Epilogue

MATTHEW

Thanksgiving

T he smell of roasted turkey has my mouth watering, and the sound of my family laughing and enjoying the holiday has me smiling.

Joseph is cutting up with Sam in the dining room, something about some girls they picked up last night at Stocks and Stables. I shake my head but can’t stop from smiling. He and Sam have a lot of fun together outside work. I’m glad Joseph has a friend besides us to count on, but I wish he would find a woman he cares enough about to settle down. He acts tough, but he has a huge heart and so much love to give. It would be nice if he shared that with someone special.

Leann is sitting with my girls at the table, decorating cookies. This is something Camille wanted to do for Emmie. It took Camille weeks to finally convince Momma to let her host Thanksgiving at her house. I’m glad she finally did, because this house is amazing.

Adam outdid himself with the remodel. As soon as Jessica saw the kitchen, her mind started spinning with ideas on upgrades we could make to our house. Not much has changed about her childhood home other than necessary maintenance. I’m sure Adam would be more than happy to help us out and update the old farmhouse.

Laughter in the kitchen draws my eyes back to right in front of me. I’ve been leaning against the counter listening to Adam give Lizzy’s boyfriend, Josh, a hard time. Adam stepped into the role of a father figure for Camille’s daughter with ease. I always knew he’d be a great father. Lizzy may be an adult, but there’s still so much Adam can give her.

Camille hugs Lizzy tight, making me smile. I can’t imagine ever living that far away from a child of mine. The distance between those two has to be hard, but I’m glad Camille chose our small town for her new home. She makes Adam happier than I ever thought I’d see him.

“Leann, tell Sam he’s crazy.” I hear Joseph’s rough voice call from the dining room.

“And why would I do that?” Leann tosses back.

“Because this fool thinks Gracie and I have a thing. Tell him he’s fucking crazy.”

“Language!” Jessica scolds, making both me and Emmie laugh. I love how protective and motherly she is with her. It’s so much more than I could ever have asked for from her. She’s truly an amazing woman.

Joseph leans down and kisses Emmie on the top of her head. “Sorry, munchkin.” He turns back to Leann with a scowl on his face. “Just tell him so he’ll shut it.”

Leann looks up at Sam and gives him a fake smile. “Trust me, there is no way Gracie would ever give this manwhore the time of day.”

Jessica slaps Leann’s arm.

“Ouch!” Leann turns to her and frowns. “Why did you do that?”

Jessica nods in Emmie’s direction. My girl seems oblivious to the conversation around her. The cookies and icing in front of her are way more interesting. Leann rolls her eyes and waves her hand around the room. “That poor child has heard way worse from these heathens.”

“I don’t care.” Jessica wags a finger at her. “She’s not going to hear it from you. At least not while I’m around.”

Leann rubs her arm and sticks her tongue out at Jessica. “Fine.

A sudden lightness fills my chest and I’m overcome with the urge to go to Jessica. I need to tell her again how much I love her. I tell her multiple times a day, probably more than she needs to hear it, but I don’t care .

I lean down beside her and whisper, “Hey, can we talk?”

She looks up at me in confusion. “Of course, what’s up?”

“In private?” The words come out more serious than I intend, but I’m nervous.

She nods and furrows her brows. “Everything okay?”

I hate how worried her voice sounds, but it can’t be helped. I didn’t plan on this. My feelings for her are taking over, and if I don’t get this out of me, I might explode. “Yeah, everything is fine. I just need a minute alone with you.”

I take her hand and weave through the crowd that is my family. Thankfully, Adam and Camille’s house is huge, so it’s easy to escape them. Leaving the dining room, I guide her to the large window in the living room. The views of the mountains from this spot are spectacular, and I decide it’s as good a place as any to say what I need to say.

“Matt, you’re scaring me.” Jessica squeezes my hand and looks up at me with nothing but concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing if you say yes.” The statement just spills out.

“Huh?” She looks even more confused.

“Jessica, I didn’t plan on this today, but I can’t wait another minute to ask. Marry me? Please. Make me the happiest man alive and agree to be my wife.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting this today. Then again, neither was I. “I know it’s only been a few months since you moved back, but I don’t want to wait. Please, will yo—”

“Yes.” She smiles, tears filling her eyes. “Oh, my God, yes.”

I pull her into me and kiss her hard, my own tears spilling out of my eyes.

When we break the kiss, we’re both breathing heavily. I kiss her forehead and she melts into me as I pull her body flush with mine.

“Oh, wait.” I release her and pull my old, tattered wallet out of my back pocket. I’ve carried this thing since college and Lord knows it’s seen better days. But I’ve never been able to part with it. I dig into an inside pocket until I find the small envelope I’m looking for. When Jessica sees it she narrows her eyes in confusion.

“What’s that?” she asks .

“I’ve carried this around with me for years, never once taking it out of my wallet.” I look up at her and smile. “This carries the lock of your hair that I cut that last night we spent together before we left for college.” I slip out the light blonde lock, held together by a small rubber band. She takes it into her hand and smiles.

“I can’t believe you kept this.” With tears in her eyes, she leans forward and kisses me.

“That’s not all that’s inside here.” I take her hand and turn it so her palm is up. Lifting the envelope, I dump the contents into her hand. The solitary diamond in a platinum setting tumbles out. She gasps. “This is the ring I bought when I planned to propose after your graduation. I kept it with me always because … Well, it made me feel close to you even when you weren’t near. And I guess I always hoped this day would come, and I wanted to be prepared.”

I lift her hand and slide the ring on. It’s a perfect fit. When I look up at her, tears are streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve dreamed of seeing this on your finger ever since.”

She lets out a sob before she wraps her arms around my neck and presses her lips to mine. “I can’t believe you kept this.”

“Always, baby. I may have lost my way for a few years, but my heart and soul has always belonged to you.” I lift her into my arms and swing her around. I kiss her like it’s our first, last, and every kiss we’ll share in between. Slow. Passionate. Loving.

“Daddy?” I break away from Jessica and my eyes immediately land on Emmie. She’s standing about five feet away from us with a worried look on her face.

My eyes shift up and my entire family is now gathered in the living room. My brothers are wearing grins and every woman in the room is crying.

“Well, so much for privacy.” I chuckle.

“Why is Jessica crying?” Emmie’s concerned voice draws my eyes back to her. I crouch down and wave her over.

I look up at Jessica and she wipes her face dry with a smile. I take her hand in mine—the one I just put a ring on—and give it a kiss. I pull Emmie into my arms and give her a hug. “These are happy tears, sweetheart.” She looks at me like she’s not convinced. “I just asked Jessica to be my wife. ”

Jessica crouches down next to us and focuses on Emmie. “And I said yes. I hope you’re okay with me marrying your dad. Nothing would make me happier than to become a permanent part of your family.”

Emmie’s concern fades and a smile covers her face. “Does this mean I can call you Mommy?”

We both laugh, and more tears well up in Jessica’s eyes. “That would make me so happy.”

Emmie jumps out of my arms and into Jessica’s. My girls hug and cry and laugh. I wrap my arms around both of them, struggling to fight back my own tears.

“Oh, Lord in heaven. It is about time.” Momma tosses her hands in the air with the biggest smile I’ve seen on her face in years. A series of congratulations and cheers fills the room.

I thought I was happy before Jessica agreed to be my wife, but I was wrong. I didn’t know what true happiness was until this moment when my family became complete.