Epilogue

One Year Later

"You ready for this, sunshine?" Sam grins down at me as I take one last look around our new cafe, The Wednesday Cafe. Sam came up with the name, a not so subtle nod (if you're a Swiftie) to Taylor Swift's song "Begin Again". It happened not long after we got to Colorado, when I told him that that song made me think of our love story. I feel like it's perfect.

Today is the opening day. I glance around the cafe. The shiny white tables and my new staff all smiling at me. This is the last moment where the cafe is still just ours.

"I'm ready." I smile at Margot, my last hire and new sous chef. She grins back at me.

"Let's open the doors, then." Sam grabs the giant scissors he bought for the ribbon cutting ceremony. We step outside and it's as if the entire town has gathered for the opening of our new brunch cafe. Which, if I'm being honest, it probably is most of the town.

He offers me the scissors but I shake my head. "Let"s do it together."

Together, we cut the ribbon and cameras flash and people cheer.

"I'm so proud of you, Sis," Noah says, appearing out of nowhere and giving me a hug.

"I still can't believe you came," I say looking between him and Tally who's six months pregnant.

"And miss the grand opening of your first place? No way," Noah tells me. "But, can we eat first? Because Tally's getting hungry."

"I am eating for two you know," she says but she smiles up at him and it takes everything in me to not put my hand on my own stomach. I found out three days ago that Sam and I will be parents in eight months. I haven't told him yet. I'm planning to tell him when we go to Hawaii in a few weeks. Just like he promised, we're going again, and this time we're going to renew our vows and have a real ceremony, right on the beach. Just the two of us, again. Emily wasn't thrilled when I told her that part. But I did promise her she could throw us a proper party once we get back.

I've got a tiny little onesie in my Amazon shopping cart to bring along to tell Sam that he's going to be a dad. I thought I'd be more nervous about the idea of becoming a mom, but going through this parenting journey with Sam? That makes me feel like I can do anything. He makes me feel like I can do absolutely anything.

This past year has been the best of my entire life. My anxiety isn't gone and I still have PTSD episodes, but things are a lot better than they were thanks to therapy, medication, and Sam's love. He can't fix my brain, but he loves me anyway and I'm grateful everyday for it.

I haven't been back to New York, not since I left, and I'm okay with that. I didn't end up testifying about Mitch, but I didn't end up needing to. The defense had enough with a few other women who came forward with their own stories. He's a real piece of work, and he'll spend the rest of his life paying for what he did. I'm finally at peace, knowing that part of my life is in the past and I won't ever have to see him again.

I take a deep breath, looking at the crowd who came to celebrate the opening of my cafe. I can't believe this moment is real.

"Shall we?" Sam gestures to the cafe and I lead the way inside and he follows me into the kitchen.

The hum of the machine comes to life as the first ticket—probably Noah and Tally's—comes through. "Here we go, people."

I smile as I start the breakfast sandwich on the order. My life didn't turn out the way I expected it to, it turned out even better. My life is so beautiful and I'm so grateful I got a chance to begin again.

"Order up!" I ring the bell and one of the servers grabs the food, before I can start on the next order, Sam pulls me to him.

"Congrats, sunshine," he says and then he kisses me. "I think we'll need to celebrate tonight."

"We will indeed," I say. "Any ideas?"

"I've got a couple." Sam's eyes are twinkling as he smiles and me and butterflies swirl in my belly. It's a feeling I expected to disappear after a few months after we passed the honeymoon stage of our relationship, but this man never fails to make me go weak at the knees.

"I can't wait."

"I love you, sunshine."

THE END