Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER

Leaving Dr. Von Bergo's office, I can't hide the smile on my face. My fingers fly across the keyboard as I send texts to Derek, Jonas, Rhonda, and Roy.

Me: Leaving the appt. The extra pathway is gone or hiding he's not totally sure but we're weaning off the Propanolol. We do have to come back one last time just to make sure it's actually gone. I'm so freaking happy.

Derek: Uncle D's girl is a warrior I told you!!!

Jonas: Grandpa is so happy! Love her to pieces.

Rhonda: This is such good news honey! Give her a kiss from me and Papa. Can we do dinner this weekend to celebrate? Our treat.

Me: Sounds perfect. Say JMK Saturday at 6?

Rhonda: See you then!

Sliding my phone into my pocket, I feel Wells bump my shoulder as he carries Posey on his opposite hip. He looks at me with that knowing grin that makes my heart skip a beat.

"Are we doing dinner to celebrate?"

"How did you know?"

"Mom uses about any excuse nowadays to see this little cutie, so I figured this would be cause for a party."

We've built such a strong connection over the past year. I never thought I could feel so understood and supported. We get in the car and head to our house. We moved about nine months ago, and though we're still making it our perfect space, I love it. I'm so grateful that Wells had a crazy moment and put an offer in.

"I have the rest of the day off. What do you wanna do?" he asks as he parks in the garage.

"I was thinking we could start planning Posey's birthday. It's only a few weeks away."

"Alright. Let me change into more comfortable pants and I'll meet you two cuties in the living room. We can watch Bluey while we plan."

"Okay." I kiss him and head inside with Posey, settling her in the playpen with some toys before firing up the TV. I need to use the bathroom, and little miss is a crawling machine lately.

As I head to the bathroom, I think about how much our lives have changed. Wells pretty much works from home now, with his managers running the clubs without him. He does video calls with them every two weeks and only goes in person once a quarter, and Posey and I have gone with him. Drew did indeed hand Royal Flush over to me, and I made Derek the COO. He and Jonas have worked closely every day since the partnership with Royal Flush and Covington Hotels happened, regardless of Drew and Claudia.

Speaking of them, I haven't seen hide nor hair of either since my run-in at Walgreens.

Drew didn't even come in person to sign everything over to me; he had his attorney handle it all. I wonder if Claudia regrets her choices, if she ever thinks about the family she lost. But those thoughts are fleeting. Today is too happy to be overshadowed by past bitterness.

I finish in the bathroom and grab a blackberry lemonade water from the kitchen. When I get back to the living room, Posey has disappeared.

Where the hell did she go? How did she get out of the playpen?

"Wells!" I shout. "Do you have Posey? She's not in the playpen."

He clears his throat, and I spin to see him standing to my left with our daughter in his arms. I swear he's got this girl spoiled rotten.

"She was babbling like crazy. Must want her mom." He hands her to me, and as soon as she's in my arms, he drops to one knee.

My heart skips a beat. Is this really happening? I've imagined this moment so many times, but nothing compares to the reality. His eyes bore into mine, the intensity in them causing a chill to run down my spine, rendering me momentarily speechless.

"Delilah, you've made me the happiest man alive. Watching you care for Posey, seeing your strength and love every day, has made me realize how incredibly lucky I am. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making more memories and building our family. Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" I cry, tears forming in my eyes. My heart feels like it might burst from joy.

He slides the ring onto my finger and kisses me.

"We'll celebrate properly later, Little Doe."

My core heats at his words. He always knows how to make me feel cherished and desired.

"Aren't you just full of surprises?" I tease.

"It's about time I make an honest woman out of you. Don't you think?"

"I do, especially since Posey's gonna be a big sister." I tilt my head and smile as he processes what I just said. The surprise in his eyes is priceless.

"You're pregnant? Again!" He reaches down and adjusts himself quickly.

I swear the man is obsessed with my pregnant body.

"Eleven weeks. I'm due August 2nd."

"I can't wait to be a dad again," he says with a beaming smile. "And this time, I'll be there to witness every single moment."