Epilogue
“Hey, Landon, I think I’ve made a breakthrough with my test subjects. When you come over to our house later, I have to show you.” CJ said with enthusiasm and a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
“Sweetie, wait until you swallow all of your food before speaking,” Gloria lightly scolded her son.
CJ grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Mom.”
She smiled indulgently. “It’s okay, kiddo.” Gloria knew CJ was simply excited to tell Landon about his latest experiment with his pet hamsters. Since she’d introduced the two of them to each other, CJ had really taken to Landon. And Landon seemed to really like CJ as well. That was at least one thing Cordell was right about. CJ did need a man in his life and it made Gloria happy to see Landon gladly step into that roll.
Her son had blossomed so much through his friendship with Landon. He was even making friends at school. The past several months had been the happiest she’d experienced, and it was also nice that her loved ones were thriving as well.
Her Mom and Wendell had decided to take their relationship to the next level by getting married. It had taken them all by surprise. One Sunday dinner, Lena had casually announced that she and Wendell had eloped. Lena had said at her age, she knew what she wanted and that was Wendell. And though Gloria would have liked to attend the ceremony, she was happy for them. Besides, they had a lovely dinner party to celebrate the marriage with all the family including Wendell’s children from his first marriage.
Rae was also serious about her guy. Her friend was in the habit of discarding men after a month but this guy, Kevin, had managed to stick around past Rae’s usual expiration date. Gloria could tell that he was a keeper.
As for her and Landon, things were going better than she could have possibly hoped for. He was her dream come true and she loved him more than she thought it was possible to love a man.
He continued to be a huge support for Gloria in her journey to live a healthier lifestyle. She’d always be curvy but Gloria had learned to appreciate her curves. And, having a man who uplifted her and loved her just the way she was didn’t hurt either.
She watched with a smile on her face as Landon and CJ discussed CJ’s latest experiment over the dinner table. Sunday dinner had become a much larger event with Wendell, Landon and Kevin becoming regulars. Sometimes, one of Wendell’s kids would join them but today, it was just the regulars.
“I guess it’s time for dessert,” Lena announced. “I made my famous pineapple coconut cake.”
“Just a small slice for me,” Gloria called to her mother who was already headed to the kitchen. Lena had the tendency to be very generous with her slices of cake.
When her mother returned however, it wasn’t with the entire cake. It was just a single slice on an individual plate which she put in front of Gloria before sitting down.
“Uh, mom what about everyone else?” Gloria asked.
“I tried something different with it and I want you to try it before I serve everyone else.”
Gloria laughed. “How did I get to be the guinea pig?”
“Just try it, babe.” Landon insisted.
In fact, the entire table watched her expectantly.
“It’s not poison, is it?”
Lena rolled her eyes. “Just try it, Gloria.”
She sighed before picking up her fork. When she looked down at the cake however, she gasped. Sitting in the middle of the perfect slice, was a platinum ring with a large square cut diamond in the middle. Gloria was so stunned that she didn’t notice that Landon had got out of his seat and was down on one knee.
He took the ring off the cake and held it up. “Gloria, I’ve loved you for so long. You’re beautiful on the inside and out. I can’t think of anyone I’d like to spend the rest of my life with more than you. Please say you’ll make me the happiest man by marrying me.”
Tears clouded her eyes as everyone around her cheered. Gloria couldn’t get the words out because she was too choked up. All she could do was nod.
Landon grinned as he slid the ring on her finger. He then stood up and pulled her into his arms. “I intend to spend the rest of my life making you the happiest woman on earth.”
“You already have.”
And with that, they kissed.