21. Epilogue

Epilogue

Ella

"He's here!" Abbie shouts from the kitchen, reminding me that Silas was on his way to take us to visit our father. He's getting discharged and the assisted living community has made arrangements to get him early admittance. After touring it with Abbie, I couldn't say no. Dad was right. It's a fun place, and I can see him having the time of his life there.

I pull the front door open to let my fiancé inside. I told Abbie all about our discussion the day before, and she was incredibly supportive. In fact, she had me looking at wedding dresses by the time we finished dinner, and Silas and I haven't even set a date yet.

As he walks up the drive, dark hair windswept and eyes on me, my heart flutters. He's mine, and this time, he's not going anywhere.

"Hey, hot stuff," I tease as he goes in for a kiss.

"Ugh, not in front of me!" Abbie shouts and bangs around in the kitchen.

"I have something for you," Silas whispers against my lips. Once inside, he takes a step back and kneels, opening an old ring box. It's seen a few years, for sure, but when he opens it and shows me the ring inside, my brain scrambles.

"Silas, it's gorgeous," I whisper, taking the box and his hand in mine.

"Lev went shopping with me this morning. I couldn't find anything that fit you, so we ended up at this antique shop outside of town. It's little, but I thought it was beautiful."

The white gold band is woven into a filigree that encases a small diamond. I have no idea how old it is, but I adore it. "I love it so much. It's so special."

"Still a yes then?" he teases, so I swat him. Abbie leans on the doorframe, beaming. Silas nods over his shoulder and says, "She said you'd love it. I'm sure glad I'm on her good side now."

"Yeah, well, you better stay there." Abbie swats him with a towel and chuckles.

I'm touched that he asked my sister's opinion. It makes things seem more normal, like no matter what, we've got this. We're a family, and if I remember anything about the Thomas family, it's that they'll never leave Abbie out. If I'm one of them, so is she. So is Dad. My smile makes my cheeks ache, but it's genuine.

Silas slips the ring on my finger and stands to kiss my cheek. "Wanna hear some more good news?"

"What's that?" I ask, admiring my ring.

"Lev might have bought a ring, too, but he's waiting a while to propose. Think you can keep that a secret?"

I almost squeal. Vivien Mays and Emma Nadie as sisters-in-law? Yes, please. I cover my mouth to keep it in and nod. "Lips sealed, promise."

"Come, have some coffee before we hit the road," Abbie says.

She's been slightly dodgy all morning, and I know my sister well enough to see she's hiding something. She wants to tell me, but she doesn't know how yet. I've seen it before, but this time it doesn't scare me. The worst has already happened—Mom died, Bethany died, Dad is sick—and I'm prepared for almost anything now.

We sit while she pours us coffee, a sweet little family spending time together. I never thought we'd make it here, but it seems that God has planned it all out exactly right.

When Abbie sits, the dam breaks and she admits what's on her mind.

"So, um, Judson Baker asked me on a date." She bites her lip and Silas chokes on the first sip of his coffee.

"Sorry, but…what? You just met, didn't you?" he asks, wiping the dribble from his chin. "Did he literally ask you out while you were dealing with your father's disappearance?"

Silas is already filling the brother role, looking out for Abbie.

She blushes and shakes her head. "No, we went to school together, remember?"

It's hard to go to school in Coldstone Creek and not have a Thomas brother or three in your classes, so Silas shrugs it off and motions for her to go on.

"And it was actually last night. He called to check on Dad and told me about the Alaska trip, then asked if I'd be willing to go on a date with him."

"Right, but he's going to Alaska, Abs," I say, reminding her that isn't a short trip.

"We talked about that. We'll go on a date, see how things go, and if we're both up for it, we'll talk while he's gone. I really like him," she says, her blush reaching her ears.

I glance at Silas, worried for my sister. I want her to be as happy as I am, but I don't know much about Judson. All I know is that he's Novan's best friend, he helped Emma out with her ex situation, and he's a cop.

Silas seems pleased, though. "Judson is a good guy," he says and squeezes my hand. "He'll treat Abbie really well. I promise."

Abbie visibly relaxes and waits for my response.

"If it's what you want, then I'm happy for you, Abs. You deserve to live your life, and if that means long distance dating Judson Baker, then I'm all for it."

She sighs. "Thank you, Ells."

"Hey," Silas says. "That's my nickname for my future wife, thank you."

Abbie shoves him and chuckles, which leads to a half hour conversation that includes wedding planning and the ins and outs of long distance dating. I realize I probably wasn't mature enough to make a relationship work with Silas long distance either, and thank God that everything worked out like it should in its own way.

A little before lunch, Abbie stretches and glances at the clock. "Well, sis, you ready?"

Am I ready? No, but I'm not sure anyone can be ready for what we are about to do. Despite the community being the right choice, I still hate that it must be done. I remind myself that my father loves it and will be happy with the best care possible. We can visit and pick him up anytime we want. This isn't goodbye, it's us moving into different stages of life. The next step, and I can't wait to tell my father that Silas and I are getting married.

Silas offers me his hand and that silly grin, the same one from prom night that still makes me swoon. I take it and stand with them, ready to embark on the next part of my life with the people I love most.