I blink at him and sip my coffee. “Sometimes, you’re a scary man, Cassien.”
My brother-in-law laughs and nods. “Sometimes, I guess I am.”
“We’ve ignored our businesses for a few days.” I sip the last of my coffee and then smile when it magically refills itself. I look over at Millie. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She stretches in her chair and lazily props her feet in Lucien’s lap. “I think we’ve all earned the right to be lazy and not get up for more coffee. And, yes, we may have been neglecting our businesses these past few days, but they’ll be fine. Now that he’s not a factor, everything will be just fine.”
“I’m staying here today,” I inform my sister. “I’m going to help you clean up from a house full of guests. Don’t argue with me. It’s happening.”
“I’m not arguing,” Millie says.
“I’m staying, too,” Brielle adds.
“I’m going to go look in on Oliver and Miss Annabelle,” Jackson says beside me, “but I’ll be back to help.”
We’re quiet for a long moment, and then I hear a baby crying upstairs.
We exchange looks as the sound of a closing door also filters down.
But it isn’t slammed this time.
“Life continues,” Millie says softly. “I like that our house has a piece of the past still living in it. But more than that, I’m so damn grateful that we all get to live our lives and see what’s in store for us next.”
“Amazing things,” I predict. “Many years of amazing things.”
“I think that’s it.” I tap my hand against my thigh and take a good, hard look around my bedroom, just to make sure that everything I need is currently stowed in my suitcase.
We’re about to leave in the morning on a week-long trip. Bora Bora will be the first stop, and then on to Australia.
Millie and Lucien left this morning for Alaska. And then they’re going to spend a few days in Japan.
Brielle and Cash are on a plane right now to Peru, and then they’ll spend some time in Ireland.
The stones will never be in the same place, at the same time, ever again.
“Is it weird that I miss them already?” I ask Jackson as he walks into the bedroom.
“No, you’ve been attached at the hip for a long time.” He kisses my forehead. “Come here. I want to show you something.”
“You haven’t packed yet,” I remind him as I follow him out of the bedroom. “Please don’t be one of those travelers who packs two hours before the flight leaves. That’s so annoying.”
I stop short and feel my jaw drop.
“Wow.”
Jackson smiles and pulls a long-stemmed red rose out of a vase of at least two dozen more, and holds it out for me to take. I bury my nose in it and take a long, deep breath.
“These are lovely. And you brought in food.”
“I did. But before we eat…” He trails off, lowers to one knee, and pulls a ring out of the pocket of his jeans. “Daphne, you are the love of my life. My match in every way. You are the one meant for me. I want to build a long, happy life with you, sweets. I want some babies. Mostly, I just want to spend as much time as I possibly can with you, for as long as I’m on this Earth.”
He licks his lips.
“Will you marry me, Daph?”
“Of course, I will.” I wipe away a tear as he slips the ring on my finger, and I gasp at the sweet memories that fill my mind. “Oh, they were so happy, Jack. She loved this ring so much. It was her grandmother’s. She was close to her and felt so proud to wear it. And now, I’m proud to wear it.”
He stands, pulling me close. “Serendipity.”
The word is whispered.
“What is?”
“Finding you, all those years ago. I wasn’t looking for you, but there you were. The most amazing woman I’d ever seen. All mine.”
I kiss his chin. “All yours.”
He lifts me and stalks off for the bedroom.
“I thought we were going to eat!”
“We will. Later.”
Epilogue
Miss Sophia
“Are you ready?” I smile at my friend as she zips up her bag, ready to move to her new home just down the lane from me.
Ruth has been the friend I didn’t know I needed over the past several months. A constant companion and a joy to have around.
And I don’t have to say goodbye to her. She’ll be close, at the ready for a cup of tea or a glass of spiced wine.
Since my sister died almost two decades ago, I didn’t think I’d ever feel connected to another person the way I felt connected to her.
But I was wrong.
And I’m grateful.
“I’m ready. The girls are already down there. They said they had some surprises for me.”
“I’m sure they have some lovely surprises,” I agree.
Lovely surprises, indeed.
We walk down the little dirt road that connects our homes. Ruth and I have enjoyed watching the progress on her little cottage, discussing colors and fabrics.
Casting spells on charms to put in the walls when the workers finished for the day.
Three cars are parked out front, and the six are sitting on the deep, wrap-around porch—the girls on the swing, in a chair, and the boys on the steps.
“What a handsome bunch they make,” I say softly.
“I’ve never seen anything so wonderful in my life,” Ruth says. “And the new house is good, too.”
I smile at her, and we approach the others.
“There you are,” Brielle says. “Welcome home, Mama.”
“Oh, girls. All of you. It’s just so wonderful. So much more than I imagined.”
“Let’s go inside and have a look,” Jackson suggests.
They wanted us to stay away for the last phase of the build so we could see it when it was all finished.
And when we walk inside, we both gasp with joy.
Ruth cries.
I simply smile, pleased and proud of these young people and everything they’ve accomplished together.
The living space is full of color. A beautiful yellow velvet couch is the focal point with gem-toned pillows and throws and wood furniture. The kitchen is a dream, with plenty of counter space for Ruth to explore more of her hedgewitch affinity.
I have no doubt she’ll plant gorgeous gardens, and children will play in the yard for generations to come, filling the little house with love.
“Do you like it?” Daphne asks me after we’ve been given the grand tour.
“Oh, darling, yes. It’s absolutely perfect. Your mother will be very happy here.”
“She deserves it,” Millie says and hugs Ruth close.
Lucien walks up next to me and takes my hand, squeezing it.
He’s my great-grandfather, this young man. And, he’s my friend.
I’ve grieved for those we lost, loved ones who didn’t have the opportunity to be here and to grow old.
And I’ve rejoiced for the six who prevailed, and for the lifetimes they’re about to have.
They are my family.
“I’m going to make dinner for everyone,” Ruth announces. “A big dinner, here in my new home.”