Epilogue
Finn
Courtney, Agnes, Milo, Micah, Elsie, and I sit around Agnes’ old dining table swapping scary stories and enjoying a wonderful Halloween dinner of cabbage soup, affectionately nicknamed “witches brew”. The six of us were beginning to wrap up our meal, knowing that with sunset approaching we’d have little trick-or-treaters at our door within the hour. The table erupts into laughter over one of Milo’s infamous dirty jokes, earning him a scowl from Agnes, who is attempting to stifle her own laughter.
“How is it being the owner of the coffee house, Els?” Courtney changes the conversation, spooning another forkful of Agnes’ famous pumpkin pie. Elsie’s grandmother had passed away while Courtney was in California nine months ago, leaving Elsie and her dad in a vicious court battle over ownership of the family business. Elsie earned soul ownership last week when she was able to prove through CCTV footage that she had been running the business all by herself since she was fourteen. Once the coffee house was officially in her name Elsie rebranded, changing the shop’s name to Cove Cup Coffee and officially adding oat milk chai lattes to the menu in honor of her best friend.
“It’s amazing,” Elsie admits, relief washing over her soft features.
“My dad never cared about the coffee house, having his hand out of the pot really just makes it easier to run the business efficiently. But I can barely supply enough oat milk to these hipsters you brought from California!” The barista jokes, shooting Courtney a playful glare as she cuts her own slice of pie.
“Well get ready for one more,” Courtney giggles, the dazzling sound like music to my ears.
“Because my girlfriend Kashvi is coming to visit next week and she is the biggest oat milk coffee connoisseur you will ever meet.”
“Is she hot?” Micah questions through a mouthful of pie.
“Oh boy.” Elsie rolls her eyes, earning her a laugh from Milo.
“Courtney, tell your hot, gay, California friends to come visit every once in a while,” Milo complains, folding his arms across his chest in a faux pout.
“I’ll work on that,” Courtney answers noncommittally. I nervously palm the little box hidden in my pants pocket.
“Hey Courtney, can I take you for a walk before the trick-or-treaters arrive?” I keep my voice as level as possible so as to not cue her into my nervousness. She smiles at me, tucking a strand of caramel behind her ear.
“Yeah sounds fun, let me just help clear these plates-”
“I’ve got it!” Agnes and Elsie both declare in unison, earning them each a look from me.
“Go on, darling.” Agnes encourages.
“We’ve got this,” Micah reassures, nodding his head too many times.
“Go on, now.” Milo waves her off fervently. Leave it to my family to make the biggest, most awkward scene before I propose to the girl of my dreams.
“Um. Alright,” Courtney creases her brow, looking to me for an answer to everyone’s weird behavior but I keep my face blank as I extend my hand for her to take. Once she does we head out the door.
We walk together in comfortable silence, huddled close together to combat the brisk October air. I lead as we stray from the pavement and climb a small, grassy hill to our final destination.
“What a beautiful sunset,” Courtney remarks as we ascend the hill, her warm chocolate eyes trained on the horizon. I stand behind her, pressing my front to her back and sharing my warmth as I wrap my arms around her protectively. I admire the view too, noting the passionate oranges and vibrant yellows that make up this particular sunset. The autumn leaves that sprinkle the grass below us must have taken inspiration from the same hues.
“I love our life.” Courtney hums as she pulls me in closer to her. Courtney’s Cover To Cover is doing well but her books are doing even better, I’m enjoying my mayoral duties more than ever now that I have a healthy town to run and we spend each free moment surrounded by our closest friends.
“I do too, baby,” I answer honestly, kissing the top of her head.
“Which is why I was thinking..” I feel my heart begin to drum loudly against my rib cage, Courtney must feel it too because she turns to check on me. I take the opportunity and fish the dainty ring box from my pocket and bend at the knee. Her hand flies automatically to her mouth, covering her dropped jaw.
“Courtney Berrycloth, would you do me the honor of-?”
“Yes!”
Before I can even finish the iconic line we are both down on the ground, surrounded by the fiery leaves, giggling and exchanging excited kisses. I can tell by the look on Courtney’s beautiful face that she wants this just as much as I do, the sentiment warms from the inside out as we continue to drown one another in affection.
“Can I show you the ring now?” I chuckle, pulling it from its snug cushion inside the box and gliding it onto Courtney’s delicate finger. She admires the thin gold band and delicate cushion-shaped diamond.
“Wow, Finn, it’s perfect.” She remarks in awe, watching as the stone collects the bright orange rays of the setting sun.
“It was my mother’s,” I smile at her reminiscently. That ring was one of the only items that had survived the fire that took my parent’s lives and I had always wondered if there was a reason why. Now I knew it was destined for Courtney.
“Now it’s a family heirloom.” She spares me a look of admiration before once again pinning me to the grass and attacking me with kisses.
Visions of Courtney as a beautiful autumn bride run rampant in my head as we eagerly jog side by side back to the house on Queens Avenue. Courtney had insisted on living in Agnes’ rental even though I owned my own house, citing that there were too many memories there she didn’t want to lose and I agreed. As soon as we are within the door frame Courtney’s mouth is on mine and we are busy ripping at each other’s clothes. A distant squeak from Olive welcomes us home as I chase Courtney up the stairs.
Milo, Agnes, Micah, and Elsie will have to manage passing out candy alone this year because Courtney and I will be confined to her bedroom, celebrating our engagement.