Epilogue
The Grand Reopening
Two Months Later
Draven
I’m running late from last night’s shift because of a forest fire we were called in to assist with. It’s my job and I love it, but of course it would be today of all days. Harmony is finally reopening Cake My Life and I need to be there to show my support. I have fifteen minutes to get home, scrub the soot and smoke from my body, and get back to the bakery. I will be cutting it close, but I will be there.
I am racing against the clock when I finally get my ass back in the truck smelling like my girl’s favorite cologne, but it will be worth it to see her smile. When I pull into a parking space across the street, I can see how all our friends and neighbors have come to show their support, and it warms my heart.
This is why I applied for the position of Fire Chief when I saw there was a position open. This is why I wanted to come back home to Kidds Beach.
Walking into the store, everyone greets me as I pass. Already the bakery is packed with customers waiting to get their sweets. Darla and another young woman I haven’t met yet are behind the counter ringing up orders and talking to customers.
I take a moment to marvel at everything she has done. This time the walls are blue and purple with cartoon cakes and cupcakes painted all around. She brought in some reclaimed wood furniture and a brand-new gleaming counter. I couldn’t be prouder.
We also restored the apartment upstairs and Darla is living there now. She’s still young, in her early twenties, but she wanted some independence from her parents, and we wanted to help her out. She really has been a trooper through all of this.
“She’s in the kitchen,” Darla explains when she sees me, and I quickly let myself through.
“Hey, babe,” I say as I put my hands on her hips where she is furiously whisking.
“Shit,” she cusses before covering her mouth.
“Relax, it’s just me.” I chuckle. “No one heard your potty mouth.”
“If you didn’t scare the bejeezus out of me, I wouldn’t cuss,” she sasses before returning to her task.
“Don’t I even get a kiss today?”
“Nope. I am way too busy to make kissy face with you right now, Draven. But there is a treat for you under the cloche.”
I don’t argue. I know I will get my kiss sooner or later. But she took the time to make me a special treat on her busy day, so I am going to enjoy the shit out of it. Lifting the dome, I frown down at the single fortune cookie.
“A fortune cookie?”
“Yeah, it’s a new recipe, try it.” Her voice has gone up an octave with her excitement.
Snapping it open I pop a piece into my mouth, discarding the fortune. Still tastes the same to me but I won’t say a damn thing about it. The last time I tried to say something about her baking skills, I wasn’t allowed treats for a week.
The little slip of paper that has my fortune written on it catches my eye. Picking it up I stare at it intently, blinking a couple of times to make sure I’m not misreading anything.
I’m Pregnant!
I nearly choke on the piece of fortune cookie in my mouth as my gaze collides with Harmony’s. She nods like a loon while tears stream down her face. I have her in my arms moments later and I am kissing the shit out of her.
“How long have you known? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask when we finally come up for air.
“You made my first time special. I wanted to make sure your first time was special too.”
The End