Epilogue
Nina
"Oh my God, you two are disgusting," Alexis announces, walking into the kitchen to find us slow dancing to music only we can hear while waiting for the pasta water to boil.
"You said no PDA," I point out, not moving from Joel's arms. "You didn't say anything about dancing."
"Dancing while making googly eyes at each other counts." But she's smiling as she grabs a glass of water. "Also, Nina, you left your bra on the living room couch again."
My face flames. "I did not—"
"Red lace. Behind the throw pillow."
Joel just laughs. "I'll get it later."
"No, I'll get it now, before I sit on it again." Alexis shudders dramatically. "Honestly, you two are worse than teenagers."
"You seem okay with it now," I observe.
"I've had a year of therapy," Alexis says drily. "And also, you're both nauseatingly happy, so it's hard to stay weird about it." She looks at me. "Although I still don't want details about your sex life with my father."
"Noted," I say, grinning.
"I'm going to go set the table," Alexis says. "Let me know when dinner's ready. And please, PLEASE put your bra away."
After she heads to the dining room, Joel pulls me back into his arms. He kisses my nose. "Come on. Let's get dinner on the table before Alexis comes back to lecture us again."
Dinner is perfect—the three of us around the table, Alexis telling stories about her new screenwriting gig, me talking about the promotion I got at the non-profit, Joel just watching both of us with this soft expression that makes my heart melt.
A year. We've been together for a whole year. A year of waking up next to him, of learning each other's rhythms and quirks, of building a life together.
"Okay, I'm exhausted," Alexis finally says, standing up. "I'm going to head up to bed. Thanks for dinner, you two."
"Wait," Joel says. "Before you go, I need you here for something."
Alexis sits back down, looking between us. "Okay, now I'm nervous. What's going on?"
Joel stands up, and my heart starts pounding because I know this look. I know what's about to happen and I can barely breathe.
He comes around to my side of the table and drops to one knee.
"Joel," I whisper, tears already starting.
"Nina." He takes my hand, and I notice his is shaking slightly. "A year ago, you came to this house heartbroken and lost, and you changed my entire life. You made me remember what it feels like to be happy, to be wanted, to be loved. You made this house feel like a home again."
I'm crying now, full-on ugly crying, and Alexis is making a sound that might also be crying.
"I love you more than I thought it was possible to love someone," Joel continues.
"I love your laugh, your kindness, your strength.
I love how you make me coffee in the morning and steal the covers at night.
I love that you're best friends with my daughter and that you three have become my whole world. "
He pulls out a small velvet box and opens it to reveal the most beautiful ring I've ever seen—a simple solitaire diamond on a delicate gold band.
"Nina Castellano, will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you've made me?"
"Yes," I sob. "Yes, yes, yes—"
He slides the ring onto my finger and stands, pulling me into his arms. I kiss him through my tears, and distantly I hear Alexis cheering.
When we finally break apart, Alexis is standing up, grinning even though she's crying too.
"I knew it!" she says. "Dad made me go ring shopping with him last month. I've been dying keeping this secret."
"You knew?" I look at her.
"Of course I knew. He asked my permission first." She comes over and hugs us both. "Welcome to the family, Nina. Officially."
"You're okay with this?" I ask, even though I can see the answer on her face.
"Are you kidding? You make my dad happier than I've ever seen him. And you're already my sister in every way that matters. This just makes it legal." She grins. "Although I'm still not calling you Mom."
I laugh through my tears. "Deal."
Joel pulls me close again, and I look down at the ring on my finger—this tangible proof that this is real, that we're forever.
"I can't believe we're getting married," I whisper.
"Believe it, baby." He kisses my temple. "You're stuck with me now."
"Good," I say. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
Alexis makes a gagging sound. "Okay, now you're being disgusting again. I'm going to bed. Congratulations, you crazy kids."
After she heads upstairs, Joel scoops me up and carries me to the living room, settling on the couch with me in his lap.
"So," he says. "Mrs. Hartford. How does that sound?"
"Perfect," I tell him. "Everything about this is perfect."
"Not everything." He grins. "We still have to plan a wedding. And knowing you, you're going to want something elaborate."
"Actually, I was thinking small," I admit. "Just family and close friends. Maybe here, in the backyard. Nothing fancy."
"Really?"
"Really. I don't need a big wedding, Joel. I just need you."
He kisses me, slow and deep. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
"Not in the last ten minutes."
"I love you," he murmurs against my lips. "So fucking much."
"I love you too, Daddy."
His eyes darken. "You can't call me that and expect me not to carry you upstairs right now."
"Who says I'm expecting you not to?"
He stands with me still in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist. "We should probably put away the dinner dishes first."
"They'll still be there in the morning." He's already heading for the stairs. "Right now, I need to properly celebrate with my fiancée."
Fiancée. The word sends a thrill through me.
A year ago, I drove up to this house with a broken heart and no idea what my future held. I thought I'd lost everything—my relationship, my confidence, my sense of self-worth.
Instead, I found everything I'd been looking for my entire life.
I found the man who sees me, really sees me, and loves every part of who I am. Who makes me laugh and challenges me and supports my dreams. Who looks at me like I'm the most precious thing in his world.
I found my home. My future. My forever.
And as Joel carries me up the stairs to our bedroom, I know with absolute certainty that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Merry Christmas to us.
THE END