Epilogue
Thanksgiving - 7 Months Later
Ryland
“ I think we might be in over our heads with this whole turkey thing,” I hear Raine whisper to Olivia.
Luke chuckles beside me, catching the women’s attention and earning us a pair of scowls.
“Don’t you dare say a word,” Olivia threatens us and points a knife our way. Luke and I shrug in unison, holding our hands up innocently. We share a knowing grin once she returns her attention to the uncooked turkey laid out on top of the kitchen island.
Luke leans in and mutters something before being hit with an uncooked dinner roll, and a bark of laughter comes from Zane as he waltzes to the kitchen table with three Ale-8’s, handing two to Luke and me before taking a seat across from us. The three of us snicker at one another before clinking our bottles together as we shout, “Cheers!”
“I’m pretty sure its leg is stuck inside it,” Raine proclaims, sending a spew of soda from Zane’s mouth before he doubles overs with laughter. Raine gags, and I feel bad for letting her take on this task, knowing how unpleasant an uncooked turkey can be to prep.
I stand up and make my way to her. Placing my arms on either side of her. I press my chest to her back before leaning in, bringing my lips onto the curve of her neck. I leave a trail up her skin until I land next to her ear.
She shivers against me and releases a sigh, as if my mere presence releases some of the pressure she’s feeling. I love that I have the same effect on her as she does me. We bring each other a sense of comfort, knowing that, no matter what, we’ll always be there for each other and never again have something or someone keeping us apart.
“It’ll be fine, I promise,” I whisper into her ear, and she leans back against me, placing her head onto my shoulder, looking up at me through her long lashes.
I reach up and move a stray hair away from her forehead before leaning over and giving her a gentle kiss. A kiss that tells her everything she needs to know. She sighs again, this time giving me a small smile that feels like a huge victory, and says softly, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I tell her, nuzzling my nose against hers, earning a few playful gagging sounds from Olivia and Zane.
“Get a room!” Zane shouts, giving us an eye roll, his smirk giving away that he doesn’t mind. He just enjoys giving us a hard time.
Olivia swats me away. “I’m already feeling queasy, thanks to this naked poultry. I don’t need you over here making it worse or distracting my help. Shoo!”
Raine looks over at me with a panicked look in her eyes, and I mouth, “ You got this ,” before returning to my seat next to the boys. We watch for a few minutes as Raine and Olivia attempt to get the legs out of the turkey, gagging as they grab the slimy, textured skin, and cheering once the legs are undone.
“Five bucks says that Raine pukes after she gets to the giblets,” Zane whispers between us .
“It will be Liv. Make it ten bucks, and you're on,” Luke suggests, a mischievous grin tugging his five o'clock shadow.
“You want me to stick my hand in it?” Raine squeals, gaining our attention once again.
“Well, yeah,” Olivia says with a chuckle, snorting as she does.
I have to admit, this is more entertaining than the football game that’s playing in the background. Annabelle skips into the room, looking for me, and once she sees me, I hold out my arms for her. She smiles brightly and takes off in a jog, moving past me, and jumps into Luke’s arms.
“Really?” I say.
“Does this mean I’m better than you?” Luke’s deep voice rings as he looks over at me, squeezing my daughter into his arms and then giving her a few tickles.
“You wish.” I roll my eyes, acting like it breaks my heart once Annabelle peeks over at me, playing into this game she’s created. You can’t come between a father and his daughter. I also love that Annabelle has two uncles who are completely smitten with her.
But nothing beats witnessing Raine and Annabelle together. I never knew how much easier life would be with a woman around to help me raise my spunky eight-year-old. Single parenting is not for the weak, and knowing that at the end of the day Raine is there to have my back has been a dream come true.
We tackle parent drop-offs and pickups, meals, playdates, baths, and bedtimes together as if we’ve been doing this all of Annabelle’s life. Lately, Annabelle has been requesting for Raine to tuck her in at night and read her bedtime story. And at the end of the day, I get Raine all to myself. As if I couldn’t love Raine any more, witnessing her love my daughter like her own has me head over heels.
Since moving back home, Raine has started her own photography business, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for chasing her dreams. She works with small businesses, both local and in the surrounding areas, and she’s about to open up her own photography studio next to Potter’s Art Studio. She’s even dabbled in family photography, saying a certain little girl inspired her. It’s been a blessing watching Raine blossom these last seven months.
Down towards the edge of the property we recently started working on building a small cabin in which Earl will move into once it’s ready. Raine insisted that he live with her in the farmhouse but he claimed it was his time to let it go. However, she then had me come up with a plan for him to still live on the land in order for her to still keep him close by. It’s far enough away that it feels like he has his own privacy but close enough that she can always be there for him. To our surprise, he was thrilled with the idea.
