EPILOGUE
Five Years Later
Annie
I read the New Year’s Eve prediction a moment before Brandon does. Pepper gets her first kiss.
“Can I borrow that marker?” he asks, sounding deadly serious.
I hand him the marker in my hand. He strikes a red slash through the prediction, then smiles.
“Better.”
“You know it’s inevitable,” I say as he hands the marker back to me.
“I know. But I don’t need to think about it tonight. Not yet.”
“What do you think about this . . . I say pointing at a prediction in Pepper’s distinct writing: Mom and Dad have another baby.
We found out only last week that I’m expecting again.
Marigold is already a little over two, and Pepper absolutely dotes on her little sister.
I’m so grateful for our little family, and I feel so much love and gratitude for Daphne James.
She not only gave birth to Pepper, but, also—I don’t think Brandon would be the thoughtful husband and father he is if he hadn’t learned from his mistakes in his first marriage.
Never has a man been so attentive to his wife’s feelings.
Sometimes I hear other women talk about how their husbands don’t listen, and I have to keep my mouth shut.
If Brandon has a fault, it’s fussing over us too much.
He’s not as good at taking care of himself. Fortunately, it’s my life’s mission to both take care of Brandon and make him smile. So far, I’m succeeding spectacularly, if I do say so myself.
He’s smiling at me right now as he leans over and whispers in my ear, “Do you think she knows?” We were planning on waiting a little longer before telling everyone about the new baby, but I’m so excited to share our news, and this seems like the perfect opportunity.
“You can’t keep much from Pepper,” I say, adding my own two cents under Pepper’s baby prediction. “Born in July!”
Brandon breaks into a grin and shakes his head. “You couldn’t wait, could you?”
“It’s the perfect night. And your parents should be here soon.
” Brandon’s parents have started spending New Year’s at Norland Park.
They usually stay in the hotel which has maintained its vintage vibe even after extensive renovations.
The old bison head still hangs above the enormous stone fireplace in the lobby, but there are no more leaking ceilings or rattling windows.
It’s now a charming luxury hotel with lots of history.
“What’s this?” Elinor enters the kitchen and immediately zeroes in on Pepper’s prediction.
She points to the bit I wrote: Born in July! “Is this true? Annie!”
“Yes!” I squeal, unable to contain my excitement. I know I’m beyond lucky that I’ve adjusted so easily to motherhood. Plus, having Brandon’s parents down the street has been nothing short of amazing.
“Congratulations! This is the best news!” Elinor tears up a little.
Since her marriage and motherhood, Elinor cries a little more often in public.
I cry a little less. The change is good for both of us.
She hugs me and then Brandon. “Edward,” she calls down the hall “You have to see this. Annie and Brandon have news.”
“What news?” My mom enters through the back door.
She lives in the cutest enchanted cottage built in the woods behind Bumble Cottage.
Edward paid for the cottage and the artist studio attached to it.
Brandon wanted to pay for it, but Edward insisted; it’s on his land, after all.
The two of them have a friendly competition to be the best son-in-law.
The real winner is my mom, who loves her cottage—and the gorgeous bookshelves and cabinetry Brandon built for her.
She only works occasionally in Mom’s Cafe now that Norland Park has more full-time staff, including a hospitality coordinator and a couple of world-class chefs. And she’s been painting a lot more.
“Grammy Maggie!” Three-year-old Teddy runs to greet her with his golden hair, reminding me a lot of his father from the summer Elinor and I first met Edward.
Behind him toddles darling Marigold. She was bald until her first birthday with only the slightest bit of ginger fuzz.
Now she has a pretty crop of red curls. She looks just like I did when I was a little girl, except she has Brandon’s soulful brown eyes.
As my mom greets each grandchild, Edward enters the kitchen, followed by Pepper, who immediately spots my addition to her prediction.
“I knew it!” she says with satisfaction as she runs over to hug me. “I’m definitely winning the Lucky Duck this year.”
Truth be told, Pepper wins the Lucky Duck most years.
Her winning streak began the New Year’s after Brandon and I started dating.
She wrote: Annie and Dad get married. I was so embarrassed, since we’d only been dating a few months.
Edward and Elinor were engaged and still debating on a wedding date, which made Pepper’s guess especially outlandish.
For a minute, I wondered if she had insider information and Brandon was on the brink of a proposal.
But months passed and nothing happened. Then, on the morning of my next birthday, as the three of us were hanging our wishes on Lady Whimple, Brandon reached up through the branches and handed me a wide white ribbon.
“While you’re up there, will you tie mine?” Brandon asked. You’re not supposed to read other people’s wishes, but that rarely stops me. How could I resist a Brandon wish? I’m only human.
Annie, Marry Me!
I had to grab a branch to steady myself.
I took deep breaths of the sweetest, freshest Big Sur air before scrambling down the tree.
I found Brandon waiting for me on one knee in the dappled shade of Lady Whimple, surrounded by hundreds of wishes.
To my surprise, he was holding a jewelry box.
We had tossed around the idea of getting married for months, but we had never been ring shopping.
For a minute I feared he was going to give me his grandmother’s ring.
It turned out Daphne had been right about the ring—it really was hideous.
I had told Brandon that it wouldn’t work.
“Yes, Brandon, I will marry you—even if that’s your grandma’s ugly ring in that box.”
“Wow! You must really love me,” he said, laughing hard as he stood up beside me.
“I do,” I said impatiently, opening the ring box. Inside was the best sort of surprise. A jade art nouveau ring with gold metalwork. I had picked it out nearly two years before. I saw it in an antique shop the summer I met Brandon.
“How did you ever find this?”
