Epilogue
The soft glow of candlelight flickers across the living room, casting shadows that dance along the walls.
The remnants of our dinner sit neatly on the coffee table—half-empty glasses, a few stray crumbs from the artisan bread, and the faint scent of roasted vegetables lingering in the air.
Luke is perched on the edge of the couch, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly mussed, the same smirk tugging at his lips that I’ve come to love and hate in equal measure.
I kneel on the floor in front of him, my hands clutching a small, carefully wrapped box. He tilts his head, curious. “What’s this? Another one of your clever surprises?”
I grin, trying to steady my nerves. “Something… a little different this time.” I set the box on his knee, letting him pull at the ribbon.
His brow furrows in concentration, then his hands peel back the wrapping paper, revealing a tiny onesie embroidered with a single tulip—the same bright, cheerful yellow that’s become our favorite color.
Luke freezes. Just freezes, his hands hovering over the gift as his eyes meet mine. “Is this… what I think it is?” His voice is a mixture of awe, disbelief, and something softer I can’t quite name.
I bite my lip, trying not to laugh at the way his jaw has gone slack. “It is,” I whisper. “We’re… going to have a baby.”
For a heartbeat, the room is silent except for the faint crackle of the candle flame.
Then Luke scoops me up without another word, pulling me into a tight embrace.
My arms wrap around his neck as he buries his face in my hair, laughing and exhaling at the same time.
“Oh… wow. Mia… this is… this is amazing.”
I giggle against his chest, feeling his heart hammer beneath my cheek. “You like it?”
“Like it?” he mutters, squeezing me tighter. “I love it. I love you. I love us. And now… I get to be a dad. I’m actually going to be a dad!”
I laugh, the sound trembling with happiness. “Yep. A tiny human plotting inside me. That explains why coffee makes me want to flee the kitchen these days.”
He chuckles, pulling back just enough to look at me, his eyes sparkling. “So, you were blaming caffeine this whole time?”
“Partially,” I admit, rolling my eyes playfully. “Mostly, though, I wanted you to know this in a special way.”
Luke leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “You’ve always had the best timing.” Then, grinning mischievously, he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I guess this means I’ll have to start practicing my lullabies… although I’m warning you, they’re mostly terrible.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “That’s fine. As long as you practice with enthusiasm.”
He pulls me even closer, resting his chin atop my head. “Enthusiasm, love, and a lifetime of mistakes—looks like our baby is going to inherit all of my best qualities.”
“And all of mine,” I counter, smiling against his chest.
Luke laughs again, soft and warm, spinning me around in a gentle twirl in the middle of the living room. “I think we’re going to be the perfect team,” he murmurs as he sets me down, holding my hands in his. “You, me… and our little tulip in training.”
I squeeze his hands, feeling the weight and warmth of this new chapter settle around us like a soft blanket. “I can’t wait,” I whisper.
“Neither can I,” he says, pulling me into one more tight embrace, letting the candlelight play across our faces as we sway together, laughing, whispering, and dreaming of the life to come.
Outside, the city hums quietly in the distance, but inside our apartment, in this small, perfect moment, there is only love, warmth, and the promise of a family blooming in our hearts.