I thank God each day for bringing Raine and me back together. I would go through every ounce of heartache all over again if I knew I would end up happily with Raine in the end.
“Why do people do this? We should’ve just made spaghetti. Oh my gosh, where is the— This is disgusting!” Olivia shouts as her face begins to pale, and she runs to the trash can.
Raine rushes to Olivia’s side, rubbing her back, and moves her hair away from her face as Olivia heaves. Annabelle’s lips are pinched together. “Annabelle, why don’t you go play outside for a bit so this doesn't scar you for life.”
Annabelle nods her head, eyes trained on Olivia, before she replies, “Yeah, it’s not fun in here.”
Zane takes out his wallet and hands a ten-dollar bill to Luke, who’s wearing a smug smile of victory. “I know my Liv.”
Olivia stands up, wipes her mouth, and then stomps across the kitchen toward us. We freeze with guilty looks spreading across our faces. Olivia snatches the ten-dollar bill from Luke’s grasp and shoves it into her pocket.
“That’s mine.” She snickers, unties her apron, and tosses it at Luke’s face .
He mumbles from under the fabric, “Why?”
“Raine and I are done. You gentlemen can handle the bird.”
Raine exhales a sigh of relief and gives me a small smile.
“Raine, do you have a toothbrush I can borrow?” Olivia asks.
“Yeah, come on.”
Once the women are gone, the guys and I get to work on the turkey. As I’m prepping the glaze, Luke slides over and nudges me with his elbow. “So, when are you going to do it?”
Zane’s head snaps up, watching us closely. I haven’t told him I bought the ring yet. The look of betrayal on his face is priceless. “Calm down, hoss cat, I was going to tell you before I proposed. And I was thinking either before or after we eat dinner so that everyone’s together. I want everything to be perfect.”
“Do it before, with a toast. It might catch her off guard,” Zane adds and returns to prepping the bird.
“I’m happy for you both.” Luke smiles and turns to the speaker behind us and begins blasting some nineties country music as we get to work.
The weather has worked out for us this evening. It’s a little chilly when the wind blows, but otherwise, the weather is tolerable as long as everyone wears a thick sweater. Last month, Earl and I worked together on building two large farm tables to hold at least forty people. Zane surprised us with a miniature one for a kids’ table. We rented a huge white tent for the event and strung rows of white Christmas lights.
It took us days to prepare for Thanksgiving, and I have to say, everything looks perfect. I just hope it’s everything Raine is hoping for. She carries a tray of buttered rolls to the table, and as she turns around, I snatch her into my arms. She squeals with delight, and I plant kisses on her neck, just as I did in the kitchen. It’s hard to keep my hands to myself when she’s around.
“What do you think?” I ask, placing my hands into hers.
She looks around, studying the meal laid out on the tables, the groups of people mingling together, and she smiles.
“It’s perfect. It’s everything I imagined and more.” Her tone holds more meaning. I squeeze her hands gently with mine and wait for her to elaborate. Her grayish-blue eyes dance with mine, a certain sparkle shining within them as she continues, “After losing Mamaw and having to face the things I avoided for years, I became the most broken version of myself. But then I came out the other side stronger than ever. God took my broken pieces and made me new again. He led us back together and blessed me with the family I always dreamt of having. Look around us, at our loved ones altogether. What more could I ask for?”
Raine wraps her arms around me, her expression relaxing under the white twinkling lights. It’s all the confirmation I need to do something I have dreamt of doing since the day I knew I loved her. I place a hand onto the side of her face, gently leading her closer to me.
“I can think of something,” I say, my voice husky.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Her smile widens, a challenge lacing her words, but she sees something in my face that gives me away.
“Marry me.”
She moves back an inch, her eyes wide with shock, only for a split second before they soften with a confirmation of their own. "Now that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“So, is that a—” She slides a hand into my hair, tipping my head forward before smashing her lips onto mine. For a moment, it’s just her and me, until we hear the crowd around us begin to cheer. As she pulls away, our eyes stay locked together. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life .
“Yes. Of course I will.” I can’t contain my smile as I bring her lips back to mine.
“Seven months isn’t too soon?” I ask, my insecurities leaking out, but the look she is giving me erases all of my doubt.
“No, it’s perfect. We’ve waited long enough. I’m ready to keep the promise that we made to each other all those years ago. That we’ll give each other the life we deserve.”
“Together.” I add, remembering the conversation, and bring her in for another kiss before I shout, “She said yes!”
Annabelle runs towards us with a huge smile on her face and I grab both Raine and her into my arms, and spin them around as our close friends and family cheer.
And just like that, together we can finally start living the life we’ve waited and prayed so hard for. A life we didn’t know if we would get back, but God reunited us together and blessed us with a second chance.
Raine looks up at me, a hopeful twinkle in her eyes, the same way she did when we were kids. "We're going to make it this time."
And this time, I know she is right.