“I went back the next day and bought it.”
“You’ve had it all this time? I can’t believe it.”
“I figured it would be a good standby until you pick out the ring you want.” I loved that he bought it for me—long before we were dating. It was all so very Brandon—thoughtful, prepared, and hopelessly romantic.
I never did pick out another ring.
***
The next year Pepper predicted that Elinor and Edward were going to have a baby, and the year after that she predicted that I would buy the flower shop.
She was right on both counts. Pepper now works at the flower shop, which also serves as a gift shop.
I do limited weddings, but my main moneymaker is the flower boxes I create for businesses and homes.
“Did you hear the news?” Elinor asks Edward, while pointing at the prediction.
“We’re having another baby!” Brandon says with a contagious smile.
“Congratulations!” Edward hugs me and then Brandon. Six years into their business partnership and those two are as close as ever. It helps that their business has done very well. They’ve refurbished several properties along the west coast and are currently eyeing another one.
I notice that Pepper is writing another prediction on the table: Edward and Elinor have baby #2. I give her a questioning look, and she shrugs.
Fifteen minutes later we are all gathered in the front room. Brandon’s parents have arrived, as well as Edward’s mom. She likes to stay in the hotel now that there’s a luxury spa, and she has become good friends with J.J., who’s also here.
Elinor clinks a glass with a knife to get everyone’s attention. Edward stands right beside her in front of the crackling fire.
“I’m so happy to have you all here at Bumble Cottage for another New Year’s,” she begins.
“This has never been a big party, but our numbers keep growing. We are really excited for this next year. I think most of you have heard the fabulous news that Brandon and Annie are having a baby in July.” This is only news to Edward’s mom and J.J.
We had told Brandon’s parents just a few minutes before. They are nearly as excited as I am.
“We thought,” Elinor continues. She looks at Edward and smiles. Oh my goodness! Pepper is right again. She’s a little like her father that way. “This seems as good of a time as any to tell you we’re expecting twins in June!”
The room erupts with cheers and congratulations. Marigold and Teddy run around in circles, squealing, though I’m not sure either knows why. Twins. That’s a lot. I can’t believe Elinor didn’t tell me. Actually, I can. She’s pretty good at keeping things to herself.
After giving my sister and Edward a big hug, I find Pepper in the kitchen arranging a platter with the baked brie. She recently cut her honey brown hair into a cute bob. No more braids. She’s also traded in her glasses for contacts, which show off her beautiful blue eyes.
“How did you know about Elinor and Edward?” I ask.
“It was obvious. When Elinor told Edward you two were expecting, a look passed between them. And I just knew.”
“You really are a genius.”
“I’m always telling you that.”
“And I’m always agreeing.” So far, the teenage years with Pepper have not been very challenging. We like to think she got all of her rebellion out the summer of Project Eliminate Willoughby. She’s an incredible big sister, a good student, and my star employee.
“Who wrote this?” Pepper asks. She just noticed the prediction Brandon crossed out.
“I have no idea. But you can guess who crossed it out.”
“Dad,” she says with some annoyance.
“He’s a bit protective.”
“A bit?”
“Oh, I wrote that!” Elinor says in passing. She’s setting out more food on the island in the kitchen.
“Wait! What?” I am totally surprised.
“Yeah, well, Robbie’s coming into town tomorrow, and you two have always gotten along.
Pepper turns beet red. I’m really glad Brandon’s still in the front room with his parents. I think he might forbid Edward from having his seventeen-year-old half-brother Robbie working here this summer. Or decide it’s a bad idea for Pepper to work at the cafe.
“So . . . Robbie?” I ask Pepper.
“He’s chill,” she says casually. A little too casually.
Oh no! We’re in trouble. “All right then,” I say to Pepper. “Do you think he likes you?”
“Who wouldn’t?” You’ve got to love her confidence.
***
We don’t wait up till midnight. I find I can only manage morning sickness if I get enough sleep.
So after a lovely evening of games, predictions, and good food, Brandon, Marigold, and I say goodbye.
Pepper’s going to sleep over at Bumble Cottage.
She doesn’t want to miss the midnight breakfast. I expect she, J.J.
, and Edward’s mom will stay up all night gossiping and playing cards.
Brandon and I walk back through the park, a sleeping Marigold in his arms. We’re staying in the same cottage that Brandon and Pepper always stayed in, though like the hotel, it’s been upgraded in many ways—no more tarantulas in the bathroom sink. Brandon puts Marigold to bed as I brush my teeth.
“She’s fast asleep,” he says, standing in the doorway. “How are you tonight?”
“Tired, but happy.”
“Not too tired for a New Year’s kiss?” he asks hopefully.
Six years have passed since that first new year’s party when Brandon’s comment about a kiss shook my very soul.
Since then, so much has happened: we fell in love, got married, I started a business, had a baby, and now there’s another one on the way.
The years have left their mark. We both look a little older.
The silver in Brandon’s hair is more apparent.
My hair is not quite as thick and luxurious as it used to be, and it’s now a practical shoulder length.
I put on some weight with Marigold, but Brandon says the extra curves make me sexier than ever, and I believe him.
His torso is also little softer since the day he answered the door in just an apron but I still find him distractingly attractive.
“I’m hoping for a little more than a kiss,” I say coyly.
He deliberately scans me from head to toe. The way he’s devouring me with his eyes makes me feel like some kind of goddess. He smiles slowly.
Ah Brandon! A man of few words. He’s the real poet in this marriage. Somehow, he makes every word count.
“I can arrange that.” A few words and a glance, and he still takes my breath away.
The End
Thank you, dear reader, for reading all the way to the end.