28. Epilogue

Epilogue

Charlotte

Six Months Later

"Are you sure we're not invading her personal space?" I glance around the attic in Andrew's grandmother's home in upstate South Carolina. It's a treasure trove of memories with the stacks of boxes filled with toys, antique furniture sprawled about, and old photographs pinned to the walls.

"Not at all. She's been asking me to clean this out for a long time." He's shuffling around in a far corner with his back to me. "Aha! Found it."

"Found what?" I laugh at how childlike he's become since the second we set foot on his Nonnie's property. Nonnie, who has instructed me to call her the same, has already taught me how to make all of Andrew's favorite foods as well as given me introductory lessons in Italian. It's a beautiful language, but I'm butchering it to death.

"Come on downstairs and I'll show you." He wiggles his eyebrows and carries a shoebox in one hand while offering me the other. Together, we descend the rickety old staircase back down to the second story. Our dogs are lounging in a guest bedroom, soaking up the sun while everyone else is downstairs chatting.

I have been invited to the annual Rossi family Thanksgiving, along with my sister's family and my parents. They wanted it to be a big bash, and it has surely been a grand time. Andrew's big Italian family has accepted us all in as their own.

"Nonnie, I found it!" Andrew says and hands her the shoebox. She's soaking up some sun of her own, rocking in a chair by a bay window. On the ledge, well used herbs grow between marigolds and daisies. It's such a cute little window, and beside the rocker is a side table stacked with books his grandmother reads and rereads because they are her favorites.

"Oh." Nonnie clasps her hands and smiles before opening the box. She pulls out a delicate lace handkerchief and spreads it across her lap. It's in amazing condition, all things considered, but it's the way she lovingly caresses it that brings a tear to my eyes. "This was my mother's. It was a present from her mother on her wedding day, and then she passed it down to me. I lent it to Andrew's mother when she married my son, and now, I pray my sweet Lottie, it can be yours."

She cradles the delicate treasure in her wrinkled palms and offers it to me. "You…what?" My voice cracks both from sheer shock and complete humility. The idea that she would want me to have this family treasure is…wait a minute…I'm not even engaged.

Nonnie smiles and nods behind me. As I turn, I notice our family members have their phones out, taking video and snapping pictures.

"What in the world are you all doing?"

Behind me, Andrew is on bended knee and my heart swoops. "Charlotte… Lottie… I had a feeling about you the second I saw you standing at the fountain in the park and every moment since then has had me flying on cloud nine. I love you more than I thought I'd ever love another person. You are everything I could ever hope for in a companion and wife. Will you marry me?"

My sister downright swoons and sucks in her sniffles while her husband rubs her back with one hand and films us with the other. My mother wipes her cheeks while my father smiles with the brightest, widest smile imaginable. There's a question in my gaze. When my father's eyes connect with mine and he nods, I know. My father approves. He supports this, and my heart leaps with joy.

I bite my lip as tears sting my eyes. Andrew's looking up at me, holding his breath and a ring in front of me even as his Nonnie waits to see if I will accept her gesture as well.

I manage a little nod and fall into his arms. The room erupts with cheers and sniffles, but I'm in another world with Andrew. He stands with me and holds me tight to him, whispering in my ear how much he loves me. But I already know. I've always known.

The dogs have woken from their naps and whine at our feet, anxious to get attention from us. I break free from Andrew so he can slip the ring on my finger. It's only then that I realize I recognize this setting. I look from my hand to my mother, and she holds up her hand.

"Your father bought me something new, so we could pass my mother's down to you. It's your turn, baby girl."

Nonnie pushes up from her chair and embraces me. "Welcome to the family, my love."

I embrace her and inhale her sweet rose scent, finally understanding what Andrew meant. This whole thing—our two families coming together, this proposal, the memories we are making together—it imprints on my heart and doesn't let go. I'm in love with him and his family, and I can't wait to see what our future holds.