Epilogue

Four months later

        It was a Friday morning in April when Noah climbed into his SUV and let out the breath he wasn’t even aware he was holding. He’d been terrified talking to Melissa and Brian Barker, fearing it might be too soon. Surprisingly, and thankfully, they were nearly as happy as he was with the decision. He only hoped Emma Jean would react the same way.

        Sunday morning, he and Emma Jean made the trip to the Barker home for their weekly brunch date. There, after the omelet and bacon, but before the Belgian waffles, Noah got down on one knee next to Emma Jean’s chair and pulled out a ring. He watched her eyes get wider as he spoke.

        “Sunshine, you were my first love, even though you didn’t know it at the time. I kick myself whenever I think about the time we lost.”

        “Noah-” she whispered.

        “I promise, going forward, I will not waste one single second that we have together. Because you mean everything to me, Emmie, and I swear I will do my best to treat you like the precious and most thoroughly loved woman that you are.”

        Emma Jean clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle the sob that had escaped.

        “Will you please do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?”

        “YES!” she screamed, throwing her arms around his shoulders.

        Noah vaguely heard the cheering of his soon-to-be in-laws over the thundering of his heart.

        “It’s not too soon?” he whispered his fear into her ear.

        “No. It’s right on time. I love you, Noah, and I can’t wait to be yours.”

        He smirked. “Like you were always meant to be.”

        Her smile was blinding.

That August

         Emma Jean’s pale blue, trumpet style dress fit her like a glove. The illusion neckline extended over the bodice in a sheer swath of fabric covered in blue and pink flower appliqué. She hadn’t wanted another traditional white gown. She’d wanted something unique; something that represented her and the things that were important to her. Noah hadn’t cared if she’d decided to wear a burlap sack, so long as she was walking down that aisle toward him.

        Bouquet of pure white roses in hand, she made her way down the short aisle to the one who was made for her. The lush summer grass rustled softly under her bare feet, and a light breeze toyed with her hair. They’d opted out of music for the ceremony, so she was accompanied by the sound of birds singing and Tuck laughing.

        As his soon-to-be wife stopped in front of him, and the sunlight glinted off her golden tresses, Noah’s throat tightened with all the words he longed to say. His heart swelled with every promise he made to her and to himself to live the next sixty years thanking God for the honor of loving this woman.

        Once the short ceremony was over, they turned, as a couple, to face their family and friends. They were met with a chorus of cheers and happy tears right there on the same patch of land where Tally and Luke had been married just two months before.

        

Eight years later

        Emma Jean took a deep breath and released it before gripping the door handle and letting herself into the building. It was her first day of work, and though this place had become like a second home to her, she was still nervous about how the day would go.

        She gripped the shoulder strap of her cross-body bag and walked across the dimly lit lobby. If it weren’t for the faint aroma of coffee in the air, she would think she was alone in the building. Stepping into the breakroom, she greeted her co-workers with a tremulous smile.

        “Good morning, Dr. Hawkins,” Abel boomed, standing up from his seat at the table.

        “Good morning, everyone.” She looked around the break room, offering a smile to Marissa and Shayla, the new vet tech. “It’s so good to be back.”

        Emma Jean had graduated with her doctorate in veterinary medicine two weeks ago. Abel had been instrumental in getting her through school with her sanity intact and had promised her from the beginning that he’d take her on when she graduated. It just so happened that when the time came, the clinic had become so busy that he truly did need to take on another vet, as the need for veterinary care had grown in the area.

        “It’s good to have you back, Dr. Hawkins,” Marissa said with a wink as she handed her a cup of coffee.

        Starting to feel at ease in the familiar place with at least two familiar faces, she relaxed and let her smile grow. “No more of that ‘Dr. Hawkins’ business, now. Call me Emma Jean.”

        

***

“Hey, baby, how was your first day?” Noah greeted her with a kiss the moment she walked in the door to their apartment.

She was going to have to tell him that they’d need to move soon. Their family was growing, and they’d need the space. She knew how he was going to react, so she’d wait and tell him later tonight when they were in bed.

“Hey, Mom,” Eve called, jogging into the room.

“Hey, princess,” Emma Jean greeted her six-year-old daughter.

Emma Jean had gotten pregnant her second year of college to the extreme satisfaction of her husband. As joyous an occasion as it was, they decided to wait until Emma Jean was completely finished with her schooling before trying for another. A month before graduation, Emma Jean stopped her birth control.

Looking down at her little girl with her father’s dark brown hair and Emma Jean’s light brown eyes, she briefly imagined what their next child might look like. Would he or she look like Eve? Would they have Emma Jean’s blonde hair and Noah’s dark blue eyes? Would it be a boy who was the spitting image of his father? She couldn’t wait to find out.

“Can we go to Aunt Tally’s and ride horses?” Eve looked up at her mother with a small pout.

“We did that yesterday, baby,” she reminded her.

“I know, but I want to do it again.”

“Not tonight sweetheart. Maybe your dad can take you over for a little while tomorrow?” She looked at Noah as she finished her question.

“Sure, pumpkin, we can do that,” he said to Eve. “But, remember, the horses are working, so you may not get to ride for very long.”

“That’s okay,” she shrugged. “Then I’ll just play with Audra and Cora.” She turned on her heel, yelling, “Come on, Larry!” She didn’t wait for the cat to follow, which was just as well, since Larry was currently stretched out on the ledge of the bay window with apparently no intention of moving.

Emma Jean rounded on her husband. “If she’s hanging around Audra and Cora, you keep an eye on her.”

Noah caught the finger that she was pointing at him and grinned. He knew his nieces were hellions. “Don’t worry, sunshine. I won’t let her break any bones.”

“Good.” She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing him.

“You never answered my question. How as your first day?”

She smiled, content with how the day had gone. “It was pretty great. Shayla, my new vet tech, reminds me of Tally. We really hit it off, and I think we’re going to work great together.”

“That’s awesome, baby,” he said softly. “I’m so proud of you.”

Emma Jean beamed. Noah was always telling her he was proud of her. From the day she enrolled in school to the day she gave birth to Eve to the day she earned her Bachelor’s degree to the day she graduated with her DVM. Every accomplishment she had under her belt, he was there to cheer her on. Always supportive, never once discouraging or doubtful of what she could accomplish. She was so very blessed to have him.

“I love you, mine.”

“Love you right back, sunshine.”

The End.