Epilogue
EPILOGUE
WILLY
The familiar scent of salt and sunscreen fills my nostrils as I step out of the car. Love Beach stretches before me, just as beautiful as I remember. It’s hard to believe it’s only been four months since I left for Seattle. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago.
“Welcome home,” Brogan says, his smile as bright as the sun reflecting off the ocean.
I can’t help but grin back. “It’s good to be back.”
We make our way to the Hollister mansion, where a welcome dinner awaits. My stomach flutters with a mix of excitement and nervousness. It’s not just the prospect of seeing everyone again that has me on edge. Tomorrow, I’ll be presenting my plans for the new eco-friendly development project to the Hollister Enterprises board.
As we walk up the driveway, I see my parents’ car already parked. I’d offered to pay for their plane tickets but they insisted on taking a road trip, an excuse to hit the open road in the new car they bought after the house sale was finalized. A wave of warmth washes over me. Having them here, supporting me, means more than I can express.
The front door swings open before we can knock, revealing Mrs. Hollister. Her smile seems genuinely warm as she pulls me into a hug.
“Willy, darling! We’ve missed you,” she says, holding me at arm’s length to look me over. “Seattle agrees with you. You’re positively glowing.”
I blush, still not used to her affectionate treatment. “Thank you, Mrs. Hollister. It’s wonderful to see you.”
“Oh, please. Call me Lorraine,” she insists, ushering us inside. “We’re family now.”
As we enter the living room, I’m engulfed in another hug, this time from my mother. “Anak, you look wonderful.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, blinking back tears. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed them until this moment.
My father steps forward next, his smile wide and proud. “There’s our girl,” he says, pulling me into a bear hug.
Just as I’m released from my father’s embrace, a familiar squeal pierces the air. “Willy!” Crystal rushes towards me, almost tackling me in her excitement. “Oh my god, I’ve missed you so much!”
I laugh, hugging her back just as fiercely. “I’ve missed you too!”
She pulls back, holding me at arm’s length to look me over. “Seattle’s been good to you, girl. You’re glowing!” Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she adds in a stage whisper, “Or maybe that’s just the Brogan effect?”
I feel my cheeks heat up as Brogan chuckles beside me. Crystal winks at him before turning back to me. “You have to tell me everything. And I mean everything.”
“Crystal,” I warn, but I can’t keep the smile off my face. Having my best friend here, along with my family and Brogan, makes this homecoming feel complete.
The room is filled with familiar faces like Preston and even some of the Hollister Enterprises board members I’ve met via Zoom meetings. It’s surreal, seeing my two worlds collide like this.
As we settle in for dinner, the conversation flows easily. I find myself recounting stories from Seattle, the challenges and triumphs of the past four months. Brogan’s hand remains a constant presence on my knee, a silent reminder of his support.
“So, Willy,” Lorraine says during a lull in the conversation. “When can we expect to hear the pitter-patter of little feet? I’m not getting any younger, you know.”
I nearly choke on my wine, heat rising to my cheeks. Brogan comes to my rescue, his voice calm but firm. “Mother, we’ve talked about this. These things take time. Willy just completed the Seattle project. Give her time to decompress.”
Lorraine waves her hand dismissively. “Details, details. I’m just saying, you two aren’t getting any younger either.”
“Oh, Lorraine,” my mother interjects. “Let them be. They will have children when they’re ready.”
“Your mama actually has the childcare schedule between the three of us organized already,” Dad laughs as I look on in embarrassment, then surprise .
“Wait! Are you guys moving back to Love Beach?”
“Of course,” Mom replies as she looks at me and Brogan. “So don’t wait too long, you two, okay?”
After dinner, we move to the terrace overlooking the beach. The sun is setting, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink. Brogan pulls me aside, his expression uncharacteristically serious.
“You okay?” I ask, concern creeping into my voice.
He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “More than okay. I just... I have something I want to say.”
Before I can respond, he’s calling for everyone’s attention. My heart starts to race. Surely he’s not about to...
“First of all,” Brogan says, his voice carrying across the terrace, “I want to thank everyone for being here tonight. It means the world to have all of our loved ones together.”
He turns to me, taking both of my hands in his. “Willy, these past four months have been both the hardest and the best of my life. Hard because being away from you is like being away from a part of myself. But also the best because every day, I’ve watched you chase your dreams and succeed beyond anyone’s expectations.”
I can feel tears welling up in my eyes as he continues.
“You’ve shown me what it means to be brave, to be passionate, to be true to yourself no matter what. You’ve challenged me to be a better man, a better partner. And now, I’m hoping you’ll give me the chance to spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of your love.”
Gasps and excited murmurs ripple through the crowd as Brogan drops to one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket .
“Willy Genaro, will you marry me?”
For a moment, I’m speechless. I look around at the faces of our family and friends – my parents beaming with pride, Lorraine dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, Preston giving me a thumbs up and Crystal clapping her hands with glee. And then back to Brogan, his eyes shining with love and hope.
“Yes,” I manage to say, my voice choked with emotion. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
Cheers erupt as Brogan slips the ring onto my finger – a stunning emerald-cut diamond set in a simple platinum band. It’s elegant and understated, perfectly ‘me’ in every way.
As Brogan stands and pulls me into a kiss, I’m overwhelmed by the love surrounding us. This is more than I ever dared to dream for myself.
Later, as the celebration winds down, Brogan and I find a quiet moment alone on the beach. The sound of the waves provides a soothing backdrop as we walk hand in hand.
