Page 113 of Walkoff Wedding

With a place that I have loved fiercely, devotedly, my entire life and the ability to rebuild the parts he damaged. Making it not only mine but my mom’s as well.

It’s a bittersweet realization, but all of this taught me to find the beauty in the ruin.

“I think… that my mom led me straight to you, Grant. Even if she couldn’t be here, she still made sure that I had my happily ever after by giving me you.”

He always said he would be my Prince Charming, and it turns out he was right all along.

epilogue

Addie

One month later

“Where should we start?” Grant’s best friend Reese asks as he reaches up and turns the baseball hat around on his head, glancing around the kitchen. “I am at your service, milady.”

It’s taken a month to get the official approval from NOFD and city inspectors to begin working on debris removal and repairs at the bakery. Time that seemed to drag and fly by all at once. With school and coordinating with the insurance company to get everything needed to start the renovations, it’s been a whirlwind. If it wasn’t for Grant, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with half of it.

He’s been the most attentive, patient, understanding man on the planet, and even though it feels impossible, I love him even more with each passing day. He keeps me grounded and gives me a safe space to land.

How he manages to help with the bakery, spend every night exhausting me until I can’t move, play baseball, do a hundred different things for his sponsorship, and still manage to be the most incredible husband and loyal friend is truly beyond me.

In the past month, I’ve mourned the loss of the place I once knew and worked on accepting that changes had to happen if it meant keeping the place my mother poured all of her love into.

And as I stand in the middle of the kitchen, walls still blackened with smoke damage and charred drywall, another wave of emotion hits me so fiercely that my chest aches.

“I think Grant and the guys from the team got most of the charred drywall and some of the broken wood out this morning, so maybe we can start removing the damaged tables and equipment? I think the restoration company will be here later today to set up the ozone generators to help get the smoke odor out.” I plant my hands on my hips.

Reese smirks, giving me a dramatic salute that makes me laugh. Grant and I were not expecting his friends to show up today, flying in from opposite sides of the country to come and help us with the bakery.

Especially because they’re technically Grant’s friends, and Ever After is my responsibility.

The thought that Grant’s friends flew here at the drop of a hat to be here for us and help when they have their own lives made me emotional in a way that I didn’t expect.

“Lane, get your ass over here and help me move these tables. They’re heavy as shit, and you’re not helping by standing there looking cute,” Reese yells to the tall, dark blond guy with unruly hair—Hallie’s boyfriend. He’s talking with Earl near the back door, and he turns to Reese, giving him the finger, but then strides over to him.

As I watch the guys attempting to move the furniture, Grant’s hands bracket my hips before he tugs me back against him. “Hi, ArtGirl.”

Just the sound of his voice makes me feel more at ease. Renovating a bakery is stressful in itself without everything else, but as always, my husband has the ability to calm me like nothing else in the world. “Hi,” I respond with a smile. “I can’t believe that everyone flew here just to help us. It was so nice of them.”

Grant’s lips press along the back of my neck, and I feel him nodding against my skin. “It is. They drive me nuts sometimes, but they’re honestly the best people I know. And you already know Reese will use any excuse he can to use the jet.”

His laugh vibrates my skin as his head shakes. He’s teasing, but I know how much it really means to him to have them here. Not only did his friends drop everything to come when he needed them, but his mom also came to help without even being asked.

And, unsurprisingly, she and Amos hit it off from the moment they met, and it made my heart squeeze to see them together, laughing like they’ve known each other forever.

“It’s just… amazing to see everyone be so supportive and kind. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m already just so emotional about everything that I keep crying. I’m not sad—I’m actually really, really happy. Overwhelmingly happy. Thankful. It’s ju—” I realize that I’m rambling, so I halt, my mouth snapping shut as I inhale. “I’m grateful. For you and that you have an amazing support system.”

“Addie, they’re not just here for me. They’re here for you too. They’re our friends and family, and that’s what people do when they love each other. They show up.”

Once again, fresh tears well in my eyes, and I sniffle, quickly brushing them away before turning to face my husband, wrapping my arms around his neck. “This is the life I always hoped for, and I’m so happy that I get to do it with you.”

“Me too, baby. Can I… steal you away for a second?” His lip curves slightly with a grin. “I have something I want to show you.”

I nod. I have absolutely no idea what it could even be, but truthfully, I could use a second to just breathe.

He reaches for my hand, sliding his fingers into mine, and then leads me toward the exit at the back of the kitchen. We both laugh when we see Reese and Lane arguing near the stand mixer. Grant just shakes his head and tugs me forward out of the bakery and onto the sidewalk behind it.

I’m completely confused as he guides me to the front of Ever After and comes to a stop in front of the building next door. It’s seen much better days. The paint is chipped along the front doors, curling and warping from the heat, the uneven brick front slightly crumbling with old age, and the mailbox next to the door is hanging on by a singular screw. Despite the years of neglect, it’s still breathtakingly beautiful. The front windows have always been my favorite part of this place since I was a kid. They’re nearly to the ground, covered in a layer of dirt and dust, but I always imagined that they’d let in an abundance of natural light.

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