Epilogue - Andie
We each stare at our anniversary gifts. It’s been one year since I met Spencer in Chicago, and we wanted to celebrate the moment that changed our lives forever.
“I thought we said no gifts, just dinner,” I say, eyeing the small, perfectly wrapped box in my hands.
“We did,” Spencer replies with that crooked smile that still makes my heart skip, “but obviously you didn’t listen either, since I’m holding a gift from you right here.”
He’s right, but I was just so excited I couldn’t wait any longer. After everything we’ve been through in this whirlwind year, tonight feels like the perfect time to tell him.
Deep breaths, Andie. It’s just the rest of your life hanging in the balance. No pressure.
“So, who goes first?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Ladies first.” He nods, encouraging me to unwrap the present.
I begin to carefully peel back the paper rather than tearing into it like I usually would.
A beautiful princess-cut diamond steals my breath, the band carrying smaller embedded diamonds on each side of it.
Shock ricochets through me as I look up toward Spencer, only to find he’s now down on one knee by my side.
Oh my god. This is happening. This is actually happening.
“Andie Nicole Harris, the first time I saw you . . . you captured my heart.” He begins, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes.
“I knew that you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The one I wanted to raise a family and grow old with. You’ve had my heart from the very beginning. " He takes a breath.
“Andie, will you do me the honor and marry me?”
Excitement bubbles over me as I rush down into his arms. “Yes, yes, a million times yes!”
I’m wrapped in his embrace as our lips find each other like two magnets. The kiss is everything—tender and passionate, a promise of all the tomorrows to come.
“Oh, Oh my god, now you. You need to open your gift.” I pull back, more eager for him to open his gift now.
“I can open it later, Andie. Let’s just enjoy this moment.” He wants to savor this happiness, but I want to see his face when he opens his gift.
“Please . . . Please open your gift," I say as I push the envelope toward him, not giving him a choice.
He caves, and as he begins to open it, my anticipation for his response grows.
Inside the envelope is a handwritten letter and a small velvet pouch.
The letter explains that since I finalized the adoption process with Henry, I want Spencer to be part of that journey too—making us officially a family in every sense of the word.
Please let him want this as much as I do.
He pulls out the letter and begins reading. The silence threatens to rip me apart as I wait for his reaction. He opens the small pouch, finding a sterling silver keychain with Henry’s name engraved into it, and the words “Ready when you are, Dad” engraved beneath.
“Andie . . .” His voice catches, emotion filling his eyes. This might actually make him cry. Which would be a new site to see.
“I know the adoption process will take time,” I say quietly, “and I don’t know if you want to be married first, but I wanted you to know this is what I want—what we both want. Henry lights up every time you walk in the room.”
A grin slowly forms as he wraps his free arm around my waist, pulling me in. “Did you know that I was proposing to you?”
Laughter escapes me. “No, I promise, that was just uncanny in the timing. I was going to propose to you if you didn’t soon. Who says it always has to be the man?”
That infectious smile returns to his face. “I would be honored to adopt Henry. Nothing would make me happier.” The damn tears start forming in my eyes, but this time from pure joy.
He holds me in his embrace, and I can’t help but think about how far we’ve come.
A year ago, I moved to Chicago with my life in shambles, I thought my story was over.
Now, I’m standing here, turning the page to the most beautiful chapter yet—with a man I love wholeheartedly, and our son.
Sometimes you must walk through the ashes of your old life to find the beauty that’s waiting on the other side.