29. Ayla

Chapter 29

Ayla

O ctober was almost over; it was one of my favorite months of the year. Mainly, because Magnolia Grove had one of the best fall festivals in Alabama. I couldn’t wait for Declan to experience it. Everyone in town always dressed up for the festivities. Declan wasn’t excited when I told him we had to wear costumes, but when I mentioned that I’d make it worth his while, he was all for it. He was going as Robin Hood while I was dressing up as Maid Marian. Was it silly? Yes, but I loved Kevin Costner in his Robin Hood movie. Declan would be perfect as the character.

But, as far as town festivals went, our Christmas one was the most renowned. The local businesses made more money in December than any other month. Several of the townspeople thought it’d be funny to make Declan think we were going to make him dress up as Santa Claus this year. They were going to ask him at the fall festival, and I couldn’t wait to see his reaction. If he was going to belong to a small town like Magnolia Grove, he had to be able to handle all the shenanigans. I had no doubt he’d be able to; everyone loved him. That was how I knew he’d be chief of police one day.

I grabbed all of my wedding planning books and headed outside to the pool. It was one of the last days I’d be able to enjoy the water. The weather was still warm in October, just less humid. There were times I went swimming in November, and it was perfect.

Once I had all my notebooks spread out on my chaise lounge, I sat down and opened them all. Would it be easier to elope like Kat and Jonah did? Of course, but it wasn’t what I wanted. Theirs was amazing, but the people of Magnolia Grove wouldn’t approve. All they’ve been talking about is the wedding. It was going to be the biggest event of the year, possibly even larger than the Christmas festival.

The wedding wasn’t for another six months, and mostly, everything had been done. We were going to have the ceremony in May when all the magnolia trees would be in bloom. It was going to be right in the middle of Magnolia Park with the whole town in attendance. There was going to be tons of food, drinks, dancing, and good times to last the entire night. I was even told there were going to be twinkling lights in every single tree. All I knew was that it was going to be magical.

“Are you getting anything done, or are you just daydreaming?” Declan joked as he walked out to the back porch. He moved one of my notebooks to the side so he could sit down on the chaise lounge with me.

I reached for the notebook he pushed to the side. “I was thinking about our wedding, smart ass. I have the right to daydream if I want to.” He laughed and leaned over to kiss me. “But in all honesty, I haven’t had to do much.” I opened the notebook in my hand and showed him the to-do list with everything checked off. “My mom has pretty much taken the reins on everything. She’s been the one calling everyone and getting things scheduled.”

Declan laughed. “Yeah, I think our mothers are best friends now. They talk on the phone every single day. ”

It was true, they did. Not only did they talk about the wedding, but my mom loved good coffee. Declan’s mother had sent her boxes and boxes of some of the exotic flavors she’d invented. I kept telling his mother that she needed to move down here so I could be her guinea pig. I’d love to be able to taste-test her new flavors before anyone else.

“Do you think your parents will ever move down here?” I asked.

I know Declan missed them, especially after seeing them recently. They talked on the phone every single day now. It was heartwarming to see them so close. Declan never thought it’d be possible after they’d lost Elijah. If anything, it brought them closer.

Declan’s lips pulled back slyly. “They probably will,” he said, his smile growing wider. “Especially when we have kids.”

I snorted. “We’ve definitely been practicing a lot for it.”

Declan kissed me. “Hey, I’m not complaining.”

Neither was I. I couldn’t wait for us to start having children. The prospect of having kids had been a topic of ours ever since we got engaged. Our plan was to start as soon as we got married. However, there was one situation in our lives we hadn’t discussed yet. It was on my to-do list without a check mark beside it.

“Declan?” His brows lifted and I pointed out the entry on my list marked where to live . “We need to decide where we want to live. Do we want your house or mine? I’m fine with either way.” His house was a little bigger, but I had the swimming pool. I would miss it if he wanted to stay at his.

Declan’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. It turns out I had a spontaneous offer come in on my house just out of the blue. These people happened to drive by and want it.”

That was the craziest thing I’d ever heard.

“An offer to buy? Seriously? How did that even happen? Your house isn’t even on the market.”

