Ember looked uncertain, glancing between her mom and me. But mom quickly spoke up, “That sounds wonderful, Laura. A fantastic idea, actually. And we can make some fresh coffee for everyone.”
Richard nodded, his gaze steady on Ember. “Your mom’s right, sweetie. Listen to your mom tonight.” The unspoken plea in his eyes was clear: let us have this joy, just for a little while.
My parents left a short while later, their faces still filled with concern for Cade, but their eyes shining with happiness for us. Now, it was just Ember and me bundled up on her front porch swing, taking in the quietness around us, watching the snow fall.
She leaned her head on my shoulder, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on my thigh. The joy of the proposal was all still humming between us, but the earlier conversation about Cade had cast a shadow over it.
“I’m so worried about him, Colton,” she murmured, her voice soft. “It’s just… not like Cade to be out of touch for so long. He’d know how upset Mom would get.”
I squeezed her hand, wishing there was something definite and reassuring to offer, but I couldn’t make promises, or tell her something I didn’t know. “I know, Firefly. I’m concerned too. We have to believe he’s okay.” My words felt hollow, even to my own ears, and I knew they didn’t quitereach her.
To shift the heavy mood, I nudged her gently. “So,” I said, trying for a lighter tone, “what exactly were you and our moms talking about in the kitchen?”
Ember immediately perked up, a radiant smile blooming on her face, chasing away some of the worry in her eyes. “Oh! Everything! Wedding colors, themes, places, food… you name it!” She sat up, turning to face me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We decided on a fall wedding, of course. It’s the best time of year here. The colors will be amazing.”
“Fall, huh?” I asked, picturing the vibrant leaves. “That sounds beautiful. So, fall as in almost two years or fall as in roughly nine months?”
She giggled. “Fall, as in nine months.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Nine months, huh? Is that possible?”
She nodded gleefully, her eyes dancing. “Yep! We figure it all out and it’s totally doable. The farm will be gorgeous, the weather will be crisp, and it’s always been my dream.”
A laugh bubbled up from me, a mixture of shock and pure delight. Nine months. That was fast. But then, this was Ember. And this was us. “Whatever you want, Firefly,” I said, pulling her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Whatever you want.”
“There’s something else,” I added, a secret smile playing on my lips.
Her eyes widened, suddenly curious. “Oh? And what is it?”
“Well,” I began, savoring the moment, “I spoke to your dad a couple weeks back about that piece of land I showedyou, and he said he wanted to give it to us as a wedding present.” I paused, letting the anticipation build. “He’s giving us a piece of land. Right here on the farm. For us to build our home.”
Ember’s breath hitched. Her eyes filled with tears, happy tears this time, spilling freely down her cheeks. “He is?” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Oh, Colton! That’s… that’s everything. It’s exactly what I’ve always pictured. Our own place, right here, where we grew up.” She buried her face in my shoulder, her body trembling with joy. “I can just imagine our kids running and playing in these fields, growing up on the same land we did. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
I held her tight, feeling the warmth of her tears against my skin. This was it. Our forever.
Our journey had been long, messy, and filled with mistakes, but looking at her, my Firefly, my future wife, I knew every single step had been worth it. We were home, truly home, together. And our story, our forever, was just beginning.
Epilogue 1
Ember
This was it! My wedding day. I was finally marrying the boy I’d dreamed about since I was a young girl. The only boy I ever wanted, the only boy I ever loved. Colton Wyatt James was mine.
My nerves were still a mess as the makeup artist put the finishing touches on my look. I had asked for something simple and elegant, and she was doing a phenomenal job. My hair was styled in a classic updo, loosely gathered at the nape of my neck, with soft tendrils framing my face. It created an effortlessly timeless look.
And the dress! It was a stunning, strapless, white wedding gown with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was exquisitely fitted, showcasing a delicate lace overlay that added a touch of timeless elegance. From the fitted waist, the skirt fell in soft, flowing folds to the floor, creating a dramatic, ethereal effect. A delicate lace overlay adorned the skirt as well, adding texture and visual interest that shimmered even in thedressing room’s soft light. I decided to skip the veil.
“There, done, Ember,” the artist murmured, stepping back to admire her work.
Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized the radiant woman staring back.
Paula clapped her hands together. “Perfect! Absolutely beautiful, Ember. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make sure those sunflowers are arranged just so at the altar. And I want to check on the food and see if the servers need anything” She winked, then bustled out, taking the makeup artist with her, leaving Mom and me alone.
Mom turned to me, her eyes glistening. She reached out, taking my hands in hers, then pulled me gently towards the plush armchair and ottoman by the window, easing me into the chair, while she took the ottoman.
“My sweet Ember,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Look at you. My little girl, all grown up. I can’t tell you how incredibly proud I am of the woman you’ve become. So strong, so kind, so full of love. You’ve faced so much, and you’ve done it with such grace.” She leaned forward, cupping my face in her hands, her thumbs stroking my cheeks. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, honey. And Colton… he’s a good man. He’ll make you so happy.”
Tears pricked at my own eyes. “Oh, Mom,” I choked out, leaning into her embrace. “Thank you. For everything.”
