Epilogue
Belle
Over the last few months, I spent more time at Maverick's house.It gave us a much-needed break between work and our personal life.It also gave us more room and privacy.I didn't have to worry about anyone stopping by.
I worked with a therapist to learn about setting boundaries.She included Maverick in the discussion.I felt more grounded and surer of myself than I ever had before.
Maverick said his life was better because I was in it, and I'd grown as a person since we started dating.
The patio was a lovely addition to the bookstore.It was a favorite meeting spot for everyone in town, and the children loved to play in the fountain.Every time I looked outside, I was awed by the design.I loved that my drawing of the little girl had been memorialized in this way.
Visitors were eager to hear the story behind the statue.The first time someone asked if they could buy one of the drawings, I couldn't believe it.I refused to sell the first series, but I offered to draw new ones and sell those.
There had been a demand for the drawings to put in their children's nurseries and bedrooms.I had a feeling if I ever had a child with Maverick, our little one's room would be filled with framed drawings.
I loved that Maverick thought of the little girl on the fountain as me and our future daughter.It filled me with love and contentment and the realization that he saw me.The little girl who had been caged by her parents' expectations, finally running free.
He'd been working on the four-seasons room, and it was finally completed.I was planning a celebration to formally introduce the patio and the new room to the community.But tonight, Maverick had insisted on closing the store for us to enjoy it.
I had no idea what he had planned, but I couldn't wait to see the finished space.He'd made me promise not to peek into the room the last few weeks.He'd even placed tarps so I couldn't peek through the windows, and I was excited to see how it turned out.
The store was closed for the night, and he'd placed his hands over my eyes, helping me walk into the new room.
I smiled."Can I look now?"
He slowly removed his hands, and I blinked against the light.
There was a long table for group meetings on one end, and on the other there was a stone fireplace with leather chairs and a couch arranged in a cozy circle around it.The mantle was a rough chunk of wood, decorated for the holidays with garland.
The walls facing outside were glass, but bookshelves were added between the store and the room.
"It's gorgeous," I breathed.
"Is it everything you dreamed of?"Maverick asked carefully.
"It's better than I imagined.There is so much more stone than I envisioned."It ran from the floor to the ceiling, acting as the centerpiece of the room.
"I wanted the fireplace to be what everyone saw when they came in."
"I think you accomplished that goal."
"Sometimes, I create things because I want people to love them and to generate word-of-mouth referrals and maybe get a mention in a design magazine.But this time, I designed the fireplace and the fountain for you.I wanted to create something that you would love and be able to enjoy forever."
I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck."I love it."
"You didn't ask for the bookshelves, but I wanted this room to still have the feel of a bookstore."
"I think it's perfect.I'm just upset I hadn't thought of that."
"It was a bit of a last-minute decision.The designer who created the mantle mentioned that he could build shelves to match, and I thought it was a great idea."
Music played on speakers he'd mounted in the room, and a small two-person table was covered in a tablecloth and set with plates and silverware.There was a cart of covered food next to it."Are we recreating our night in the Denver library?"
His lips quirked."Kind of.But this will be a little different."
I tipped my head to the side."How so?"
"Tonight is just for us."He guided me in front of the fireplace where there was a thick white rug under our feet.Then he dropped to one knee."Belle, you've changed my life.You've made me want to be a better man.To be someone that I can be proud of at all times.I want to make everything beautiful for you, and I hope that you'll always allow me to do that."
