Epilogue #2
Noah and I follow his gaze, which is lingering on Elaine. She stands chatting with Noah’s cinematographer near the window, wine glass in hand, her usually severe blazer replaced with a soft silk blouse that makes her look years younger. The evening light catches the silver threads in her dark hair.
“That’s my editor at the paper. Elaine.” I try not to smile, but it’s impossible. Does he think she’s pretty? The possibility of Noah’s dad and my boss... It’s almost too delicious.
“Hmm. Is she single?”
I chuckle, exchanging a quick glance with Noah. “Elaine hasn’t had a relationship in a couple decades. I’m not sure…” I think of all the times she’s mentioned her dedication to her work, how relationships are distractions she can’t afford.
But he’s already sauntering off, headed straight for her with the confidence of a man who single-handedly raised a son and built houses with his bare hands.
Noah sucks in a sharp breath. “He’s about to be shot down, right?”
“Probably.” I wince, bracing myself against the oncoming blow. Elaine is fully focused on her work, and she’s said more than a few things that make me think she has a huge chip on her shoulder when it comes to men.
But as we watch Noah’s dad introduce himself, something unexpected happens.
Elaine’s eyes light up, a genuine spark I’ve never seen before.
She even gives him a quick once over, her body turning more into his, angling away from the cinematographer mid-sentence.
A smile tugs at her lips—not her professional smile, but something softer, more real.
Within a minute, they’re both laughing, and she can’t take her eyes off of him.
“Well, damn.” I shake my head in amazement. “Miracles do happen.”
“Of course they do.” Noah’s hands find my waist, pulling me closer to him. “You came to me.”
“Oh, stop.” I roll my eyes, but he knows I love the goofy romantic talk. It’s become one of our things, these over-the-top declarations that would have made me cringe before but now just make me melt.
“Never.” He kisses the side of my neck, right at that spot that makes me shiver. “Hey. Thank you.”
Drawing back, I look him in the eye, searching his expression. “For editing the book? You don’t?—”
“No, for more than that. For every step we’ve taken together.” His fingers lace with mine, and my heart flutters in the same way it did the day we first kissed. “Every dough-filled, flour-dusted step. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”
“Same.” My pulse picks up, and I know this is the moment. The perfect moment. “Hey, um… now that you’re done with one project, what would you say to another one?”
He cocks his head, curious. “Another one, like what?”
“A bun in the oven,” I say, both nervous and pleased with my pun. My hand instinctively wants to go to my stomach, but I keep it at my side.
He blinks at me, not understanding. The party continues around us, but it feels like we’re in our own bubble.
“A bun… in my oven,” I clarify, watching his face carefully.
“Wait. Are you… Alexis, are you saying…” His jaw drops, his eyes widening as the meaning finally lands.
“I’m pregnant.” I bite my bottom lip. A kid isn’t something we’ve been planning, even though we’re talking about marriage. Though I’ve been pretty sure he’ll be thrilled there’s always the possibility of him being anything but.
So when he bursts into joyful laughter, the sound bubbling up from deep in his chest, it’s exactly what I need to hear. All of my tension and worries leave in a rush. There’s nothing but pure, unchecked happiness radiating from him.
“You’re pregnant,” Noah breathes, pulling me in for a tight hug that lifts me slightly off my feet. “Oh my God.”
“You’re happy, then?” I ask against his shoulder, though I already know the answer from the way he’s holding me.
“Alexis.” He sounds shocked that I’d even question it. Drawing back, he cups my face with both hands, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. “A minute ago, I thought I couldn’t get any happier, but it turns out I can.”
I burst into giggles, tears of happiness filling my vision and making the bakery lights blur into starbursts.
I’m faintly aware of our friends and family looking on in curiosity—I can see Devin nudging Maya, both of them trying to figure out what has us so emotional.
Hannah has that knowing look, like she’s already guessed.
They’re wondering what has the two of us so giddy, why Noah keeps looking at me like I’ve just handed him the moon.
They’ll find out soon enough, but right now I want to keep this pregnancy to ourselves, a little gem that we hold close. Just for tonight, it’s only ours.
Soon enough, like everything else Noah and I have created together, we’ll share it with the world—and its glory will be blinding.
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Thank you for reading WE CAN DO.