“Something that before happened only in our dreams.”
“Mmm,” Melanie snuggled up with Cameron, who put her arm around her. “I’m so glad we’re living in our best dreams together.”
“You and me both, babe.” Cameron tenderly kissed Melanie’s cheek. “I love you, Mel.”
“I love you too, Cam.”
Epilogue
Melanie
The memories brought a smile to Melanie’s face as she looked at Cameron. Her wife radiated so much love that Melanie wanted to bask in it forever. They had been beyond lucky to end up together and they both knew it. And Melanie would be forever grateful for the fates allowing them to live happily ever after together.
They had been so blessed with the life they had. Jonah had graduated from college in the spring and had been working for the city as a civil engineer. He had a townhouse downtown and Melanie still couldn’t believe their boy was so grown up. Melanie knew he had big plans to propose to his college girlfriend, Lila, soon, and she eagerly awaited that call. Even if the thought of Jonah getting married made her head spin.
Dylan had transferred to the Cove’s college campus after her first year at another college and was thriving. She worked part time at the bar still but was hoping to get a job at Mason’s Mission during the summer. Her dating life had blossomed as she met a beautiful young woman named Kaylee. They were so cute together but Melanie never forced her opinions on them. As long as her kids were happy, she was happy.
Luca had started kindergarten that fall, and Melanie still teared up at the memory of him walking into his classroom with his Bluey backpack nearly as big as he was. He loved trucks and bugs and all things Bluey. To say he was the light of all their lives would have been a massive understatement. There was no doubt in Melanie’s mind that Luca was the missing piece to their family.
As for Melanie and Cameron, they’d fallen more in love than anything. Melanie thanked the universe every day that she was able to love Cameron and to be her wife. Their love had deepened so much over the years that Melanie knew they could handle anything life threw at them together.
Across the table, Emily and Sophia looked riveted as Melanie and Cameron finished telling their love story. They had been invested the whole time, listening intently as they shared about their lives.
“So, wait,” Emily picked up another fry and popped it into her mouth, “you have a five-year-old?”
“We do,” Melanie chuckled. “We officially adopted him when he was five months old.”
“How did I not know this? I thought we had a special bond back at the hospital and now I find out you’remarriedand have a five-year-old? What else have I missed?”
“Nothing, I promise.”
Looking at Cameron, Melanie tried to read her eyes. They’d talked a lot of the last few weeks about how Emily had been the first patient since Leah that Melanie had truly connected with. She’d been so worried to let Emily in, but there was something about Emily that made Melanie know she could safely let her guard down with her. Otherwise, she never would have accepted her invite to hang out.
“Honestly,” Melanie sucked in a deep breath, “I didn’t allow myself to get close to patients after Leah. I built a wall to keep myself safe. Until I met you, and you knocked those walls down.”
“She has a way of doing that.” Sophia smiled proudly at Emily.
“Aww,” Emily clutched her chest, “that’s so sweet of you to say.”
“It’s true,” Cameron chimed in. “Mel really struggled after Leah. We both did. But when she came home after Finley was born, I saw that spark she used to have was back. You did that for her, and I’m eternally grateful for that.”
“She makes it easy to be friends with.”
“Oh, hush,” Melanie waved them off as she blushed. “I was just doing my job.”
Emily and Cameron both rolled their eyes.
“Yeah, right.”
“I’m just glad Vera asked me to be on call for you.”
Coking her head, Emily’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She did?”
“Yup,” Melanie nodded. She called me the morning you went into labor and told me to be on call for the day. Vera said she wanted only the best for you.”
“And that’s my Melanie,” Cameon cooed as she playfully pinched Melanie’s cheek.
“Do you think Vera knew we would become friends?”
