Epilogue #2
“This is a great party,” Gage adds. He’s holding Rory’s hand and hovering close to her, just as all the men in attendance seem to do with their partners. “We’re so happy we could make it.”
Given the history between us, I wasn’t entirely sure they would come when I invited them. We’ve been on good terms, but flying all the way across the country? And finding coverage for their dog shelter while they’re gone, no less?
But they came. And I’m so glad they’re here. Not just because it makes me feel like they’ve truly forgiven me, but because I value them as friends.
Would I ever have thought, three years ago, that we’d all be standing here together? Not a chance.
But here we are.
“Thanks for coming out here,” I tell them. “I know it was a long trip—”
Gage makes a quick, it’s nothing gesture. “We were happy to come. It’s great seeing all of you guys, and the trip gives us an excuse to take a road trip down the coast before heading back home.”
“And we get to see some of Gage’s old friends,” Rory adds. She glances over my shoulder and smiles. “Hey, Owl. Lara. Stone. Maisy.”
“Hey, Ror,” Stone replies as he joins us. “And Melissa.” He glances down at Jeff and chuckles. “We come all this way for his party and he sleeps right through it.”
“That’s what babies do,” Maisy says with a laugh. Her expression softens as she glances across the room to where the rest of the children are playing. “When they’re little, at least.”
Owl and Lara round out our little group, both smiling warmly. “He’s so sweet,” Lara says. With a sly glance at Owl, she adds, “Makes you think, doesn’t it?”
Surprise flickers across Owl’s features. “Does it?”
“Maybe.” She stares at Jeff for another second before turning to Owl with a hopeful expression. “They’re just so little and sweet.”
Stone lets out a rumbling laugh. “Guess we’ll be adding another member to our extended family, too.”
Owl loops his arm around Lara’s shoulders. “If that’s what you want, we’ll get to work on it as soon as we get back home.”
“Get to work doing what?” Tyler asks. He has a dining room chair tucked beneath each arm, carrying the heavy oak furniture as if it weighs nothing.
“Owl and Lara having another baby,” Stone announces with a grin. “Looks like baby fever is spreading.”
“Ah.” Tyler sets the chairs down and gently grasps my shoulders as he guides me into one of them. “Mel needs a rest,” he explains as he takes Jeff from my arms. And the sight of Tyler holding his son is so perfect, my heart nearly explodes from the love surging through it.
Tyler scoots his chair right next to mine and kisses my cheek. Even though he’s kissed me thousands of times by now, it still gives me a thrill of pleasure. And despite us being surrounded by close to twenty people, my mind takes off in a more private and intimate direction.
Back to our cabin, and once the little flibbertigibbet is asleep, Tyler and I can get some special Mom and Dad alone time, as we’ve taken to calling it. We haven’t had sex yet, since Tyler wants to be extra cautious—big surprise there—but there are plenty of other ways we can pleasure each other.
“Hey, I’ve got the grill all set up,” Ace announces as he enters the living room.
He’s wearing an apron that spells out Kiss the Cook (if you want your @ss kicked) spelled out in sequins on the front of it.
Webb gave it to him as part of our Christmas gift exchange, along with a more thoughtful behind-the-scenes tour of the local vintage car museum.
“If you want some burgers or dogs, come on out.”
Beside him, Yara casts a smile around the room. “And Webb and Noelle are looking for competitors for extreme cornhole. According to Webb, winner gets a case of their favorite beer.”
“Extreme cornhole?” Lara asks. “I know what cornhole is. But extreme cornhole?”
Tyler laughs. “We add extra rules. Like throwing blindfolded, or spinning around ten times first.”
Stone perks up. “I’d like to try that.” He turns to Maisy. “What do you think?”
Maisy nods. “Sounds good. Lara? Owl?”
After a quick conference, the four of them take off towards the deck. Soon afterwards, Rory and Gage head off to the kitchen so they can call home to check on the dogs at their shelter. “I’m sure they’re fine,” Rory explains with a sheepish smile. “But I’m a little overprotective.”
“A little?” Gage gives his wife an affectionate look. “A lot overprotective. And that’s okay.”
