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“Can we leave the babies with you two for a little bit?” I ask Lorna. “We won’t be long at all. There’s one last thing that I need to show Seraphine.”
Lorna knows exactly what it is, and she nods. “Of course, take your time. Lilly and I are nice and cozy here and I think that the babies like the soothing sound of the fire. We’ll probably all be napping by the time you return.”
I have to admit that a nap does sound good. I am really looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep, although I’m pretty sure that with newborn twins, a solid night of sleep is still a while away.
I grab my coat and one for Seraphine.
“We’re leaving?” she asks, reluctant to leave the babies already.
“Yes, not for long, I promise.”
When we get into the car, I don’t tell Seraphine where we’re going, but she soon figures it out. Downtown is all lit up with the winter lights that they still haven’t taken down yet even though it is almost spring. I think the town here, especially down in the artisan village, really likes to draw out the cold, magical season for as long as possible. There is something peaceful and almost surreal about it up here in the mountains.
And Seraphine’s face instantly lights up when we pull up and park. Sheadoresthis village.
Almost as soon as she steps out, Tom comes to greet her and give her a hug.
“Well look at you!” he says with a laugh. “You’re about three sizes smaller now that you’ve had those babies.”
“True,” she laughs right along with him. “And it feels good, if I’m being honest.”
“How are you and the babies doing?”
“Well, the babies are snuggled up at home by a warm fire and have a gorgeous new nursery thanks to Chad, and—” Seraphine stops and holds out her hand to show Tom the ring on her finger.
“Wow! Congratulations!” he says as he gives her another hug and then shakes my hand. “To the both of you. What a beautiful family you guys have made together.”
“Thank you,” she beams. “Now I’m just trying to figure out why Chad has brought me downtown. I’m hoping it’s so that I can say hi to all of you.”
“We’re all very glad to have you back, Seraphine,” Tom says with a glint in his eye. “But I think there is another reason why Chad brought you here right now.”
Before she has a chance to question either of us further, Eric pops out of the gallery a few doors down and walks over to us. He greets Seraphine, exchanges a few pleasantries, and then asks us to follow him. Tom comes along too so that he can witness Seraphine’s reaction. If theverypleased smile that he is wearing is any indication, then I have a feeling this might be the best surprise of all.
When we get to the door, we can already see that the once-empty gallery is no longer vacant. To Seraphine’s surprise, I pull the key out of my pocket and open the doors, before throwing the light switch on and revealing an absolutely beautiful and completely renovated new gallery space.
Again, I’m not sure how these guys pulled it off so fast. They must have had help from everyone in the village, which is a testament to how much everyone loves Seraphine and wants her to here too.
The walls are freshly painted in a lovely soft moss color, there are new hanging light fixtures and furnishings, and best of all there is a sign at the counter when you first walk in that saysWelcome to the Gallery of Seraphine.
“What is this?” she asks with tears once again filling her eyes.
“This isyournew gallery,” I say, reaching out to hold her hand. “I bought it for you, and Tom and Eric fixed it up and made it look beautiful. It’s so that you can run your own business here if you’d like and sell the paintings that you create in your new art studio. If that is what you’d like to do.”
“I don’t even know what to say.Thank you. This is a dream come true,” she says, overwhelmed and smiling from ear to ear. “I can’t believe that I get to come here into the village every day to paint and create and sell my pieces.”
“See?” I tease. “I told you this last surprise would be better than sitting in an office taking notes.”
We stay and look around for a few more minutes, letting Tom and Eric show us all the cool things they did to the place. And then, after I express my huge gratitude to them, I hand the keys over to Seraphine.
“Ready to go home and snuggle with our babies?” I ask.
“I have never been more ready forallof this,” she says as she takes my hand, and we walk out of her veryowngallery toward the car.
Epilogue
Seraphine
“Are you ready?” I ask as I help to straighten Lilly’s bun on the top of her head.