He stood and held out a hand. “The buyers are actually on their way to my house now. I’d really like for you to be there with me.”

Flabbergasted, I took his hand, and he helped me up. I had to admit, I was a little overjoyed at the thought of us living at my house.

“I don’t know what to say,” I said, squeezing his hand as we walked down my driveway and over to his .

Declan looked over at me with knowing eyes. “Ayla, I know you want to stay at your house. You’d miss your swimming pool too much.”

Sheepishly, I bit my lip and laughed. “You’re right, I would.” We walked up his front porch stairs to wait on the buyers. “But you know I’d do anything to make you happy. If you wanted to stay in your house, I would’ve made the move.”

Declan pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. “I know you would’ve. And I love you for it. You’re happy in your home and it’ll make the perfect place to start a family.”

Excitement bubbled in my chest. “Yes, it would.”

A white SUV came down the road and it started to slow down by Declan’s driveway. I couldn’t see who was inside, but I knew it had to be someone new to town. As far as I knew, none of the original townsfolk were looking for new homes.

“What do you know about these people?” I asked, looking up at Declan. “Are they from Magnolia Grove? Are they young or old?”

He shrugged, but there was still a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. “You’ll see.”

The vehicle turned into Declan’s driveway and stopped halfway down. The sun shone through the front windows, making me squint from the glare. I couldn’t see who was inside.

Both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors opened and when I saw who stepped out, I slapped a hand over my mouth in surprise. Was it really them? Were they the buyers? Kat and Jonah waved and held hands as they made their way to us.

Heart racing, I grabbed Declan’s arm. “Are they moving here?”

Declan chuckled and tickled my side. “They are. Why don’t you go greet our new neighbors?”

I raced down the stairs and Kat let go of Jonah’s hand so she could run to me. We barreled into each other, my arms wrapping tightly around her neck.

“Please tell me this is real,” I squealed.

Kat screamed in delight and we jumped up and down, still holding onto each other. “I wanted to tell you. Jonah and I had been talking about it for the past month.” She let me go and tears fell down her cheeks. “We always talked about having our kids grow up together and be best friends like we are.” Her gaze averted to Declan, then back to me. “Now that you’re getting married, we can make that happen.”

“What about your dental office and Jonah’s job at the hospital?”

She smiled. “It just so happens he was offered an amazing job at a hospital down here.”

“And you?” I asked again. “What are you going to do?”

Kat bit her lip and stared down at the ground. “Well, that’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” She cleared her throat. “Remember when you talked about us working together?”

“Yeah,” I replied, waiting for her to look up at me. When she did, I continued, “And you turned me down. You said you liked the big city life.” I had offered her a spot at my dental office so we could be partners.

Her eyes turned hopeful. “Well, what would you say if I had a change of heart? I was hoping you’d tell me the offer still stood.”

The level of happiness buzzing inside of me felt as if I’d explode with joy. Just a few months ago, I was single, and my best friend lived hundreds of miles away from me. Now, I was about to get married and have my best friend live beside me as well as be my business partner. What more could I ask for?

Tears filled my eyes and I hugged her again. “Of course the offer still stands!” I let her go and grabbed her hands. “We’re going to be business partners!”

We both squealed and jumped around together. Declan and Jonah made fun of how silly we were, but I didn’t care.

“Hey, babe!” Jonah called out. Kat and I stopped jumping and turned to him. He pointed at the house and laughed. “Want to go inside and take a look? We’re moving here next week.”

My mouth dropped in even more shock. “Next week?”

Kat winked. “That’s right. Hopefully, you won’t get sick of seeing me.”

I shook my head. “Never.”

Kat and Jonah disappeared inside the house while Declan and I stayed outside. I hit him playfully on the arm and huffed. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me any of this.”

He smiled. “It was a surprise. A good one, I hope?”

“The best,” I gushed. “I have you and now I have my best friend. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than that.”

Declan wrapped his arms around my waist. “I knew you’d love it. Hopefully, Magnolia Grove is ready for all of us.”

I kissed him and laughed. “Things are definitely about to get more exciting.”

And I couldn’t wait.

THE END