Page 89 of Stuck with the Hero Next Door

I wrapped my arms around him and launched myself into his lap with reckless joy, nearly knocking over the bowl of popcorn and causing our mugs to slosh dangerously. He caught me with the instinct built over hundreds of nights, and when he turned me around in his lap, the world felt centered again.

When he pulled back, our noses bumped, our foreheads touched, and we both laughed through tears. “We probably just scared half the neighbors,” he chuckled.

“I don’t care,” I said, watching the ring catch the light like a shared secret. “We’re worth every noise complaint.”

Levi kissed my temple, then rested his against mine. “I love you,” he said quietly.

“I love you more,” I whispered. “And no matter how messy we’ve been… this is perfect.”

Outside, snow dusted the windows like icing on a fairytale we didn’t know we’d get to live. Inside, the twinkling tree lights blinked like tiny witnesses to the best moment of our story so far.

“We really should throw that out soon,” he laughed.

"When?" I asked, half-bouncing, half-wriggling in excitement.

“I can take it out tomorrow.”

"No. Not the tree. When do you want to get married?" I laughed and playfully tickled his sides.

"Tomorrow," he said without hesitation. "But I suppose we should probably plan something that involves our families and friends."

"Probably," I agreed, grinning. "Though the idea of eloping has its appeal."

"We could do both. Small ceremony here, big celebration later. Or whatever you want. I just want to be married to you."

I kissed him then, soft and sweet and full of promise, and it tasted like forever

The Valentine's Day dinner at the Everwood Inn two weeks later was exactly the type of event Janet specialized in—elegant enough to feel special, casual enough to feel comfortable, and perfectly orchestrated.

The dining room had been transformed with soft lighting and flowers. February didn’t disappoint with its light snow shower for the romantic late-winter weather. Tables were set for couples, and the whole space felt warm and intimate. Celebrating love in all its forms.

I'd chosen a deep red dress that made me feel beautiful and confident, but more than that, I felt happy. Deep, settled happiness that came from being exactly where I wanted to be with exactly who I wanted to be there with.

"There they are," Janet called from across the room, hurrying over with David trailing behind her. He was tall and weathered, a solid presence honed from years of physical work, with an easy smile. He looked genuinely glad to be home.

"David," Janet said, practically glowing with pride, "meet Cassie, Everwood's newest resident."

David shook our hands with a firm grip. His eyes were kind and genuinely interested.

"Janet's been giving me regular updates," he said with a grin. "I feel like I've been following a romance novel from overseas. Congratulations on the engagement."

"Thank you," I said, proud and happy.

The evening unfolded with easy warmth. It was one of the best Everwood gatherings: good food, comfortable conversation, laughter from every corner, typical only to Everwood. I moved through conversations until dinner was over, and dessert came."So," David said over angel food cake and strawberries, with a slice of Dot's chocolate cake on the side, "Janet tells me you two are planning to stay in Everwood."

"Definitely," I said without hesitation. "This is home."

"Any thoughts about expanding the family?" Janet asked with an innocent expression, though she was fooling no one."Janet," I laughed, "we just got engaged two weeks ago."

"I'm just saying, Everwood High could always use more future students."

"I'll keep that in mind," Levi said, catching my eye and sharing one of those looks that said we’d table this conversation for later.

After dessert, the event ended in what felt like a chaotic blink of an eye, and I was so full I wouldn’t have to eat for a month.

As we walked home through the quiet streets, snow crunching under our feet and our breath visible in the cold air, I marveled at how perfect this life felt."What are you thinking about?" Levi asked, noticing my contemplative silence.

"Just this. Us. How everything fell into place once we stopped overthinking it."