Epilogue

Ford

The California sun cast a warm, golden glow over the campus as I made my way to the car. It was a typical southern California afternoon, the air pleasantly mild, with a gentle breeze rustling the palm trees that lined the university walkways. I had finished my classes for the day, and as I walked through the bustling quad, I reflected on how different life had become since moving here with Bonnie.

We had been married for a year now, and the changes in our lives had been nothing short of extraordinary. After my announcement during Bonnie's MBA lecture back in Illinois, everything had moved quickly. We got married soon after in a small ceremony, surrounded by our closest friends and family. The memory of that day still lingered in my mind: Bonnie in her simple white dress, looking more beautiful than I had ever seen her, and the joy I felt finally knowing she was my wife.

The move to California had been a big step for both of us. I had accepted the position at the university, along with the exciting opportunity to open the research center I had dreamed of for so long. Bonnie had seamlessly transitioned her MBA program to a local university and started her own event planning business. She was thriving as I knew she would, her reputation quickly growing as she impressed clients with her creativity and attention to detail.

I reached my car and slid into the driver's seat, setting a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers on the passenger seat beside me. Bonnie loved flowers, and I tried to bring some home whenever I could. As I drove through the streets of our new neighborhood, I thought about how far we had come. Bonnie had made our house a home, filling it with laughter and love. Her spirit and warmth transformed every space she entered, making our home a sanctuary from the world outside because of her gentle touches.

When I pulled into the driveway, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of our modest but cozy house. The white facade glowed in the afternoon light, and the sound of waves crashing on the nearby shore provided a soothing backdrop. It was a dream come true, living here with Bonnie, and I felt grateful every single day.

I grabbed the flowers and walked up the pathway, unlocking the front door and stepping inside. The smell of something delicious cooking greeted me, along with the sound of Bonnie humming to herself in the kitchen.

"Bonnie?" I called out, closing the door behind me. "I'm home!"

"In here!" she replied, her voice carrying a cheerful lilt.

I followed the sound of her voice and found her in the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove. The kitchen was filled with the scent of fresh herbs and garlic, and my stomach rumbled in response.

"Hey, you," I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She turned her head slightly, meeting my lips with hers in a soft kiss that lingered just long enough to make my heart skip a beat.

"Hey," she replied, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "How was your day?"

"It was good. Classes went well, and we made some progress on the new research project." I held up the flowers, presenting them to her with a flourish. "For you, my love."

She beamed, taking the bouquet and burying her nose in the colorful blooms. "They're beautiful, thank you. You always know how to make me smile."

I watched as she found a vase and filled it with water, arranging the flowers with care before setting them on the table. Her happiness was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile in return.

"What's for dinner?" I asked, peering over her shoulder at the pot on the stove.

"Pasta with homemade pesto and roasted vegetables," she said, stirring the contents of the pot with a wooden spoon. "I thought we'd keep it light and fresh tonight."

"It smells amazing," I said, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. She leaned back against me, and I rested my chin on her shoulder, content just to be near her.

We stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's embrace, and I marveled at how perfectly we fit together. It had been an incredible year, filled with new experiences and challenges, but through it all, our love had only grown stronger.

Eventually, Bonnie pulled away, turning to face me with a serious expression on her face. I felt a small pang of worry, wondering if something was wrong.

"Ford, there's something I need to tell you," she said, her eyes searching mine for a reaction.

"Okay," I said slowly, trying to read her expression. "What's on your mind?"

She took a deep breath, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt as she gathered her thoughts. "I've been feeling a bit off lately, and I thought it was just stress from work and school, but I decided to see the doctor just in case."

I nodded, my concern growing. "Is everything okay?"

A smile broke across her face, lighting up her features with joy. "Everything is more than okay. I'm pregnant, Ford."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I was stunned into silence. Pregnant. The word echoed in my mind, bringing with it a rush of emotions: excitement, disbelief, and overwhelming happiness.

"We're going to have a baby?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I tried to process the news.

"Yes," she replied, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. "We're going to have a baby."

I pulled her into my arms, holding her close as the reality of her words sank in. We were going to be parents, starting a family of our own. It was everything I had ever dreamed of, and more.

"Bonnie, this is incredible," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I didn't think life could get any better, but you've just proven me wrong."

She laughed, wiping away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "I can't believe it either. I'm so happy, Ford."

We stood there in the kitchen, wrapped in each other's arms, and I felt a sense of completeness that I had never known before. Bonnie and I had built a life together, one filled with love and laughter, and now we were about to embark on a new journey as parents. As we pulled back to look at each other, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe for the love we shared. Bonnie was truly my North Star, guiding me through life's challenges with unwavering love and support, and I knew that together, we could face anything.

"I love you," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "You and our baby are everything to me, and I promise to always be there for our family, no matter what. You are my home."

"I love you too, Ford," she replied, her eyes shining. "Thank you for making all my dreams come true."

"And the best is yet to come," I said, pulling my gorgeous bride to me and kissing her again.