Epilogue
Liv
Two years later…
It’s been raining for days, and even now, with a small break from the moisture, the clouds are dark and angry, casting out any chance of sunlight. The woods beyond the yard are filled with the smoke so aptly representing these mountains that we call home.
The porch swing I mentioned wanting to Jensen once in passing sways gently under me as I admire the landscape from under the covered porch. And the occasional distant grunt of a black bear over at the sanctuary.
I never did move back into the cottage. We focused on renovating the big house, as I like to call it, and moved in right away. Leaks and all.
The first six months were full of challenges and home-improvement projects. So many hang-ups and snags in our plans, but nothing felt more right.
Every challenge with Jensen didn’t feel like a challenge at all. None of it mattered, not when we had each other.
I cleaned the cottage out and started renting it out. I didn’t want to sell it, but it deserves to be loved by someone.
The front screen door squeaks as Jensen comes out to join me, carrying one of his thick flannel jackets draped over his forearm and two steaming mugs. His coffee, and mine tea.
I know without even checking, it’ll be the perfect temperature to drink. I don’t need a bodyguard at the courthouse anymore, but he always sends me to work with a to-go cup prepared exactly how I like it.
And he welcomes me home, whether he’s done with his workday at the sanctuary or not. Sometimes that means just a kiss, sometimes I use him until he puts off whatever else he needed to get done until the next day.
He hasn’t complained at all.
“I ordered the supplies for the play set,” he says proudly, sitting down on the swing beside me and gently handing me my mug. He gazes out across the yard to where he plans to put it, in the spot where we said our vows last year.
He looks at that spot a lot, like he never wants the moment to leave his head.
I rest my head on his shoulder, smiling to myself. We both wept like babies through the entire ceremony. His mom was here. My mom came. All of our friends. The sun beamed down on us as we said ‘I do’. It was perfect.
“Don’t you think that is a little premature? We still have so much that needs to be done inside.”
“I know, but Kate will like it when she visits. Besides…” He reaches over with his free hand to rub my round belly. “It won’t be long until this one wants to play.”
A smile stretches my lips as I gaze at him. My Jensen Hayes… The man that he is. He has proven himself, as he said. Every day, he loves me louder than the day before.
I never imagined I’d get a life better than the one I dreamed of.
I never knew how much it depended on simply having him in it.
Everything else is extra.
He takes the flannel jacket off the swing and drapes it around my shoulders. I wasn’t cold, not with him so close, but I take the extra layer graciously.
“Thank you for keeping me warm,” I whisper, leaning in for a kiss. From the very first day we met, until now, he has been the only warmth I needed.
“Always,” he promises, kissing me tenderly.