“So,” Brogan says, a teasing lilt to his voice. “Ready to take on Love Beach as the future Mrs. Hollister?”
I laugh, bumping my shoulder against his. “I think you mean to say, ‘Are you ready to take on the world with the future Mrs. Genaro-Hollister?’”
He grins, pulling me close. “I like the sound of that.”
“You know,” I say, looking up at him, “tomorrow’s presentation doesn’t seem nearly as daunting now.”
Brogan nods, his expression serious. “That’s because you’ve got this, Willy. Your ideas for this eco- development are brilliant. The board is going to love it.”
His faith in me, unwavering and strong, fills me with confidence. “We’ve got this,” I correct him. “This project is going to change Love Beach for the better, and we’re doing it together.”
“Together,” he repeats, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I like the sound of that.”
As we make our way back to the house, I feel a sense of rightness settling over me. This is where I’m meant to be. Not just in Love Beach, but by Brogan’s side, building a future that honors both our pasts and our dreams.
Tomorrow, I’ll present my vision for a sustainable, eco-friendly Love Beach to the board. It’s a project that combines my passion for design with Brogan’s business acumen and our shared love for this community.
But tonight, surrounded by the love of our families and friends, with the promise of a future together shining bright on my finger, I allow myself to simply be happy. To be in love. To be Wilhelmina “Willy” Genaro, soon to be Genaro-Hollister, the girl who found her happily ever after in the most unexpected of situations.
Just before we reach the house, Brogan pulls me in for one more kiss. This time, it’s a kiss that sweeps me off my feet, leaving me weak in the knees.
When we finally break apart, both breathless, Brogan’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “You know,” he whispers, his voice low and husky, “with both our families in there, we might not get another moment alone for... oh, I don’t know, the next decade or so. ”
I laugh, but I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks. “Why, Mr. Hollister, what exactly are you suggesting?”
He grins, that boyish smile that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. “Well, future Mrs. Genaro-Hollister, I was thinking we could take a little detour, say, to that cozy guest house down the hill? I promise not to hog the bed this time.”
I playfully swat his arm, remembering our first night together in the beach house. “As I recall, you were quite the gentleman back then. Well, mostly.”
“Mostly?” He feigns offense. “I’ll have you know, it took all my willpower not to cuddle you senseless that night.”
“You did make me your little spoon, in case you don’t remember.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Of course, I do. I was wondering when you’d ever mention it.”
“Why mention it when we can recreate it?”
Brogan grabs my hand and we’re off, sneaking around the side of the house like a couple of teenagers. We’re trying (and failing) to stifle our laughter as we nearly trip over each other in our haste.
We make it to the guest house, and Brogan fumbles with the key, cursing under his breath.
“For a SEAL, you sure are stealthy,” I say, giggling as he gives me a death glare.
Suddenly the door swings open, and before I can take a step, Brogan scoops me up in his arms. “Threshold practice,” he explains with a wink.
“My hero,” I say dramatically, throwing an arm across my forehead. “But don’t get too cocky. Remember, I can still attack you with a baluster if needed.”
He chuckles, carrying me inside. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Genaro.”
But as he sets me down, his foot catches on the rug and we tumble onto the couch in a tangle of limbs. I laugh so hard I can barely breathe.
“Some Navy SEAL you are,” I tease, poking him in the ribs.
“Hey, I’ll have you know I’m very stealthy,” he protests. “You just... distract me.”
“Oh, do I now?”
Brogan’s response is to pull me closer, his lips finding mine in a kiss that starts soft but quickly intensifies. My hands find their way into his hair as his roam down my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
Just as things are heating up, we hear a voice from outside. “Brogan? Willy? Where are you two?”
We freeze, eyes wide. It’s Lorraine.
“Quick,” Brogan whispers, his eyes darting around the room. “The closet!”
“Again with the tight spaces, Hollister?” I mutter, but I’m already moving.
We squeeze into the narrow linen closet, pressed up against each other among the sheets and towels. It’s even tighter than that twin bed we once shared, and I find myself trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
“Shh,” Brogan whispers, but he’s grinning too. “At least this time we don’t have Sir Fluffington the Third as a chaperone.”
I bury my face in his chest to muffle my giggles as we hear Lorraine enter the guest house.
“Huh, could’ve sworn I saw them come this way,” she mutters.
I shift slightly, trying to get more comfortable, and my elbow knocks against something. Before I can stop it, a stack of towels topples onto our heads.
Brogan clamps a hand over my mouth to stifle my squeak of surprise. We freeze, hearts pounding, sure we’ve been caught.
But after a moment, we hear the door close again and Lorraine’s footsteps fading away.
We wait a few more seconds before Brogan slowly opens the closet door. We tumble out in a cascade of linens, landing in a heap on the floor.
“Well,” I say, plucking a washcloth from Brogan’s hair, “that was...”
“Exciting? Thrilling? The start of our grand adventure?” Brogan pulls me close despite the mess around us.
I smile up at him. “All of the above. Though I have to say, I prefer this to our first night together. Much cozier.”
“And minus the baluster.” Brogan’s eyes twinkle. “Maybe we should recreate that night. You know, for old times’ sake.”
I pretend to consider it. “Will it include making me the little spoon to your big spoon?”
“Oh, definitely,” he murmurs, his face lowering to mine, his mouth warm against my lips. “And so much more.”