Page 148 of Heavy

My tear-filled eyes look up to him.

“Will you marry me, Calista?”

With trembling lips, I nod my head and say through a joyous laugh, “Yes. A million times yes, Ronan.”

He grabs the back of my head and pulls me into a fierce kiss. The sounds of our family around us, including his brother, fade into the background.

Thank you, Ronan, for giving me everything I’ve ever needed, and more.

Epilogue 2

Ronan

6 YEARS LATER

Sheisgoingtobe the death of me, I already know it.

Once a month during the summer, Calista and I host a family get together. We invite Ken, Eamon, the rest of our little family, and the neighboring cabins. It’s pleasant, and given everything that has happened in this Valley, we agree that some normalcy is nice every so often.

Cal met the owners of Echo Ridge when she was doing the design of their cabin, and what an interesting ‘couple’ they are. The Wildhart Hollow couple we met well before actuallymeetingthem, and they are cool. Here I thought me and Cal’s story was taboo.

Actually, speaking of taboo-relationships, the couple from Starlight Ridge, nowthatwas interesting to understand. Especially now, being a dad. They are chill though, pretty sure they caught me carrying my naked wife back to the cabin after she got free from her restraints. I appreciate them not calling the cops and minding their fucking business.

Honestly, I have to admit, having nearly twenty friends, family and kids running around the side of our house, feels right.

Our cabin, still called Sanderson Pine, was finished nearly four years ago. It still has the same A-frame design as its predecessor, but built more into a home than before. Three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, a large living area and an even larger kitchen. A hot tub around the side that’s incased in a glass structure for the winter nights, and a playground for our daughter.

“Get down from there,” I bark as said child climbs on the outside of our trampoline. “If you want to go in, gointoit, Sofia.”

“Sorry, Dad.”

I nod, and she turns to join Cedric’s son, as well as Lux’s three-year-old daughter, who’s just as mischievous as Sofia is at four. Mia plays with them too, and despite being in her teens, she jumps with the kids as though she’s their age.

A hand slides across my back, pulling my attention down to see my wife at my side. She rests her head against my chest and takes a deep breath. “It’s such a nice day today,” she says, looking from the kids up to me. “Thunderstorms later though. After we put Sofia to bed, how about we curl up in front of the fireplace and listen to it.”

“Don’t double jump your cousin, Mia,” I hear Eamon shout in the background, but there are enough eyes on the little ones I don’t take my gaze away from Cal.

“I remember when you were terrified of those.” I lean forward and place a kiss between her brows. “That sounds nice.”

“Charlotte is bringing the pies this year, just in case.”

I chuckle. “Good call. The Wildhart Hollow couple can’t be trusted. You’d think one of them could cook.”

She laughs, and I can’t believe how happy it makes me, even now. “Leave them be. Ayden can, he just can’t bake.”

“And his stepbrother’s excuse?” I jest.

“Don’t call him that! Sheesh! You aresobad, Ronan.”

She smacks my arm, and I give her a sly wink.

“Other than the pie, Starlight Peak better not be bringing anything else over.” I groan. “No more toys, please.”

She giggles. “It’s his way of apologizing… also, why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Call them by their cabin names? Youknowthey have names, baby.”