Epilogue

EPILOGUE

LUNA

I was shocked when Axel knocked on my door and declared that he wanted me. I hadn't expected him to show up, especially after what I'd overheard him saying to his father. I'd thought I'd need to get over him and move on.

In the meantime, I'd wallow in misery while I steamed the hideous wallpaper off my new wall.

The first thing we did as an official couple was to buy bedroom furniture. Then we got to work on the beach cottage. Axel was just as invested in the renovation as I was, and he didn't seem to mind me taking videos of our progress.

My followers seemed to enjoy my sunny personality in contrast to his grumpy one.

In our spare time, we went for bike rides on the paths around the island, walked on the beach, and hunted for seashells. I wanted to create something for the house that utilized the seashells we'd found.

I reveled in showing him everything I loved about the island, my favorite beach spots, and food. I loved living here, but I missed the cabin. I wanted to experience the winter weather.

We wanted to finish the flip before we took a flight to Maryland to check on his cabin and spend time with his family. I wanted to test the timeline I'd outlined for the renovation. Could I come in on time, or had I misjudged how long everything would take?

I knew it would take some time to get into a rhythm and figure out the right moves. That only came with experience.

Tonight, Axel was meeting my family for the first time. We decided not to do that on Christmas. I wanted time with him without my family's interference.

I was worried he'd be overwhelmed being introduced to everyone at once, but there was no way around it. My family was close.

I drove to my parents' house that was located on the water. It had a large wraparound porch with a green slate roof, palm trees flanked the wide steps, and the second-floor dormers gave it a Cape Cod feel.

“This is nice,” Axel said as we got out of my car and walked toward the steps to the porch.

“We probably could have moved to a larger home on the ocean at some point, but Mom and Dad wanted to stay with the house they bought when they got married. They felt like there were too many memories here of us growing up.”

Axel squeezed my hand. “I like that.”

“The only thing was that it only had four bedrooms. My brothers had to share rooms so I could have my own.”

“Was it good being the only girl?”

“They resented me for getting my own room, and I wanted to do everything they did. I was the youngest with six brothers. They didn't want me tagging along. But as we got older, I bonded with the other two youngest, Brady and Dalton. The twins, Cooper and Shepard, were always getting into trouble, planning some prank or other, and my oldest brothers were always the responsible ones. Marshall went to school, then enlisted. Hudson came back and took over the business.”

“I love learning more about you.”

“I held back because I thought our relationship was temporary.”

Axel leaned over and kissed me. “There's nothing temporary about us.”

His words caused my heart to squeeze. I couldn't believe how upset I'd been when I fled to Maryland and how happy I was now. All I had to do was take a chance, and I got everything I'd ever wanted. “They'll be on the back porch. Let's walk around.” I took his hand and led the way around the porch to the back where there was cushioned furniture and a long table overlooking the water. It was already set with fresh flowers and dishes.

“There you are,” Mom said as she came out with a pitcher of iced tea. “We were just getting ready to eat.”

“Mom, this is Axel Calloway. His family owns a Christmas tree farm in Maryland.”

Mom shook Axel's hand. “It's so nice to meet you. You're helping Luna renovate her house?” Mom asked as Dad stepped outside, his gaze locked on Axel.

“Luna's the boss. I just do what she tells me to.” That wasn't exactly the truth. It felt more like a partnership with me taking the lead.

When Dad stepped forward, I said, “This is my dad, Jonathan Kingston.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Axel said, shaking his hand.

“You made quite an impression on our girl.” But Dad's voice was stern, assessing.

My brothers filtered out of the house, laughing and talking about something or the other.

“I think it's the other way around,” Axel said.” I just resigned from the military when we met, and I was a little lost, wasn't sure how I was going to fit in the world. She made all the pieces come together.”

Dad's expression softened. “We didn't like the last guy.”

“He had some dinosaur name. Not saying yours is better, but I hope your personality is,” Cooper said as he leaned over to shake Axel's hand.

“Coop. Behave.” He just liked to cause trouble. It was Hudson I was worried about. The boys looked to him for approval. If he didn't like Axel, this might be difficult.

Hudson's expression was stony. “Hudson Kingston. I'm the oldest.”

He said his name like Axel should know and recognize it, but he hadn't grown up here. Our last name held no weight. Axel loved me for who I was. It only made me love him more.

I shot him a glare, hoping he got the message. Axel was important to me.

I went through the introductions for the rest of my brothers. Then we sat down to eat fish tacos and watermelon.

Over dinner, Hudson asked Axel, “What do you do?”

“I recently resigned from the military. I had plans to spend time with my family. Then I met Luna. She helped me renovate my cabin, and we discovered that we both enjoyed the work.”

