"Exactly," Seamus says, and the way he's looking at me makes my chest tight. "I wanted you to have options. Indoor and outdoor space. Room to grow."
Dr. Vince is tactfully reviewing something on her tablet, giving us a moment. I reach for Seamus's hand and squeeze it, tryingto communicate everything I'm feeling—gratitude and love and wonder that this man who was so controlled and distant a few months ago is now designing gazebos for my community art center dreams.
"Thank you," I whisper, and it feels inadequate for what he's done.
Dr. Vince leads us back outside to show us where the plaza boundaries would be, and I can finally see the vision coming together.
Dr. Vince makes a note, smiling like she’s already picturing it finished.
"How long until we can start the restoration work?" I ask Dr. Vince.
“We can start in six weeks,” Dr. Vince says. “Spring opening, if all goes well.”
Spring. The building that almost got demolished will be filled with children and paint and noise.
Seamus nods. “We’ll make the schedule work.”
"Any other questions?" Dr. Vince asks as we prepare to wrap up the walkthrough.
"Just one," I say, looking at Seamus. “You’re sure?”
He takes my hand, right there in front of Dr. Vince and the construction barriers and the building that brought us together even while threatening to tear us apart.
“I’m sure.” His thumb rubs once over my knuckles. “I want to build it right. With you.”
Dr. Vince is definitely getting ideas about us now, but I don't care. I stretch up and kiss him, quick and grateful and full of love for this man who's learning to build gardens with me instead of demolishing them.
"Spring opening," I say when I pull back. "Mira's Garden Community Arts Center. It's really happening."
“It’s happening,” he says.
The morning sun catches on the terra cotta above the door, turning it gold.
I can almost see it—fresh windows, bright paint, kids spilling onto the sidewalk with paint on their hands.
Seamus’s fingers lace through mine.
Dust and scaffolding behind us.
Possibility in front of us.
Chapter forty-four
Epilogue: Seamus - 6 Months Mark
My marriage was supposed to end today.
Instead, I'm watching my wife—my actual, chosen-for-real wife—cut a ribbon in front of a restored building while a crowd of neighborhood residents and city officials applaud.
She's wearing that blue cardigan I love and a dress covered in hand-drawn flowers, and she's absolutely radiant.
Luna is next to her, holding one end of the ribbon and saying something that makes Rosanna laugh. Dr. Vince is there too, beaming with professional pride at the restoration work that transformed a neglected storefront into this beautiful space.
The building looks like itself again. Clean brick. Restored windows. The terra cotta detail gleaming in the spring light.
Above the door:Mira’s Garden Community Arts Center.
The plaza is already full.
