Epilogue

I froze after hearing a knock at the door. While our babe had been almost silent after birth, he had made up for it since. He was chatty for an infant, always cooing and gurgling. Zion and he had great conversations.

"If that knock woke up Merrick, there's gonna be trouble," I said, gritting my teeth. Merrick's nap was the only time I really got to rest. I'd chosen to chest feed and, while Zion did all the housework and cooking and most of the diaper changes, I was still exhausted.

Zion walked over to the door and opened it. There was no one there. Instead, there were arrangements of flowers. Baskets of all kinds of food from every place in town. Baby gifts. Handmade blankets and everything in between.

"What in the world?" I said, helping Zion get everything inside. The smells were incredible. Smoked meats. Jars of nut butters and jellies. Frozen smoothie packs. Fresh baked bread. Pastries from the diner and flowers that didn't come from my shop. At least, I didn't make the arrangements.

"There's a card," Zion said after we piled everything on the table.

"What does it say?" I asked, wrapping my arms around him.

"Congratulations, Cicek and Zion, on the birth of Merrick. From all those you have sent flowers to after our births, this is the least we can do to repay you. Biggest of blessings from your neighbors in Oliver Creek."

By the time he was done, there were tears running down both of our faces.

Oliver Creek had been instantly accepting of me, and Zion loved it here too. My uncle had been wise beyond his time leaving me the shop and placing me right next to the bear of my dreams.

Maybe he knew all along that Zion was my fated.

I would always be grateful for those summers with him and the future he'd left to me.

"I sent them flowers because it was the kind thing to do," I said. "Not to get anything in return."

Zion nodded and embraced me while I continued to weep. "Accept it, omega. We are loved in this community. And our son has an amazing place to grow up."

I nodded. "That much is for sure. And guess what? You are loved by me."

"And I'm going to love you forever, Cicek."