Page 52 of Finding Home (Willow Valley #1)

CHLOE

S ix months later

I smile as Lila slips into her boots as I try to urge her out the door.

We’re on our way to my parents’ place, and Lila insisted on wearing her white dress with purple polka dots.

We had to go buy a new one as soon as she grew out of the one she wore on the first day of school, and we’ve since upgraded her boots, too.

They still match mine at her insistence.

“We’re gonna be late if you don’t get going, sweetheart.”

She holds her tongue between her as she slips into her boots, calling, “Done,” as soon as they’re on.

I usher her out of the house and into the car. Mom is waiting at the gate for us when we arrive, leading us to the horse barn, where I see a woman holding a camera. She smiles at us as we approach and offers me her hand.

“Hi, my name’s Annalise. Everett hired me to get some family photos today.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

I smile as I walk towards Everett. Something about his demeanour is off, but he leans down, kissing me before he winks at Lila, and she giggles.

I shake my head and let Annalise walk us through some poses for the photos.

Everett lifts Lila onto his shoulders and wraps an arm around my waist, and I lean into him as she snaps away .

Everett and I are both dressed casually, and I love that this is how he wanted the photos done, capturing us in our everyday life. Nothing fancy or over the top. Something truly us. I smile up at him, and he leans down, kissing me, Lila giggling as she falls slightly when he dips.

He puts her down, and we go through a few more poses before Annalise asks for Lila to join her, leaving just Everett and me.

“Was there a pose that you were thinking?” she asks, and Everett says, “Yeah,” and I look at him confused before he drops to one knee in front of me and my hands come to my face. I barely register the snapping of the camera or Lila’s excited squeal.

“North, you’re more than I could have ever asked or prayed for.

You are softness and strength wrapped in one beautiful package.

You are what finding home feels like. I know I don’t want to spend another day in this life without you.

I want the future we talk about at night and to watch you accomplish everything you want to.

I want to be by your side forever, but I want to do it as your husband.

” He reaches into the pocket of his jeans and pulls out a ring box, opening it to the most perfect simple princess cut stone. “Will you marry me, North?”

My tears are flowing so quickly I can’t even speak. All I can do is nod over and over as I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his.

When we break apart, he pulls the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger, and Lila cheers. I look over at her, and she’s grinning from ear to ear.

“See, I told you, Daddy. If I wore the lucky dress, she’d say yes.”

I laugh, unable to help myself. Lila and I have only grown closer over the last few months.

We spent a lot of time at Mrs. Simpson’s as she was going through her chemo, the three of us playing games and watching movies together.

It was a relief when three months ago the doctors said she was in remission.

She still goes for regular monthly appointments for testing that will spread out as she reaches the six month and year mark of her recovery journey, but she’ll be with us for many more years.

Lila joins us, hugging me and then her dad. “I helped Daddy pick out the ring,” she declares, and he nods .

“She was a very big helper,” Everett says.

She nods. “I also kept the secret, Daddy.”

He kisses her cheek. “That you did, Peanut.”

I look over at Mom, who seems to have been recording our moment, and she’s wiping away tears. I rush over and hug her.

“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Annalise says her goodbyes and tells Everett she’ll get the pictures to him in a couple weeks, and he nods and shakes her hand as she congratulates us. Mom says she has some things to do inside and leaves the three of us.

We settle on the grass, staring up at the sky and watching the clouds overhead.

I never thought life could be as perfect as it is now.

There are still hard days, I still get a pit in my stomach anytime I hear about a decent-sized fire while Everett’s on shift, but he sits down with me afterwards and talks me through it.

He holds me and reminds me that he’s right there with me.

My fear about him wanting to fight wildfires was squashed the second he told me he had no interest and that they go through a specialized training in BC.

There are men on his crew that would volunteer should there be a call for extra firefighters, but they can’t leave the town with none, and he’d be one to stay behind.

I’ve gotten to watch Lila blossom in Willow Valley.

She’s made so many friends at school, and I’ve seen how she’s started opening up and being more comfortable with people outside of just Everett, Mrs. Simpson, and me.

Last month, she called Brinley Aunty Brin and I nearly cried at the way they’ve developed a relationship.

It helps that Brin is the stereotypical fun aunt.

Between building forts and the junk food she gives Lila, there was no way she wasn’t winning her heart.

After a few minutes, Lila asks, “If you guys are getting married, does that mean I get to have a little brother or sister?”

I turn and look at Everett, who smiles at me before looking down at his daughter.

“One day.”

No maybe, just one day, and the thought has me grinning from ear to ear. The thought of growing our family fills me with excitement.

“Yay!” she cheers. “We can make forts and I can teach them to ride horses and we can read books together,” she goes on, sitting up, and starts dancing around as she continues to list all the things she could do with a baby brother or sister.

Everett scoots closer, and I roll into his side, watching Lila full of pure joy.

“When do you want to start on that baby brother or sister for her?” Everett asks.

I shake my head with a laugh, looking up at him. “After the wedding.”

He leans down and kisses me. “So you’re saying I should get you down the aisle as soon as possible.”

“I can get behind that.”

“Sounds like a plan, Mrs. Lawson.”

“I’m not your wife yet,” I tease.

“Maybe, but you are mine.” He kisses me in a way that has me picturing our future and wanting everything it has to offer us.