Epilogue

Juniper

One Year Later

The crisp December air nipped at my cheeks as I hauled the last box of frosted pinecones towards our booth, the scent of fresh greenery enveloping me like a familiar embrace. Springfield's town square was abuzz with festive activity, each stall brimming with holiday cheer and twinkling lights that cast a warm glow against the evening sky.

"Junie, darling, could you drape those garlands along the top? Make it look like it's snowing Christmas spirit!" Lucille called out, her voice bubbling over the din of carolers nearby.

"Coming right up, Lucille," I replied, balancing on the tips of my boots to reach the edge of the canopy. My fingers worked deftly, weaving the lush boughs into a cascade of evergreen elegance that framed our booth's signage: Winter Wonderlands.

A year ago, I wouldn't have imagined myself here, but Lexi's connection with Lucille Winter had shaped an unexpected path back home. As I secured a particularly stubborn sprig of holly, I couldn't suppress a smile at how the pieces of my life had fallen into place since returning to Springfield.

"Be careful up there, we need you in one piece for the big day!" Lucille chided lightly, tucking a silver curl behind her ear as she surveyed our preparation progress.

"Wouldn't dream of missing it," I chuckled, hopping down with a small puff of snow from the canvas above.

My gaze swept across the array of poinsettias, wreaths, and bespoke Yuletide arrangements we'd been working on for weeks. Pride swelled within me; each piece felt like an extension of myself, nurtured from seedling sketches to full-grown festive displays.

"Looks like it's shaping up to be quite the wonderland indeed," I mused aloud, dusting my hands on my jeans.

"Thanks to you, my dear. Your touch has brought something special to this year's market," Lucille beamed, her eyes twinkling as brightly as her signature colorful hairclips.

"Couldn't have done it without your guidance, Lucille. Or this opportunity."

"Ah, but you're the one who breathed life into these designs. You've got a gift, Juniper McCall." She patted my arm affectionately, leaving a smudge of soil—a badge of our shared labor.

A sudden flurry of anticipation coursed through me, thinking about the crowds that would soon wander past, admiring our work. I hoped they'd feel the joy and love we poured into every arrangement, each one meant as a token of the season's magic.

"Let's get the lighting finished, then we can call it a night," I suggested, reaching for a string of delicate icicle lights.

"Perfect," Lucille agreed with an approving nod. "Then tomorrow, we show Springfield what Winter Wonderlands is all about."

As I clipped the lights into place, their soft luminescence casting a serene halo around us, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of belonging. It was as if all roads had led me back to where I needed to be. With a contented sigh, I looked forward to the morrow, ready to welcome the wonders it would surely bring.

I twisted the last sprig of holly into the garland, my fingers brushing against the glossy leaves as I wove them around the white lights. Lucille hummed a Christmas tune somewhere behind me, lost in her own world of festive creation.

"Looks incredible, Juniper," Mason's voice rumbled from the entrance of the booth, warm as the spiced apple cider we shared on our first date back here in Springfield.

I turned, catching sight of him leaning against the wooden frame, arms crossed over his broad chest. His eyes, those deep wells of understanding, cradled a spark of pride that made my heart dance a fluttery jig.

"Thanks to you for the last-minute lumber run," I replied, grinning at the memory of him showing up at Winter Wonderlands this morning, hands full of the cedar planks we desperately needed.

"Anything for you," he said, pushing off from the doorframe and sauntering over, that irresistible half-smile playing on his lips. "Besides, I get to see that look of accomplishment on your face."

My cheeks heated under his gaze, a feeling that had become deliciously familiar over the past year. Moving back to Springfield and into Mason's cozy bungalow had been the best decision of my life. Together, we had turned it into a home, painting walls and hanging pictures, all the while painting a future I once thought was just a fantasy.

He leaned down, and his kiss was like the final piece to a puzzle, fitting perfectly, completing the picture.

"Have you seen Ginger? She's absolutely glowing," I said after we broke apart, still wrapped in the circle of his arms.

"Yep, Brian's been gushing about baby number three. You'd think he was the first man ever to change a diaper." Mason chuckled, his newfound affection for my sister and brother-in-law evident in the softening of his features.

"They've come a long way. Marriage counseling really did wonders for them," I said. The rough patch they went through seemed like a distant storm that had passed, leaving their family stronger and more united in its wake.

"Brian's even hired an assistant to help with the department's administration," I continued, "so he's home more often. He wants to be with Ginger and the kids as much as possible," I continued, my heart swelling at the thought of their happiness. "And Ginger plans to start taking classes in library science once the baby is old enough. She's always loved to read, and I think her dream of becoming a librarian sounds like the perfect fit."

Mason nodded, his hand tracing small circles on my back. "That's what it's all about, isn't it? Family, community, love."

"Exactly." I leaned into him, my thoughts aligning with the steady beat of his heart. "That's exactly what it's all about."

With a contented sigh, I allowed myself to revel in the richness of the life unfolding around me. Love had indeed brought me back to Springfield, but it was the roots we were planting here, together, that promised a future as bright as the star atop the Christmas tree. And as I stood there in Mason's embrace, surrounded by the fruits of our labor and the spirit of the season, I knew, without a doubt, this was where I was meant to be.

Mason took a step back and looked into my eyes with sudden deep intensity.

"There's something I need to ask you," he said, his voice low and steady.

"Oh?" I brushed a stray pine needle from my sweater, feeling a flutter of butterflies take flight within me.

Before I could say another word, he dropped to one knee right there between the wreath-adorned booths and a chorus of carolers singing behind us. The world seemed to fade away until there was only Mason, with his rugged charm and earnest gaze, holding out a ring that sparkled like snowflakes under the market lights.

"Juniper McCall, I've loved you ever since I can remember. This past year has been the greatest of my life, and I don't want it to end. Will you marry me?"

Every nerve ending sang as I took in the sight of him, this man who had grown from the overlooked boy into someone so strong and sure. "Yes," I breathed out, the word a promise of all the tomorrows we would share. "A thousand times, yes!"

As he slipped the ring onto my finger, cheers erupted around us. Our own little wonderland amidst the bustle of the market became the stage for the beginning of our forever. Suddenly, everything felt full-circle—my heart had journeyed miles only to find that home was not just a place, but a person. And he'd been right in front of me all along. It just took a snowstorm and a broken-down vehicle for me to see it.