43. Epilogue
My stomach is in dozens of knots. I’m going to be sick. Evie should have been to the Eiffel Tower with Millie by now, but they’re an hour late. Shooting Evs a text, I ask:
Me: Is everything okay? What’s the hold-up?
Despite the cool fall weather, sweat drips down my back, soaking my shirt. This dang tweed blazer is Millie’s favorite, and from the way she responds every time I wear it, I figured proposing in it could only bring good luck. But my nerves aren’t helping me either. I’ve got grapes, a huge leaf, and a picnic blanket spread out on the lawn. A bouquet of coral dahlias I paid a fortune to get this time of year are in a vase next to the blanket.
The red, yellow, and orange leaves on the trees lining the street add to the romance I’m trying to create.
The one thing I’m missing is my future bride.
Tapping my phone against my palm, I’m about to call Mils and ruin the whole thing, but I’m growing worried about them and don’t know what else to do. I came yesterday to get everything set up. Evie is bringing Millie as a “much-needed fall break girls’ trip” on our family’s private jet.
But this isn’t a girls’ trip.
Millie and I were together a lot over the summer, and we”ve been inseparable ever since we admitted our love for one another. Once we got back to Amherst, we texted to say good morning, then whoever got home first from school started on dinner at my place. We’d hang out at my house, go on a date or for a walk. Saying goodnight to Millie every night when she goes to her apartment is getting harder and harder. I’m ready to be her husband and wake up side by side, not dreading when nine o’clock rolls around and she leaves me.
Evie’s sad I’m stealing her roommate, but she’s also so happy for us, she’s willing to let Millie go. Besides, she’s managed to keep up a long-distance relationship with Eric the past three months. It wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up moving home to Boston to be closer to him as soon as she graduates in the spring.
Our courtship has been fast, a whirlwind really. But we also spent more time together in the past six months than most couples do in a year. My feelings for Millie have deepened with every day spent with her. She’s the one for me at this stage in my life and I can’t wait any longer to tell her and start a life together under the same roof.
I still love Jen. My time and memories with her will always be a part of me I treasure, but I’m in a place where Millie is who occupies my heart, mind, and soul. She’s who I dream about at night and want to make happy each day. She expanded my heart and every day it grows more and more for her. When the summer started, I knew I needed it to be different. But I had no idea Millie would be the one who changed me for the better. I love her for loving me. For taking a chance on a grieving widower. For pushing me to get out of my head and follow my heart.
Her sunshine pierced every dark nook and cranny in my life. That alone is worth its weight in gold.
My phone pings with a text.
Evelyn: We’re five minutes out. We had some trouble with the airport approving the jet to land. All’s good. She doesn’t have a clue.
Nerves run rampant in my belly. I pat my chest, making sure the ring box is still there. Pulling up my music app, I find the song I want to play when Mils shows up. It’s “Wasn’t Expecting That” by Jamie Lawson. The ending is sad and hopefully not what will happen to me or Millie, but the rest of the song fits our story so well, I had to play it for her.
After all, it was Millie’s smile that made me first notice her.
A blindfolded Millie, with Evie guiding her and her phone out recording me, comes my way. I push play, then clench and unclench my fingers. I better not mess up my words as I get my proposal out.
Millie looks beautiful in joggers, a tan-colored shirt, and a messy bun after traveling for seven hours. I’m a greasy, wrinkly, stinky mess after spending any amount of time on a plane. The recycled air does a real number on my hair and skin. Not for Mils. She takes my breath away.
“Evs, what is going on? Why is there music? And when can I take this stupid blindfold off?”
“Right now,” Evie says, sliding the blindfold from Millie’s eyes.
Millie blinks rapidly, eventually shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. “Bennett?” Mils glances down at the picnic blanket, examines what I’m wearing with an appreciative smile, then takes in the thousand-foot tower behind us. Her hands fly to her mouth as her eyes go wide and glassy.
Getting down on one knee, I take Millie’s hand in mine. “Mils, you are incredible. You make me laugh, you put up with my obnoxious habits, you listen to me brainstorm research ideas and lesson plans. Your talents, brains, and creativity blow me away. I can’t stand to be without you for one more minute. Will you be my wife? My partner in adventures? My forever and always?”
Millie throws her arms around me, laughing and crying at the same time. “Yes, professor, I will marry you. But you better tell me how much this trip cost. We agreed, no vacations until I could pay my way.”
“This isn’t a vacation. Me proposing to you is my call, and I wanted to do it here.” I wave at the iconic landmark behind me. “Besides, once we’re married, my money is your money.”
She leans back just enough to stare at me. “I’m signing a prenup.”
Sometimes her stubbornness is a hardship. “Mils, I’m very well aware you aren’t marrying me for my money. I’m not worried about it, but if it makes you feel better, you can sign a paper beforehand.”
She pokes my chest. “You told me you weren’t a dream maker, but you lied. You totally are.”
“Nah. I’m just a dude who wants to help his fiancée keep checking things off her bucket list.”
“You are way more than that, Bennett Williams. And I love you for everything you are. Muscles included.” She smirks.
I stand, burying my head in her neck, kissing the spot she loves just below her ear. “I love you, Sunshine.”
The only place I thought I’d ever win after Jen passed away is on a sports court. Turns out, the biggest win was waiting for me at the lake. Nothing trumps the love radiating in my heart for Millie. She is my warm after the storm.
I can’t wait to live the rest of my life with her by my side.