Epilogue

EPILOGUE

EMMA

EARLY SEPTEMBER

“ H udson,” I say, rushing into the living room, my heart racing with anxiety. “I can't find my wedding rings.”

“What?” he replies, sitting straight up on the couch, his brow furrowed in concern.

I frantically search around, peering under cushions and glancing behind the furniture. “I know I took the welded rings off in the bathroom before my shower because they felt tight on my finger, and I'm freaking out a little bit. What if it's a sign?”

He chuckles softly, trying to ease my tension. “I have no doubt you'll find them. Rings don't just walk off. But,” he pulls me in close to him, “you better make sure that if any men try to hit on you while you're ringless, they know you're taken.”

“Oh, you don't have to worry about that. No one else will put up with my sass,” I say with a playful shrug, trying to mask my worry. “You're stuck with me. Also, who wants a pregnant woman?”

He kisses me, a tender connection that sets my heart at ease. “I love being stuck with you, to you, in you. Oh, and I fucking love seeing you pregnant. I want you however you come.” He waggles his brows.

“If you don't stop, I'll have to take you upstairs and be very late to my interviews.”

“Nope, you can wait,” he says.

“I know. I have to hire a manager today,” I sigh, wanting him, needing him, even. I thought maybe the newness of us would wear off, but every single day I've been with Hudson, I've wanted him more.

The babies are being delivered in the second week of December, so I have to get someone trained immediately. I look down at my bump, still amazed by the life growing inside me.

Twins—two tiny lives to nurture and love—sometimes the thought still freaks me out. “We probably should've planned this better.”

“It's planned perfectly,” he insists, his voice steady and reassuring. “I love this adventure with you. I'll be with you in December, Em. By your side the entire time. Lucas has really stepped up and we hired more people so it will be possible. This Christmas is ours.”

“Thank you. I love you so much,” I say, capturing his lips again. My need for him lingers between us. “Now, I gotta go, or you'll make me change my mind. Then I'll look like a hot mess mama who can't arrive anywhere on time. Then no one is going to work for us, and this season will be the best one yet.”

“Okay, okay. It's going to be fine,” he says. “Relax, Em. No stress, remember?” His calm words ground me in place. There is so much to do, and so little time, per usual. “Don't forget I'm picking Colby up from school today. His teacher called this morning and said she wanted to talk to me about something.”

“Uh-oh,” I say, an amused smile creeping onto my face. “We're going to have our hands full.”

“We'll survive,” he replies, kissing me again, his lips lingering against mine. Then he falls to his knees, peeling my shirt up, and kisses my belly. “I'll see you soon, my little chocolate chips.”

I sit through interviews for three hours, feeling the weariness tug at me, but then the woman in front of me now is The One . I feel it in my bones—the connection between us is undeniable. We shared laughs and exchanged silly stories during the interview. The synergy between us feels like we're meant to be friends. She's a dream come true, bursting with culinary talent and pastry chef experience.

“You're incredible. I love your attitude. You remind me a lot of my sister and I admire her so much,” I say as the interview comes to a close. Excitement bubbles inside me. “I know this is a little wild, but you have the job if you want it. You've baked with some of the best, and you used to live here. It feels like it's meant to be, and I think you could help us level up when we're ready to expand.”

Her bright blue eyes light up with excitement, reflecting the dreams and ambitions we both carry.

“Really? Oh my God. Thank you, Emma. I promise I will not let you down,” she says, just as excited as me. She stands up and pulls me into a hug, smiling. “After being away for so long, I realized this is home. This job just gave me a reason to come back for good.”

We both return to our stools.

“Home sweet home. This Christmas already feels like it's going to be magical,” I say, my hand instinctively resting on my belly, feeling the gentle flutter of anticipation. The magic of Merryville always seems to dance in the air, as Christmas is celebrated every day of the year.

The bell above the door jingles open, announcing the arrival of Colby. Following closely behind him is Hudson, whose hand rests possessively on his shoulder. Lucas falls in line, laughter spilling from his lips like music, carefree and bright. But the look on my husband's face contrasts sharply with the joyful atmosphere. He's pissed.

“Stop giggling,” Hudson snaps at Lucas, his tone stern. However, Lucas, in his usual fashion, ignores him entirely.

When Hudson notices I'm not alone, he halts in his tracks. “I'm sorry, I thought you were done for the day.”

“Oh we are. Come on in,” I reply, gesturing for them to step into the baking area of the shop. An inviting aroma of freshly baked pumpkin cookies fills the air, mixing with the autumn chill outside.

