Epilogue
Zoe
A Year Later
Now, we had merch, loyalty programs, and bagged coffee that we shipped worldwide. Zina had laid the groundwork with her extensive beans research, and Haji had expanded and come up with unique blends people couldn’t get anywhere else.
I knew how he was about crowds and parties, so I had our families and friends join us at Grounds to celebrate him and all the heart and hard work he’d put into my sister’s dream. It seemed it had become his as well, whether he’d wanted it to or not.
“Thank you for investing your life, your time, and your heart into Grounds 4 Love,” I said, champagne flute lifted.
“My sister was always a great judge of character, and I see for myself why she claimed you as her best friend. You’re that for me now too, but you’re also the love of my life.
I didn’t know what would happen when I came back a year ago, but seeing her business flourish while my life thrived as I lived it with you .
. .” My head shook as my eyes watered. “I thank her and God for you. Cheers to the best man I’ve ever known. I’m so proud of you, GG. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” Everyone in the shop echoed before sipping their drinks.
When Haji finished off his champagne, he set the flute down and sliced the cake. We worked steadily and like the great team we were to get several plates topped with cake before he excused us and pulled me to the side.
“It’s time,” were the first words out of his mouth.
“Time for what?” I asked sweetly with a smile. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I would always trust his lead.
“Time for me to go back to the fire station and for you to bake here and run this place.” My eyes blinked as a sputtered laugh escaped me.
Shaking my head, I looked around Grounds as if it was my first time seeing it.
“This was always supposed to be yours, Precious. Zina started this, but it’ll end with you.
Or never end because of you. That’s a better way of putting it. ”
“Haji, I—”
“I took over because you weren’t in a place to. Now you are. You’re the owner, and you should be the full-time baker. Bianca is cool with filling in when you need her to, but this is your passion, my love. Step into it fully.”
My head shook as tears blurred my vision. “You’re ready to be a fireman again?”
“A very wise woman urged me to release my god complex, and now that I have, I want to get back to what I’m passionate about . . . if you are too. I won’t leave Zina’s dream with anyone but you.”
A giggle escaped me before I tugged my bottom lip between my teeth. Was I really considering this? Was this actually going to happen?
“I’m ready,” I blurted, surprising my own self.
I guess this was going to happen.
“Yeah?” Haji confirmed, wrapping his arms around me.
“Yeah. Go be great and look sexy fighting fires, GG. I’ll take it from here. I owe this to my sissy, but more than anything, I owe it to me. I love this place, and I love baking. I-I’m ready.”
Our hug turned into Haji picking me up, but when he put me back on my feet, he kneeled.
Mama had to have been the first person to notice because she yelled while Mama Young thanked Jesus.
All the tears I’d been holding in all day fell when Haji pulled a beautiful, big ass pear shaped ring from his pocket.
“I swore I’d never do this again, then you came with that birthmark on your foot and a hell of a lot of love for me in your heart.
God gave me the greatest gift after the greatest loss when He sent you to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, spoiling you, protecting you, and cherishing you. Zoe Bush, will you—”
“Yes!” I yelled, jumping up and down. “Yes, GG!”
“Let the man ask you first,” Daddy said with a shake of his head.
Covering my mouth, I laughed as Haji gripped my left hand and slid the ring onto my finger while asking, “Will you marry me, Zoe?”
“Yes, Haji. I will marry you.”
He stood and took me into his arms, covering my lips with his. As those we loved cheered around us, it felt like my life was finally perfect, and I never wanted this moment to end.
Haji
Another While Later
I didn’t know which one I wanted to look at more, my wife or our daughter. Zoe had given birth days ago, and it was time for us to leave the hospital and be parents. Be the ultimate adults. We’d spent time enjoying each other, and now we were responsible for this tiny gift from God.
When Lianne died, I was sure life was over for me too.
No love, no wife, and certainly no children.
Then Zoe came back into my life and reminded me of the good in it, whether I wanted her to or not.
She didn’t just turn my heart on again; she filled it with love and purpose.
Passion and pleasure. Fun and fulfillment.
And like Pops said, I saw this life with her lasting forever.
“Ready, GG?” Zoe checked from her wheelchair, reaching for our baby girl.
“I got her, Precious. You carried her for nine months. Let me carry her and you now.”
I leaned down and gave her a kiss.
“I love you so much. You’re the best husband ever.”
“Only because I have the best wife ever.”
“Alright, let’s hit it,” Myra said as she came back in the room. She didn’t have to be asked or told to grab the handles of Zoe’s wheelchair. Ethan grabbed her bags, and I hung back and watched as they doted on their little girl while I carried mine.
My parents were already at our home making sure things would be ready when we got there, and I honestly couldn’t ask God for more.
“You ready, Zina Lianne Young?” I asked before brushing my nose against Zina’s cheek and giving her a soft kiss. “You’re about to feel the sun on your face for the first time. Let’s give the angels a show and let God see His newest and most beautiful creation.”
The Beginning
Because True Love Has No End