Page 24 of Beards and Broken Hearts

After she visibly swallows her emotions and takes a deep breath, she continues. “I got a letter today.” A pause follows as she gathers her words. “It’s an invitation to join an elite group of dress designers and work under the mentorship of a legend. I’ll receive materials no one else will and a chance to have my work featured in a leading magazine.”

“Oh wow! That’s awesome! Hell yeah, Daphne.” I jump to my feet excitedly, scooping her up in my arms. I twirl her around and chant more words of praise. “I’m so fucking proud of you. You’re so amazing, baby.”

She giggles in my arms, holding me tight until I put her feet back on the ground. Leaning back to look down at her, I’m shocked to still see that worry still twirls in her ocean-deep eyes.

“You’re going to kick ass. Don’t worry. I have enough faith in you for the both of us if you’re scared.”

That finally brings a smile to my girl’s face. I realize in that moment that it’s very unlikely this opportunity for her is in Magnolia Point, and then she confirms it.

“I would have to leave town. Vivian’s hosting the program in Starlight Bay, Massachusetts, this year. From there, I don’t know what will happen. I haven’t even called to confirm yet because I-” She stops, stumbling for the right words.

“I don’t want you to go either, I just got you back, but we’ll make it work, Daphne. I want great things for you, not to be the one who holds you back.”

“Exactly. I don’t want to leave you. This is so unfair.”

I can’t help but smile and kiss her forehead. “I’m yours, Daphne. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to. I promise there is no end to us.”

“What does that mean? You’ll come with me?”

I don’t even have to think twice about it. “Yes, I will. I’ll go where you go, and we’ll face every obstacle from there together. We’re forever, no matter what obstacles try to come between us. I’m never giving up on you, Daphne.”

Choked with tears, she jumps into my arms. For several long minutes, we just hold each other tight. It’s not merely a promise. It’s a solemn vow.

“I love you,” she says, breaking through the falling silence.

“I love you so damn much,” I reply with all my heart.

We eventually sit back at the table and dig into our dinner. The heavy emotion from earlier is now calm between us. I let Daphne tell me all about Vivian Lancaster and some guy named Enzo Rossi. She knows next to nothing about her travel plans, so I tell her we’ll figure it out together. Despite the huge changes in our lives that are coming up, we’re excited and in love, and I know with all my heart that I’m making the right decision to follow her. She’s the love of my life, and I’m ready to be happy by making her happy.

“To the next chapter in our love story,” I say, holding up my glass of wine.

She clinks hers against mine with a smile. “To our next adventure, my love.”

EPILOGUE

Daphne

Five years later

“Look out! Here comes Super Buckley!” Holly yells, lifting my two-year-old son through the sky and making him feel like a true superhero.

Moving back to Magnolia Point was an easy decision for Layton and me. Being away from our closest friends and family has been tough, and visiting just wasn’t cutting it anymore. We’ve been home for six months, and everything feels right in the world.

“Steaks are almost ready,” Layton says with a kiss on my forehead.

If our teenage selves could see us now, I know they wouldn’t believe the last five years of our lives. We got married in a small celebration at Elenore’s house before moving to Starlight Bay. We made it back to her wedding to Darrel a few months later but have lived wherever my career needed me until now.

The gown I made for Elenore was featured in Envy Magazine. The day it hit stands, Layton brought home a dozen copies. The man has been my biggest fan and supporter through everything. He easily found a job at the Fire station in Starlight Bay but got stuck with the worse work schedule. At first, it was hard. We wanted to be with each other more than we wanted to work, but every day, we encouraged each other. Spent quality time every minute we could, and now we’re reaping the rewards. Still madly in love, we’re back home, living our happily ever after with our son and family.

“Guess that means we should round up the troops,” I say, leaning into his strong frame.

“Allow me,” he says, putting one hand against my ear, and holding me close to his chest. Then, he puts his two fingers in his mouth and whistles loudly. The high pitch turns heads, but luckily, doesn’t pierce my eardrums. He’s kept every promise over the years to make me feel loved and cherished. Small things like protecting my ears to holding my air back through the first trimester of pregnancy. He even shared night shifts with me when Buckley was a baby and never once complained about changing a dirty diaper. Telling me he felt honored to do it.

The circus that is now our large family all stampede to the large picnic table that is so long now that kids are in the family.

Elenore and Darrel are here, as well as Holly and her family. My sister didn’t fall easily in love, but when she finally did, she fell hard. The two lovebirds have two kids and are eagerly working on baby number three. I always knew she would make the best mom. I was always worried more about myself. Being so closed off for so long made me feel like a family wasn’t in the cards for me. Worse, I feared I’d be a terrible mom, but when Layton and I figured out I was pregnant, there was no anxiety. My husband calmed all my fears because, after opening up with my sister, we grew closer than ever, and I learned to communicate better. Layton promised if I could do that, I could do anything. I knew then he was just supporting me like he always does, but he was right. Emotions aren’t scary. Keeping them bottled up is, and I’m a much happier person now that I’ve grown.

Layton and I decided long ago to always tell each other everything, and when it’s hard, we work it out. Sounds simple, but it’s been challenging over the years, but worth every learning curve. We’ve grown together into the people we’re proud to be today, and Buckley makes being parents our greatest accomplishment. We settle in with everyone seated around the large table, and Elenore clinks her wine glass to quiet everyone.

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