Epilogue

FIVE MONTHS LATER

J ake opened the door to his place, to their place, and took Claire's hand, helping her up the steps. She stepped inside and looked around as he lifted the baby carrier with a sleeping two-day-old infant inside.

He set the carrier down on the countertop before unbuckling the harness and picking up his little girl. He couldn't believe she was here.

Jake cradled her against his chest and walked over to where Claire stood, looking around the living room.

"You okay?" Jake asked.

Claire nodded. "I can't believe how quickly my life has changed since getting pregnant."

She smiled up at Jake before smiling softly at the baby sleeping soundly in his arms.

"She's perfect," Claire whispered, brushing her hand over the back of Olivia's head. "Are you sure?—"

Jake leaned over and pressed a kiss to Claire's lips, silencing the question she asked repeatedly.

"Yes, I'm sure I want you here. Yes, I'm sure this beautiful little bundle is my little girl and no one else's. Yes, I'm sure this is forever."

Tears filled Claire's eyes as she looked up at him. He carefully cradled Olivia with one arm while wrapping his other arm around Claire.

"In fact," he whispered. "Reach into my pocket and grab something for me."

Claire smirked up at him. "Are you asking me to give you a handy?"

Jake laughed loudly before immediately sobering so as not to wake the baby. "No. Although I wouldn't mind revisiting that thought later."

She giggled and reached into his pocket, and her breath caught just as her eyes met his. She pulled the small box out and turned it over in her hands.

"What's this?" she whispered.

"Open it," he said softly.

He looked down at the sweet bundle in his arms and pressed a kiss to the top of her head before looking over at Claire, who stared speechlessly at the diamond ring inside the box.

"Claire-bear," he said, waiting for her to look back up at him. When she did, he continued, and took one of her hands in his. "You've been on my mind since we were kids. Even when we were apart, there wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't hoping to see you again. I don't want to waste anymore time apart. You and Olivia are my life now. Always and forever."

Tears streamed down her face.

"So would you do me the honor of making me the luckiest and happiest man alive and marry me?"

She nodded and pulled his head down, pressing her lips to his. "I will. I will love you forever. You're my everything."

Jake pulled the ring out of the open box and slid it onto her finger before kissing her again.

"You know what I think we should do?" Jake whispered against her lips.

"Give you a handy?"

Jake laughed again. "Claire, if you want to that bad, you can, but no. That's not what I was going to say."

"What then?"

"Share a bottle of that wine."

Claire's eyes widened and filled with even more excitement. It was almost like they were back at the winery when he suggested buying a bottle to celebrate their baby's birth. He knew he would do anything he could to see that look again and again. It would be his life's mission.

Anything for her.

She whispered, "Oh, sweet wine of mine."