24. Epilogue Part One
Epilogue: Part One
Will
November
The menu featuring Lizzie’s favorites was such a hit that we decided to keep it.
It’s November, and even Lizzie herself still can’t get enough. She happily sips her hot tulip tea with a dash of cinnamon while chatting with customers at the front counter.
We hired more staff, so she isn’t working the register today. She’s just checking in with the staff and greeting customers as she does from time to time as part of our new system.
Her sisters, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary, turned out to be fast learners, and because they did so well helping out at Nic and Jay’s wedding, we offered them jobs.
We also hired a remote marketing assistant from Shiloh Ridge, and she’s helped generate more business for the cafe while allowing us to focus on other things.
Lizzie takes a round out front, then I do, while we rotate through our other tasks.
Lydia covers the register and the drip coffee orders since Mr. Wolfsheim finished his shift earlier today.
In the kitchen, Mary handles the baking, while Kitty works on the drink orders.
I watch Lizzie as she moves around the cafe, knowing the smile on her face will only grow wider once she finds out what’s happening tonight.
My phone buzzes, and I head back into the kitchen where Mary and Kitty are prepping for the lunch rush.
I chat with them for a moment, answering questions before moving to wash my hands so I can help with a baking mishap.
My phone buzzes again, so I pause and pull it out before washing my hands.
I have a text from the group chat with Jay and Edward.
Jay: Everything set for tonight?
Me: After closing time, we’ll close the blinds in the cafe and head outside. I’ve got the ring in my pocket... didn’t want to risk leaving it behind.
Edward: Not scared she’ll see it?
Me: My apron is covering it. LOL.
Jay: Nic and I will make sure the rest of Lizzie’s family is there on time.
Edward: Jane is handling the sign, and I’ve got the music covered.
Me: Thank you both for your help with all this.
Jay: Of course, man. We’ve got you.
Edward: Excited for you guys.
Jay: Who would’ve thought that you and Lizzie would be getting engaged so soon after Nic and I got married?
Edward: Well, Lizzie did catch the bouquet at the wedding, so it was inevitable.
Me: She has to say yes first.
Jay: You worried?
Edward: No need to be worried. You two are meant for each other.
Lizzie comes through the door leading from the front into the kitchen. I casually look up from my phone, slipping it into my other pocket. Not the one with the ring.
“Will Darcy, are you texting on the clock?” she asks, wagging a finger at me as she comes closer.
“I was just texting my boys, if that’s alright with you, Boss Lady?” I say, grabbing her hands in mine.
“I’m not your boss anymore, remember?” she asks, fluttering her eyelashes at me.
“Right. We’re business partners. Co-owners.”
She smiles, saying, “It was the least I could do. Now get back to work.”
She’s teasing me. I know. But I hope she knows how much I appreciate her for allowing me to buy half of the business and become co-owner with her.
The business deal worked out, and we were officially approved to become business partners in late September after spending a few weeks putting our improvement plan into action.
We hired new staff, expanded our marketing efforts, and increased customer traffic to prove to the town government council that we were ready to be business partners.
I was also able to contribute enough money to convince the council to match the grant they were planning to take away, giving the cafe more funding and resources than ever before. Lizzie and I decided to stick together and run the cafe instead of me leaving to start my own bakery.
Owning my own business used to be my dream. Being able to run a business with her and go to work with her every day is my new dream. That and...asking her to marry me when we get off work today.
We’re supposed to be attending the fall festival that Selah hosts every year.
It was delayed in October and is taking place this month instead because of funding.
But the town came together, and we all did our part to make sure the festival happened before the holidays.
Lizzie thinks we’re just attending the festival, so we’ll both change into something warmer and fancier than our usual work attire and aprons.
I hope she’ll say yes so I can call her Mrs. Darcy as her new nickname.
***
The cafe closes soon enough. Her sisters all slyly flash me smiles as they head out, knowing that the proposal is coming. My palms are sweaty, but I smile back at them as they go. I wipe them on my pants, hiding the ring inside my peacoat pocket.
Lizzie and I are matching tonight. I wear a black peacoat over a tan cardigan, white shirt, jeans, and boots, while she wears a black peacoat over a tan sweater dress that fits her curves in all the right places.
She lets her curls hang in a low ponytail. Lizzie walks toward me in heeled boots, showing off her outfit, and I lick my lips as I watch her come my way, taking in her effortless beauty and confidence.
I pull her in for a kiss, too nervous to speak. The kiss is sweet, tender, and just enough to give me the courage I need to grab her hand and open the cafe door. She steps outside first. I stand behind her in the doorway, watching as she gasps and her hands fly to her mouth in shock.
“What is going on?” she asks happily.
I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her.
“This is me asking you a very important question,” I say.
Right on cue, the band, led by Edward on guitar and lead vocals, begins performing “Lovebug” by the Jonas Brothers. The festival is set up with booths for local businesses, but everyone gathers together beneath a huge sign that reads: I love you, most ardently.
I get down on one knee behind her as she turns around. She gasps again, her hands covering her mouth. She’s speechless. And this time, it is not because of some guy who broke her heart.
It’s because she’s looking down at me as I say, “Elizabeth Bennet...”
She lets out a little yelp, which makes me laugh, and the crowd of friends, family, and townspeople laugh too. I take a breath, ignoring the chill in the air, collect myself, and focus on her.
“You’ve bewitched me, Lizzie. Before I even knew it, I loved you. You’ve captivated my mind, my body, and my soul. This is real. I want this. I want you because you wreck me. And I…” I pause, overcome with emotion.
I swallow, and say, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
I pull out the ring box and hold it out, opening it as the crowd gasps and holds its breath. I’m holding mine too.
“Will you marry me?”
Lizzie’s hands cover her mouth before she lowers them, nodding excitedly. “Yes! I’ll marry you, Darcy!”
I exhale and grin. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause as she holds out her hand, and I slip the ring onto her finger just as “Lovebug” shifts into its upbeat rock-and-roll finale. Then I’m on my feet, and we’re hugging and kissing.
“That’s Mr. Darcy to you,” I say when we finally pull apart.
“And that’s Mrs. Darcy to you,” she replies.
I pick her up and spin us around, celebrating the moment.