I duck into the coffee shop’s private bathroom for employees only. My change of clothes is neatly folded in my bag, a soft dress and my favorite boots. Steam rises from the shower as I let the warm water wash away the day, letting my hair dry into loose waves. My skin tingles, my heart fluttering, my pulse thrumming in my ears.
Half an hour later, I emerge, dressed, hair curled, makeup just enough to highlight my green eyes. I slip on my coat, grab my purse, and head for the door. I double-check the alarm, close the door behind me, and…
Darkness.
The entire town square goes black. I freeze, heart hammering. Then I hear it, the faintest whisper of movement outside. One candle flickers to life in the distance. Then another. And another. Soon, hundreds of candles are glowing, held by people I know, lining the streets, illuminating the square.
My breath catches. I hear soft murmurs, gentle laughter. Every Hawthorne holds a candle. And then, unmistakably, a voice fills the air: Chris Stapleton’sThe Joy of My Life. Our song…
My eyes widen as the first dancers appear, moving gracefully through the candlelit square. Then another joins, then another, until a circle forms, spinning, twirling, joyful.
And then I see her, my Mia. In a pink tutu, doing the exact same moves, her little feet keeping perfect time. My heart shatters and swells all at once. She spins and laughs, curls bouncing, eyes sparkling, and I can’t stop the tears sliding down my cheeks.
The dancers part like a wave, and there he is, Ethan.
My Ethan.
He steps through the glowing crowd, eyes locked on mine, that infuriatingly perfect smirk tugging at his lips, green eyes brighter than the candles around him. My knees go weak.
Time stops.
And then I’m nodding, tears spilling, voice barely a whisper.
“Yes. Yes, God, yes.”
The square erupts. Cheers, shouts, whistles.
“She said YES!” Mia shrieks, launching herself around Ethan’s neck.
He laughs, low, shaken, perfect. He slips the ring onto my finger with trembling hands, then stands and sweeps me into his arms, spinning me until the candles blur into halos of gold. His lips find mine, soft and certain, while Mia dances circles around us.
When he finally sets me down, his hands stay at my waist, holding me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. His eyes shine brighter than all the lights around us.
“I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
“I can’t wait to call you my husband,” I whisper, breathless.
We stare at each other, his teasing smirk, his soft eyes, his steady presence, and it hits me so hard I almost sway. I would follow this man anywhere. Face anything. Love him until the end.
“YEEEHAW!” Jace hollers, and suddenly everyone surges forward.
Lily sobs into Josh’s chest. Penny snaps photos, shouting at us to hold still. Cas claps Ethan so hard on the back he nearly stumbles,“You’re getting married!”
Grace hugs me tight.“You’re my sister now.” Jace and Dex drag Ethan into a chaotic, laughing group hug.
Jude twists open a bottle of champagne, foam spraying into the night, and starts handing glasses around.
I rest my head against Ethan’s chest, listening to the steady, anchoring beat beneath my ear. I brush my fingers over the ring, over the promise, and for the first time in so long, everything feels right.
The music swells again. The square transforms into a Valentine’s festival of lights and laughter, but for me, the world narrows to this: us. This family. Our forever.
Ethan presses a kiss to the top of my head.“We did it, baby,” he whispers.“We made it.”
I close my eyes and let the happiness settle deep.
“I love you, Ethan,” I say, looking up at the man who is somehow my future.
His forehead rests against mine, voice low and certain.
