Epilogue

EPILOGUE

A fter working all day, exhaustion should have weighed Calvin down like a brick. But anticipation zipped through his veins as he jumped onto the creaking porch and hurried into the house he loved so much. He kicked off his snow-covered boots at the door, hung his coat on the hook, and padded down the hallway in thick socks.

Sounds of laughter greeted him before he stepped foot into the warm kitchen. Pressure tightened his chest, and happiness tugged at his heart.

Oliver sat at the table, coloring in a new book Calvin had just bought. Jenna sat beside him and beamed as he attempted to stay in the lines.

Calvin strode across the room and placed a kiss on the top of Oliver's head before pressing his lips to Jenna's "How are my two favorite people?"

Oliver beamed up at him. "Dada!"

Three months had passed, and Oliver's excited greetings still misted his eyes. Calvin's mission every single day was to show both Oliver and Jenna how much they meant to him. Knowing they cared just as much for him made each day brighter than the last.

Calvin tousled Oliver's dark locks. "I missed you, little man."

Jenna picked up a yellow crayon and filled in the smiling sun in the center of the page. "I told him we could have Isla come over for a playdate this weekend. As long as you're okay with it."

"That sounds great," he said. "How about Sunday? We might have plans Saturday night."

Stilling her hand, she narrowed her eyes and studied him. "We do?"

He grinned, nodding. His throat went dry, and heat crept up the back of his neck. "I hope so."

She dipped her chin, furrowing her brow. "I'm confused."

"If things go as I hope, we're going out to celebrate." With his heart pulsing rapidly, he rounded the table and stopped in front of Jenna.

Amusement tipped up her lips. "What's going on?"

He plunged his hand in his pocket and pulled out the ring he'd thought he'd give her years ago. Sweat coated his palms. He dropped to one knee, grabbing Jenna's hand in his. "I've loved you since I was a kid. You are my best friend. The love of my life. Lord knows we've had our ups and downs, but we've come through the other side. Stronger than ever."

Jenna pressed trembling fingers to her lips. "Oh, my God."

Grinning, he continued. "I want you to be my wife. I want to live the rest of my days with you by my side." He glanced behind him at Oliver and winked. "I want to be Oliver's friend and mentor, his role model and his confidant—his father. I want to live with you as husband and wife. Now and forever. With Oliver beside us. Jenna, will you marry me?"

Tears filled Jenna's eyes and she nodded.

"Is that a yes?" he asked with a laugh.

"Yes. I was made to be yours, Calvin. Forever and always." She extended her hand. "Now put that ring where it belongs."

Calvin slid the brilliant, square-cut diamond onto her hand.

Jenna launched herself into his arms, pressing kisses to his cheek, his jaw, his lips.

Oliver giggled.

Jenna pulled away and held an arm open for Oliver. "Come here."

Oliver jumped off the chair and grabbed Jenna's hand, staring at the diamond with wide eyes.

Jenna faced Calvin, a tender smile on her lips.

"Can you promise me one thing?" she asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her temple, memorizing every last second of this moment. "Anything."

"Can we have a Christmas wedding? I don't want to wait to make it official. I don't want to wait to be Dr. Jenna Spradling."

"I'd love nothing more."

But that was a lie. There was nothing he'd ever love more than his family—forever and always.

Continue this heartwarming series with Elsie and Dean in Elsie's Strong Shelter as they race the clock to save a life and find their happily ever after.