"Yeah," I say quietly. "I think I finally do."
"Good. Because I really like having you here."
We fall asleep on the couch, tangled together, and when I wake at dawn, she's still in my arms. For the first time in over a year, I don't have nightmares. I just have peace.
Tuesday morning, I wake her with coffee, made exactly how she likes it, and kiss her goodbye with a promise to pick her up after school.
"You don't have to—" she starts.
"I want to. Get used to it, sunshine. I'm going to be here. Every day. For as long as you'll have me."
She pulls me down for another kiss. "Forever, then. I'll have you forever."
The word should scare me. Forever is a big commitment, especially after less than a week. But it doesn't scare me at all. It feels right.
"Forever works for me."
Epilogue – Iris
Twelve Months Later
I'm standing in the small back room of the Lovesbury Veterans' Center, staring at myself in the full-length mirror Nora dragged in here this morning, and I can't quite believe this is real.
The dress is simple, ivory lace with long sleeves and a flowing skirt, but it makes me feel like something out of a fairytale. My hair is swept up in soft curls, a few tendrils framing my face, and tucked behind my ear is a small sprig of baby's breath.
"You look absolutely stunning," Nora says from behind me, her eyes already glistening with tears even though we haven't even started yet. "Silas is going to lose his mind when he sees you."
"You think?" I smooth my hands over the dress nervously.
"I know. That man looks at you like you hung the moon on a regular Tuesday. Today? He's going to be a mess." She grins. "The good kind of mess."
There's a knock on the door, and Evelyn Hartwood pokes her head in, looking immaculate as always in a rose-colored suit. "Five minutes, dear. Everyone's ready. And might I say, you make an absolutely beautiful bride."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hartwood. And thank you for… for everything. The auction, the planning help, all of it."
She waves a hand dismissively, but her eyes are soft. "That auction was meant to help the center, but I like to think it helped some hearts along the way too." She winks. "Besides, I knew the moment I saw you bid on that grumpy man of yours that this was going to be something special. A matchmaker knows these things."
After she leaves, Nora helps me with my veil, simple tulle that falls just past my shoulders.
"Can you believe it's been a year?" I whisper. "A year ago today, I was at that auction, terrified and excited and having no idea my whole life was about to change."
"A year ago today, you were the bravest person I knew," Nora corrects. "Jumping in at the last second, bidding on the intense ex-military guy when everyone else was too scared. Look where that got you."
I think back to that day, standing in the pavilion, watching Silas on that stage looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. The way our eyes met across the crowd. The inexplicable pull I felt, like some invisible thread was drawing us together.
And then the panic when the bidding stalled. The way my hand shot up before my brain could catch up.
Best impulsive decision of my life.
"Ready?" Nora asks, handing me my bouquet—white roses and mountain laurel, simple and perfect.
"More than ready."
We step out of the room, and I can hear the soft murmur of voices from the main hall. The center has been transformed, white fabric draped from the ceiling, strings of lights creating a warm glow, chairs arranged in neat rows.
At the end of the aisle, I can see Silas waiting. Even from here, even with his back partially turned as he talks to Jonah, I can see the tension in his shoulders. Nervous. My unflappable soldier is nervous.
The music starts, a simple acoustic guitar playing our song, and everyone stands. Silas turns. And the look on his face makes my heart stop and restart all at once.
