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“I don’t need a fancy wedding,mi cielo. We’re already married. I’m not going anywhere,” Camila says as a tear runs free down her cheek.
“Ohhh, the bride says no. Attention, everyone—the bride says no,” Luca announces pulling out his phone, I’m assuming to record.
Karina smacks his hand down, effectively blocking him.
“Of course, I didn’t say no. I would never say no to this man,” Camila says, glaring at Luca.
She kneels on the floor, mimicking me. “I just didn’t think we needed another wedding. But if that’s what you want, my answer is yes. A million times yes, Vicente Godoy.”
Everyone claps as I put the ring on Camila’s left hand, and I notice how badly I’m shaking.
“Are you nervous?” she asks with a soft, nervous chuckle.
I release a heavy breath. “Yes, I thought you were going to say no.”
She cradles my face in her hands, and we melt in a deep, long kiss.
“I’m sorry. I love you,” she says against my lips as we come back up for air.
“I love you too.” I kiss her some more, just for good measure.
When I help her stand, Ava rushes over to hug us, and I lift her up in my arms.
“Yay, Mummy and Daddy are getting married again,” she cheers as she embraces us both.
“Why did you get me another ring?” Camila asks, looking at the new ring on her left hand.
“So there’s no doubt that you are taken. Now you have the same ring on both hands.”
Camila laughs as she gets on her tippy toes and gives me a quick kiss.
“Mark your calendars, everybody. The wedding will be March 26th next year.”
Everyone looks at me curiously, so I explain. “That’s the day I met Camila in person. That’s when I knew she was the one in my heart—even if my brain hadn’t caught up yet.”
Camila hugs me hard as a collectiveawwfills the room.
And here, with our family, with the love of my life and my daughter, is when I can finally admit that being resolute to fulfill my destiny has been the best decision of my life.
Epilogue
Camila Flores
March 26th - A New Beginning
Life in Alamo Peaks has been a dream come true.
When I learned I was pregnant with Ava, I decided to stay in London because I thought being in a big city would give me plenty of opportunities to find a job to raise her. And it did. I’ll always be grateful for everything the city gave me—a job, a roofover my head, food, and even Mrs. Evans, who ultimately led me to my husband.
But the past six months in this small town have been nothing short of amazing. Vicente’s family has welcomed Ava and me with open arms, treating us as part of the family from day one.
Everyone at the vineyard—and in town—are nice and always have a smile on their faces.
Ava’s doctors are fantastic. They’ve done a great job—not only providing everything she needs during her blood transfusions but also becoming part of our extended family—always making Ava, and us, feel at home whenever we visit the hospital.
I stand by the window, looking out from our room in the house we built when we moved here last year.
The house is big and spacious. Vicente insisted we needed at least ten bedrooms—not just to accommodate guests but for all our future children. I chuckle every time he brings it up. He’s such an amazing dad. He always listens to Ava, plays with her, and reads her stories at bedtime until her eyes flutter closed.