Epilogue

Kaitlin

My heart beats fast as we sit in the back of the car taking us to Lucia's place. We arrived in Toronto last night and are now headed to Lucia's for her baby's christening. She had a baby girl three months ago.

It's my first time in the city and my first time meeting his family. After the acquisition, Leonardo stayed back in New York to head the new company. "You're going to love Lucia," Leonardo says, smiling and giving my hand a squeeze as we drive into a Victorian-style house. "She's been looking forward to meeting you."

We've spoken a few times over the phone; she's always warm, and I can't wait to meet her, too. We step out of the car, and Leonardo rings the doorbell. A moment later, the door swings open, and we're greeted by the housekeeper who lets us in.

I see Lucia's beaming face as she wheels herself to meet us. Her dark hair is pulled back in a stylish bun, and she looks radiant. "Leonardo," she says, smiling so wide. "Hi, Kaitlin," she says, turning to me and holding out her arms wide.

"Hi, Lucia." I bend down, giving her a hug. "It's so nice meeting you in person," I say.

"The pleasure is all mine; thanks for coming," she says as we pull away from our hug.

"Don't I get a hug too?" Leonardo asks teasingly as he hugs Lucia, too.

"Congratulations on your baby," I say, smiling.

"Thank you! Come in, come in," she says, ushering us inside. The house is filled with the baby's soft coos as she rocks her in her arms and the hum of conversation from other guests.

We spend the next hour mingling with the family and guests. I meet Leonardo's parents, who are polite but distant. They seem to warm up to me a little, but there's a noticeable distance between them and Leonardo.

Later, as we sit around the table for dinner, Lucia brings up a story about their childhood. "Remember the time you tried to build that treehouse in the backyard?" she asks Leonardo, laughing.

Leonardo chuckles, shaking his head. "I remember. It was a disaster. The whole thing collapsed within an hour."

"It wasn't all bad," Lucia says, grinning. "At least it kept us entertained for a while. And Kate, did he tell you about the time he tried to bake a cake for my birthday?"

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "No, he hasn't. Do tell!"

Leonardo groans playfully. "Lucia, please don't."

"Oh, I must!" Lucia says, her eyes sparkling. "He was so determined to make the perfect cake, but he forgot to add sugar. The look on his face when we took the first bite was priceless!" Everyone at the table laughs, including his parents.

After dinner, I find a quiet moment with Lucia in the kitchen. "Thank you for being so welcoming," I tell her.

Lucia smiles warmly. "You make Leonardo happy, Kaitlin. That's all I've ever wanted for him. Our parents…have their issues, but don't let that affect your relationship with him. He deserves to be happy, and I can see how much you care for each other."

I nod, feeling a lump in my throat. "He means everything to me."

As the evening winds down, Leonardo and I take a stroll through Lucia's garden. The night air is cool, and the stars twinkle above us. "Thank you for being here with me," he says softly. "It means more than you know."

I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

He kisses the top of my head, and we stand there in comfortable silence, soaking in the tranquility of the moment.

A year ago, I couldn't have imagined being this happy, this in love.

***

The next morning, Leonardo wakes me with a soft kiss. "I have a surprise for you," he whispers, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

I stretch and smile up at him. "What kind of surprise?"

"You'll see. Get dressed; we're going on an adventure."

I bombard him with questions about our destination, but he remains tight-lipped, his smile only growing wider.

Two hours later, my jaw drops as we arrive in Niagara Falls. "Oh my God, Leonardo! This is amazing!" I exclaim as I take in the stunning view.

He grins, clearly pleased with my reaction. "And it's about to get even better."

We make our way to a helicopter tour company, and soon, we're soaring above the falls.

The view from up here is breathtaking—cascading water, vibrant rainbows, and the roar of the falls below us.

Leonardo turns to me as we hover above the natural wonder, his expression suddenly serious. He takes my hand and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small red velvet box.

My heart skips a beat immediately after I realize what he's about to do.

"Kaitlin, my Cleopatra, you've brought so much joy and light into my life. I can't imagine my future without you by my side." He opens the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"

Tears well up in my eyes, and I can barely breathe. "Yes, Leonardo! Yes, I will marry you!"

He slides the ring onto my finger, and we share a passionate kiss. The beauty of Niagara Falls beneath us serves as the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable moment.

The End

Next up: Make sure to check out Emily and Alexander's story in Amplified Hearts .