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Kendall shakes her head before taking off to go hug her mom. I smile and watch as she shows off the ring to her mom and her friends. The shock of my life comes when my mom pulls her into a hug and whispers something in her ear.
I head down to the yard with everyone, grinning as congratulations are passed around.
When I reach my parents, Dad is scowling but Mom wears a soft smile. I don’t know if Dad will ever forgive Kendall for what he views as the destruction of his life, but it looks like Mom might be ready to move on.
“I think I have a lot of apologizing to do,” Mom says as she looks at me. “I’m sorry that I tried to stand in your way.”
“Thank you for coming today. I didn’t know if you would,” I say as I pull her into a hug.
When we step away from each other, her eyes are watery. Dad says nothing as he reaches out to shake my hand.
“Alright,” Kendall’s mom says, looking around at everyone. “Why don’t we head inside and get the coffee going? I’ve got all the supplies we need for a pancake bar in my car, so if some people are willing to help me carry things, we’ll get breakfast going.”
“I’ll help.”
“No, you will not.” Her mom gives me a smile. “You two enjoy some time together. The rest of the day is going to be a bit wild with all of us here.”
“You’re the boss,” I say before heading over to Kendall.
She throws her arms around my shoulders and balances on her toes to kiss me.
“This is amazing. I can’t believe you put so much time and thought into this.” Kendall’s eyes start welling up. “How did you even manage to get everyone out here without me knowing?”
“I booked out a hotel in town. Everyone is going to be staying up here for the weekend to celebrate.”
In the distance, I can hear the sounds of our mothers bickering. Kendall laughs and takes my hand, leading the way up onto the deck. She peeks inside the house for a second, making sure that everyone is okay, before coming back out to stand with me.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal,” she says as she looks down at the fake candles still in the grass. “I love you.”
I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist as I rest my chin on her shoulder, the scent of her citrus shampoo wrapping around me.
“I love you too.”
Kendall and I stay out on the deck for a little while longer, wrapped in each other. I can’t stop smiling as I look down at her, completely in love.
This isn’t the way I thought my life would go but I’m glad to see what has come of everything. I have the woman I love by my side and we’re going to have a baby in a few short months.
Our families may not get along well, but they’re both here and making an effort. It’s all I can ask for.
This moment is perfect.
“I can’t believe you proposed to me while I was wearing a blanket!” Kendall narrows her eyes.
I laugh and look out at the sunrise, holding her close. “Think of the story we’ll be able to tell our children one day.”
“I’m not sure the story of Mom and Dad falling in love is one they’re going to want to hear.”
“They’ll want to hear it.”
She raises an eyebrow. “And how do you know that?”
“A love story like ours happens once in a lifetime.”
EPILOGUE - KENDALL
Ten Months Later
Soft music plays as Mom straightens the long veil over the train of my white dress. My heart is hammering against my ribcage as my bridesmaids start to walk out with the groomsmen.
