Epilogue
It was the beginning of December, and Luke was waiting.
He had planned everything out, but there was one thing he couldn’t plan. So he checked the weather and waited, holding onto the secret. He wanted to tell Emmeline about his plans almost every day—it was impossible keeping anything from her—but he knew the surprise would be worth it.
And then, on the seventh, the thing he was waiting for arrived.
The season’s first snow.
Today was the day.
He looked out the window from his office at the new roasting plant, where dragons and chimeras both roasted different blends of coffee for Inferno after the acquisition of Tempest and a hefty investment from Anh.
It had all worked out in the end. Inferno was flourishing; Tempest had been saved from ruin; and Emmeline had been able to realize her plans of expanding the company’s distribution across Starshine Valley and beyond.
Outside, the sky was marbled gray and white with clouds. The weather forecast predicted a one hundred percent chance of snow later that evening, and the sky seemed to confirm it. He’d been watching the weather all day.
Around five o’clock, when the work day was ending, Luke pulled out his phone, calling Minh.
His gaze strayed to the door of his office, hoping his boss wouldn’t come in and interrupt.
While he loved working with Emmeline, it was decidedly difficult to keep anything from her when they worked in the same building and lived in the same cottage.
He had been carrying around a little box every day for the past week in his inside pocket for that same reason. Her hands were always exploring his body, and he knew she’d spot the box if it was in any of his pant pockets.
“Luke, hello,” Minh said, picking up. “Is today finally the day?”
“Yes,” he replied, voice a whisper. He kept his gaze trained on the door. “Is around six thirty okay?”
“For this, anything,” Minh replied, and he heard the smile in his voice.
He released a breath. “Wish me luck.”
“You won’t need it,” Minh replied jovially, hanging up just as his office door opened. Emmeline entered, her hair twisted up in a clip.
“Hey,” he said, getting up from his seat.
“Hi,” she replied. “Who was that?”
“Farhan,” he said, the excuse ready. He met her halfway, pulling her into his arms so she couldn’t tell that he was lying. “I was going to pop by my parents’ for a bit to check in on Mama, but after that, I’m taking you out.”
She pulled away, meeting his gaze with a smile.
“Really?” she asked, twining her arms around his neck. “What for?”
“Do I need a reason?” he asked, then he pretended to think about it. “How about because I love you?”
“That suffices,” she replied, pleased.
“Perfect. Meet me at the bookshop around seven, and we can head out from there.”
“Mmkay,” she said. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He squeezed her waist, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’ve been acting very suspiciously lately,” she said.
His heartbeat quickened. “Gotta keep you on your toes,” he replied with a laugh.
He could see she was about to interrogate him, so he pulled her in for a kiss, and that promptly shut her up. He spun them around, then broke away. She had a dazed look in her eyes, and he quickly kissed her cheek.
“I’ll see you later!”
Before she could protest, he grabbed his coat and went straight for the door.
He flew on Sharptooth to his parents’ place; he’d left everything he would need at theirs. There, he got ready, then grabbed his things, giving his mom a kiss goodbye before heading out.
“Wish me luck,” he said, nervous now that the time was here.
Rhea laughed, touching his cheek. “You won’t need it.”
Minh had said the same thing, and from a logical standpoint, maybe he wouldn’t, but still . . . It was only natural to worry when it came to one of the most important moments of his life.
He headed out, and Sharptooth bumped her head against Luke’s chest. “No, you’re right,” he agreed. “I need to stay calm. Everything will be fine.”
Still, his palms were sweating.
He mounted, and they set off, stopping to pick up flowers—red roses—then going to the Tales a year later and it was still exciting being the object of her attention.
He heard her gasp; she must have seen the rose petals and candles. “How come the front door said the shop is closed?” Her voice was getting closer. “What’s going on?”
“Over here!” he called back, anticipation racing through him.
He took a deep breath as she rounded the corner towards him.
“Wha . . .” she started. Then, she stopped in her tracks, eyes wide.
Because right next to him, written across the spines of four books on the bookshelf were the words to the most important question he would ever ask anyone:
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
She clapped a hand over her open mouth.
“Emmeline,” he said, going down on one knee. He pulled the little box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. His hand shook. “Years ago, we met in this very bookshop, and then last year, it was this bookshop that brought us together again.”
He took a deep breath, and her eyes shone with tears.
“No matter how many books I’ve read and loved over the years, our story is always going to be my favorite because it features you, my favorite person. You’re better than anything anyone could have imagined or dreamed.”
She stepped towards him, and he looked up at her, the beautiful woman he loved. His heart trembled.
“I’ve always found comfort in words, but since falling in love with you, it feels like there are no words adequate enough for me to express what I feel for you.
No grand declaration will ever be enough to show just how much I love you, but I’m hoping a lifetime of devotion will suffice.
Will you do me the honor of being my wife? ”
Tears fell down her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Yes!”
Relief poured through him, so absolute that his own eyes filled with tears.
“Really?” he asked, as she held out her hand.
“Yes!”
He slid the ring onto her finger, holding onto her hand as he rose to his feet.
“Luke,” she said, squeezing his hand. “You’re everything—you’re my partner in every way, and there’s no one else I would rather spend my life with.
I love you in a way that I only imagined possible in stories, but meeting you made me realize all stories get their inspiration from truth, and the love I feel for you could inspire books until the end of time. ”
His heart glowed, and he pulled her in for a kiss. She twined her hands in his hair, and he held onto her waist, savoring the taste of her, the warm press of her lips. She grinned against his mouth, and he pulled away, a stupid smile on his face.
“So that’s why you were being so sneaky,” she said. “But why today—”
He led her to the window, turning her to look. She gasped, eyes wide.
Outside, it was snowing.
“The season’s first snow,” he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She leaned against his chest.
Together, they watched the snow shimmering as brightly as the ring on her hand.