Epilogue Madelina #2
Each vow is a promise of devotion, commitment, and, most importantly, to bring out the best in one another. We slide the white gold bands onto each other’s fingers, the ring a symbol of our never-ending, eternal love.
Then, finally, our sweet breaths of “I do” linger before Elliot lifts my face to his, and kisses me like it’s our very first kiss.
The rush of excitement spreads through me, and with a grin permanently fixed on my face, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
“Mrs. Woods,” Elliot murmurs, the words rolling off his tongue like music.
“Yes, Mr. Woods?” I tease, playfully rubbing my nose against his, as a flood of laughter bubbles beneath the surface.
“How did I get so lucky to marry such a beautiful woman?”
I pull back, only slightly, with an impish grin. “How did I get so lucky to marry such a beautiful man?”
“Hmmm…” He shifts his gaze toward the people watching us, and soon the air around us is filled with cheers and applause. A sharp whistle catches my attention, which of course has to be Aston.
Elliot places his lips on mine again, a kiss that can still make me weak in the knees.
Aston and Eva are the first to embrace us, and true to her nature, Eva’s tears smear her makeup. Her panda eyes, a hilarious sight, only make me laugh more as each person takes their turn to hug us tightly, showering us with blessings for our future.
Yet, amid all the congratulatory embracing, my gaze drifts to my father, who stands apart, watching from a distance.
“You did it!” Billie is quick to hug me tight.
“Your turn next?”
Billie shakes her head with a chuckle. “Cinnamon Springs is all out of hot men. I may have to expand my dating life beyond this small town.”
“You never know who may be visiting…” I tease, but my gaze once again shifts toward my father.
“Hey, I’ll be back in a sec.” I gently excuse myself, lifting my dress as I make my way toward where he stands.
When I finally reach him, I’m met with a gleam in his eye, a mixture of pride and something unspoken.
Before I can find my voice, the envelope he holds gains my attention.
“This is for you and Elliot,” he mentions softly, extending the envelope toward me.
I glance over it with a heaviness in my chest. “You’re not going to stay?”
Despite the disappointment, I know deep down things will be awkward. Not everything in the past has been resolved, and many conversations still need to be addressed.
“I think it’s best if I don’t,” he replies, his voice tinged with regret. “The most challenging part of life is learning when to admit defeat.”
Without hesitation, I throw myself into his arms, my heart swelling as I fight the emotions of the little girl who has always needed her daddy. A man who has battled his own demons and needs time to heal the wounds he has carried for the longest time.
“I love you, Dad,” I whisper, the sincerity of my words wrapping around us like a warm embrace.
He pulls back gently, lifting my chin with a careful touch. “I don’t deserve your love, but I am glad I have it. Enjoy the night, darling.”
My eyes soften with gratitude as he turns away, but then he pauses briefly to exchange a bittersweet glance with my mother.
I wished for a different narrative for them, but perhaps their story is still being written.
Only time will tell.
Holding the envelope in my trembling hands, I open it, holding my breath.
Dearest Madelina,
This belongs to you.
You were, and always will be, the light of this home.
You, my darling daughter, will forever remain my little girl.
The reason I will spend the rest of my life trying to be a better man.
A father you always deserved.
Love, Dad.
As I read those profound words, a tear escapes, cascading onto the paper and blurring the ink. I gently slide the letter aside, revealing the deed to Beaumont Manor.
Elliot’s warm hands wrap around my waist as he leans in, planting a soft kiss on my neck. “Are you okay, wifey?”
A hopeless smile turns into a laugh as I spin around to meet the gaze of my husband. “Let’s get this party started, shall we?” I say with excitement. “You know what they say about marrying your best friend’s older brother?”
“What do they say, Mrs. Woods?” Elliot teases with a grin.
“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see…”
“It’s huge,” Billie exclaims, her eyes wide as she gazes at the sprawling home, which sits on the large rural estate surrounded by once manicured lawns.
Beside me, Elliot snickers, “That’s what she said.”
I give him a playful nudge in the ribs, suppressing a laugh.
The three of us, five including Douglas and Margaret Anne, who are now besties, stand before the grand estate.
My entire life, this manor has been my family’s home. There were good memories, but many were outweighed by the bad.