Once Tyler and I are alone again, we just sit for a moment, watching the controlled chaos of the room. Watching our friends and family come together to celebrate a miracle we never expected.
Tyler settles Jeff on his lap and checks to make sure he’s still sleeping. Then he takes my hand and threads his fingers between mine. “Are you having a good time?” he asks. “It’s not too much? With all the people here?”
Tyler knows I still get a little anxious in large groups of people. It’s normal, my counselor assured me, especially given everything I’ve been through. But I’m not anxious here. Not with everyone I love right here with me.
“It’s perfect,” I reply. “I’m so glad we decided to throw a welcome to the world party for Jeff. Especially with so many people wanting to meet him.”
“That’s true,” he agrees. “And it’s great seeing everyone here.” Falling silent for a second, his gaze searches the room until it finds my parents, still talking with his. My dad glances in our direction, and the two men exchange a quick look.
“I like your parents a lot.” After a beat, he adds thoughtfully, “At first, I was a little worried they wouldn’t approve of you moving across the country from them.”
“They understood. All they really want is for me to be happy. And they know I am here.”
His gaze meets mine, wide and earnest. “Are you? Truly happy?”
I give his hand a squeeze. “I’m unbelievably happy. And so in love. With you and this little one.”
Tyler’s expression softens. “Me too, baby. So in love.” He pauses to take a shaky breath. Then he releases my hand to reach into his pocket. A moment later, his hand comes out with something small tucked inside it.
My heart leaps. Could it be?
“I thought about something private,” he says. “Something expensive and over the top romantic. But then I thought… maybe it would mean more if everyone we care about is here. Our parents. Our family. Our friends.”
“Thought about doing what in private?” I ask. My chest flutters with nervous butterflies. “What would mean more?”
He unfurls his hand to reveal a small velvet box. With a flick of his finger, the lid opens to reveal a sparkling ring inside. “Asking you to marry me.”
I gasp. “Are you—”
“I’ve had the ring for months. Since Jeff was just a little bean.
I thought about asking back then. But everything was so crazy.
You were hurt, and then all the stress of the trials, and all the doctors’ appointments…
Plus.” Tyler’s cheeks go pink. “I didn’t want you to think I was just doing it because you were pregnant.
Because that’s not why. I want to marry you because I love you with all my heart.
And I know I want to spend my life with you. ”
Tears prick at my eyes. “You want me to marry you?”
I’ve hoped. Even toyed with asking him about it myself. But deep down, there’s always been a tiny sliver of fear that Tyler didn’t want to take that final step with me.
“I do.” His gaze burns into mine. “I love you, Melissa. You’re the best mom, the best person, the best everything…” Tears shine in his eyes. “You’re everything to me. And I would be so grateful, so honored, if you’d agree to become my wife.”
“Tyler.” My voice shakes with the effort of holding back my tears. “I can’t think of a word that says how much I love you. It’s so much, I’m not sure there are words for it. But I love you. And—” A tiny sob escapes. “I would love to marry you.”
“Mel.” With a shaking hand, he takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. “So it’s a yes? You’ll marry me?”
“It’s a yes.” I lean in to kiss him, tasting tears on my lips. “It’s absolutely yes. But,” I add as a thought strikes me. “There is one thing.”
“One thing?”
“Yes.” I kiss Tyler again. “I want to take your name. So I’ll be Melissa McNamara. Would that be okay with you?”
An enormous smile brightens his features. “Of course it would, baby. I would love that. So much.” Then he asks, “Can I tell everyone? I really want—”
I beam at him. “Yes. I want them to know, too.”
Tyler stands and gently tugs me up along with him. Then he raises his voice as he calls out, “She said yes! Mel’s going to be my wife!”
Amid the resulting applause and chorus of congratulations, Tyler leans down to kiss me again. “My future wife,” he says. “My everything.”
My tears finally escape, trickling down my cheeks. But they’re not ones of sadness. They’re ones of joy.
Once upon a time, I didn’t think I deserved a happy ending.
But as I look into the eyes of the man who saved me in so many ways, I know I’ve found mine.
And I do deserve it.
*