Me
It’s amazing here, Lulu. Aura loves the sand and the ocean
Lucie
Well, get back to your family, Mills. Everything is good here. See you tomorrow.
Leaving unexpected to come here put a damper in business, but I’m lucky my mom and Lucie offered to take over for a few days. Since the proposal, life has been so chaotic, and being able to escape with my two favorite people has been the best medicine I could’ve asked for.
A few hours later, after spending all morning at the beach, we head back to our room to let Aura take her afternoon nap.
“Do you think Aura knows there’s something going on? Gabriel asks when he settles on the bed.
I glance at him, considering his question for a moment. “I don’t know,” I say, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “But I think she knows things feel different…peaceful. Like we’ve all settled into this new rhythm together.”
He raises an eyebrow, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Maybe she does, in her own way.” His fingers play with the edge of the blanket. “I just…feel like this moment is something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. Like we’re finally here, you know?”
I curl into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. “I know exactly what you mean, babe,” I whisper. “And I’m not going anywhere. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Gabriel’s arm tightens around me, pulling me closer as if to anchor both of us in the serenity of this moment. His fingers trace lazy circles along my arm, and I close my eyes, letting the warmth of his touch settle deep in my bones.
There’s something about this place—that makes everything feel like it’s unfolding the way it was always meant to. The chaos of life back home, the wedding plans, the café, it all feels so far away right now.
“Do you ever think what our life would have been like if we hadn’t found our way back to each other?” Gabriel’s voice is quiet, as though he’s testing the idea out himself.
I tilt my head to look at him. His face is thoughtful and serious in a way I rarely see. “I think about it sometimes,” I admit. “But only for a moment, you know? Because once I look at you, and then Aura…it’s like everything before doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine any other version of us.” I brush my thumb over the line of his jaw, feeling the stubble there. “This…is our story. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“I used to think life had to go a certain way,” he says, his voice a little rough. “I had all these plans. I was going to work, get established, and take my time. And then you came into my life. And Aura... I can’t even explain it, but it’s like everything I thought I wanted suddenly wasn’t enough. I wanted this. I wantedus.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. I’ve always known that Gabriel loved me, that he was here with me through every storm, every quiet moment. But hearing him say it this way, with such raw honesty—it hits me in a new way. Like I’m not just a part of his life but the center of it. The one he’d choose over everything else.
But for the first time, I don’t feel any anxiety about it. I just feel grateful.
Grateful for this moment.
Grateful for this life.
And most of all, grateful for the family I’ve found.
The Heartbeat of Beanstalk
GABRIEL
Getting awaywith Millie and Aura for a few days was exactly what we needed. We’ve been home for a few days now, and Millie is consumed with work at the cafe and planning our wedding.
I’m in the cafe, the soft hum of the espresso machine fills the space, blending with the low murmur of early-morning customers. I lean against the counter, wiping down a few stray crumbs, watching Millie as she moves through the room. There’s an ease about her now, a lightness in the way she walks like she’s finally settled into our little life together.
The engagement still feels like a dream.
Being able to celebrate in Costa Rica was surreal. Waking up with her in my arms, seeing Aura’s bright smile each morning as we watched the sun rise over the ocean. Those moments…I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my life as I want this—us.
I can’t help but smile as I watch Millie greet a couple of regulars with that infectious energy of hers. It’s effortless for her. She doesn’t even have to try to make everyone feel like family. I’ve always been drawn to how she takes care of people—like she’s the missing piece for all of us, filling the spaces between the cracks of our lives.
Even the regulars notice. Yesterday, Mrs. Donnelly—who’s been coming here since opening day, told Millie “There’s magic in this place, but it’s mostly coming from you.” Millie brushed it off in the moment, but I could tell it meant something to here. She is the heartbeat of Beanstalk and everyone knows it.
Millie gazes from across the room, her brow furrowed as she arranges a few pastries. “Everything ok?” She asks, her voice light, but I know her well enough to hear the underlying question there.
I give her a small smile, sensing her need for space but unable to ignore that quiet worry in the back of my mind. “Yeah, just checking in. You’ve been a little quiet today.”