As we stand here taking it in, the manor now feels like a blank canvas. The dark stone, covered in overgrown vines, is screaming for attention. I envision a color change, perhaps with fresh paint and pretty flowers, to brighten up the dull facade.
Billie lets out a thoughtful sigh. “It has so much potential. It could be anything.”
“How about a restaurant?” I say, glancing at Elliot with hopeful eyes.
Having a chef for a husband has its perks.
The man can cook, and his imagination when it comes to food blows my mind.
He introduced me to many dishes I wouldn’t usually eat, and I fell in love with them.
It turns out, beets are delicious. “Cooking is your passion, and this could be your chance to introduce French cuisine to Cinnamon Springs. You always talk about it.”
A glimmer of ambition lingers in his gaze. Elliot has been so busy with Donuts Ever After and helping Eva with the new store, but I know he craves more.
“How about a restaurant with a library? You love books and could have a different room for each genre,” Elliot adds to the pool of ideas.
I nod with a relaxed smile, imagining the scent of old books lingering in the air. “A library would be cool. The spiral staircase in the foyer is a showstopper.”
“It’s going to need a lot of work, no matter what path you guys choose,” Billie says, her brow slightly furrowed.
“Whatever we choose,” I remind her gently, “we agreed we’re diving into this together. All hands on deck.”
“Are you sure you want me as the third wheel?” Billie asks, biting her lip in thought.
Elliot places his hand on her shoulder. “As someone who has always been the third wheel, I’m glad to pass it on to someone else finally.”
Billie punches Elliot in the arm. “You’re annoying. Count yourself lucky Maddy agreed to marry you.”
Elliot shifts his gaze to me, a grin on his face. “I count myself lucky every morning, night, and sometimes lunchtime if there’s time.”
An involuntary groan escapes Billie. “Maddy, control your man. How you guys aren’t surrounded by babies yet is beyond me.”
“Not the way we do it.” Elliot lowers his voice with a smirk, stepping behind me and wrapping his hands around my waist. A rolling flutter of excitement nestles in my stomach.
“What if we could transform it into all the things we love? A place where people can enjoy a great meal, unwind with a good book…” I propose with excitement. “Or a cozy place to enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. Did you know there is a fireplace in every single room?”
Billie chimes in, her eyes lighting up as visions dance behind them, “It could be a place to escape from the daily grind.”
Elliot leans in, enthusiasm flickering in his gaze. “I have a friend, Matteo, who works in a winery, and I’m meeting him next week in the city. I could bounce some ideas his way.”
“Wait, is this your hot Italian friend?” I tease, knowing I’m going to rile a reaction from him.
I lean close to Billie and lower my voice. “Single daddy, you’re welcome.”
Elliot raises an eyebrow, smirking at the jab. “Sure, I’ll remember that the next time you mention your hot model friend.”
“Ava Edwards is an entrepreneur who just happens to model her products. She’s not my hot model friend even though she is hot, and she is my friend,” I clarify, but then continue. “But if you really want to go there, you should see her dad, Lex Edwards.”
Elliot chuckles. “Oh, I know who he is. Even I wouldn’t kick him out of bed.”
Billie steps in, her voice bright and full of optimism. “So, a place where people can dine, sip on fine wine, read, and simply relax. Sounds to me like we’ve got ourselves an inn.”
We all gaze upon the manor, our minds bursting with ideas on how to make this place stand out.
“An inn,” I echo, a smile spreading across my face.
“I think we have ourselves a winner.” Elliot takes my hand, his warmth grounding me. “What should we call it?”
I ponder for a moment before saying, “The Beaumont Manor. Some things deserve a legacy.”
And just like that, our dreams start to become reality. It’s going to be a big task for all of us, with a lot of juggling to make it work. But perhaps the sweetest part of this cake is the secret swirling within me, a tiny spark of joy waiting to be shared with my husband.
I reach out to touch his cheek, our gaze locked and unwavering. Shuffling at our feet, Douglas lifts his paw, demanding attention. Elliot bends down to carry him in his arms, nestling him in a comfortable position. The two of them are inseparable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As for Margaret Anne, the girl who has always had my back, we are just as inseparable.
This is just the beginning.
And a whole lifetime of happily ever after awaits.
All because forever fell apart.