think that I designed any of this to promote myself or my business. This was for you."
"I think it's amazing that you're going to be featured."
"The editor from the magazine mentioned that another publication wants to feature the town itself."
I paused. "You're kidding?"
"Apparently, a year-round Christmas-themed town is unique."
I grinned. "Natasha and Eve are going to be so excited."
"It was your patio and shop that caught their attention. Remember when I told you it was your drawings that would draw people to your shop?"
I nodded.
"It was your drawing of the little girl that led to the inspiration for the fountain, which landed the patio and the town in a magazine. It was all you."
I rolled my eyes. "I wouldn't have gotten the attention without the fountain, which you designed. I didn't tell you to make my drawings into stone."
He smiled. "I think we make a pretty good team."
I covered his hand with mine. "The best."
We had forever to plan the rest of our lives, but I liked where we were today. I'd gotten the shop I'd always dreamed about, and the man who would support me through everything.
After the fire died down, we went upstairs to my apartment. I had a feeling we wouldn't be spending many more nights here. He took his time, making love to me, and afterward, we lay in bed, admiring my ring in the moonlight.
"I can't believe you're my fiancée." His voice was gravelly.
"And soon, your wife."
He grinned. "I can't think of anything better."
Sirens peeled through the night air, startling us.
I sat up in bed. "Do you think it's one of the shops?"
"I don't know." Maverick was already reaching for his pants, and I threw on sweats and a hoodie. We ran downstairs, shoving our feet into shoes before throwing open the side door.
The sirens were coming closer, and we heard shouts from Candy Cane Lane. We ran in that direction, seeing smoke coming from the bakery.
Sweet Dreams was located across the street from the bar where patrons had spilled onto the sidewalk, watching the smoke curl into the sky.
Morgan looked in our direction. "Is anyone inside?"
"Reina lives above the store. She goes to bed early so she can get up and bake," I said, panic curling in my chest.
"Where's the entrance?" Morgan snapped.
"There's stairs in the back." I pointed.
Morgan took off in that direction just as the first firetruck pulled up, and we followed. Morgan didn't pause, taking the stairs two at a time.
"You should wait for the firefighters to get her," Maverick yelled, but Morgan didn't react. Instead, he used his shoulder to smash the door in, and when it cracked, he stepped through, calling Reina's name.
"Fuck." Maverick ran a hand through his hair.
"He'll be okay." I held his hand, hoping to stop him from running after his brother.
A firefighter flew around the corner. It was Eve's fiancé, Maddox. "There's someone inside?"
I pointed at the stairs. "Morgan went inside to get Reina."
Maddox cursed, then barked orders at the other firefighters. There was a flurry of action, a hose unraveling, and men lining up the stairs.
We stepped back, watching everything happen in slow motion. All I could think about was that Reina and Morgan were inside, and they were unprotected. They didn't have the thick protective gear that the firefighters were wearing or the benefit of oxygen tanks.
Maverick gripped my hand tight.
There were shouts, and then Morgan emerged, carrying Reina. She was curled against his chest, her eyes shut tight.
A firefighter held his hands out for her, but Morgan stubbornly moved past him. His face was covered with soot. He rested her on the ground in front of us, and Reina turned to her side, coughing.
A couple of paramedics arrived with a medical bag and got to work, checking their vitals and covering Reina's mouth with an oxygen mask.
We stood back, watching helplessly.
"Reina should go to the hospital to get checked out," Maddox said to Morgan.
Morgan nodded. "I'll go with her."
"You should get checked out too," Maddox insisted, but Morgan was already moving alongside the stretcher. We followed them to the street and watched as the ambulance door closed behind them. Then it pulled away from the curb with lights flashing.
We drove to the hospital. By the time we got there, it seemed like half the town was there too. Eve was with Natasha and Ford. Presumably Maddox was still on the scene of the fire. Clara, Angela, and even Merry were waiting in the plastic chairs.
The news was playing on the screen, but no one was watching it.
I sat next to Clara. "Have you heard anything?"
"Morgan is in with her now. He said he'd come out to give us news."
Maverick was tense beside me.
Clara lowered her voice. "I'm sure it's just a little smoke inhalation. But they wanted to check them over."
"I can't believe Morgan went in to save her," I murmured.
"He shouldn't have been the hero and let the firefighters do their job," Maverick said, his jaw tight.
"I don't think I'd care who rescues me, as long as someone does," Clara said, and I had to agree.
Ford stood in front us, his hands in his pockets. "They'll be okay."
"We don't know that yet," Maverick said.
Morgan appeared through the double doors and headed over to us.
Maverick and I stood.
Morgan's expression was grim. "She's fine. Just some minor smoke inhalation. She's getting oxygen and can be discharged soon."
"What about you?" Maverick inclined his head toward the bandage on his hand.
He waved him off and stepped back as if he was in a hurry to return to Reina. "Minor burn. Nothing to worry about."
Maverick tensed; he didn't like that answer. "Why did you go inside when the firefighters were right there?"
"I couldn't bear if something happened to her. I need to get back to Reina. She doesn't want to be alone right now."
"What's going on there?" I wrapped a hand around Maverick's arm.
Maverick sighed. "He probably feels responsible for her. She's his best friend's younger sister."
I hope you loved Belle and Maverick’s story!