Epilogue
Five Months Later
“We’re here,” Austin announces as we step through the open garage door of his childhood home.
I met his mom a while back, but it’s my first time meeting the rest of his family in person. They’ve been lovely over our video and phone calls, but my hands are clammy despite the chilly Boston air as my nerves get the best of me.
Austin always seems to sense how I’m feeling. Even now, he sets down our bags, which he refused to let me help with, and rubs my back. “They’re going to love you.”
He knows me well. Probably better than I even know myself.
These past few months with him have been the highlight of my life.
As soon as the local news picked up the story that Austin Bradford had a girlfriend, they ran with it.
But, even though more people suddenly knew our names, we really did just feel like Austin and Alyssa.
We spend most of our free time between our favorite local haunts and our houses, watching New Girl and baking—well, Austin baking while I consume his creations.
And we started new traditions, like finding “our spot” at a local lake, a place where we can escape all the eyes of society and just be together.
It’s been perfect, and I understand now what people mean when they say they fall more in love with their partner each day.
Because every season of life with Austin feels sweeter than the last when we’re spending it together.
We’d hoped to come visit his family for Thanksgiving, but once the news about our relationship became public knowledge, my schedule booked out months in advance at the salon.
Thankfully, I’d already blocked off two weeks around Christmas, so we were able to arrange a trip that we’re now finally taking.
But my scheduling will all go through an extra step now where I have to accept an appointment request and only schedule three months out to avoid any future overbooking.
I mean, I still want to have free time to spend with my superhot boyfriend in his offseason. The Mustangs’ amazing season came to an end when they lost in the Wild Card Series. It was a tough loss, but I can’t wait to watch them come back even stronger next year.
Austin’s mom rushes into the mudroom. I expect her to hug Austin first, but she steps right past him and engulfs me in a maternal hug.
When she pulls back, she places her warm hands on my face.
“You’re as stunning as ever.” She turns and wraps Austin in a hug.
“How did you manage to get a woman as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside?”
Her words bring tears to my eyes, making me feel right at home. “You’re one to speak. Look at you, Mrs. Bradford.” I gesture to her extremely fit figure. Austin told me she got into Pilates a few years back, and it shows.
She stands taller. “That’s sweet of you to say. I got you some visitor passes at my Pilates studio for while you’re here, since I know you also love it. And please, call me Donna.” With her Boston accent, her name sounds even more pronounced.
“That was so thoughtful. Thank you.” I look up at Austin, a playful smirk on my face. “Are you going to join us, Slugger?”
He grimaces. “I still feel pain when I even think about that torture class you call exercise.”
“We’ll convert him to the good side someday,” I whisper to Donna as Mr. Bradford joins us in the mudroom.
He gives Austin a quick bro hug before shaking my hand. “It’s great to finally meet you in person. This visit is all Donna’s been able to talk about for weeks.”
She wags her finger at him. “Don’t go giving away all my secrets, Terry.”
“Like how—”
She places a hand over his mouth before smiling sweetly back at us. “Austin, why don’t you give Alyssa a grand tour, starting in the living room? Grandma’s in there.”
“Sounds good.” He goes to reach for our bags, but Donna waves him off.
“Terry will take care of your bags.”
“Okay.” We slip out of our shoes, and Austin grabs my hand before leading me through the kitchen and down a hallway into the living room.
When we round the corner, I gasp. Because it isn’t just his grandma waiting in here. My family is here, too. I spot my mom and dad on one couch. Elliott’s on a love seat wrangling Crew and Rhys, and Maddy sits in the recliner holding baby Beckham in her arms.
I hurry over and pull my sister into an awkward hug, careful not to wake my sleeping nephew. “I can’t believe you’re here. And that you traveled for Christmas with two toddlers and a four-month-old.”
“We drove and took many, many stops.” Her eyes go wide. “But we couldn’t miss Christmas with you once Austin reached out inviting us to all be together.”
I gaze up into the eyes of the man I’m madly in love with. “You did this?”
“They’re family, too,” he says plainly. And I love him even more for it. I give him a quick kiss on the jaw before giving the rest of my family hugs.
“Austy, play baseball? Dad says it snow.” Crew pouts. “We still play? You say you teach me.” He holds onto Austin’s leg, bouncing excitedly.
Austin ruffles my oldest nephew’s hair. “Snow baseball is even better than normal baseball. We’ll have lots of time to play, don’t you worry.”
“Yes.” Crew pumps his fists into the air and runs upstairs to presumably grab his baseball gear.
While we wait for him to come back down, Austin walks me over to his grandmother resting in a worn-in chair. “Grandma, I have someone very important for you to meet. This is my girlfriend, Alyssa.”
“Oh, a girlfriend?” Her wrinkled face lights up as she smiles. She takes my hand in hers. “My oh my, you’re beautiful.”
It’s the same phrase she says every time she sees me on a video call.
With her diagnosis, she’ll likely never remember me, but I love sitting on the phone and listening to her share stories about her life.
And when she tells me I’m beautiful multiple times every call, I’m grateful for the compliment but even more so for the time I get to learn from a woman who has meant so much to Austin.
Plus, she’s the one who taught him how to bake, so I owe her a lifetime of gratitude.
“Thank you.” I gingerly pat her hand. “You have the most amazing grandson.”
She gets a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t I know it.” She laughs.
I glance up as Austin wipes a tear from his eye. I wrap my arm around his waist, squeezing his side three times, telling him I love him and he’s not alone. Because being here with him is a reminder that life is a precious gift meant to be spent with the people you love most.
And I plan to cherish every single day I get to spend with this man and never take a single one for granted.