Hudson keeps pushing Colby towards me, and I can see the guilt effortlessly etched across his tiny face.

As Colby shuffles closer, Hudson clears his throat, prompting him with a gentle nudge. “Go on.”

Colby's expression shifts, contorting with hesitation as he holds his hand toward me. I instinctively reach for whatever it is, my pulse quickening as I feel the weight of something solid resting in my palm.

I glance down and see my wedding ring nestled there, a glimmer of light-catching its surface. My eyes widen in disbelief as I flick between Colby and Hudson, searching for answers.

Lucas's laughter fades the moment Holiday looks at him over her shoulder. And I notice something there, sizzling between them. My gaze snaps back to Colby.

“I'm really sorry,” he says, his voice trembling.

Hudson clears his throat again, the tension growing.

“I'm really sorry for taking your ring. But I wanted to give it to Evie,” he explains, his eyes burdened with guilt.

“Oh my God. That's adorable. But please don't ever take my things without asking first. We can go pick out a ring for you to give to Evie. One that's special to you, because this one is really special to me. Okay?”

Colby lowers his eyes, the weight of my words pressing down on him.

“Like your rubber ducky?” he mumbles.

My cheeks heat as Hudson chuckles beside me. “Yes, exactly like that.”

I slide my ring back onto my finger, a wave of relief washing over me, knowing I didn’t lose something so precious. I’d already faced that once with my necklace. I reach for it, rubbing the heart pendant between my fingers. Everything feels right, the way it was always meant to be.

“Oh, I'm so rude. Hudson, Lucas, this is Holiday Patterson,” I say, my voice laced with excitement for my new manager.

“Hi, Holiday,” Hudson responds politely, his smile warm and inviting.

“Lucas, come here. Don’t be rude,” I urge, though the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.

He steps forward, and I notice his eyes darken. I recognize that grimace, it's the same for all the Jolly brothers.

A quick glance at Holiday reveals she has gone stone cold as well.

“Why is she here? Is this a joke?” Lucas crosses his arms over his chest defensively.

I study him closely, trying to understand if he’s playing a prank on me.

“Excuse me? This is the new manager of the shop. I just offered her the job,” I clarify, my heart racing.

“What the fuck, Emma!” Lucas erupts, his fury palpable. I've never seen this side of him, and it leaves me confused.

My brows furrow, and he groans in frustration, turning and storming out of the shop. The door slams behind him.

“I'm really sorry,” I explain softly, my heart heavy. “I've never seen him like this.”

She forces a smile. “It's fine. Thank you for the opportunity. Like I said, I promise I won't let you down. Nice seeing you again, Hudson.”

The bells above the door jingle softly as she leaves, creating a gentle chime that lingers.

“Go wait outside the door, please,” Hudson tells Colby, his tone firm but tempered with patience. Colby remains rooted to the spot, an air of defiance around him. “ Now. ”

Colby groans dramatically, the sound reverberating through the building, before stomping away.

“I love your dad voice,” I whisper, watching Hudson's stern demeanor transform into a smirk.

“When you're grumpy, it's hot.”

He turns to me, placing his fingers on my cheek. “You're adorable.”

My heart flutters at his compliment. “Can you explain what the hell is going on, please?”

A moment of hesitation flickers across his face before he responds. “Oh. Right, about that. Holiday is the person Lucas has been in love with since he was a kid. Kinda like Colby and Evie. I wonder if he said her name; each time he does, she shows up like Beetlejuice.”

I burst into laughter, picturing the absurdity of the situation. “They don't seem to like each other. Like, at all.”

When Lucas saw her, his body tensed, and the color drained from his face. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost.

“Oh, it's more than that. They hate each other—public enemy number one. Lucas wouldn't piss on her if she were on fire,” Hudson says, lifting my finger and kissing my ring with a tenderness that sends a shiver down my spine.

“What happened?” I ask.

“No one knows.” He shrugs, “He doesn’t talk about it.”

I sigh, realizing this is going to be difficult.

Hudson brings me back to the rings, “When Colby's teacher told me what he'd done, I nearly shit a brick,” he explains. “He knew he was in big trouble.”

“And you said rings don't walk off,” I reply teasingly, leaning closer until our lips nearly touch.

He stops, his eyes tracing the scattered freckles on my nose, admiring me with an intensity that sends warmth cascading through me.

“I hope you never stop looking at me like that,” I whisper.

“Never,” he replies, capturing my lips in a delicate kiss. “You and me forever, Cookie Queen.”

THE END

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