Epilogue
Beck
MAY
ONE YEAR LATER
My heart is racing, and my hands are sweaty. Why am I so damn nervous? Oh yeah. Right. The diamond ring burning a hole in my pocket.
We’re celebrating Willow being done with her first year as a teacher.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. We’ve learned it’ll take a few years for her to really get in a groove, but she’s done so well.
She’s spent almost every evening telling me about what this kid said or a funny thing this other kid did.
She loves it, and I’m so happy about that.
I’m also glad that she’s teaching at the same school Jade attends. Jade loves seeing Willow in the halls and will sometimes ride home with her when it’s our day.
This year has really made me realize that I want a family. Right now my family is Willow and Jade, but I know eventually, we’ll be expanding on it. I try to do everything I can to show Willow just how much she means to me, but I figure what better way to show it than asking her to be my wife.
It makes me laugh when I think that just a few years ago, I thought I’d never get married. But I’ve learned that meeting the right person is really what drives that decision. I can’t see my life without her now. She’s made my house a home. And I love her for that.
But now I’m nervous as hell. Truthfully, we haven’t discussed marriage.
We’ve mentioned it in passing, of course, so I know she’s open to it.
But we never talked timelines, ring styles, anything like that.
Jade and I picked out the ring on a teacher work day a few months ago.
Willow wasn’t with us, so we spent the entire day jumping from jewelry store to jewelry store.
We picked out an oval solitaire diamond that sits on two thin, twisted diamond bands.
When I saw it, I knew it was the ring. But now that my nerves are kicking in, I’m second-guessing myself.
Jade is the only one who knows I’m proposing today. I told her because she’s only asked me every single day since we brought the ring home. Now she’s looking at me with narrowed eyes as if she’s betting I won’t do it.
I can’t believe my own daughter is intimidating me.
There’s a knock on the front door before it opens.
Sawyer is back to walking inside without waiting.
Things have been way better for us this year.
It’s definitely not what it used to be, as we don’t really hang out just the two of us anymore.
We’ve talked a few times, just the two of us, and we text back and forth quite a bit, but usually our hangouts are centered around Willow.
Which is fine. I understand that I put my relationship with her above my friendship, and now I have to deal with the consequences.
In the grand scheme of things, I think it worked out pretty well for all of us.
“Hey, hey!” Sawyer calls out, walking in with his girlfriend.
He started dating Maggie about four months ago.
Honestly, I’m surprised he finally decided to make it official.
They were “just having fun” for a few months.
Not sure what changed his mind, but I’m glad he has someone. Willow is glad too. She loves Maggie.
“Hi! Thanks for coming.” Willow walks over and gives them each a hug.
Maggie hands Willow a bottle of wine. “Congrats on finishing the first year.”
“Oh, thank you! Just wanted to kick off summer the right way.”
She planned a whole dinner party today just for the occasion. She and Jade spent most of the morning making cupcakes. They even decorated the house a bit and bought home fresh flowers from the farmers market.
Next Harper arrives with a giant bowl of pasta salad.
She’s followed closely by Brooks, Aspen, and Noah. Jade loves running after Noah. She acts like she’s his big sister, and it’s so adorable. Gemma is pregnant now, so Jade says she’s practicing for her new brother or sister.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Willow says again as she sets out the last tray of food. “I just thought it would be fun for us to all get together before summer on the ranch kicks off.”
“It’s gonna be a busy one,” Brooks says. Our schedules are already packed until July. I don’t mind though. It’s nice to be busy.
“Congratulations on your first year of teaching, Miss Banks,” I tell her, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you. Ok, let’s eat!”
“Youngest goes first!” Jade yells. She grabs a plate and steps right up to the food.
“I think that would mean Noah would go first,” I say.
Her shoulders fall. “Dang it.”
Aspen laughs. “Don’t worry. I’ll make his plate when I get mine. You go, girl.”
“Yay!”
The rest of us fall in line behind her, grabbing food and then finding a seat around the house. Our dining room table isn’t big enough to fit everyone, so Willow and I end up at the barstools in the kitchen.
Everyone eats and chit chats but all I can think about is the proposal speech that I’ve practiced over and over again this last week. As I watch the food on Willow’s plate dwindle, I realize it’s time. I wanted to do this after dinner, but now I’m doubting everything.
What if she’s not ready?
What if she says no?
What if she hates the ring?
What if she hates me?
Ok, that last one is a bit extreme, but those are the thoughts going through my stupid head right now. I physically shake my head to make them go away.
“You good?” Willow lays her hand on top of mine. She loves me. I know she does. Everything will work out.
“Yeah, baby. I’m all good,” I assure her.
She smiles at me and I, once again, get the confidence boost I need.
“Actually, can I talk to you outside for a second?” I ask.
She looks confused but nods. I know I need to do this now before I chicken out.
“We’ll be right back,” I announce.
I grab Willow’s hand and take her into the back, where the sun is just starting to set over the ranch. It’s the perfect backdrop, and I’m hoping one of our friends will realize what is happening and take pictures. Maybe I should’ve filled one of them in beforehand, but it’s too late now.
“Is everything ok, Beck?” Willow asks, her voice laced with concern.
“Yeah, everything is wonderful. There’s just something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Right now? With everyone here?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.”
“Ok.” I shake out my hands to get rid of the nervousness. “So, we’ve been living together for a year now.”
“Are you kicking me out? In front of all our friends?” she asks.
“What? No!” I grab her hands and hope she doesn’t notice how sweaty mine are. “We’ve been living together for a year now, and it’s been the best year of my life. You’ve shown me exactly what I didn’t know I wanted.”
“Wait. Oh my god!” I think she’s finally catching on.
“I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. I want to be there when you’ve had a bad day, and I want to celebrate with you when you’ve had a good day.
I want to be your partner, your best friend, your lover.
Because you make me the happiest man in the world and I only hope you’ll give me the chance to be everything you need. ”
I let go of her hand and find the ring in my pocket before dropping down to one knee. “Marry me, Willow. So we can spend the rest of our lives being happy together.”
“Yes! Oh my god, yes!” she says, and relief washes over me. This is a happy yes and not a forced yes because our friends are all here.
She pulls me up and jumps into my arms. “I love you, Beck.”
“I love you too, baby.”
I hear clapping and cheering from the direction of the house, and we turn to see all our friends watching us. Harper wipes a tear from her eye, and Aspen finally releases Jade to come running toward us.
“Willow, do you like the ring? I helped Daddy pick it out!” Jade says.
“Oh my gosh, I didn’t even look.” I hand the ring to Willow, and she gasps. “I love it! It’s perfect!”
She slides the ring on her finger, and thankfully it fits. I had Jade do some covert work when they were playing dress up one day. She had several rings and had to get Willow to wear them to see which one fit the best. Jade did a great job.
Our friends make their way over to us. Harper hugs me first. “I’m so happy for you, Beck.”
“Thanks, Harp.”
Brooks is next, then Aspen, and finally Sawyer, who surprisingly doesn’t look pissed like I thought he would.
I went back and forth on whether or not to talk to him about it first, but in the end, I decided not to.
I think I was worried he’d try to talk me out of it or would tell me what a terrible idea it was.
But he’s smiling when he pulls me into a hug. “Welcome to the family for real, man.”
“Thanks.” I’m happy he seems to be ok with this. “I promise to always do what’s right for her.”
“I know you will, Beck. I’m happy for you guys. Truly.”
He steps back, and I take my fiancé’s hand. This is just the start of a beautiful life with the best woman. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m not going to question it. Crossing the line helped me get my happily ever after.