“What will you do when the renovation is done on the cottage?” Jonathan asked.

“We're not sure yet. We might visit my family in Maryland. Then my brother and his fiancée are planning to get married here.”

“His brother Ryder is engaged to my friend, Violet.”

“Oh, right. I remember you saying something about that,” Mom said.

“Where will you live though? Maryland or Florida?” Hudson persisted.

“We haven't decided, but we were thinking of going back and forth. That's the nice part of owning a business; you have more freedom. We could spend some time at my cabin in between flips.”

“I thought you were going to do this on your own?” Dad asked me.

“It started out that way. But it's nice to have a partner, someone to bounce ideas off. We're having fun.”

“Your social media page is getting a lot of attention,” Shepard said.

“It's generated a lot of design clients. Even people out of the area were interested. I can design for anyone in the world. I was skeptical at first, but it's easy to do with the program. I send links for what to buy, and they install it. I don't charge as much as if I was doing the installation, but it's additional income.”

“That part of the business has a waiting list,” Axel said with pride.

I smiled as Axel squeezed my thigh under the table. “I can't keep up with the demand.”

“That's good, right?” Jonathan asked.

“It's the best. Are you planning on hiring someone to take over for me at the office?” I'd officially given my notice. I couldn't keep working on the family business and mine.

“Hudson's got to put a notice in the paper.”

“You know you're going to get a lot of your fans wanting to work for you.”

“That's why we wanted to keep it in the business,” Dad chided. “But I can see you're happier doing what you love.”

“Even if it causes some hiccups in the office?” I asked him.

“Even then. Your happiness is important to me.”

“Hudson doesn't want to hire anyone. He wants me to keep working. But your father and I want to travel more.”

“You should.” Then to Hudson, I asked, “Do you want my help vetting applicants?”

Hudson shifted on his chair. “I can figure it out.”

I had a feeling they were going to go through a few hires before they found the right one. Jobs were scarce on the island, and certain single women would jump at the chance to work at Kingston Construction, thinking they'd snag a rich husband and live the good life on the island.

But the family business wasn't my concern anymore. Dad had even come around, telling Mom to send clients my way. I offered to give him a percentage for the referral, but he refused to take my money.

Looking at my family talking and laughing, and Axel by my side, my heart was full. There was nothing I couldn't have if I wanted it, but right now, everyone who was important to me was right here. The only thing I missed was the cabin and the Calloways.

On the way home, Axel held my hand as he drove. “I thought that went well.”

I nodded. “My family seemed to like you.”

Axel glanced over at me, then turned his attention to the road. “Your dad took me aside and said as long as I keep you happy, then he's happy.”

I smiled. “They can't stop butting in, can they?”

“They love you.”

“I know.” I used to get annoyed by my family's interference, but now I saw it for what it was—love.

When Axel turned to go off island instead of to our cottage, I asked, “Where are you going?

His eyes flashed with mischief. “We have a flight to catch.”

I frowned. “I thought we weren't going to Maryland until the cottage sells.”

Axel gave me a look. “You know you're not selling that place. It's our home.”

“Axel—” I said even as my heart sped up.

He squeezed my hand. “You love that place.”

“I do.”

“If you're keeping the cottage, then there's no timeline. We can do whatever we want. And I heard there's a snowstorm hitting Maryland in a few days. I want to be snowed in with you.”

A smile spread over my face. “I want that too.”

Axel glanced over at me. “You won't miss the beach?”

“Sanibel will always be waiting for me. But snow? I can't wait to see it in person.” I was practically bouncing in my seat. I couldn't wait to experience a snowstorm.

“I wanted to give you something you've never had before,” Axel said as he turned onto the road that would take us to the airport.

“I've never been in love before you. You've given me everything. Happiness. Love. Joy.” My heart was constantly overflowing. I couldn't think of anything better than the life we lived.

“I have a few more things up my sleeve,” Axel said conspiratorially.

“Life is exciting with you around.”

“And I don't plan on going anywhere.” Our relationship moved fast but felt natural. As soon as he joined me in Florida, we moved in together. It wasn't anything we discussed; it was just a natural progression. I loved him, and he loved me. Why did we have to do things a certain way or wait to move in together?

This worked for us, and we were happy. That's all that mattered.

“I can't believe we're going to Maryland.”

“My family wants to see us.”

“Both of us?” I asked.

“They were the ones that encouraged me to come here, to tell you how I felt.”

“I'll forever be grateful to them.”

“I was so stubborn, not wanting to interfere in your life.”

“Well, I'm glad you did. These last few weeks have been the best of my life.”

“Mine too, and I have a feeling they're just going to get better.”