Page 76 of Romantic

“And we would never have met.”

“That’s a scary thought.”

“Isn’t it?” Brandon takes my hand and squeezes it. His eyes find mine, and we just look at each other. I remember when Edward and Elinor started dating, I’d catch them doing the same thing—just staring at one another and smiling like lovestruck fools. Now I understand.

“Thank you for the perfect first date,” I say after swallowing the last bite of my pepperoni pizza.

“No! This is not our first date,” he argues. That’ll be next week. I’ve been plotting. You of all people deserve something truly romantic.”

“Hmmm . . . that’s sweet of you. And I’m sure our second date will be incredible. But rescuing me from the side of the road and spending all day helping move into my new place—that’s all the romance I need.”

Marianne’s joy was almost a degree beyond happiness. —Sense and Sensibility

EPILOGUE

Five Years Later

Annie

I read the New Year’s Eve prediction a moment before Brandon does. Pepper gets her first kiss.

“Can I borrow that marker?” he asks, sounding deadly serious.

I hand him the marker in my hand. He strikes a red slash through the prediction, then smiles.

“Better.”

“You know it’s inevitable,” I say as he hands the marker back to me.

“I know. But I don’t need to think about it tonight. Not yet.”

“What do you think about this . . . I say pointing at a prediction in Pepper’s distinct writing: Mom and Dad have another baby.

We found out only last week that I’m expecting again. Marigold is already a little over two, and Pepper absolutely dotes on her little sister. I’m so grateful for our little family, and I feel so much love and gratitude for Daphne James. She not only gave birth to Pepper, but, also—I don’t think Brandon would be the thoughtful husband and father he is if he hadn’t learned from his mistakes in his first marriage. Never has a man been so attentive to his wife’s feelings. Sometimes I hear other women talk about how their husbands don’t listen, and I have to keep my mouth shut. If Brandon has a fault, it’s fussing over us too much.

He’s not as good at taking care of himself. Fortunately, it’s my life’s mission to both take care of Brandon and make him smile. So far, I’m succeeding spectacularly, if I do say so myself.

He’s smiling at me right now as he leans over and whispers in my ear, “Do you think she knows?” We were planning on waiting a little longer before telling everyone about the new baby, but I’m so excited to share our news, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. “You can’t keep much from Pepper,” I say, adding my own two cents under Pepper’s baby prediction. “Born in July!”

Brandon breaks into a grin and shakes his head. “You couldn’t wait, could you?”

“It’s the perfect night. And your parents should be here soon.” Brandon’s parents have started spending New Year’s at Norland Park. They usually stay in the hotel which has maintained its vintage vibe even after extensive renovations. The old bison head still hangs above the enormous stone fireplace in the lobby, but there are no more leaking ceilings or rattling windows. It’s now a charming luxury hotel with lots of history.

“What’s this?” Elinor enters the kitchen and immediately zeroes in on Pepper’s prediction.

She points to the bit I wrote: Born in July! “Is this true? Annie!”

“Yes!” I squeal, unable to contain my excitement. I know I’m beyond lucky that I’ve adjusted so easily to motherhood. Plus, having Brandon’s parents down the street has been nothing short of amazing.

“Congratulations! This is the best news!” Elinor tears up a little. Since her marriage and motherhood, Elinor cries a little more often in public. I cry a little less. The change is good for both of us. She hugs me and then Brandon. “Edward,” she calls down the hall “You have to see this. Annie and Brandon have news.”

“What news?” My mom enters through the back door. She lives in the cutest enchanted cottage built in the woods behind Bumble Cottage. Edward paid for the cottage and the artist studio attached to it. Brandon wanted to pay for it, but Edward insisted; it’s on his land, after all. The two of them have a friendly competition to be the best son-in-law. The real winner is my mom, who loves her cottage—and the gorgeous bookshelves and cabinetry Brandon built for her. She only works occasionally in Mom’s Cafe now that Norland Park has more full-time staff, including a hospitality coordinator and a couple of world-class chefs. And she’s been painting a lot more.

“Grammy Maggie!” Three-year-old Teddy runs to greet her with his golden hair, reminding me a lot of his father from the summer Elinor and I first met Edward. Behind him toddles darling Marigold. She was bald until her first birthday with only the slightest bit of ginger fuzz. Now she has a pretty crop of red curls. She looks just like I did when I was a little girl, except she has Brandon’s soulful brown eyes.

As my mom greets each grandchild, Edward enters the kitchen, followed by Pepper, who immediately spots my addition to her prediction.

“I knew it!” she says with satisfaction as she runs over to hug me. “I’m definitely winning the Lucky Duck this year.”