Epilogue Coco
Epilogue
Coco
One year later
Since Stone and I got back together, I’ve had the best time of my life.
“Are you ready?” he asks as we pull up to the resort.
He’s wearing a slate-gray three-piece suit with a blue shirt. His sandy hair is brushed to the side, and he’s clean shaven, his eyes sparkling.
I’m wearing a flowy pink dress and heels I might break my neck in, but it’s worth it for this moment.
“I’m ready,” I tell him.
He kills the engine and gets out of the SUV, coming around to open my door. The parking lot is already half full. We’re running late, which is pretty typical of us.
But that’s okay. Why rush when you want to live?
It’s been a few months since I’ve been up to visit the resort, and the place is stunning.
It sits on twenty-five acres of gorgeously landscaped trees and grass, and features a pasture for visiting unicorns, luxury cabins, a farm-to-table restaurant. There are also magical gardens, several pools, and nature trails perfect for hiking.
The place is enchanting, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
Pane and Rowe are already outside. Rhett’s here, too. So’s Natalie, who runs up and hugs me when we arrive. Stone’s mother is also here. She stands by Pane, looking regal and terrifying at the same time.
“You sure you’re ready?”
He winks. “Yes, I am.”
An hour later, we’re in front of the entire town, and Stone walks up behind a lectern.
He taps the mic to make sure it’s on and then says, “First, I want to thank everyone for supporting the build of the Summit at Mystic Meadows. This town has come to mean so much to my brother and me. It’s where we’ve made our homes and where a new generation of Maddoxes will grow up. ”
He nods to Rowe, who is clearly pregnant.
She shoots a tender look of love up at Pane, who beams down at her.
They’re great people. After Stone and I got together, I was able to explain everything to Pane, who was more understanding than I thought he would be.
His position was simply that he’d wanted to protect his brother, and I understood that.
They love each other so much. Watching their relationship has helped me improve my own with Brittany.
Stone continues, “Our hope was always to keep the magic in Mystic Meadows and help it flourish, and if it wasn’t for one particular person in Zoning and Development, we would have failed that. I’d like to thank Coco Higginbotham for her contribution.”
Everyone claps and I nod, smiling. My gaze washes out down the hill, where the ley lines hum with strength. Magic flares inside me and the lines hum in unison. We’re connected, and that’s how it should be.
“So, without further ado,” Stone adds, “the Summit at Mystic Meadows is officially open. I welcome all of you to enjoy the gardens and the restaurant, and if you brought your swimsuit, you’re welcome to jump into one of the pools. They’re heated, so you can enjoy them even in the colder months.”
People laugh and clap while Stone cuts the ribbon and moves aside so that folks can wander the premises.
I stand next to him, smiling and greeting people. Cristina approaches with Clarice and some of the book club ladies in tow.
Clarice eyes me up and down, leans over, and says, “I still woulda fixed you up with a Collins boy. But I see now you don’t need it.”
“Thanks, I don’t.”
Cristina hugs me. “You look beautiful. I’m so glad things worked out with you two.”
“Same here.” My gaze slides to Stone, who’s talking to the mayor. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course. I brought my swimsuit.” Her gaze lands on Rhett. “Who’s that?”
“Stone’s cousin. He’s a bit prickly.”
She winks at me. “I can handle prickly.”
“Good luck,” I reply as she walks off to meet a very prickly Rhett.
My parents are in the crowd, and I greet them, as well as Nu-Nu, who requests sugar before going inside.
Brittany and Jet are here, too, and my sister doesn’t even have her phone out recording.
“I left it at the house,” she says, shrugging. “You don’t always need to document every moment of your life.”
I couldn’t agree more.
As the crowd makes their way inside, Stone turns to face me. “There’s something I want to show you.”
“Sounds mysterious.”
“Not really.”
He takes me to the side of the property where a rock entrance welcomes visitors to the garden. He gestures to a plaque hanging on the wall.
My hands fly to my face as I read the inscription. “Coco’s Garden?”
He nods. “I told you I was building this for you. Here it is.”
I squeeze his hand as tears prick my eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kisses my forehead. “Would you like a tour?”
“I would love one.”
Blankets of flowers line the winding stone path, making the whole place magical. I wipe tears from my eyes as Stone guides me. I’m so full of love as my gaze skips over benches and hedges, flowers climbing lattices and beds of brightly petaled peonies and tulips.
“Tulips,” I exclaim.
Stone slides his hands into his pockets. “Tulips.”
“Thank you.” I kiss his lips and sigh into him. “Nothing could make me happier right now. Nothing.”
“Maybe one thing.”
“What?” I tease. “What could make me happier?”
Stone kneels and my knees quake. What is happening right now?
He pulls a box from his pocket and opens it. Inside sits, not my grandmother’s ring, but a new one, a different emerald cushioned with diamonds.
“Coco, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Is that even a question? “Yes!” I yell. “Yes, I’ll be your wife!”
He slides the ring on my finger, and out of nowhere, my family appears. So does his family. I’m surrounded by everyone I love, and so is he.
Stone kisses me lightly and murmurs, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Then he quirks a brow. “So what do you say to eloping?”
I shake my head, laughing. “No, sir. This time, we’re doing it right.”