Page 109 of Loving Violet
Noah is shaking his head, snickering. “You really don’t have the self-awareness to stop, do you?”
Esteban shrugs, clearly unbothered. “Confidence is key, my friend.”
Austin raises an eyebrow. “And that’s why you’ll end up alone for the rest of your life. I don’t think any self-respecting woman would put up with your crazy shit.”
Esteban throws his hands up in mock protest, following Noah as they start debating thesurprisingnumber of women who would love to date him.
“Don’t worry, man,” Esteban says, still grinning. “I’m like a magnet for women. The right one will come along eventually. You’ll see.”
Noah laughs, shaking his head. “Yeah, if by ‘right one’, you mean the kind of woman who loves a good circus.”
I watch them walk off, shaking my head. “Your friends are crazy.”
He chuckles, leaning into me. “Tell me about it. But they do keep things interesting.”
Austin pulls me closer, still smirking. “Yeah, I’ll give them that. At least they’re notboring.”
Austin wraps his arm around me, pulling me close as I lean into him. His voice is soft in my ear. “I wanted to celebrate with everyone who’s important to us. You deserve nothing less.”
Tears fill my eyes as I look up at him. “This is more than I’ve ever dreamed of. Thank you.”
The evening unfolds in a blur of hugs, laughter, and heartfelt toasts. The food is delicious, the music lively, and the pavilion hums with the love and joy of everyone gathered. I show off my ring, and it’s passed around as everyone admires the elegant solitaire Austin chose.
Pictures are snapped, stories shared, and the night feels endless and fleeting all at once. As the celebration begins to wind down, I find myself sitting beside Austin on the pavilion’s steps, the soft glow of the lights illuminating the love in his gaze.
I reach for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “For all of this. For everything.”
He kisses my forehead, his lips lingering as if to seal the moment. “I love you, Violet. This is just the beginning of our forever.” I glance back at the pavilion, where the people we love most laugh and chat, the night wrapping us all in its tender embrace. “You know, I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, Violet.”
Epilogue
Violet
Five YearsLater
The hum of my computer fills the room as I type, but my focus shifts when I hear the faint crackle from the baby monitor. I pause, my fingers hovering over the keys, and listen. There it is again—a soft cry.
Lilly.
I push my chair back, the warm afternoon light streaming through the window. At ten months, she already has Austin’s green eyes and a tuft of dirty blond hair, the perfect combination of both of us. I smile to myself, my heart swelling as I stand and head toward her room.
I find her sitting up in her crib, little face scrunched, arms outstretched in search of comfort. When she sees me, her face lights up, and my heart skips a beat. I scoop her up gently, her tiny body a warm bundle in my arms. Her baby scent, sweet and familiar, fills my senses, and I close my eyes for a moment, taking it all in. This right here is my peace.
I rock her lightly, humming a soft tune, while the world outside feels so much like it should—complete, full of love, and just a little chaotic.
Austin and the boys headed out for their weekly grocery run earlier. It’s a routine they have every weekend one that I am never going to complain since I don’t have to go.
Adrian is almost seventeen now. I can hardly believe it when I look at him—tall, confident, and full of that quiet strength I always knew he had.
The years have flown by, and my firstborn is well on his way to adulthood. He’s still the best big brother to Lilly and Ethan, never hesitating to pitch in with whatever they need, from diaper changes to impromptu soccer lessons in the backyard. And despite his growing independent, he’s always there when I need him.
Ethan, at four, is a constant echo of my younger self, with his mischievous grin and wide, curious eyes. He’s Austin’s shadow. Wherever Austin goes, there’s Ethan, always asking questions and soaking in the world with the wonder of a little boy. I can see so much of Austin in him, how he copies every move Austin makes, and how he already knows what it means to love unconditionally.
I think about the years we’ve spent together how we built this life from the ground up. From the early days of working side by side with Josy at the coffee shop to growing it into something bigger than we ever imagined—it’s been a journey filled with hard work, joy, and unexpected blessings.
Josy invited me to partner with her a few years ago, and together, we expanded the business into three thriving locations. Managing the marketing for all the shops keeps me busy, but it’s a challenge I love. And on top of that, my side business of working with small businesses has taken off. I’ve found a way to blend my passion for marketing with my desire to help others succeed.
But none of that would mean anything without Austin, without this family.
