Chapter Fifty
Lizzie
One month later…
“You’re not peeking, are you, Mom?” Simon’s excitement is palpable.
“I promise, I’m not. I can’t see a thing.” In truth, the blindfold is a bit see-through, but I’ve been keeping my eyes closed since I gave my word.
Simon holds my hand while Holden unlocks the door to the newly renovated space across the square from Sugar ‘n Spice.
Holden and I decided to convert it into an event space that could host larger groups of people for special events such as anniversaries, engagement parties, and even weddings, seating up to 100 guests.
“Okay, are you ready, Lizette?”
Am I? I’d like to think I’ve come a long way in letting other people help me and giving up control since I arrived in Aron Falls.
It has a lot to do with the family I’ve found in this small town and everything to do with Holden Aron.
The way he loves and supports me has given me a freedom I never thought I’d have.
Freedom to let go and trust others. Proof?
I stepped back and focused on Sugar ‘n Spice while trusting Holden to surprise me with his renovation of this side.
So, yes, I’m ready. I’m excited and eager to see what he came up with.
“I am,” I answer. “Let’s see what you’ve done with the place.”
Holden grasps my other hand, and he and Simon lead me inside.
“You want to do the honors, buddy?” Holden asks Simon.
“Yes! Can you lift me?”
“Sure thing.”
They both release my hands and then a few seconds later, Simon counts down. “Three, two, one!” Then, he pulls off my blindfold.
I gasp as I take in the décor and throw my hands over my mouth.
The renovation is gorgeous, feeling new while maintaining features I love, such as an original brick wall and wide-planked wood flooring.
The new chandelier-style lighting is stunning.
The serving area features an Aron custom-built solid wood bar.
Holden has gone so far as to actually set it up so I could see what it would look like for a wedding.
I take in the tables set with plum colored table cloths and centerpieces of daisies and dried lavender.
I turn my gaze back onto my guys and smile.
“You guys… I love it so much. This… this is fabulous. And for a wedding, my gosh, this is like my dream. Elegant yet simple, and my favorite colors, flowers, and—” I stop myself when I see Simon grin at Holden, eyes wide, then give him a gentle nudge in the back.
I look back and forth between the two of them, and that’s when I notice Holden biting his lower lip. He nods at Simon, then turns his attention fully onto me.
“Lizette, I love you. I have loved you since I was a twenty-year-old man who wasn’t smart enough to fight for what we found in those library stacks.
I tried to forget you, but I could never get you out of my mind, let alone my heart.
Probably because deep down I didn’t want to.
Then you and Simon showed up in Aron Falls, and I was a goner.
I fell even deeper in love with you. I love you, and I love Simon. I love us—the three of us—as a family.”
He pauses and looks around the room, then returns his gaze to me.
“The reason I decorated in your favorite colors and flowers is because I wanted to give you a glimpse of what a wedding here might look like. What our wedding here could look like. I was hoping that might give me a better shot of you saying ‘yes.’”
My heart skips a beat when Holden gets down on one knee and pulls a ring out of his pocket.
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved and the only one I ever will. Lizette Winslow, will you marry me?”
I can barely see through the initial onslaught of tears pouring from my eyes, but I manage to nod.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Holden slips a gorgeous ring on my finger—one of those past, present, future ones that represents us perfectly—and stands, pulling me into his arms. He pulls back and plants the sweetest kiss on my lips before twisting and gesturing for Simon to join us.
When Simon steps forward, Holden picks him up and draws us both in.
“Group hug!” Simon says with cheer.
“I hope you both like hugs because I think we’re going to be a hugging family.”
“I do,” I answer.
“Me, too,” Simon says.
When we pull apart from our embrace, Holden has one more surprise. He’s had a catered dinner prepared for us, and within minutes, me and my two favorite guys sit together sharing a delicious meal. I watch as the two of them talk, laugh, and smile, and I think about how lucky I am.
When we were young, Holden Aron and I fell in love. Finding our way back to each other after years apart is the second chance I never thought we’d get. This time around, I know what we have to lose, and I’m never letting our love slip away again.
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